After taping many small videos during the last few weeks while trying each of the Nectar flavors, I found that I repeated one word an embarrassing amount of times: SHOCKING.  I guess that is the best way to describe my experience with these Nectar packets by Syntrax.

I’ve tried many different brands of protein shakes and drinks over the years.  In college, my friends and I would try a few brands, then put in a large order to one of them.  Just so we could stand the taste of drinking it every day, we would have to settle for a protein powder had some sugar.  Not any longer!

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Nectar has 23 grams of protein per serving: 0 carbohydrates, 0 fats, and 0 sugar.  I am amazed that something can taste so good without having any sugar or fat.  Seriously, I compare it to candy, Pixie Sticks, and Kool Aid when I drink the different flavors.  Everyone I have let try Nectar has agreed.  I can’t imagine something could taste any better that didn’t have sugar.

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They have been a great tool for my diet.  I keep some in my car, my briefcase, and at home.  If I am out somewhere, I just find a cup or a water bottle and make a shake.  It gives me that needed protein and holds me over to the next meal.  Even off my diet, I plan to keep these in my routine.  They are not a hassle to drink and don’t taste bad- actually they taste great!  Don’t grab a soda, drink a protein shake.  I wish Nectar packets were sold in every gas station.

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• “It’s good enough to drink just by itself.  I like it as much as drinking a glass of orange juice or whatever.”  Dan- Chesterfield, MO
• “The lemonade tastes just like Crystal Light”  Stephanie- Mission, KS
• “This one doesn’t have sugar?” Jim- Overland Park, KS

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40% Off Coupon Code:

Syntrax gave me a coupon code(MH3090) to share with my readers to use on www.boosters4health.com.

If you are having trouble ordering on the site, CLICK HERE and I’ll show you how.

Syntrax is giving me a a very small percent of any purchase using the coupon code.  I will donate that money to any charity, preferably celiac related, but I need some suggestions on the best fit.

From the digging I have done, this is the cheapest you can find them online.  I found one site for $1 cheaper, but I feel much safer buying directly from the manufacturer instead of some unknown & possibly un-reputable site online.

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I’ve made a habit of having a couple servings per day.  I always make one my last meal of the day, since I don’t want to sleep with lots of food and carbs in my stomach.

I can’t say enough about how good these are.  It isn’t a struggle anymore to find the “least bad” protein powder.  Now it is about what tastes the best.  I challenge you try Nectar and see if you ever consider using your old protein again.

Leave comments on what you think of the products and any suggestions for a charity.

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I lost 7lbs. during the first week, 220 to 213.  I attribute part of the 7lbs. to eating a few “final meals” just before Jan. 1st, and maybe a little water weight.  As I get more into my cardio routine, I expect a little more water weight to fall off.  I need to average 2.5lbs. over the 12 weeks to reach my goal of 190.

I can’t say I was 100% ready on Jan. 1st to start.  This was a big mistake, and I wasted a couple days.  My Weight Loss Tip #1 covers how important preparation is and how I failed to be prepared.

It was really hard to eat six meals in one day.  This week, I only made it to four or five meals per day.  Most of your day is dedicated to cooking and eating.  Going forward, I am going to precook and package my meals so I can quickly eat them or take them with me out of the house.

I didn’t get all the cardio in that I was supposed to.  I was still adapting to eating and cooking, while still trying to live a productive life.

I ate a lot of egg whites(a couple yokes per day), brown rice, chicken, tuna, edamame beans, onions, green peppers, and protein shakes.  I have a bunch of protein powder left over from my college weight lifting days that is decent.  I have some Nectar protein powder on the way from Syntrax.  The claim to be the best tasting on the market, but I will be the judge of that.  They gave me a special 40% off coupon code for my readers: MH3090, since they are trying to get into the gluten free market.

Overall, I am happy that I was still able to lose 7lbs, but I don’t expect gains like that in the coming weeks.  I see each week getting harder and harder and requiring more effort in exercise and a closer watch on my nutrition.  Now, that I am accustomed to the new diet, the lifestyle should get easier.

This Christmas, Earth Cafe sent me two great gluten free cheesecakes!  The package came to my parents house, where we were having Christmas Eve, and my mom couldn’t even wait for me to open them.  She told me they were packaged really well and with dry ice.

Read this list, and you wouldn’t believe that they still can taste good:

• Wheat Free
• Gluten Free
• Dairy Free
• No refined sugars
• No harmful oils or fat
• Organic ingredients
• Hand made
• No cholesterol

So what does this leave you with?  I’d would guess an empty cardboard box that tastes like crap! Usually a list like that would scare me away, and it made some people in my family reluctant to try it at first.

Inside the box is the “Best Dessert” at the World Vegan Day and featured in this month’s issue of VegNews Magazine!  No joke!

10 Flavors: Who’s Your Daddy (carob mousse), Rockin’ Raspberry, Cali Style (lemon),  Strawberry Fields, Coconut/Carob Dream, Blueberry Thrill, Banana Cream, Pumpkin Life Spice (during the Holiday Season), Peach Passion and Cherry Dream.

I love banana, so I chose the Banana Cream, and figured I couldn’t go wrong with the Cherry Dream.

I got mostly great reviews from my family.  They are flavor packed!  You can tell there is no junk or filler ingredients in this.  They are a little thinner than the usual cheesecake, but all the flavors and density makes up for it.  One person complained, it was too “bananaee,” but my dad and I love banana, and think it is perfect.  I was also very impressed with the Cheery.  Even with as much as I love banana, there was something about the Cherry that I really liked, maybe even more than the banana.

I have to admit:  I’m 25, only been on my own a few years, desserts aren’t too essential to me(usually I just eat more meat), so I’ve never purchased a cheesecake before.  I was shocked when I first saw the price of $34.99 before receiving the cheesecakes.  That night, I asked how much the “normal people” cheesecake costs which was sitting next to it, and it was $31.  So, I will absolutely spend a couple extra dollars to have something that is gluten free, organic, hand made, no cholesterol, and so on…  I think every celiac, vegan, and health nut would agree!

I’ve always been a big meat eater.  Nothing is better than a big medium-rare steak!  I was reading through their website about eating organic and vegan, and had to smack myself back to my gun-toting and meat-eating instincts.  That vegan and organic lifestyle, paired with gluten free, is pretty compelling.  Read the “Know Life” & “Live Life” sections of the website where Candida tells her story and talks about eating raw foods.

Earth Cafe Cheesecakes are sold in 14 states.  You can use their STORE LOCATOR to find them near you.  If they aren’t sold in a store near you, like in my situation, you can ORDER ONLINE and have them shipped quickly to your door.

An organic, gluten free cheesecake would be the highlight of any get-together or make for a great gift, especially on a birthday!  They even offer gift certificates.

Remember use Coupon Code: SAVE20 to save 20% on your order!  Thanks Candida, Josh & Craig at Earth Cafe!

As with my blog in general, I want to stress that this doesn’t have to be hard or expensive.  I want to show you that this all can be done at home, with simple foods, and without an expensive gym membership or personal trainer.

My diet plan is structured over 12 weeks.

Diet:

Even when trying to lose weight and be healthy, you still needs carbohydrates and fat.  A no-carb diet only screws with your body and allows you to lose weight in the short term, but you will have a hard time keeping it off.  Your body and brain also needs good fats to function.  All of my meals will attempt to consist of 45% protein, 35% carbs, and 20% fat, throughout the entire diet.

The main thing when losing weight, is make sure you are eating enough.  Yes, you need to eat, what seems to be, A LOT!  SIX MEALS PER DAY!  If you starve your body, it will shut down, and be overloaded when you do eat.  This is why you have to keep your metabolism up and space out your calories throughout the day.  Even if you have to get up early to eat something then go back to bed, you must do it.

Weeks 1-3:  2300 calories per day.  383 calories per meal.  43g protein, 40g carbs & 9g fat.  I am not eating any carbs in my last meal.

Weeks 4-12:  We will adjust my caloric intake depending on how the diet is going- probably 200 less calories per segment.

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Foods:

Eggs, nuts, chicken, tuna, rice, nuts, skim milk, potatoes, and lots of water.  I’ll probably get sick of these and start adding in more.  I will also have a protein shake in place of two meals.

Currently, I am tracking my foods in an excel spreadsheet. I am looking for a software program that will let me save foods and easily count my totals for me.

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Supplements:

I have some leftover protein powder from when I used to lift during college.  It is OK, but I am looking for something new.  I am looking into Syntrax. When I placed my order, I spoke with them about offering my readers a discount on their products.  If you are going to order from them, use coupon code: MH3090 to receive 40% off!  I’m excited about that 40% off.  They claim to be the best tasting stuff on the market, so I will let you know.

I will have Omega 3 fish oil pills handy.  These will help get my fat requirement each day, since most of the foods are really lean.

I’m not a big believer in fat burners, but this diet is sort of an experiment, so I may throw one in at the end.  We will have to see if I am struggling.

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Exercise:

6 or 7 days per week, I plan is to do a light weight routine at home for 30-45min, then do a 45-1hr run/walk.  It is all about keeping your heart rate up.

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Predictions:

My weight usually fluctuates 5lbs pretty easily.  I’m guessing I’ll lose 5lbs in each of the first two or three weeks, but then really struggle from there.  The last 10lbs. will be ten times as hard as the first 20.  12 weeks is a short period of time, so I have to stick with this 24/7.  6 meals per day will be tough and take some time to get used to.  A lot of time will be dedicated to cooking, although I plan to prepackage a lot of my meals at once.

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What to look for:

I will try and do a weekly video, usually shot on a Friday with an update on my weight, foods, and how I am feeling.

I will also do a diet tip once a week.  The topics will come from my struggles or anything I find helpful.

I have some before photos, but I think I will save those embarrassing photos until the end….

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Please let me know if you have any suggestions, questions or comments!  Wish me luck!

I was having a hard time reminding myself to eat gluten free.  All my old habits would subconsciously come back and I would find myself reaching or thinking about something with gluten.  I decided to get myself a LIVESTRONG wristband to support all diseases/cancers and as a constant reminder to myself to eat gluten free.  It worked!

I decided to have GLUTEN FREE wristbands made!  Once I started wearing mine, people everywhere were asking me about it or asking me if I had celiac.  Not only is it a daily visual reminder, but it is a conversation starter.

Over the past few years the awareness for celiac and gluten free has grown tremendously.  Lets add to it!  By wearing a gluten free wristband people will see it and know what it is, or they may ask you about it and you can tell them about eating gluten free.

There are a couple other people selling similar products, but they cost more, are a hassle to order, and are celiac specific.  I decided to make mine for the general gluten free population.  There are many more people eating gluten free than just celiacs.

These are perfect as gifts for yourself, your family, your supporters, friends, doctors, and for your kids!

$2.50 each

Includes shipping inside the United States.  Contact me for international orders.

Discounts for orders of 10.

For the next 30 days only, use coupon code FREESHIP to get 20% off.

Thank you for helping spread GLUTEN FREE awareness!

Get yours FREE or DISCOUNTED for helping spread awareness!

Digg: Digg the GF Wristbands page and I’ll send you a 20% off code.

Twitter: Follow Me, then Tweet about the wristbands or my site, with a link, and I’ll send you a 20% off coupon code.

Bloggers/Site Owners:  Add a blog article about the wristbands, and I’ll send you 1 free wristband.  Send me the link to your article and your mailing address via email, and I’ll send a free wristband.  We can also establish a custom 10% off coupon code that you can share on your site.

Other: I’m open to any suggestion that will help spread the wristbands to as many people that support gluten free as possible.  I can sell them in bulk, exchange links for advertising, etc.  Let me know your ideas!

Advertising Options:  I am looking for advertisers on a small brochure(an on my site in general) that I am going to include when someone buys a bracelet.  This would be a great way to reach that very targeted audience!  Contact me for details.