sprtphntc- I look for "deals" from several sources for Great Lakes Gelatin (I also use Bernard Jensen and NOW brands - but they are the type that gels). The convenience of Great Lakes Gelatin Collagen Hydrolysate (in the green box) is that it has a lot more applications since it DOESN'T gel like regular unflavored gelatin (although I use a LOT of the gelling type, too, to make homemade "Jell-O", gummy snacks, high protein gelatin power cubes, Low-Carb GAPS-Friendly Coconut "Jell-O", spiced whipped coconut pudding, even chocolate gelatin "fudge"). I've repaired a lot of damage from years of inflammation caused by wheat/gluten by using bovine gelatin and bone broth. Are you looking exclusively for plant protein, or would bovine gelatin work, because what I take is bovine protein. Go to Best-Deal.com for sources for the best prices. I also add homemade kefir (made with powdered cow's milk) or homemade coconut kefir (made with reconstituted powdered coconut milk) to our morning smoothie. The smoothie is about 6-ounces and is a part of a whole breakfast, not THE whole meal. Make sure you s-l-o-w-l-y drink, and actually masticate (chew) your liquid protein drinks. Digestion begins in the mouth. If you quickly guzzle your drink, the digestion skips an important step and your brain doesn't always get the message you have eaten something. Depending on the blend of ingredients, you could also be causing a blood sugar spike which can leave you feeling hungry. The concentration of sugars in some blends is almost dangerous, as well as damaging to the liver. "Sugar" calories (including natural sugars found in food) you drink go to work much faster than those found in whole foods. Adding the medium-chain triglycerides from sources such as coconut oil or MCT oil improve bioavailability of the protein. It's important to known, when you increase protein, with reduction of fat, it can also over-work the liver. You need a balance of protein with healthy fat. Personally, I would also avoid brown rice protein due to arsenic in rice. If I had to suggest a plant-based add-in, I would sprout lentils and dry them in a dehydrator, and then blend them in a coffee/spice mill and add the sprouted lentil flour. A cheap AND easy addition.

LOL laughable - I had not thought of that option! Huango (predictive text turned it into hangover-oops- no worries- my real name turns into Lasagna from predictive text. I will have to try them when I get back from Adam. raee- as a kid, I loved broccoli, cauliflower, and Brussel sprouts but hated peas and limas. Go figure Interesting morning- I was just reading this week about how bad ticks are this year. DH- will you come look at this sore on my back. I take a peak and think- why does he have stitches in his back when I realize the stitches are moving.., Fortunately, I had also read the latest on tick removal- which really has not changed in 50+ years. Skip the nail polish, liquid soap, kerosene, matches etc and find a pair of pointed tweezers. Get close to the head and pull gently until released. The tick "cements" itself in the skin so it does a steady pull. The tick was still flat, so even though fully imbedded, it was not engorged. We think he picked it up yesterday, so less than 24 hours. I tossed tick into toilet - but should have saved it for inspection. Put it in a small container with alcohol as "pickling juice". It can be tested for pathogens. I am 99% sure it was a dog and not a deer tick. Then to add insult to injury - I have been thinning out my pacasandra(sp). Deer ticks love this ground cover- so now I am very itchy- as the deer have been though th ground cover earlier this year. As a kid, we had tick checks - guess it is time to return to this activity.

The commercials are very enticing. But when I look beyond the pretty produce, I wonder if I would actually like the food. I'm a vegetarian and as you can imagine, I eat a lot of fruits and veggies. But I'm also particular about flavorful food, using plenty of spices, and prefer fresh over frozen produce. I don't really eat smoothies much, though I have tried them as meal replacements in the past. I hope you'll share your experience.

@roarah oops I'm behind on the posts. I'm sorry you're dealing with Sjogren's too. Not sure I have it yet, but waiting on blood test results. My mouth feels like permanent cotton mouth and when I go for a run I will at times go completely dry and not be able produce any saliva. Thankfully at night I have to wear a mouth guard so that seems to help at least producing some saliva so not as bothered at night. I'm a type 1 diabetic who through avoiding any sugars or foods that spike my blood sugar I maintain a 4.9 - 5.1 A1C which is in the middle of the normal non-diabetic range, so hence I'm not as worried about high sugar damage as most diabetics should be and do tend to focus on other things as being potential worries too. Unfortunately there isn't much data or studies on type 1's like me due to most not willing to do that, but I have to think that keeping my numbers in control like that puts me closer to the normal population as far as risks. I may start a new post once I know more if I have Sjogren since there are several on here with experience in this area. Sorry Oakley for taking things off topic.