Happy Saturday! Hope everyone is out enjoying a great run. I have 11 miles easy planned for today and 10 for tomorrow, so I am hoping for the best. The weather is supposed to be beautiful this weekend so I am excited.

I wanted to stop in today quickly to share a new product with you. I was recently given the opportunity as a Sweat Pink Ambassador to try out a new-to-me plant based protein powder. As most of my normal readers know, I am not vegetarian or vegan. However, I do enjoy some plant based items but have found that many of them have a rough taste and I just can’t force something on myself.

About Manitoba Harvest

Manitoba Harvest has a unique story behind it. It was started by Mike Fata and two friends, Martin and Alex.  He started the company because Hemp Foods completely changed his life. Here is his story:

“Growing up, I was an unhealthy and unhappy 300-pound teenager. Desperate for change, I turned to excessive exercise and extreme dieting. Ironically, after losing weight I still felt unhappy and depleted. Then, a friend introduced me to hemp foods. Through hemp foods I learned about essential nutrients – EFAs (essential fatty acids), fiber, and essential amino acids. My focus became quality, balanced nutrition. My focus on quality nutrition has only intensified. As a father of two young children, I want to instill healthy eating habits and an appreciation for quality foods at a young age. Basically starting the hemp food industry had its challenges, but they were all worth it. Manitoba Harvest Hemp Foods is proud to be the world’s largest hemp manufacturer to grow, make and sell our own line of hemp foods. We are proud to be the first hemp food manufacturer to receive the globally recognized benchmark in food safety and quality – BRC Certification. Most of all we are extremely proud – and grateful, to celebrate sixteen years of manufacturing the highest quality hemp foods, of educating on all the benefits of hemp, and of supporting sustainability.”

Their total company focus is completely surrounding creating the highest quality hemp products and educating others about their nutritional benefit.

All of their seeds come directly from Canadian farmers.  After the seed is collected all products are made directly in house giving them complete control of how they product is made.

Manitoba Harvest Hemp Pro 70

I was given the opportunity to try the Manitoba Harvest Hemp Pro 70. The description off their website states:

“It’s water soluble and has a smooth texture! It’s also our higher protein option (the Original flavour has 20 grams of protein per 30 gram serving). We love this protein in a post run smoothie or yoga shake (yes, you can literally shake it with your favourite beverage and you’re good to go). Comes in three delicious flavours; Chocolate, Vanilla and Original.”

The only time (aside from in smoothies) that I take protein powder is after a workout or long run. Especially when I am getting up early in the morning they are something quick to intake right after my run. I will then eat breakfast about an hour later. It just seems to help my body recover better.

Nutritional Value

Here is a break down of the nutritional value of 1 serving of this hemp protein:

It is a good mix of both protein and carbohydrates which is ideal for right after your workout or long run. You want to replenish both, not just protein. It is also a great source of Omega 3, 6 and 9.

I always mix my protein powders with water because it is quick and easy.  If a protein powder doesn’t mix well with water then most likely I am not going to use it. As it stated on their website, Manitoba harvest protein is water soluble so right away I knew it was something I could try.

My Review of Taste and Solubility

I won’t lie and say that this protein powder tastes just like your typical powder. There is a definite difference in flavor that at first I wasn’t sure I liked. It wasn’t bad in that I wasn’t able to drink it, but it also didn’t slide down as easy as some other protein powders. My first try was the Vanilla and then after my next workout I tried Chocolate. The chocolate was much better to me and while still a bit different, was much more enjoyable!

It did mix very well with water and could be quickly enjoyed. I also added some of the Chocolate to my Greek yogurt one morning to give it a little extra something, and it tasted delicious! I would say I prefer using this in combination with others foods, such as Greek yogurt or in smoothies.

You can learn more about Manitoba Harvest on their website. You can also follow them on Twitter, Facebook and Instgram.

If you would like to try Manitoba Harvest Hemp Protein for yourself you can use the code sweatpinkpro70 and receive 20% off your purchase!

I hope you have a wonderful Saturday! I will be back tomorrow with my weekly training recap!

Have you ever tried a Hemp protein?