[quote=EricS]
1 scoop 100% Whey protein powder (I prefer just plain organic, but any will do)
1 cup 100% Whole Grain Oatmeal
1cup blueberries
2 tblspoons Flaxseed Meal
Water to desired consistency

583 calories, 41.07g of protein, 82.01g of carbs, 13.48gs of fat

You can switch the flaxseed with Peanut Butter and get

713 calories, 45g protein, 84g carbs, 25g fats which is one of my favorites.

I put this in my Vitamix(which is a must for those of us on liquid diets due to how finely it will blend the ingredients) and go to town. I also usually put 1.5 cups of organic baby spinach in the above shakes to get my greens.

Enjoy [/quote]One scoop is how much weight, seems about 2 ounce computing at rate of 23g/oz ? Also is this whey protein concentrate at 80%? There really is nothing that is 100% pure protein powder AFAIK. Isolate gets the highest concentration topping out at 90% protein content.

I need to order the VitaMix to keep up with you dogs, you are grinding some tuff stuff into fine powder to put this down the gullet.

How much water is going in so the total volume is about ? ozs?

Lastly, does not seem like there is much sweetness coming through, does it have a nice balanced taste?

thanks
don

Don,

The protein powder I used as an example was a generic you can get at Costco made by Cytosport, makers of Muscle Milk. Don't over think some of this as generally speaking you're going to get between 20-30g protein per 2oz serving of most whey powders. Add water (I will also use Coconut water due to the electrolytes) to desired consistency. I like my shakes on the thicker side so I use about 8-10oz of water. If you are shooting this down a tube thin it out with more.

I use Protein 17, which is USDA certified organic and has 30g protein per serving and will give a slightly different calorie read then above and tastes considerably different then the Cytosport as it's not sweet to me. Which is fine because with the Vitamix you will taste more of the blueberries due to how fine it mixes everything.

As far as blenders go, I've used them all really. The Ninja products, The magic Bullet, and a myriad of cheaper blenders which all of broken and burned out due heavy usage. My Vitamix does everything better and I "love" it. I've never thought I'd be the type of guy that would fall in "love" with an appliance, but I have. It's an affair my wife agrees with so I'm good there

Seriously, I didn't know I what I was missing until last year when Brian and I flew to DC and I stayed with Charm and Bev. Charm had the Vitamix and I fell in love with it then and had to get my own. Dude it's awesome.

HUMBLE? Don't get soft on my Eric!

Maybe offline I would love to hear more details about the nerve graft and where it was done. My contention is that nerves traveling through neck get so much scar tissue in the myelin that it can no longer feed muscles. Then carbon or uric acid buildup blocks veins much like cholesterol plaque in arteries. The combination is what causes muscles to atrophy and as accessory muscles take over for larger muscles they just burn out from being overworked constantly. The neurologists believe the signal decline in muscles is caused by damage to the anterior horn or brain stem and is strictly a motor neuron deficit. I think it mimics that by presenting as motor function decline and the problem is farther downstream and related to nerve damage.

What's the timeframe for the nerve to connect? This is something I think is very significant for us and breast cancer survivors that get radiation to the neck. The only other possibility is IGF-1 R3. It has some interesting results. IGF-1 R1 is the deer angler spray. R1 has a half life in minutes so it immediately flushes out through urine. R3 is only allowed in labs because they believe that while it regenerates nerves and motor neurons, the pain as the nerves grow inch by inch may be inhumane. The mechanism involves triggering the liver to produce more natural HGH.

Thanks again for all the nutrition and muscle discussion. If I can build some muscle in my face and neck life would be grand. Actually life will not even be a possibility if I can't keep the atrophy in check. It is a full-time job for sure! I have a group of docs that believe I am the only patient they have seen that stopped cachexia as advanced as mine.

Also, research the reishi from an ALS/motor neuron/nerve perspective. Big caution, though, as reishi significantly thins blood and lowers blood pressure. I went 30 days without and saw major atrophy in areas that were building. Started back this week sparingly and see difference just this week. I have tried dried black and red. The red have less side effects for me but better results. I am going to make some tea and use it in shakes.

Ed

Eric,

Where do you get protein 17? I was shocked at the msg in some whey proteins.

Ed,

I'm sorry I need to update my diet tracker on my phone as I just checked my label. I'm using Source Organic Whey now as I can get it through Amazon through the OCF link. 2lb bulk bag for $65.

Also remember bro that it could be nerve degeneration caused by the effects of radiation over time. Brian has some facial paralysis due to this himself. I'm interested in your thoughts though so we'll have to chat it up, love that stuff. I'll PM you my contact info

Definitely is nerve denervation. My neuro said if he hadn't studied radiation damage it would have been diagnosed as ALS. Much of the symptom mgt I gleaned from ALS studies.

Thanks for the info. I'm not a big fan of most type supplements now, unless my doctor prescribes, after using all types of protein powders, supplements, diets, being a bodybuilder and working out excessively since I was 15. I'm 52 now, having originally gone from 130 to 275, but then often dropped in a flash, gained at will, like 20lbs in a week, 40 a month, and even 100 pounds in a year, which is a hazard itself. I just think most overdo it with supplementation, don't need it, waste thier $$, just get fat, and put added stress on their bodies, doing more harm than good. Once I was taking so much protein, my sweat smelled of ammonia, plus other problems they can cause. I think supplementation had an effect on my getting diabetes, maybe liver, kidneys problems too. Maybe one day, I'll start again, but right now satisfied to have been there and done that, but would not do it again to the same extent.

Talking about this gets me pumped up too lol.

I hear ya Paul. With all the neurological issues from radiation I tend to steer away from all meds, supplements, etc. Trying to address everything through diet but the muscle atrophy is keeping me concerned. Hard to not think about it when you can't swallow or breathe well. Anything that will build muscle is game for me right now although I am feeling quite sleek in this new slimmed down Ed v2.0.

Ed

That is a major concern, Eric. In that case, I would also do what needs to be done. Thankfully, I got past the cachexia or wasting issue.

Paul I completely agree with the whole supplementation overkill thought. I don't use much myself but have explored and experimented with some of them. Now I I stick mostly with whey (as I don't eat solids), bcaa's after a workout, fish oil, and the rest comes from whole foods, mostly fresh fruit's, vegetables and nuts.

I gained 40lbs of muscle over a summer with just good old fashioned exercise and nutrition, going from 140lbs to 180, which I've been able to maintain even on a liquid diet. As long as I don't wear myself down I feel good and keep a really active schedule...and I look great naked. hahaha