Fitness & Coffee Sundays: RAW Protein & Greens

I once thought protein shakes & drinks were just something that we're tricked into buying just because it was advertised on a workout DVD. However, protein is the #1 key factor in growing muscles, so adding a bit more into your diet is a must for anyone that is exercising, especially if you are lifting weights. 

You have to watch out on what kind of drinks/shakes that you buy as many of them have way too much sugar and fat, as well as other unwanted ingredients. 

Garden of Life has recently released a brand-new line of protein mixes, titled RAW Protein & Greens, which features an organic plant formula featuring organic spinach, kale, broccoli and alfalfa grass juice. There are currently three different flavors: Lightly Sweet (No Stevia), Chocolate Cacao, and Vanilla.

Did I say these were organic?

Yep! Each RAW Protein & Greens is USDA Organic, NON GMO Verified, Certified Vegan, Certified B and Certified NSF. It's free from gluten, dairy, soy, tree nuts, added sugars (except for the Lightly Sweet flavor), filler ingredients, artificial colors, flavors, sweeteners or preservatives. One serving has 1.5 Billion Live Probiotics and 13 Enzymes. 

RAW Protein & Greens: Chocolate Cacao

All three flavors have an unique Organic RAW Protein & Greens Blend, featuring Organic Sprouted Brown Rice Protein, Organic Pea Protein, Organic Spinach (leaf), Organic Chia Protein, Organic Alfalfa Grass Juice, Organic Broccoli (stalk & flower), Organic Navy Bean (sprout), Organic Lentil Bean (sprout), Organic Garbanzo Bean (sprout), Organic Carrot (root), Organic Beet (root) and Organic Kale (leaf).

RAW Protein & Greens: Vanilla

Additionally, each flavor has also contains a RAW Probiotic & Enzyme Blend of Lipase, Protease, Aspergillopepsin, beta-Glucanase, Cellulase, Bromelain, Phytase, Lactase, Papain, Peptidase, Pectinase, Xylanase and Hemicellulase (Lactobacillus plantarum, Lactobacillus bulgaricus) (1.5 Billion CFU).

RAW Protein & Greens: Slightly Sweet (No Stevia)

Each serving (33g serving) has the following Amino Acids: 969mg Alanine, 1640mg Arginine, 1980mg Aspartic Acid, 312mg Cystine, 3250mg Glutamic Acid, 441mg Glycine, 927mg Isoleucine, 1600mg Leucine, 1030mg Lysine, 396mg Methonine, 1030mg Phenylalanine, 919mg Proline, 932mg Serine, 710mg Threonine, 256mg Tryptophan and 1070mg Valine.

RAW Protein & Greens: Chocolate Cacao

RAW Protein & Greens: Slightly Sweet (No Stevia)

RAW Protein & Greens: Vanilla

Final Thoughts: I'm a big fan of Garden of Life products, so I was excited to test out their new RAW Protein & Greens. Each container has about 20 servings with 20g of protein & 6 veggies per serving. If you mix it with skim milk and/or almond milk, then the protein amount will be increased. It can also be mixed with just water (8oz). Both the Vanilla and Chocolate Cacao have less than one gram of sugar, but the Slightly Sweet has 6 grams of sugar.

I've never been much of a fan of green shakes, but all three RAW Protein & Greens flavors are quite tasty. You can't even taste the greens in them. The Chocolate Cacao has a smooth chocolaty taste. The vanilla is also smooth, but I thought it tasted like eggnog, minus the rum. I can't really describe the Lightly Sweet flavor, except for the fact that it does tastes sweet. Overall, I do like all three RAW Protein & Greens. It's a great healthy way to get your daily protein needs.

For more information on RAW Protein & Green, please visit: www.gardenoflife.com

*Disclaimer - I received the complimentary Garden of Life products in exchange for unbiased review. All opinions are my own.