ATH Sports: Hemp Gold, Organic Coconut Hemp Protein Powder Review #HempGold

Protein powders aren’t just for gym rats anymore. Everyone has to go, go, go, and a meal on the run is always appreciated. I am always seeking the new and especially a different approach when it comes to supplements and fuel for your body. The protein bar world is dominated and oversaturated and you can finally find bars that are both good tasting and nutritious, but I wish I could say the same for the world of drinks. Even though they have been around longer than the bars, they have not been what I call mastered by all. Many are filled with….well, fillers and loaded with sugars and cheap sources of protein. Thanks to hubby I have had a chance to sample many different powders, with some being great tasting but not so good for you. Some were good for you and tasted AWFUL (**cough-Arbonne-cough**). Only a select few have balanced both well. I saw a post on The Underground on a new brand that I had not heard of and it’s not your common mix, so when ATH offered to send samples, I jumped on it.

ATH Sports is a Hawaii based company and their Hemp Gold is derived from cold-pressed Organic Hemp Protein seeds. The cold-pressed process helps keep their natural antioxidants, vitamins and minerals, plus the enzymes intact. I also love that when it comes to sugar, they use an all-natural source….coconut, stevia and Lo Han Fruit Extract, also known as the monk fruit. The Lo Han Fruit is 300 times sweeter than sugar and your body metabolizes it more effectively. The ingredient list in this protein supplement is short and all that it contains is what I noted above. Don’t be fooled by the short list because this is the power punch you get from ATH Sport’s Hemp Gold:

• 15 grams of protein
• 2000 mg of Omega-9 Fatty Acids
• 6400 mg of Omega-6
• 420 mg of Omega-3
• 18 grams of Fiber
• 10 essential Amino Acids
• Non-GMO
• No Sugar Added
• Gluten Free
• Organic Ingredients

All the above from just 1 scoop! Each 3 pound container yields about 57 servings and ATH’s scoop size is a mere 24 grams. Each serving is only 130 calories, 36 coming from fat. The THC has been removed so testing positive for anything bad is not a worry! Not bad so far but let’s get to the taste test.

Taste Test:
The powder does not fight back when you try to dissolve it and you do smell the Organic Coconut notes, think almost a earthy scent when undissolved. It actually smells good and inviting, so far so good. I mix it and the color of the powder is deceiving, it is like a mustard-green but don’t be fooled……this tastes so good that you can’t believe it’s a protein drink. It’s like no other, no bad after-taste, no needing to chug it, no particles in the water that remain undissolved…..you actually are left with a Coconut butter taste that is better than any Coconut Water I have ever had!!! I’m a fan and can say of all the shakes, mixes, smoothies, the ATH Sports Hemp Gold should be an example to other brands, healthy, natural nutrition drinks can taste freaking awesome!

Get your Hemp Gold at:

• On-line– http://www.athsportsnutrition.com/shop/organic-coconut-hemp-protein/
• Connect via Facebook– https://www.facebook.com/ATHSportsNutrition
• Via Twitter– https://twitter.com/athsports
• Instagram– http://instagram.com/athsportsnutrition
• Even via YouTube– http://www.youtube.com/user/athsportsnutrition
• #HempGold

I received the above product free of charge from ATH Sports. I am not obligated to provide a positive or favorable review, just my honest opinion. My review is based on my experience with the product and/or brand, which may differ from yours.

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Baking: Hawaiian Bread Loaf Recipe, Aloha Bread

Being tired of bread that reads like a science experiment gone wrong, I now just resort to baking at home. My experiments, at least when they fai,l are not filled with chemicals and the dog has benefited from a few “oopsies”. Thankfully, this is not one of them and it’s very easy to make….you don’t even need a dough hook.

Hawaiian bread is suppose to have a little tropical flair with a touch of sweetness from the Pineapple Juice and is usually a nice soft texture. I love making ham sandwiches with it but also just eating it with a little butter.

Let’s begin….

You will need:
3 cups of All-Purpose Flour (I use Bob’s Red Mill), plus

• 1/4 cup of All-Purpose Flour (to be used after the dough rises)

1/4 teaspoon of Kosher Salt
2 Eggs (room temperature)
1 1/4 cups of 100% Pure Pineapple Juice (I used Langer’s Pineapple Juice), and at room temperature
1/4 to 1/2 a teaspoon of Vanilla Extract (depends on your taste)
5 tablespoons of White Sugar
2 1/4 teaspoons of Active Dry Yeast
4 1/2 tablespoons of Unsalted Butter (melted), plus

• 1/4 tablespoon of softened Salted Butter (to grease the bowl the dough will rise in) and another 1/4 for the final rise and to grease the dish you will be baking in.

First mix your wet ingredients, this would be eggs, pineapple juice, vanilla, butter and white sugar in one bowl. Then in another bowl mix your 3 cups of flour, salt and yeast. Using the mixer with the paddle attachment (or by hand with a spatula), start incorporating the dry ingredients to the wet. I usually do it by hand using a spatula and you will get a sticky dough that is ragged looking. It takes me about 2 minutes by hand to accomplish this. If the dough looks too dry, add a little more pineapple juice. If the dough appears too wet, start by incorporating a little flour until you are left with a moist dough that does not have a over sticky appearance/feeling.

I then allow the dough to rest one hour in a buttered bowl that is big enough to allow it to double in size. This is where I use the 1/4 tablespoon of Salted Butter and it helps keep the dough moist but also does not let it adhere to the bowl.

After the dough doubles in size, I flour the surface and dump the bread dough to start incorporating the 1/4 cup of flour. I begin to first punch down the bread and then slowly knead it for a minute and until the flour is incorporated. I just keep folding in until I get the right texture and if it’s too moist, I slowly add a little more flour if needed. I then take the 1/4 tablespoon of butter and grease the loaf pan I will be baking in. I add the dough and again allow the bread to rise for about an hour, or until it doubles in size.

Set the oven to 350 degrees and bake for 30 to 35 minutes, or until the top is golden brown in color. I then take the bread out and allow it to cool 15 to 20 minutes and pop it out of the pan to further cool down. I give it a couple hours and then start slicing and enjoying. This bread makes great panini style sandwiches and I love how it also toasts up. Get creative and enjoy!

Beautiful Nooks and Crannies in the Bread!

Note- My recipe uses 100% Pineapple Juice that has no added sugars or sweeteners. I feel Hawaiian bread has a touch of sweetness but should not start off being a dessert style bread. It’s suppose to be versatile and this why I control the sweetness by adding my own sugar and adjust my vanilla to fit my tastes or future uses.  You can also make buns for sliders using this recipe, versus just a loaf 🙂

Panini Ham Sandwich I made with the loaf.