So, I have a feeling this week is going to be full of product love and appreciation. I’ve been meaning to this for weeks but just got behind. Go figure. Ha!
But really, I want to share some of my (our) “food as fuel” product finds. You see, I am in the kitchen probably 5-7 hours a day. I’m a sherpa wife to a FULL TIME pro triathlete and running a small gluten free snack business. But my main job is sherpa wife. You might get sick me talking about the food I feed my husband (and myself) but that’s what I do. And that’s what I am passionate about. I love being able to care for husband and I love that he treats me as his queen in return. It makes the job, well, even SWEETER.
Anyway, I a getting off on a tangent here. I want to talk about a new addition to the training nutrition plan. Barlean’s Greens and Omega swirls. I can’t believe I didn’t try these earlier. They are superb!
As I mentioned last week, we are working on getting James’ recovery and immunity WAY UP as he enters into the RACE season. Last week we cut out dairy (temporarily) and some grains just in case his allergies were causing his immunity to weaken. He’s doing much better this week and feeling stronger! Therefore the organic yogurt is back in the diet along with gluten free oats.
Our focus now is to keep the nutrients DENSE in between key sessions and higher intensity training days. Well, when he trains 5-6 hrs a day, it’s hard to feed him lots of vegetables, fats, oils, protein. Meaning, he just can’t squeeze in a heavy meal before another workout, ya know?
This is where Barlean’s comes in handy. I’ve been using their berry greens (which I love!!) in protein shakes, oatmeal, yogurt, etc. I usually add it in when he has at least 1 hour or more to digest food. I’ve also been adding their omega swirls to his (our) shakes as well as to oatmeal/yogurt topping. Yes, it’s that tasty.
Example: Today I made a pre-ride shake of Barlean’s, banana, ice, almond milk, tiny bit of protein. He had it along side toast with almond butter. After his swim I added a scoop into his gluten free oats along side egg muffins and organic bacon.
You see, it’s all about SQUEEZING in the extra nutrients when you can. I go into detail here with my vlog. Feel free to ignore my grunge look. 
I’ve never seen a man crave a green smoothie so much. I love it! He loves it. He feels GREAT! And I feel GREAT knowing he is getting in the added nutrients.
If you missed the video, here’s what’s in the greens.
Note: It is Gluten Free but does contain Wheat grass. Wheat grass is NOT A GLUTEN but I do know that some Celiac’s have a problem with it. Just FYI. My stomach is GREAT with these.
How about I share some now, yes? Giveaway time! Barleans’ has generously offered to send on reader a jar of the greens and the flax oil.
To WIN:
- Tell me what your go to smoothie combo is.
- Follow Barleans on Twitter
- Tweet about it. “@LCCotter is hosting @Barleans greens and Omega Swirls giveaway. Go enter and check it out now!.” or something like that.
- Post on their FB page. Maybe tell them what Omega swirl and green flavor you want to try. Tell them I sent you.
- And last, tell me if you have any sherpa skills. I know, corny, but I just had to.
They has a cool BLOG too. Take a peak when you can.
Open for US residents. I’ll pick a random winner next Wednesday. YEEEHAWW!
Cheers,
LC (aka sherpa wife)
i have zero sherpa skills 🙁 ha. xo.
I wrote on their facebook page 🙂
I tweeted! @cox_2446
I’m following Barleans on Twitter! @cox_2446
I love the idea of winning some greens! Thanks for this giveaway!
My go-to smoothie is 1 small banana, 4 ice cubes, 1/2 scoop vanilla pea protein, 1/2 scoop vega energizing smoothie powder, and 1/16 c. peanut flour + salt. It’s soooo good <3
xo.
tweeted
https://twitter.com/KayDay3/status/334378890573258752
katherinedibello (at) gmail (dot) com
follow barleans on twitter @kayday3
katherinedibello (at) gmail (dot) com
smoothie: frozen banana, frozen pear, frozen strawberries, Sunwarrior protein powder, and flax meal
katherinedibello (at) gmail (dot) com
I tweeted: https://twitter.com/j_mosh/status/333062841865211904
I follow Barleans on twitter
@j_mosh
I love pumpkin pie protein smoothies with canned pumpkin, almond milk, vanilla protein powder, cinnamon and molasses. Soooo good.
And tweeted!
I’m interested to try these – you know I love extra nutrients! 🙂 My fav smoothie lately is 3/4 cup of almond milk, large handful of fruit, scoop of Vega protein powder, 1 tablespoon ground flaxseeds, & 1 tablespoon Vega omega 3 oil. I use frozen fruit, so no ice needed. Delish!
Wow! I’d love to try their greens! We got some new products at work which I’m loving but they’re a bit pricey (even with my discount) that I’ve been holding off a bit but I do think they’re worth the price. At the same time, I like to try different things and constantly change things up! My favorite smoothie is a greens, protein powder, 1/2 banana, and peanut butter smoothie. So tasty!
I cook and clean a lot for our family and also do a lot of errands so I guess that qualifies for some sherpiness! LOL 🙂
I love berries and enjoy having strawberries, blueberries and raspberries combined with some yogurt and almond milk in a smoothie!
Hmmm…I’ll go with Sherpa skills! Even though the hubby is completely competent, I like to give him a little extra help with meals, workouts, etc. It makes me feel good to help other people 🙂
i bet you are! lucky hubs.
I think i have mad sherpa skills, I just wish Dan would start using them more!
haha, i bet you are GREAT! Dan is lucky
my favorite combo is spinach, cocoa powder and coffee. I know thats weird, but it tastes like a mocha.
And its an AWFUL color!
Cocoa + Peanut Butter + Banana is my favorite smoothie combo.
LC, i want you to come to Boston and cook 5-7 hours for me 😉 youre the best sherpa!
my favorite smoothie must involve peanut butter and banana.
how about we come to Boston for summer training? 😉
p.s. how did your lactose test go?
I LOVE the barlean’s omega swirl, my favourite flavour is key lime (!!) and I share it with my 3 1/2 year old daughter and 20 month old son. LOL, it is even considered a treat in our house :). I use it as an incentive for good behaviour! I haven’t tried their greens, but I definitely want to.
Keep up the good work Lindsay Cotter! I love your blog and keep you and your husband in our nightly prayers 🙂
thank YOU Lindsay for your support and encouraging words and prayers. they mean so much!
If you consider making all of Nate’s meals, doing his laundry, making sure he’s packed for things, has everything he needs for work etc. sherpa skills, then mine are GREAT! 🙂
definitely! sherpa WIFE!!
I liked Barlean’s on facebook!
My go-to smoothie is: almond milk, plant fusion, organic mixed berries, ice cubes and spinach! I have one almost every morning!
Don’t think I have Sherpa skills as I’m not an outdoorsy gal and have never been camping.
Tweeted! https://twitter.com/Serene_streams/status/332500562346119169
I follow Barleans on Twitter via @serene_streams!
My go-to smoothie blend is strawberries with blueberries and peaches blended with Chobani Greek yogurt (any flavor)! 🙂
Oh, and I now follow them on Twitter @ LoveSweatBeers
My sherpa skills don’t come close to yours, but I do often cook both the hubby and I lunch a/o snacks for the work week. The man needs brain food! 🙂
By the way, I hope you have really really really comfy shoes or a stool in your kitchen. I’d be so tired spending that many hours cooking up a storm!
oh i bet they do!! and pretty soon, a sherpa mama you will be!
I like smoothies with frozen banana, baby spinach, unsweetened almond milk, and frozen berries. Some vanilla protein powder really helps too!
Does making sure that my 3 yo, 4 yo and growing fetus get proper nutrition, exercise and emotional support count as sherpa skills?
oh heck ya! super sherpa!
I tweeted about it:)
I follow Barleans on Twitter
My go to smoothie every morning is kale, rainbow light chocolate protein, flax, coconut milk, banana and frozen berries. Yum!
I’ve never tried a green smoothie, gasp! I feel like they’re all the latest and greatest rage… I’ll have to put our new [wedding gift] blender to use 😉 P.S. You have the prettiest bedhead!
GASP for SURE! hehe green pancakes?
This sounds great! I’m glad that hubs is feeling better and loving the smoothies. My go to is a banana chia seed smoothie.
Every smoothie I make has greens (spinach, kale, or arugula) and avocado. Then I add in frozen fruit, ground flaxseed, water, and OJ! I just had a smoothie for breakfast this morning – I’m starting to really crave them now that the weather is warm! 🙂
Believe it or not I have never used greens like that before, but it looks yummy!!! Plus, so simple to incorporate into your day if you use it in oats or a smoothie! Yummy!! Glad hubby is feeling better!
Last night I made a really similar smoothie/shake that was so good! I used Greens Superfood, chocolate flavor with frozen banana and almond milk. Simple but so yummyn:) I bet that Barleans would be good, too! I use Barleans evening primrose oil every day. They seem to be a good company.
OH yum….. these products sound SO good…. perfect for the hubs for sure! I like the grunge look too 😉
LOL! I love you! I should send you some of these. You’d love them
Can you come be my sherpa? Help me eat better and get me in tip-top race form? Heck, I’d even settle for so-so race form 🙂 Very interested in the Greens…I’ve been looking for a supplement like that. My fav smoothie is a little tequila and lime juice. You asked…
I’ll be your sherpa any day for the smoothie! haha
Funny this is the question because I hadn’t made a smoothie in forever! Now that I have my externship smoothies are my go to breakfast! I am still working on my perfect combo but baby spinach, frozen banana and vanilla protein powder has been my go to base lately. I’m playing around with all my other add ins and flavors!
good combo girl!
I am following Barleans on Twitter! LOVE their omega swirl fish oil!
I tweeted! https://twitter.com/absrogers/status/332216473986686977
Fav Smoothie: Greek Yogurt, 1/2 scoop Vanilla Protein Powder, Handful of Spianch, and a frozen Banana. It may sound Boring, but it is simple and delicious!
Commented on their FB! https://www.facebook.com/barleans/posts/10151596596304674
I tweeted as @xokammie
I follow Barleans on Twitter
My favorite smoothie combo is banana, strawberries and cocoa powder + protein powder. Yumm!
I think my whole life is being a Sherpa wife/mom. I make 3 meals a day for my husband and kids, chauffeur them around, drop healthy snacks off to my husband when he flies (hes a usmc pilot) at night, etc. Similar to you, I am the Sherpa in the physical sense and I get it back emotionally.
we do banana, milk, spinach, berries, flax seed in pretty much every smoothie. Sometimes shredded coconut, pineapple, or peanut butter (not all together)
Um, yes. I am a sherpa to myself when it comes to fuel for workouts, and also because I’m hypoglycemic and have to carry food with me all the time. Then there’s the fact that I have two little ones who always seem to be hungry, and a husband who has to grab his breakfast in the morning to go. You can bet there is always food readily available when I’m around!
I tweeted and posted on their FB page!
I followed Barleans on Twitter
Lately, I’ve been rotating between two smoothies: one with vanilla protein powder, frozen pineapple and mango, coconut almond milk, chia, and kale; the other with chocolate protein powder, frozen berry mix, cocoa powder, coconut almond milk, and Spectrum’s cocoa-coconut flax/chia blend (amazing!). I just bought Amazing Grass yesterday after debating forever over my choices! I was doing the Garden of Life Super Greens (not so tasty). I take the powder with my ACV cocktail in the morning to help get things, ahem, moving!
Sherpa skills?! Woman! I was born to Sherpa! I make quick nutrient-dense meals, I can make a “man saver” meal in a snap (don’t want him to get hangry), and I can run and take pictures too 🙂
i think we were seperated at birth!
Oh I love smoothies with berries (blue, straw, black..what have you) and banana and almond milk!
I LOVE hearing about your ‘sherpa wife’ thoughts and plans. It’s just awesome. And your food always looks so freakin’ YUM! Can I come over?? 😉
Seriously I love the omega swirls!! A member brought me in some samples, and I was at the store the next day getting a bottle of it. So good.
and your hair is getting so long – very pretty 🙂
My go-to smoothie lately is the base (banana, almond milk, vanilla whey, flax, chia, spinach, carrot, celery) + roast beets, berries, cinammon, ginger and allspice. I love the addition of spices! As far as sherpa skills go, my hubby and I split them. He always brings an extra fleece (even if I don’t ask bc he knows I’ll get cold), and I’m the food person – bars, energy balls, and coconut waters are a must!
I love green smoothies. Yum! My go-to is strawberry, spinach, a bit of a banana, some flax seed, and almond milk or veggie juice (or water) and ice. Yum!
fozen fruit, plain greek yogurt, water, spinach
I love hearing about new products! I don’t drink a lot of smoothies – but when I do, I’ve got a spirulina brown rice protein powder that I use along with the chocolate stevia and PB2. Jason actually makes some really yummy smoothies.
I NEVER make smoothies, but I have to say, I keep feeling inclinations towards them lately. What will my first spinach-infused green monster be? I’m guessing bananas, avocado, coconut milk. And pineapple.
Don’t know where that came from, but it sounds yummy. 🙂
My go to is usually two scoops of chocolate or vanilla protein powder, a scoop of almond or peanut butter, a scope of a fiber blend and some frozen bananas.
I think I DO have sherpa skills. In fact, I think I’d love to be a sherpa wife. [Although I might get jealous of just how much food my husband would get to consume. ;)] I would LOVE to plan out meals and make sure everything was tasty, nutrient-dense, and focused on performance. I’d also love the travel, the cheerleading….and the being treated like a queen in return. 😉
Obviously this means you need to be keeping an eye out for single men at events.
oh i will! pretty sure you were made to sherpa, no, I KNOW FOR SURE!
Mmm, I’d love to try those greens. We have some wheat grass powder I add occasionally, but the flavor is way too strong for my 3yo or husband… I can add it in very small quantities to mine. You’re such an amazing sherpa!!
Your passion and love is just amazing. I love reading about your Sherpaness and you, yourself 🙂
tweeted 🙂
Lately I’ve been doing anything with strawberry!
OMG – no sherpa skills – I am the worst! 😉
I wrote on the FB wall! 🙂
Tweeted. 🙂
Followed Barleans on TWitter
Oh YUM, I’ve always wanted to try Barlean’s Greens. WE sell it where Iw ork but yet I’ve never had it. I would likely use it like I do the Amazing Grass….but perhaps with some banana and avocado this time since that’s my new favorite (NON IBS-FRIENDLY….Ugh) smoothie combination! With almond milk of course.
I’ll definitely follow them on twitter too!
I actually like the better than amazing grass, in taste. and they don’t upset my stomach. That’s a good sign! haha. And oh how i miss avocado. I still eat them too from time to time.
My favorite smoothie combo is vanilla almond milk, greek yogurt, ice, bananas and strawberries!
Hmm I haven’t had a smoothie in a long time!!!! I did love to use chocolate almond milk with bananas and peanut butter. Um I don’t think I have sherpa skills.. you are quite an amazing wife!
Smoothie combo 🙂
water
flax seeds
frozen fruit mixture of, mango, strawberries and pineapple
half frozen banana
big handful of spinach
tweeted!
I do follow Barleans on twitter!
Go to smoothie is probably vanilla protein, vanilla almond milk, unsweetend coconut, flaxseeds, banana, and ice!
commented on FB
I tweeted it
You have probably explained this before but I’m fairly new here – what exactly does it mean to be a sherpa wife? I know that you are very much a part of your husband’s career and success but I didn’t know if there was more to that word.
BTW – I read your Get Familiar page – I loved the pictures!! And, I didn’t realize that you lived in Austin – one of my very favorite cities!!! (I’m from TX but don’t live there now – I’m a true Longhorn fan, though!!)
My favorite is Almond Milk, frozen banana, scoop of vanilla Jay Robb, Hand full of spinach 2 tbs PB2 and a scoop(I don’t measure this ) of coconut oil. YUMMO!!!!
as for Sherpa skillz…………you bet. Every Time we go to my sons baseball games I hauling all the loot……..bat bag, chairs, water bottles etc. Such a fun job 🙂
my go to smoothie combo involves banana and strawberries and GF protein!
pardon me, I tweeted 😉
I’m working on my Sherpa skills but hubs is the pro at that now 😉
I eat ground flaxseed but have never tried flax oil! My favorite smoothie combo is almond milk, vanilla protein, an apple, cinnamon, maca powder, ginger and ice. it’s so good!
My MAMA has been buying Barlean’s for a LONG LONG LONG time!! 🙂 She always buys the plain oil (flax oil) and she would make the most delish salad dressing EVER: Flax Oil, Mustard, Apple Cider Vinegar – YUM! She once tried the FLAVORED oils but yeah, NOT SO GOOD on salads – LOL!
M smoothies are always different. Lately, I’ve been doing some spinach, cocoa powder, and silken tofu. With stevia and vanilla. I’ve also been really into blended cauliflower (weird, I know) with cinnamon and vanilla. Loving it!
okay, so just blend cauliflower?? raw? i need to try that. You know me, i like weird.
I commented on Barlean’s Facebook!
I sherpa for myself to get through the school or work days haha! Well, sometimes I just depend on Healthy Bites to get me through. 😉
I tweeted!
I follow Barleans on Twitter!
My go-to smoothie combo is berries, banana, spinach, almond milk, and cinnamon. Sun Warrior protein or something of the sort often makes itself in there as well!
I don’t have a blender right now so I just mix everything up & eat with a spoon.. I like a lot of different flavors so just not one right now.. 🙂
I did all of the extras – do I need to post a separate comment for each one?
You know what I do? I take the powder, put a little water in it and make “pudding” – It’s DELICIOUS! 😀
me too!! I just made a banana greens pudding with this! so good!
I tweeted the giveaway! Thank you!
My go to shake after a workout is Vega Sport Performance chocolate protein, almond milk, oats, spinach, cinnamon and ice!
Coconut milk, strawberries, spinach and sometimes a banana. I generally add some cinnamon too.
I wrote on Barlean’s FB wall!
I’m my own Sherpa and I always have extra snacks and water in my bag! Haha and if I’m hiking there’s always some TP in there…
Almond milk. Spinach. Mango. Strawberry. Chocolate protein powder. Yum.
I tweeted!
I follow Barleans on twitter!
My favorite smoothie is almond milk, protein powder, spinach and frozen strawberries!
I love smoothies and you know I’m all about added nutrients. 🙂 My fasvorite smoothie is probably my carrot cake… or the oatmeal cookie dough. The only absolute requirements for me are cinnamon and protein though.
I love almond milk, frozen banana, brown rice protein, spinach, and cocoa powder!