Raw Power News
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February 24, 2012
Raw Power® Brand Raw/Organic Foods and Whole-Food Supplements are regularly laboratory tested for purity, and are guaranteed to be the highest-quality, cleanest, most nutrient-dense food products available in the world marketplace today. When you see the Raw Power® label, you can rest assured that you are getting the very best.
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Raw Power Protein
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Protein: How Much is Enough?
Excerpt from the book Raw Power! by Thor Bazler:
"Several years ago, I bought into the "protein isn't that important, you can get enough from raw fruits and vegetables" dogma in the raw-food community. I even wrote about it in articles and in the past editions of Raw Power! That was until I witnessed an incredible feat of strength and endurance in front of Whole Foods Market in San Diego. A friend I worked with told me about the guy in the story below, and then I happened to see him for myself. At the time, it seemed like I was just in the right place at the right time, but now I know it was meant to be.
Near the dining patio in front of the store, there was a crowd gathering around a well-built man in his 40s. He was challenging people to a strength contest. In fact, not only was he challenging a person at a time, he was challenging "any ten of you against me." Meaning, he was saying that he could outlift the COMBINED efforts of any ten people in the audience. I thought to myself, "Ok, this will be worth watching. In fact, I'll participate. Hey, I'm the Raw Power guy, I have to participate!" So a few of us men stepped forward, and then a couple more--only five guys total, but all of us were young, in good shape and worked out regularly with weights. The man said, "ok, you five do your lifts, add them all up, then double that number. I'll beat it." The man simply had two 35-pound dumbbells and his guidelines were: "Stand up straight and hold a dumbbell in each hand. Next, curl both dumbbells up to your shoulders, twist them, then press them up over your head to full extension. Bring them down to your sides again. That is one rep. Keep doing reps until you can’t do any more." I knew I could do a bunch of these so I thought, "This will be fun! No way this guy's gonna win this challenge..."
The first of us five challengers went and he only did six reps. The second guy went and he did ten. I went next and I did thirty-nine, which won me a nice round of applause, even from the man challenging us! The last two guys went and they did twelve and fifteen, respectively. We added them up--82. Doubling made the number to beat 164. I thought, "There's no way this guy can do 164 reps, that’s ridiculous!"
Well, you know what happened next, right? It was stunning to watch this guy do 165 reps and then stop. He could have kept on going. I could tell he was getting a little tired, but something allowed him to go and go, far past the point of fatigue that the normal bodybuilder could withstand. I just had to ask him what his diet was like. I thought he would start rattling off a bunch of long latin words or something, but he said simply, "Mostly raw-food protein shakes and green vegetable juices." I thought, "Wow, this guy is into raw foods?! And he’s actually into protein?!" It was at that moment when I started to re-think how much protein is necessary to build super strength. I also implemented the high-rep "challenge exercise" I had learned that day into my weekly weight training routine, and I still do it two times a week (see Workouts chapter for my detailed routine).
After I witnessed this impressive feat of strength and endurance first hand, I began looking for high-protein sources of raw vegan foods. During my search, I happened across a hemp seed company who was making hemp seed oil from hemp seeds. When hemp seeds are pressed to produce hemp oil, what's left over is the fiber, or "hemp meal," which is very high in protein and very low in fat. The owner of that company asked me if I wanted to test it out. He sent me a few bags to try out. It was amazing stuff. I was making raw food smoothies with it and working out with weights and I was achieving great results. I started sharing it with my friends and customers and they loved it too. This product later became known as "Hemp Protein" and to this day is still a major part of my diet. (And, NO, you will not fail a drug test by eating hemp protein! Hemp and Marijuana are entirely different. There is no THC (the mind-altering substance found in marijuana) in hemp seeds or hemp protein.)
I also started researching the diets of elite athletes, bodybuilders and trainers. I experimented by emulating the tidbits of dietary knowledge I learned, but I tweaked their ideas around to make even better, healthier choices. (Substituting egg whites in their diets to hemp protein in mine--things like that.)
Three such examples I found of extremely successful and physically fit people were Bruce Lee, Sylvester Stallone and Jack LaLanne. None of these men are (or were) raw-foodists or superfoodists, but we can learn an important lesson by taking a look at one thing they all had in common with the Challenger at Whole Foods: the importance of healthy high-protein drinks in the diet.
Bruce Lee
Joe Weider, the founder of the Mr. Olympia bodybuilding contest, once described Bruce Lee's physique as "the most defined body I've ever seen." Coming from the founder of the Mr. Olympia bodybuilding contest, that's about as good a compliment as one can receive.
Although Lee never developed a diet of his own, we can learn from his books and what his friends and associates have said about the way he ate. Lee avoided empty, refined calories and his diet included protein shakes; he always tried to consume one or two every day. Hmm...if success leaves clues, then there's a big clue right there. The "most defined body" Joe Weider has ever seen was nourished by one or two protein shakes a day. High quality, bio-available protein helps refuel your body and helps to build lean muscle.
Lee also believed in taking the highest-quality supplements he could find (not as easy in the 1960s and 1970s as it is today!) and once said, "Use only that which works, and take it from any place you can find it." Nowadays we have daily access to very high-quality, clean and pure, super healthy protein-rich foods and supplements.
Sylvester Stallone
Hollywood legend Sylvester Stallone is also a big fan of daily morning protein smoothies mixed with fresh fruit. The International Federation of Bodybuilders named him the "Body of the 80s," an amazing honor for a movie star! Usually one would think this title would be given to a professional champion bodybuilder.
Several years ago, I read an article about Stallone's diet and exercise routine. In that article, he said he basically eats the same thing every morning: a protein smoothie and a half cup of oatmeal. He said he is "like a race horse. You eat the same thing, you get a similar kind of performance." Another important clue: doing the same thing on a consistent basis produces great results.
Jack LaLanne
Jack is one of America's original exercise and nutrition gurus. Jack's life was transformed at the age of 15, when he attended a lecture by a nutritionist, who promised Jack that if he gave up junk food and exercised regularly, he could attain great health. Jack took on the challenge with the zeal and tenacity that would become his personal trademarks. He began lifting weights and sought out all the information he could find on human anatomy, bodybuilding, diet, and fitness.
He continued to follow a strict regimen of diet, exercise, and supplementation that helped to keep him youthful into his nineties. Jack once said, "Exercise is king and nutrition is queen: together, you have a kingdom." And, you guessed it, every morning his meal consisted of a protein and fruit smoothie.
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Countless others are also now recommending protein shakes, such as Mixed Martial Arts Ultimate Fighter Champion Ken Shamrock and his Lion's Den of fighters. Ken says, "All of us drink one or two protein shakes a day. They help us build muscle and keep our weight up."
Needless to say, I am now also a big proponent of daily high-protein smoothies, although I take it a few steps further and consume them all raw, organic and vegan. A raw-food, vegan diet is fantastic for slimming and overall health but, to build super strength and muscle mass, extra protein is required. There will undoubtedly be people in the raw-food community who will tell you differently, but it's usually a guy who weighs a-buck-thirty, or a guy who can run a marathon, but has the physique of a thirteen year-old boy. If impersonating a beanpole interests you, then you probably wouldn't be reading this book right now. If super strength and muscle mass interest you like they do me, then please read on.
Over the years, I have found that a person eating a high-raw diet and working out regularly with weights needs about a half a gram of protein per desired pound of bodyweight per day to achieve his or her goal physique. Example: If your goal physique is 200 pounds and ripped, low bodyfat, super strong, etc., then a minimum of 100 grams of usable, absorbable protein per day will be required. Not all protein is created equal--in fact, quality and absorbability can differ greatly amongst protein sources.
A good daily guideline is this: try to consume the highest amount of protein you can with the highest percentage of that protein being raw, organic and vegan. This way, you have a good daily goal and it will be very difficult to overdo protein intake.
The key here is to get plenty of rest and consume the necessary amount of protein so that your muscles repair and grow quickly. As you continue to work out, your metabolism will improve and you’ll find that you don't take as long to recover.
After a workout, how much protein is optimal? In a study conducted by Dr. Stuart Phillips and associates, his research found that 20 grams of protein maximally stimulates protein synthesis rates. After 20 grams, there was no further increase in protein synthesis. For example, 40 grams did not stimulate protein synthesis greater than 20 grams.
Here's more on the study... To examine the effect of how different dosages of protein powder affected protein synthesis rates, researchers had young healthy men who had previous resistance training experience perform daily intense resistance exercise and consume a protein drink that contained either 5, 10, 20, or 40 grams of protein. Interestingly, they found that increasing protein intake stimulated protein synthesis in a dose up to 20 grams of dietary protein.
This data suggests that there is a maximal rate at which dietary amino acids can be incorporated into muscle tissue at one time and that with increasingly higher concentrations of amino acids, there is no further stimulation of muscle protein synthesis. So how many times in a day could someone consume such a dose (20 grams) to stimulate muscle anabolism that would ultimately translate into muscle growth? The researchers speculated that 4-6 times daily of 20 grams of protein would be the optimal measure to increase anabolism and increase muscle mass.
The protein content of most protein powders on the market is derived from animal sources like whey (which causes bloating and is really just a waste product of the dairy industry--until someone thought to package and sell it), chemical sources, or highly heated (cooked) sources, and are not highly absorbable or assimilable, as protein powders should be. The protein content of these denatured powders is misleading. A cheap or junky commercial product which boasts of 30 grams of protein per serving is not actually supplying that amount to the body, and even if it were, the body would not reap much benefit, if any, over 20 grams anyway.
Raw, Organic, Vegan Protein Sources and Raw Bodybuilding Supplements
I used to be opposed to taking supplements because of the synthetic nature of them and the fact that the vast majority of them are poor-quality, toxic abominations. Things have since changed and there are now some really good raw, organic bodybuilding supplements on the market today. I have found some of them to be of high-quality, high integrity, and very helpful to the health and strength seeker. What to look for in a healthy protein powder, for instance, is 100% food-based and derived from certified organic raw plant sources and one that is fully absorbable and assimilable.
Raw Power! Protein Superfood Blend was born out of my wife and I wishing such a product existed for our own use. We would talk about how it would be great if there were a 100% organic, 100% raw, 100% vegan, 100% clean, 100% HEALTHY protein powder out there--with no fillers and no average ingredients--strictly the best ingredients planet Earth has to offer.
After a few years of trying dozens of different ingredient blends, I finally got it just perfect--perfect for everyone: men, women, children, young, old, active, less-active, athlete, vegan, vegetarian, whole-food-eater, etc. It is clean, usable nutrition for every body, for everyone who wants to add premium-quality, vegetarian protein and/or super nutrition to their diet. My wife, kids and I make it a part of our mornings. What better way to start our day together than with a healthy, delicious super smoothie full of protein and clean, organic nutrition!
Raw Power! is not just a protein powder, it's a Superfood Blend. In fact, we weren't sure if we should market it as a Protein Powder or Superfood Blend since it's really both. But we realize that a lot of people out there need and want more clean, high-quality protein in their diets, and that's what they look for.
We're proud of this product--it's what we were wishing for and waiting for, and we bet what a lot of people have been waiting for, too!
The all-raw, organic, vegan ingredients are: Hemp Protein Powder, Brazil Nut Protein Powder, Maca, Goji Berry Powder, Mesquite Powder and Maca Extreme (a more potent version of maca). These ingredients have been carefully selected and formulated to produce a natural, balanced, nutrient-rich protein product.
Hemp Protein Powder is a natural protein powder, containing over 50% protein. Hemp Protein Powder is made from hemp seeds, which have the most complete edible and usable protein in the vegetable kingdom. This high-performance protein powder is easily digestible with 65% globulin edestin and 35% albumin protein--more than any other plant!
Brazil Nut Protein Powder contains nearly 50% protein and provides antioxidant benefits with its high selenium content. Traditionally, brazil nuts have been regarded as the most calorie-dense of all vegetarian foods.
Maca Powder is an ancient superfood that was consumed by Incan Warriors to increase strength and endurance. Native Peruvians have traditionally utilized this South American root since pre-Incan times for both nutritional and medicinal purposes. Maca is a wonderful source of natural vital nutrients.
Goji Berry Powder is a naturally-concentrated extract of what is considered by many to be the world's most nutrient-rich fruit--the goji berry (Lycium). Goji berries have been used in traditional Asian medicine for over 5,000 years. Much has been written about the health-promoting properties of this amazing fruit.
Mesquite Powder is a traditional Native American food produced by gathering ripened seed-pods from the mesquite tree and grinding them into a fine high-protein powder (approximately 20% protein). For centuries mesquite has been a source of nutrition for Native Americans and indigenous peoples in the arid regions of the earth.
Maca Extreme is the most potent form of maca in the world. It is produced by juicing freshly-harvested maca roots and then drying the juice at a low temperature into a fine powder. Once it is dried, the powder is sifted so only the finest particles make it through into the final product, which produces a high-nutrient powder.
Other important attributes of Raw Power! Protein Superfood Blend:
NO pesticides
NO cholesterol
NO GMOs
NO added sugar
NO trans fats
NO hydrogenated oil
NO dairy
NO wheat or gluten
NO soy
NO preservatives
NO artificial colors, flavors or ingredients
NO animal residues
NO dyes
NO hormones
NO irradiation
To maximize the benefits from your workout, Raw Power Protein smoothies are best consumed within 30 minutes after your workout.
In the case of sensitivities and/or allergies, some of our customers order the individual ingredients that best fit their needs to make their own protein superfood blends. (Hemp Protein Powder, Maca Powder, Acai Powder, Mesquite Powder, Goji Berry Powder, Brazil Nut Protein Powder, Mangosteen Powder, Camu Camu Powder, etc.) All these ingredients are under the Raw Power brand label, and we only brand the highest-quality products available.
Another fantastic raw, organic bodybuilding product I take every day is such an important part of my diet, I named it Thor's Hammer, after the Norse god Thor's powerful weapon of choice. At a whopping 70% protein content, Thor’s Hammer is the perfect combination of two of the world's most powerful foods: pure chlorella and pure spirulina.
Chlorella gets its name from its chlorophyll content (highest of all known plants). It is prized for its high-protein content, many health benefits, and nutrient offerings.
Spirulina is a high-energy, high-protein food, valued for its detoxifying and alkalizing benefits.
Chlorella and Spirulina are each considered by many in the health field as "perfect foods" --so it makes perfect sense to offer them together, in their purest form, in Thor's Hammer!
This is a low-temperature, 100% raw product and consists of pressed tablets of pure broken-cell-wall chlorella and pure spirulina. No fillers or binders are used, so the tablets disintegrate rather quickly when consumed.
I've been taking this product every single day for the last couple years, and what I've found is that I can’t believe in all my years of eating raw foods, I didn’t give much attention to these amazing foods. I started out with 10-20 tablets per day, and slowly increased the amount every few days; now I'm up to almost 300 per day (which is over 50 grams of protein by itself!). Three-hundred tablets sounds like a high amount, but it's only about 75 grams in terms of weight and actually quite easy to do once your body acclimates to it. I've heard stories of olympic athletes taking 60 grams of chlorella or spirulina a day, and I thought, "WOW, that would be great to be able to build up to that amount." Well, I've done it, and surpassed it.
This new product has had a huge impact on my recent muscle- and strength-building, and overall health--I feel great. What I do is drink a Raw Power Smoothie or glass of organic orange juice in the morning and, with every sip, I'll take around 12-15 tablets. At the end of the smoothie or juice, I've taken well over 100 tablets. That's how I start my day each morning, which I feel, for me, is the most nutritionally superior way possible. Then, throughout the day, whenever I eat anything at all, I'll take a few more small handfuls of tablets, tapering off as it gets later in the day. Then, since they are high-energy foods, I won't take any within a few hours of bedtime. I prefer tablets over powder because if I was taking powder all day, all my food would taste like chlorella/spirulina, and I enjoy a myriad of tastes, so the tablets work perfectly. If you're like me, and love to experiment and find new foods to assist with overall health and strength-building, you're going to love this stuff. Remember to start out small, your body will need time to adjust...believe me!
Protein content of Thor's Hammer:
every 20 tablets = 3.5 grams of protein
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I always buy and consume the highest quality foods possible. Just as with car shopping, or any kind of shopping for that matter, there is always a quality difference. Rolls Royce vs. Hyundai--yep, there's a difference--a big difference! Beware of cheap, commercial brands and products with ingredient lists that read like a science fiction story. Most products out there are riddled with chemicals, pesticides, and artificial ingredients from mysterious sources. They are made commercially, for mass consumption, and made as cheaply as possible.
Always keep in mind you can eat great protein-rich foods all day, but if you don’t work out with weight-bearing or resistance exercises, you will not gain muscle."
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Interview with Thor Bazler:
Raw Foods: The Early Days and Beyond
Pictured: The Juiceman and his wife Linda, Thor Bazler, David Wolfe, RC Dini
Exclusive Interview with Thor Bazler, "Raw Foods: The Early Days and Beyond"
(click here)
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Protein: The Best Raw Organic Protein Products on Sale Now at Rawpower.com
"Our Raw Power! Protein Superfood Blend was born out of our wishing such a product existed for our own use. We would talk about how it would be great if there were a 100% organic, 100% raw, 100% vegan, 100% HEALTHY protein powder out there -- with no fillers and no average ingredients -- strictly the best ingredients planet Earth has to offer.  Continued
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At a whopping 70% protein content, Thor's Hammer is the perfect combination of two of the world's most powerful foods: pure chlorella and pure spirulina. Continued
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With 22 grams of easy-to-digest protein from delicious raw, vegan, certified organic foods, this may be the healthiest and best-tasting protein bar ever created! Continued
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Garden of Life® RAW Meal was formulated to be a meal replacement that satisfies hunger, is naturally filling and provides energy, all while providing the protein, fiber, vitamins and minerals that you would find in a healthy meal of raw foods. RAW Meal provides the nutrition of a well-balanced, healthy raw meal in one delicious serving. Continued
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Hemp protein powder is a whole food protein powder rich in complete protein (containing 50% protein) and beneficial branch chain amino acids. Continued
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Chlorella is a microscopic single-celled algae that grows in fresh water. The name Chlorella is taken from the Greek word chloros meaning green and the Latin diminutive suffix ella meaning "small." Nutritionally dense, chlorella contains vitamins, minerals, trace minerals, essential fatty acids, chlorophyl, and a vast array of phytonutrients. It is high in digestible protein. Continued
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Featuring 14 raw and organic sprouts, RAW Protein is an excellent source of complete protein, providing 18 grams, or 35% of the Daily Value, plus all essential amino acids. RAW Protein contains Vitamin Code® fat-soluble vitamins and supports digestive health and function with live protein-digesting enzymes and powerful probiotics.† Continued
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Long-time authority on raw foods, superfoods and truly natural bodybuilding, Thor Bazler outlines numerous techniques and strategies on how to gain muscle and strength completely naturally, eating a diet of raw foods and superfoods. Continued
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