Amazing Grass

It's that time of year... stress is high, energy is low, and nutrition sometimes falls to the bottom of the priority list.   Around here, we have some additional health-stress factors we're dealing with, namely: Baby J is going through a teething phase which involves waking up and wanting to hang out between 3:30 and 4:30am, and we have a daycare-cold which keeps bouncing back and forth between mom, dad and the little guy.  Bottom line: I just can't seem to get my energy back, and boy, do I need it.  Going from that 4:30am put-down to the 6:30am wake-up call and then needing to wake up and work and function all day is a challenge which calls for special reinforcements.  I speak often of my abiding love of espresso, but sometimes that is a jarring transition from asleep to awake, and it also makes for an inevitable crash later on.  I've been looking for something that will give me lasting energy and complete nutrition, which isn't loaded with caffeine or sugar, and which is a legal substance... no small task.  However, I think I have found it; ladies and gentlemen, let me introduce you to my new best friend, Amazing Grass.

I read a lot of health and wellness blogs, and Amazing Grass has a cult following in that world.  There is a trendy breakfast drink called a Green Monster, which involves blending up some of this magic powder with greens and ice, and you can also take it straight up with some water or milk of your choice (soy, almond, hemp, etc.).   So what exactly is this stuff, you ask?  Well, there are several variations: according to their website, Amazing Meal is a powerful and satisfying blend of Green SuperFoods, plant based protein, phytonutrient rich fruits & vegetables, digestive enzymes and probiotics; Green SuperFood is a perfect blend of alkalizing greens, antioxidant rich whole food fruits and vegetables, immune boosting support herbs, and friendly pre & probiotics (it comes in chocolate and acai/berry flavors); and they also make several kinds of whole food energy bars, as well as straight up wheatgrass powder, and a kid's blend!

I've long wondered why these products are all the rage in the health blogosphere, but not among the mamas.  Who else is more exhausted and in need of healthy energy and easy whole food meals than we are?  Also, added bonus:  I've been thinking that I need to get serious about taking off this baby weight in the new year, and an Amazing Grass smoothie is beyond nutritionally complete and keeps me full for an entire (extremely) active morning, at about 150 calories.  This could be the key to finally making a dent in this extra poundage.  And I know what you are thinking, all this grassy, green goodness must taste like sucking on a lawnmower bag.  I am happy to report that is most definitely not the case.  Every variety I have tried thus far has a really pleasant flavor and easy-to-swallow texture.  In fact, this stuff is quite delicious.

Mamas everywhere, this is our elixir!  And non-mamas, I think this product is brilliant for anyone who wants to add healthy energy to their day.  And really, who doesn't?

The people at Amazing Grass were kind enough to send me a great variety of these products to sample, and I want to share the love! If you are interested in getting a care package of Amazing Grass samples, leave a comment below.  I'll pick one lucky Grass recipient on Wednesday morning, and stick a package in the mail in time for you to be rescued from your post-Christmas malaise! Nothing says holiday like green superfoods, my friends.