The first thing to understand is the proposition of a recovery drink which can also be called a "meal replacement drink" or MRP.  You all know that after training, our bodies are hungry for fuel.  At the cellular level we can introduce nutrients to our anabolic window that's wide open to receive carbs and protein that assist our bodies with recovery and rebuilding.  After about an hour that window begins to close.  That's bad.  It means you won't recover as quickly.  And whether you're training for an Ironman or getting ready for your first 5K, the quicker you recover, the quicker you improve.  

So we want to give our bodies some timely nourishment that includes all the macro nutrients we need - carbs, protein, and fat.  Even better that meal should include vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and even some fiber.  It would be absolutely over the top if all this could be delivered in a product that's truly natural without any artificial flavors, sweeteners, or anything.  That was the blueprint for the Monkey Shake.  

The first ingredient of a recovery shake is carbohydrates - to replace the ones you just burned.  My choice is a somewhat unorthodox one that boasts a double-whammy.  First, it provides a whole food carb that you can pronounce and recognize, and second, it's proven to reduce cholesterol as it binds with some of that bad stuff in your digestive tract.  I've also found it to be an effective "filler" that keeps you feeling full for longer.  You've no doubt heard how it "sticks to your ribs".  It's oatmeal.  In our case, 100% rolled oats, that we grind into a powder to create a creamy smooth base for your shake.  

The next ingredient is protein.  There's a bazillion options here.  Whey, soy, and egg for starters.  Since soy is not a complete protein (doesn't have all the essential amino acids) and has been demonstrated to have some negative hormonal consequences (the truth about soy), it's out.  Egg protein is a very good source of protein.  It gets the highest rating (1.0) on the PDCAAS value scale but falls just short of Whey protein in biological value (BV).  So all things considered Whey is the best.  But what kind of whey?

There's whey protein concentrate, isolate, or hydrolysate.  Which would you pick?  They're all good, just processed differently.  But isolate, a more expensive product than concentrate has a higher protein concentration (ironic, eh?) with less fat and no lactose (a cause of digestive stress for some).   Hydrolysates are predigested, partially hydrolyzed whey proteins that, as a consequence, are more easily absorbed, but their cost is generally higher and their taste is undesirable to many.  So weighing all the wheys leads me to go with whey protein isolate as the primary protein for the Monkey Shake.  And because you can dress it up with other ingredients like cocoa powder or fruits, we use natural vanilla flavor for the Monkey.

The only knock we could make on whey protein isolate (or concentrate or hydrolysate) is that the product is "denatured" (or no longer a native protein) when it's processed.  Because of the heat used in manufacture, some of the original properties, especially its biological activity, are diminished or eliminated.  Have you heard about the benefits of real milk?  The benefit, that biological activity, is a very difficult thing to acquire.  In my case I go way out of my way to secure milk as God intended it.  Straight from a happy cow, raised on grass with no growth hormones or antibiotics.  And never pasteurized or homogenized!  

All of these happy cow benefits can be found in another ingredient of the Monkey Shake.  I discovered it while researching the different kinds of whey protein.  It's called RenewPro® and it contains the full range of the fragile immune modulating and regenerative protein components naturally present in raw milk. It's the result of years of work to perfect a system that produces only the highest quality native whey protein. This superior product contains the highest amounts of covalent bonded cysteine. This is the critical precursor (required nutrient) for the intracellular production of glutathione (GSH). Glutathione is our crucial master antioxidant, detoxifier and immune booster, and the optimal way to maintain healthy levels is by consuming native whey proteins.  

Additionally RenewPro® contains the full range and highest levels of the most important protein components:  Lactoferrin ( helps regulate your intestinal iron absorption and promotes healthy cell growth* ) , Immunoglobulins (promotes your immune system and helps support the body's natural detoxification processes*) , and Natural Growth Factors (aids your system in cell rejuvenation, muscle recovery after exercise, and energy function* ) . Like all wheys, it contains a complete amino acid profile, but it also has all the advantages of organic natural grass pasture fed cows. They are never fed grain and are disease-free, pesticide-free, chemical-free, hormone treatment-free and GMO-free. Grass fed cows milk has many times higher levels of CLA and the proper balance of essential fatty acids.  

RenewPro® can be consumed by itself for the many benefits listed above.  It's available in a naturally flavored or unflavored version at the 10:10 store.  It's not cheap.  In fact, gram for gram it's the most expensive component of a monkey, but that list of benefits doesn't come easy.  And it makes a great addition to the Monkey Shake I hope you agree.  

If all this isn't enough, there's one more Super-ingredient that completes the Monkey.  My local health food store sells it for $25 a pound.  This item is a rich source of fiber and Omega-3 fatty acids.  My more nutritionally astute readers just slammed the buzzer as if on a game show and are shouting "it's flaxseed!".  I love it when people get excited about seeds.  Well you're close.  And I actually used to use flaxseed and flaxseed oil in some of the early monkey generations - because it's great stuff.  But I found something even better.  Way better.  No, way, way better.   

This "super" food is Chia seed.  "Like Chia pets?" you ask.  Yep.  Chia is familiar to most of us as the seed used for the novelty of the Chia Pet™, clay animals with sprouted Chia seeds covering their bodies. Little is known, however, of the seed's tremendous nutritional value and medicinal properties. For centuries this tiny little seed was used as a staple food by the Indians of the south west and Mexico. Known as the running food, its use as a high energy endurance food has been recorded as far back as the ancient Aztecs. It was said the Aztec warriors subsisted on the Chia seed during the conquests. The Indians of the south west would eat as little as a teaspoon full when going on a 24hr. forced march. Indians running form the Colorado River to the California coast to trade turquoise for seashells would only bring the Chia seed for their nourishment.  

If you try mixing a spoonful of Chia in a glass of water and leaving it for approximately 30 minutes, when you return the glass will appear to contain not seeds or water, but an almost solid gelatin. This gel-forming reaction is due to the soluble fiber in the Chia. Researchers believe this same gel-forming phenomenon takes place in the stomach when food containing these gummy fibers, known as mucilages, are eaten. The gel that is formed in the stomach creates a physical barrier between carbohydrates and the digestive enzymes that break them down, thus slowing the conversion of carbohydrates into sugar.  

In addition to the obvious benefits for diabetics, this slowing in the conversion of carbohydrates into sugar offers the ability for creating endurance. Carbohydrates are the fuel for energy in our bodies. Prolonging their conversion into sugar stabilizes metabolic changes, diminishing the surges of highs and lows creating a longer duration in their fueling effects.  Plus this tempering affect of Chia ensures that the whey protein isolate, that premium whey with the highest biological activity, isn't too quickly absorbed and wasted by our bodies.

Another unique quality if the Chia seed is its high oil content as it's the richest vegetable source for the essential omega-3 fatty acid.  It has approximately three to ten times the oil concentrations of most grains and one and a half to two times the protein concentrations of other grains.   These oils, unsaturated fatty acids, are the essential oils your body needs to help emulsify and absorb the fat soluble vitamins, A, D, E, & K.  Chia seeds are rich in the unsaturated fatty acid, linoleic, which the body cannot manufacture.  

The Chia seed is also a rich source of calcium. In fact, it has more than five times the calcium of milk!  Chia has the important mineral boron, which acts as catalyst for the absorption and utilization of the calcium by the body.  Another example of why whole foods are always the best source of vitamins and minerals. 

One last point is that we grind the Chia for the Monkey Shake.  While not necessary for digestion, it prevents those tiny little seeds from getting caught between your teeth and resembling spots of decay in your toothy smile.  Why give your loved ones (the ones who thrive on poking fun) such low hanging fruit?  

Well if you've read this far, I'm impressed.  And grateful.  The ingredient list of the Monkey Shake has definitely be a journeyman's adventure of trial and error.  It will no doubt be improved over time, but I truly believe it to be the best whole food recovery drink mix on the market.  You can try a sample by emailing with your mailing address.  We'll also include a nutrition fact sheet and recipe list for tweaking your monkeys.  

Or if you've been overwhelmed by the details of the Monkey Shake, and you want more now, a 15-count, 30 serving case is available for $68.00.  While $68 may sound like a lot, it's only $2.27 a serving.  $2.27 for a product that includes whey protein isolate, RenewPro®, and Chia seeds for about the cost of a cup of regular coffee at Starbucks.  Are you freakin' kiddin' me?!  Once production really ramps up, I know we'll be forced to push that $68 price up (contract manufacturers have to make a living too).   But for now, trust me, $68.00 is a very reasonable price.  There's also the "Bag-o-Monkeys" bulk option or the trial "6 pack".  You'll find them all at the 10:10 shopping cart.   So order up.

* These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.  In fact, these statements are the rantings of a mind disturbed by excessive exercise, healthy eating, and an annoying focus on having fun.   This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.  But if you consistently follow the label directions you will feel better, look better, be smarter, and will get invited to more parties.