My Stint as a Sun Warrior
Hey everyone!
I am totally blown away by the response to my Tribest giveaway. Keep the entries coming!
If you’ve even dipped a toe into the world of raw food, there’s a chance you’ve heard of the famous Sun Warrior protein powder. It’s vegan, it’s raw, and it’s sweetened only with stevia: a dream protein for raw athletes or anyone looking to boost their protein intake. Now, in general, that’s not me: I’ve always maintained (and still do), that if one eats a varied and balanced vegan diet, protein supplementation isn’t needed. But no matter how hard I try to impress this on people, it seems that people are devoted to the idea of protein powder. Do I think it’s necessary? Unless there are extenuating circumstances (intense athletic regimens, protein absorption issues, etc.), no. Do I think it’s a big deal? Also no. Hey, if it makes my client, reader, or friend feel better to take a protein supplement, that’s fine. It’s her money, and it can’t hurt.
And if clients are going to feel better taking a supplement, then it’s my job to know what kind of supplements are available to them. So this weekend, at long last, I tried the Sun Warrior samples that had very generously been sent to me by the company.
I decided to make a vanilla ” protein pudding”–avocado, vanilla Sun Warrior, and stevia. I imagine this as a quick and easy pre- or post-workout snack, or even a quick breakfast (a la my green eggs, sort of). Into my food processor went:
2 very small avocados
2 tbsp Sun Warrior vanilla protein powder
2 tbsp water
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
Dash of stevia
The result? Tasty! Not quite chocomole, mind you, but what is? This is a less decadent, less sweet treat: a functional way to get some protein and healthy fat into your system. And it’s pleasant tasting, to boot.
Am I a protein powder convert? Um, no. I just can’t see the point in adding it to a bunch of foods that have been nourishing my body beautifully on their own. But I am highly impressed with the integrity and quality of the Sun Warrior product, and I think it’s an awesome option for my clients who want to invest in a vegan protein powder.
A common question I’ve been getting re: protein powders is, how do they combine? I’m actually a little stumped about this. I have a hunch that Sun Warrior (dervied from brown rice) can actually combine as a starch, and that hemp protein can combine as a nut/dried fruit. My belly felt fine after my pudding, which leads me to believe that the Sun Warrior can either combine as a starch, or it was a miscombination that simply didn’t irritate my system (they don’t, always). If any of my food combining peeps want to chime in here, please feel free!
Today, reader Brittany asked me about my protein berry smoothie: isn’t it a miscombination, she inquired? The answer is yes: fruit with either protein OR starch (whichever the Sun Warrior is) is inherently miscombined. But to be honest, sometimes we have to choose between the foods we want to eat and perfect combining: if getting protein in is your priority, you might have to forgo some food combining in order to enhance your meals with protein powder. If food combining is your priority, then just leave the powder out. Or, if you want a smoothie that’s well combined, you could try using bananas instead of berries: bananas can combine as starches, which means they might work nicely with the Sun Warrior.
Go ahead and check out the Sun Warrior website for more deets about their products. And stay tuned for a special interview/profile/giveaway later this weekend!
xo
23 Responses to “My Stint as a Sun Warrior”
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–Lyn D., MarylandBefore I started working with Gena, I wasn’t sure whether it would be worth it, since I knew what I “should” be doing. Her counseling, however, turned out to be a key factor in my success.
Not only does she have great advice when I am struggling, but her realistic approach helped me make major changes despite having no time and limited funds. Her recipes and ideas are for real people with lives beyond their diets, and they are great. Gena is down to earth and non-judgmental. She strikes a great balance between encouraging me to go a little father but to keep things in perspective and have fun with the process.
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So where do you get your protein?Ah, the million dollar question. I know that my fellow raw foodists are uttering a collective sigh of frustration with me. But it’s inevitable, so here goes:
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This sounds A-MAZING. I love choc avocado pudding for some fat, but protein would be well welcomed. I have problems fitting it in in the morning without greek yogurt and would love to eat vegan more
Love that you continue to showcase all sorts of options for people and share a really well weighted point of view on topics such as protein supplementation.
That sounds so easy and yummy! I sporadically use protein powder. I think it largely depends on how each person feels with more or less protein in their diet. I usually feel a little more energetic when I get a little more of it. Others feel no effect.
This actually gives me a perfect idea for a smoothie I was just about to make… I never remember to add avocado!
It’s so funny how you ALWAYS post things that are specifically on my mind right at the same time. Timely gal you are, Gena Hamshaw.
I recently started working at a health and nutrition store (in a series of events which you clearly unknowingly inspired), and it didn’t take too long for me to realize that companies are expecting me to try their free samples left and right. At first, I was kind of excited just to even have this kind of opportunity, but then when it finally came time for me to try the protein powders, I was hesitant. Honestly, I just never got it. People, human beings, females, me – just really DON’T NEED so much protein. But alas, today I was feeling benevolent at work, and decided to try the greens+ smoothie for lunch – 16 g of protein in one spoonful! (I say this in a bad way. I don’t want to come off as a protein-hater, but that’s pretty much what I am. In the sense that I’m convinced that eating the proper natural, whole foods provides a more than adequate supply of protein.)
Anyways. I was starting to feel sooo regretful – I’d have much rather eaten an avocado! – and walking home I had some time to think about things. I thought about your recent post (maybe last month?) on protein powders. And I was like “Uggggh, Gena is SO right. GENA IS ALWAYS RIGHT.” It doesn’t matter how “nutrient-dense” the stuff is – it’s still processed! And so when I came home just now and read your post, I came to the exact realization that you so wonderfully put in this post: “And if clients are going to feel better taking a supplement, then it’s my job to know what kind of supplements are available to them.”
Thanks for being awesome in so many dimensions, Gena!!
ARGH LONGEST COMMENT EVER – WAHAHA!
Lovee,
Aletheia
Interesting. I’ve never seen that product. Thanks for sharing.
Mmmm…looks like a good way to use protein powder! I need to start making more avocado “pudding” dishes
Totally off topic, but didn’t want to mess with the giveaway comments…I just wanted to let you know I made your carrot cake smoothie today–DELISH! Then I used the leftover carrot pulp to make your raw falafel recipe for dinner. I loved it so much! I used my oven as I don’t have a dehydrator and it worked just fine with the door ajar. How long do you think the leftovers will keep? I know you can warm things in the dehydrator, but if I were to take these to work would you suggest I just eat them cold? Keep them out of the refrig. that day and eat room temp? Suck it up and just eat them @ home?
Thank you for sharing your recipes and getting me and keeping me interested in raw foods.
Love Sunwarrior! I agree, I don’t think extra protein is necessary, but I take it because of crohn’s and I find the extra protein has helped with my workouts. I am always exhausted, but that along with the b12 shots I’ve been taking has helped with my energy. Would you suggest it for someone with crohn’s? I know you said it’s fine for people with absorption problems, just getting specific. I follow any Gena advice!
Gena, I agree. I think protein is SO overrated too. I know people who practically hyperventilate if they don’t get a lean “complete protein” source in every single meal and snack. In my opinion, it’s better to “overdo” on carbs than protein. Your body is more efficient in burning the carbs off, but protein is another matter.
As you said, protein powder is expensive, too!
Very interesting. I like hemp protein powder or nuts in my morning smoothie or I find I get too hungry before lunch, but I’m pretty athletic and may need to try this. Thanks!
Hi Gena!
Thanks for your great comment today! As an editor, I sure hope books are around for your sake and for everyone else’s, too. Digital just isnt the same, and I’d love to be your Valentine. Will you be mine, too?
Ok so interesting you posted about Sun W and avo pudding. I make a recipe that I called overnight “chocolate brownie” oats. It’s basically choco sun warrior, a scant 1/3 c of oats and agave, cinnamon, anyway, it’s really tasty but I dont eat it but maybe 1-2x per week, and I also put some Sun W in some no-bake vegan granola bars I make but honestly the quantity is so small in both these applications. As you perfectly said, plants have been nourishing you just fine, why change it up.
I did a 2 hour raw foods cooking Q & A class…OMG first thing out of this guys’ mouth who was there: why would i want to do the raw vegan thing..takes too much time and too expensive and for 2 bucks i can get all the mcdonalds I want and am full for 4 hours.
Nice.
That said, I won major brownie points when i whipped up a batch of “chocolate mousse”. Avo, agave, cocoa powder. I have to say, people were beyond impressed that “avocados can do that.”
Sorry to ramble, great post as usual my Valentine
xoxo
I am a big fan of protein powder, simply for satiety purposes- I find a lot of raw/vegan foods do not hold me over nearly long enough during my busy days. Maybe I should try this one! =D
xo
K
I use protein powder all the time…I just got some Sun Warrior in chocolate. I think it tastes ok, but it is much chalkier than the other non-raw/vegan powders I use!
I think I have the most sensitive digestive system on the planet (doesn’t take much to shut it down completely) so I do food combine pretty strictly.
That said, there are a couple of miscombos I seem to get away with and one is the infamous smoothie. Ironically, not green smoothies (the infamous fruit + greens is not the best combo for me, though I juice apples + greens no problem); I’m talking fruit smoothies with almond milk and hemp protein powder. I obviously have this on an empty stomach as a meal, not part of a meal. But I digest it beautifully and find it nourishing and satisfying – I wonder if the blender somehow pre-digests it?
I’m also fine with a couple tablespoons of nut butter mixed into my banana softserve “icecream.” I can’t do this as a dessert though – only as a meal by itself – my latest favorite is to mix a big tablespoon of the Wilderness Poets Hempspread into my banana softserve.
I can do Lara Bars (fruit + nuts) on an empty stomach no problem (lovely with tea!). I only don’t eat them because they’re now a corporate food, but they were a mainstay in my first couple years at this.
The other miscombo I seem to be fine with is chickpea hummus. All my gurus prefer cleaner grains (rice, quinoa) to legumes, which are “miscombined in nature” (and hummus adds tahini to the mix!) … I cannot eat grains yet for some reason I am fine with a scoop of hummus (again, filling and satisfying) … which goes to show how individual this stuff is.
Finally, I can mix fats (olive oil + avocado); it’s definitely going to create some heaviness in the body but it doesn’t slow my digestion at all.
I think you can get away with an occasional miscombo … at least I can … though it’s taken some time to figure out what works and what doesn’t.
I’ve been meaning to give that one a go to. Looks yummy and I love mixing super powders in with my food- taken the way supplements should be- by supplementing an already healthy diet to make it super powered.
I just ordered it 2 days ago and was wondering about the food combining! Thanks for this post.
That pudding looks fantastic. I’m curious why fruit + protein is a bad combo?
Jenn
We’re big fans of Sun Warrior in our house.
Happy to see you tried it. 
Interesting idea. I’ve been loving hemp seeds and hemp protein powder. I found that eating hi-raw/ mostly vegan left me low on protein, even by conservative estimates, until I started eating several servings of nuts and seeds every day, especially pumpkin seeds and hemp seeds. When I eat a lot of fruit, or when I sneak in more sugars- coconut water, bottled yerbe mate tea, or candy- I definitely come up short unless I intentionally include higher protein items like hemp. I think that an ideal diet needs no supplementation, but a lot of us sneak things in that are higher in sugar or oil and have no protein, or try getting by on only fruits and vegetables. I wouldn’t worry about it so much except that I did have problems being cold and pale at a number of points since beginning this lifestyle, and it’s important to me to make sure I’m getting what I need as well as eliminating what I don’t. Since adding more seeds and hemp I’ve definitely felt better and also had less desire for those extra sugars!
I don’t necessarily feel like I have to have protein powders all the time, but I do enjoy adding hemp protein to my smoothies sometimes – especially the chocolate version.
I add the protein powders during times in my diet when I feel I’m just not getting enough protein. This might just be a feeling and not a necessity, but oh well. Better safe than sorry, eh?
Thanks for the awesome review, Gena. I can’t wait to find out what you’re teasing us about!!!
Happy Valentine’s Day!!
Hugs,
Michele
Love rice protein powder, but now thinking I don’t need it as much as I thought I did. Sure taste good though.
Aloha!!!!!!!!!!!!
I love avaocados and your blog! Glad I found it:)
I have a healthy reviews and (some() recipes blog-would love for you to drop by