Smoothies, GREEN Energy Ballz, and Protein Pancakes... with North Coast Naturals

I was recently contacted by a representative from North Coat Naturals, with an offer of some products to sample.  It is a Canadian company so I was definitely interested.  This is a brand I have seen at my local supermarkets and have been wanting to try as some of my friends are fans.

After I checked out the lineup on their web site, I was eager to get on board.  I selected several items and they shipped them to me almost immediately.

I chose the Daily Greens powder for The Captain. As hard as I try to make healthy and nutritious meals, he often doesn’t eat what I think are enough veggies.  I thought that this Daily Greens powder might be the answer… I could make him a drink or a smoothie, and then stop nagging him worrying about his getting in an appropriate amount of vitamins and minerals throughout the day.  It won’t stop me from adding a handful of grape tomatoes, or baby carrots to his lunch plate, though!

The label on the Daily Greens powder says that it can be added to juice or water… and that 1 scoop has the same antioxidant level as 7 servings of fruit and vegetables.  The ingredients contain 48 berries, sea vegetables, phytoplankton… and more.  It is 100% vegetarian, 65% raw, and 60% organic.

Each scoop has 30 calories; 2g Protein; 4g Carbohydrates; .5g Fat; 2g Fibre.

The flavor is called Mixed Citrus and Berry… how bad could it be? 

I decided to make him a banana-based smoothie with it the first time out. I thought if I added it to something he already likes, the chances of a successful venture would be greater. I chose a very ripe banana, a scoop of the North Coast Naturals vanilla 100% ISO Protein Powder, a cup of fat free milk, and a scoop of the Daily Greens. 

1 scoop of the Greens powder measures between 1/2 Tbs and 1 Tbs

GREEN Banana Smoothie
Makes 1 serving

• 1 scoop North Coast Naturals Daily Greens
• 1 scoop North Coast Naturals vanilla 100% ISO Protein Powder
• 1 cup fat free milk
• 1/2 ripe banana

1. Whizz everything together with immersion blender.
2. Pour into serving glass and enjoy.

Per serving.
Weight Watchers P+ = 7.
Calories 274; Protein 36g; Carbohydrate 32g; Fat 2g; Fibre 3g.

It turned out to be the most beautiful pale green-blue color.  And the taste?  Quite nice, actually.  He really enjoyed it and I have to say, I was not only a bit surprised, I was also very happy. Win, win.

He said he would be eager to try it again, just mixed with water to see how it really tastes… all righty then.  We will be doing that for sure.

UPDATE…  The Captain actually quite likes the Daily Greens  mixed with cold water.  I tasted it myself and it is kinda sweet and ‘grassy’, but good.

Daily Greens mixed with cold water

I usually make The Captain a protein drink to enjoy before his morning workout and I like to vary it from day to day… so I thought I would try to come up with something completely new using the Daily Greens and the 100% ISO Protein Powder.  I made some GREEN Energy Ballz!

GREEN Energy Ballz
Makes 12 ballz

• 1 very ripe banana, mashed
• 1 scoop North Coast Naturals Daily Greens
• 1 scoop North Coast Naturals vanilla 100% ISO Protein Powder
• 1/4 cup almond meal
• 1/2 cup quick oats
• 2 Tbs coconut flour
• 1 T hemp hearts
• 1 T chia seeds

1. Place the hemp hearts in a small bowl and set aside.
2. Place the chia seeds in another small bowl and set aside.
3. Mix the banana, Daily Greens, vanilla ISO Protein Powder,almond meal, oats, and coconut flour in a medium bowl until well-combined.
4. Scoop the banana mixture into rounds using a 1 Tbs measure.
5. Roll half of the ballz in hemp seeds and the other half in the chia seeds.
6. Store in the refrigerator and eat as desired.

Per serving of 1 ball with chia.
Weight Watchers P+ = 2.
Calories 62; Protein 5g; Carbohydrate 7g; Fat 3g; Fibre 3g.

Per serving of 1 ball with hemp.
Weight Watchers P+ = 2.
Calories 62; Protein 4g; Carbohydrate 7g; Fat 2g; Fibre 2g.

He has been having one or two of them before our morning workouts and he quite likes them.  Win, win.


I was eager to test the North Coast Naturals vanilla 100% ISO Protein Powder for myself… I think the true test of a new protein powder, is to mix one scoop of it into 3/4th of a cup of plain almond milk… shake it up and see how well it mixes with the liquid and then taste it.

My trusty and ancient Tupperware Shaker Cup

This powder did mix nicely with the almond milk with just a few shakes of the cup… and the taste was such a great surprise… barely a hint of vanilla and not sweet at all. I have definitely found a great new powder to not only enjoy on its own, or with a variety of fruits and veggies, but also to use in baking and making pancakes.  Most of the vanilla powders I have used are quite sweet and very strongly flavored so I am happy this one is NOT either of those things.

I did make my old standby Flourless Whey Protein Pancake recipe with this 100% ISO Protein Powder and was not the least bit disappointed, believe me.

Flourless Whey Protein Pancakes

And I do like its formulation.  1 scoop contains 24g Protein, 2g Carbohydrate, just under 1 g Fat,  and 0g Sugar.  That works out to 3 Weight Watchers P+ per scoop.

I made The Captain a lovely protein shake with this powder too.

Caribbean Shake
Makes I serving

• 1 scoop North Coast Naturals vanilla ISO protein powder
• 1 cup fat free milk
• 1 cup frozen mix of mangoes, peaches, strawberries
• 1/2 ripe banana

1. Whizz everything together with immersion blender.
2. Pour into serving glass and enjoy.

Per serving.
Weight Watchers P+ = 8.
Calories 314; Protein 35g; Carbohydrate 43g; Fat 1g; Fibre 4g.

I find that using frozen fruit makes for a thicker shake… you can let it thaw before blending if you would like a slightly thinner mixture.

I am so looking forward to doing some baking and more experimenting with these and the other North Coast Naturals products in the box.  Stay tuned!

What is your favorite way to enjoy a protein powder?

Have you ever supplemented with GREENS product of any kind?

Is there anyone in your house who doesn’t eat enough freggies, too?