This post was sponsored by Naked Nutrition. As always, all opinions are my own. Thank you for your support as I continue to work with advertisers!

I’m sure I’ve mentioned before that I really wasn’t much of a protein powder person until recently—and even still I don’t really use before or after a workout so much as I enjoy how convenient it can be when I’m busy with my kids, my side gig teaching Pure Barre, or just so tired of our usual breakfasts that I don’t even want to look at another egg. I do enjoy a protein shake now and then or adding some protein powder to pancakes or smoothies, but it wasn’t until Naked Nutrition sent me this clear whey powder that I started drinking it regularly.

When they told me they were sending me grape flavored protein powder, I was honestly confused. But once I got it and realized that it wasn’t the sort of milky, shake-like consistency that I was used to, I really got into it. This stuff foams up when you shake it, and then dissolves into your water and basically becomes like a flavored water drink. The grape is really pleasant and the color is so fun—it is a bright pink, almost purple. I did notice a bit of a gelatin kind of taste the first few times I drank it—almost like jello, but I don’t really notice it anymore so I definitely got used to it and it doesn’t bother me at all. I really prefer this to traditional protein powders, I find it easier to drink and a lot more refreshing.

It has 15 grams of protein and only 70 calories per serving so I don’t use it as a meal replacement so much as something to keep me going between breakfast and school pickup or between classes when I’m teaching a lot and don’t have time to grab something more substantial. It is definitely an easy way to get more protein into your diet if that’s something that you are struggling with.

They sent me this a little over a month ago and I am almost done with the container! I’ll definitely be ordering some more soon, and as much as I like the grape, I may try one of their other flavors (they also have lemonade and fruit punch).

I have really enjoyed working with Naked Nutrition this year—I love how simple their products are and that they don’t have a ton of sugar or other unnecessary ingredients or fillers. If you give them a try, let me know how you like it!

This post is sponsored by Naked Nutrition.

After partnering with Naked Nutrition to make a smoothie earlier this year, I was thrilled when they reached back out and wanted to send me some of their Naked Cookies to try, which are loaded with protein and contain a lot less sugar than a “regular” cookie. I immediately thought it would be so fun to make a little ice cream sandwich as an after-school snack, so that’s exactly what we did (complete with rainbow sprinkles for a certain 4 year-old).

These chocolate chip cookies have 10g of protein and only 1g of sugar, so they are a great snack anytime. I love to throw one in my bag when I’m teaching back-to-back barre classes or just have a lot of errands to run. They’re also free of gluten and soy (the main ingredient is almond flour instead of wheat).

Ice cream sandwiches are really easy to make but they don’t hold up super well so I prefer to put them together as soon as you’re ready to eat them—I tried to make these ahead of time and store them in the freezer, which got the job done, but they’re definitely best enjoyed as soon as they are assembled.

Protein Cookie Ice Cream Sandwiches

Ingredients (makes 1 sandwich):

• 2 Naked Cookies

• 1 small scoop of your favorite ice cream

• Any toppings you enjoy: sprinkles, crushed nuts, etc.

Instructions:

1. Unwrap two of the cookies and place them on a plate or paper towel with the smooth side down.

2. Place a small scoop of your ice cream onto one of the cookies, then top it with the other cookie. Gently press it down to spread the ice cream out to the edges of the cookies. Roll in sprinkles if desired.

3. Store in the freezer until ready to eat or enjoy immediately.

Feel free to mix up your flavors and toppings to change it up every time! I used the chocolate chip cookies with classic vanilla ice cream but they also have oatmeal raisin and sugar cookies. I’ve got my eye on an oatmeal raisin sandwich with pumpkin or some other fall-y ice cream next time.

This post is sponsored by MomsRising.

When I was in college I used to occasionally come home from afternoon classes and drink mate and spread room temperature butter onto saltine crackers before dusting them with sugar. It was a quiet ritual, but one that I found myself entering into whenever I was homesick or missed my grandma.

I was lucky enough to grow up in a family that included my Argentinian grandmother, where Spanish was spoken just as regularly as English. She didn’t cook much, but I could always count on her for an afternoon snack of arroz con leche or those buttery, lightly sugared saltines; which I still think about now in my 30s when I’m sad or not feeling well.

My latina heritage is something that I’ve always been proud of and passionate about, even if I don’t always give it the time or space in my life that it deserves (almost every year I find myself writing “practice your Spanish” on my list of New Year’s Resolutions). My abuela passed away when I was just 10 years old, but my love for her and my respect for where she came from lives on in little and not-so little ways: every time I share yerba mate with my mom or brother, whenever I read a story to my daughter in Spanish, and every time I vote.

Being a second-generation American has always been a source of pride for me and my brother. Our grandparents brought my mom and her sister to the United States for a better life and now we’re here today, forever grateful for their sense of adventure and optimism. They leaned on their family and their neighbors and invested in their community and created a lovely life for future generations.

COVID-19 has shown us that now more than ever, we are dependent on each other, and whether we’re Black or white, Latino or Asian, native or newcomer, we know it’s time to pull together to demand the testing, treatment, and time off we all need to get or stay well. Only by standing together can we ensure our own wellbeing through this outbreak and rewrite the rules to ensure better health for all of us for generations to come. 

Immigrants’ contributions to the economy and society are indispensable during the pandemic. From healthcare to agriculture, 70% of farmworkers and 40% of food packers are immigrants. They are putting their lives on the line to keep our economy going. 1 in 6 nurses and 1 in 4 physicians are immigrants. They are putting their lives on the line to keep us safe and healthy. The government response to COVID-19 should reflect this.

What can you do to help? Take 5 seconds to sign this MomsRising petition to implore Congress to include immigrants in relief packages. And, as always, don’t forget to vote! Early voting has already begun in many states. 

Whether it’s your grandma at home making you tea after school or a DACA recipient on the front lines of the pandemic, immigrants are essential.