Use Your Nudell

ProteinPact Reviews #16 - Pure Protein

2010-08-18T13:44:00.000-07:00

Well, ladies and gentlemen, we have arrived. This is the last official post in my ProteinPact review series. I'll be here on Use Your Nudell taking advantage of the space as more of a personal "interesting findings" type of blog. If you or anyone you know has any protein supplements that I should try, let me know and I'd be happy to return to the ProteinPact format as needed (and as usual, free samples are always ideal.) So, here goes.

"Half the size of MetRx, more expensive, similar product. What gives?"

That's what I wrote as a brief summary of Pure Protein bars when I was jotting down notes for this post. I admit those two sentences are a bit harsh, but without any further information, I feel the same way. The flavor of Pure Protein bars, as protein bars go, is very good. The protein content is comparable to other bars, but the price for which I got them was the same as other bars. So, what does in fact give?

Here's the deal. Pure Protein bars are available in two sizes: 50g and 78g bars. Apparently I got the 50g bars not knowing there was an alternative. The bars are available in 9 flavors, and I only tried 2. The protein content of these bars ranges from 18 to 32 grams per bar. All of the bars have a low sugar content. As with almost any product, the price varies depending on the size of the bar and the store that sells it. I'm a big fan of shopping around, and I recommend that you do the same.

Overall: The wide variety of flavors, sizes, and protein content of Pure Protein bars definitely makes them ProteinPact. I hope these protein supplement reviews have served you well, and I hope you've enjoyed them. Feel free to stick around for some more interesting blog posts, if not more protein reviews.

ProteinPact Reviews #15 - Zone{Perfect Bars

2010-08-15T16:33:00.000-07:00

Not too long ago I tried a couple flavors of Zone Diet Bars.

(Taken directly from the Zone Diet website:)

"The Zone is a clinically proven lifestyle program designed for losing weight, fighting the effects of aging, reducing the risk of chronic disorders and improving mental and physical performance—all by eating the right combination of fat, protein and carbohydrates at every meal and snack.

The company responsible for the Zone Diet has developed ZonePerfect All-Natural Nutrition Bars that have a fair amount of the nutrients required for a healthy diet. These bars have as many or more nutrients than many bars, but only half the protein of the best bars (15g.) The catch here is that they were not designed specifically as protein bars. Rather, these bars were designed to aid complete nutrition.

Overall: For the purposes of this blog, I have to say that ZonePerfect Bars are not ProteinPact. However, I highly recommend these bars as a supplement to the Zone Diet as well as a sweet, nutrient-dense snack with a decent amount of protein for the average person.

ProteinPact Reviews #14 - EAS Bars

2010-08-11T18:10:00.000-07:00

It seems as if we're nearing the end of this series of blog posts. I have yet to try any additional protein supplements, so after this post, there will be two more (plus a conclusion) unless I can somehow find more supplements.

As of July 12, the EAS Myoplex bar is the closest protein bar I've had to a candy bar. It has a hint of Butterfinger flavor, although in a way it's closer to Milky Way. The consistency and density are thinner than MetRx ProteinPlus bars (although they are very similar to MetRx Protein plus when it comes to the peanut butter flavors), but EAS Advantege bars have just over half the amount of protein. (Myoplex have 25, which is still less than MetRx.) The Advantedge bars taste good but not as good as Myoplex bars. However, for similar prics as many other bars (the better bars cost more than others) and less protein, I think only the Myoplex bars approach ProteinPact.

Overall: With flavors ranging from decent to great and a comparable price range, some EAS bars are close to ProteinPact. I recommend Myoplex over Advantedge.

ProteinPact Reviews #13 - Think Thin

2010-08-08T16:01:00.000-07:00

I've only tried the ThinkThin bar once, so I have little to say about it. I found it actually long before my medical problems started, noticed it was high in protein (20g per bar) and only a couple dollars, so I thought I'd try it. As compared to the bars I prefer and the protein levels I need, 20g per serving isn't much. However, for those who can eat a lot and who want a decent increase in their protein intake, truth be told, 20g is a decent amount. $2.09 per bar (at the website,) however, is a bit much. That's at least the middle if not toward the top of the price range I've encountered for protein bars, especially considering that there are frequent sales on such items. The taste, from what I can recall, is decent as far as protein bars go.

Overall: Despite its decent taste, ThinkThin's poor price to protein ratio (based on one trial) does not make it ProteinPact.

ProteinPact Reviews #12 - Promax

2010-08-06T11:04:00.000-07:00

Having had a fit of blinding rage on Wednesday afternoon and evening regarding an issue tangentially related to this blog, I forgot to post my review of Promax bars. My apologies.

Promax is a brand I heard about only when my mother came home one day with a couple of bars that she bought as a change of pace from my usual MetRx selection. I was unable to eat one of the bars because of a pesky ingredient. The other one I tried and discovered that it had, in my amateur opinion, limited potential. The flavor was Cookies N' Cream. The bar has 20g of protein for about the same price as other bars, maybe several cents less.

Promax bars are primarily composed of a mix of soy protein and whey protein as well as beet fiber, oat fiber, and soy fiber, sugars, flavors, fillers and some of the generic ingredients that go into protein bars. Promax bars are coated with a relatively thin layer of a dairy, yogurt-like coating that (to me) is not as appetizing as it should be. I have never been a big fan of yogurt on its own, and this coating is distinctly referred to as a yogurt coating. However, for a bar that is a bit on the grainy side, but not as unappetizing as oat and beet fiber might sound, I think the coating should be better. It has some of the sourness of yogurt that I don't like, and some of the semi-creaminess that I find odd. Frankly I think the combination just doesn't quite work.

Overall: While Promax has some interesting ingredients that seem more natural than the ingredients in other protein bars, it has less protein than is useful to me, and some flavors have a yogurt coating that I find unappetizing. For those reasons, I do not find Promax bars to be ProteinPact.

ProteinPact Reviews #11 - PowerBar ProteinPlus

2010-08-01T19:39:00.000-07:00

Imagine that. I literally just finished a PowerBar ProteinPlus bar! The flavor was vanilla yogurt which, as an actual product, I don't like. Luckily for me, this version of vanilla yogurt tastes quite different. The PowerBar's flavor isn't all that bad. It's not delicious per se, but it definitely tastes better than other yogurt covered bars I've had. And it seems to mostly lack the aftertaste that comes with some protein bars. There are a couple of drawbacks, however. The PowerBar ProteinPlus bar costs a little bit less than MetRx ProteinPlus bars tend to, but has significantly (about 7 to 9 grams) less protein than the MetRx equivalent. Again, however, the taste is less intense.

Overall: With its decent taste and lower-price-for-lower-protein payoff, the PowerBar ProteinPlus bar just barely passes muster as ProteinPact.

ProteinPact Reviews #10 - Supreme Protein

2010-07-28T22:22:00.000-07:00

At a certain point in my ordeal (I forget exactly when, but I think it was after my most recent surgery in February) I discovered drugstore.com. I was looking for a number of items, one of which was protein bars. Little did I know how wide many stores' selections are. In fact, drugstore.com doesn't have as wide a selection as some stores, but it still sells a lot of protein bars. One such bar is called Supreme Protein.

I was attracted to this bar initially because of its Cookies and Cream flavor, which was new to me. When I bought the bar, I thought it was one of the best I'd tasted. While I don't disagree with that now, I've tasted a few better bars since. Supreme Protein still tastes far less medicinal (i.e. better) than most protein bars I've had.

I just learned that Supreme Protein has two types of bars with different amounts of protein and different prices attached. The bars I bought contain 15g of protein per bar. Had I known, I would have bought the bars that have exactly twice as much (and cost nearly twice as much.)

Overall: Supreme Protein bars taste pretty good as far as protein bars go, and have amounts of protein comparable to other products. Had I known about the bars with 30g of protein, I would have considered Supreme Protein to be one of the most ProteinPact bars I've reviewed.

ProteinPact Reviews #9 - Everlast

2010-07-26T03:32:00.000-07:00

Since the spring and my release from the bed of oppression, I've started to try a wide variety of protein supplements, mostly bars. I'll be profiling those over the next several blog posts.

The company I know for producing sporting goods, Everlast, has come out with a new protein bar. The Everlast bar reminds me of General Mills' "milk and cereal" bars. It's made of nuggets of soy protein and covered with coatings depending on the flavor. I tried two flavors and thought they were all right.

It's at this point that they usual factors come into play. Everlast bars are somewhat smaller than the bars I prefer, and they contain about half as much protein. In addition, Everlast bars cost just about the same as other bars, however it seems that 2-for-1 coupons appear fairly regularly in newspaper circulars. Nevertheless, I don't think I want to eat more and sometimes pay more to achieve the same.

Overall: For their smaller size and protein content as well as equal price (not including coupons,) I do not consider Everlast bars to be very ProteinPact.

ProteinPact Reviews #8 - Hemp Powder

2010-07-14T22:04:00.000-07:00

Note: I wrote a post before my ProteinPact series about an Amazon Associates store that I started. I have added some of my recommended ProteinPact supplements to the store. I will fine tune Amazon functionality within the generla blog page soon. All products purchased at my aStore help offset the cost of running this blog (while this is a labor of love brought out of necessity, a cost does indeed exist.)

It seems as if I'd forgotten about another protein supplement I attempted to take during Passover. My parents found a hemp protein powder at Trader Joe's. Knowing that I have a fondness for the popular culture of a particular era in recent American history (Note: I do not condone substance abuse.), they thought I would get a kick out of the fact that it was made from hemp.

For the sake of time and efficiency, I will say that I do not recommend this product. It would not mix into water at all. It had to be chewed and swallowed, as opposed to drinking the other protein powders. The taste was literally grassy and unappealing. It wasn't a traumatic experience; neither was it a successful one.

Perhaps it serves a better purpose such as in baked or cooked foods, perhaps along with herbs on salads and pizza.

Overall: Based on my limited experience with it, I do not find hemp protein powder to be ProteinPact. It does not mix into water, nor does it go down easily. This blog is young, but whey protein isolate and Juven are still the primary contenders.

ProteinPact Reviews #7 - Juven

2010-07-11T20:18:00.000-07:00

This is probably one of my favorite supplements to talk about. Technically Juven, produced by Abbott Laboratories, the makers of Ensure, isn't a protein supplement. It's an amino acid supplement with a similar purpose: to build lean muscle and regenerate damaged tissue. Juven's "secret weapons" in this effort are the amino acids HMB, Arginine, and Glutamine.

There came a point in my healing process that my wounds were on the verge of closing and I was going to start going out to doctors to take care of other related issues. It was at that point when I realized that even though I was eating less than before my initial hospitalization, I still wanted to eat as well as possible and feel as well as possible. Part of this was finding an alternative to the irritating, though protein-satisfying Designer Whey shakes.

My mother's co-worker's husband had gone through surgery after which he needed a muscle enahncing supplement. He'd started taking Juven at his doctor's recommendation, and my mother was able to get a sample packet of the orange flavor for me to try. I've been drinking it nearly every day since. In fact, I'm due to order another box tonight.

As soon as I started taking Juven, I noticed a significant change. The package says to look for healing within two weeks (with some sort of guarantee, I'm sure.) However, within 48 hours of my first serving of Juven, I noticed a marked improvement in my healing. Within two weeks, I also noticed a significant upswing in my weight, which had dropped during my bed rest. Third, I noticed muscle definition in my arms that I hadn't had since last fall. I attribute it to taking Juven, considering I was doing little to no intentional exercise.

Juven is available in grape and unflavored as well, but I think I'm going to stick with orange.

Overall: Juven tastes great to me, somewhat similar to sugary sports drinks. It is a bit difficult to keep in solution, despite vigorous shaking, but shaking after every few sips seems to work. I greatly appreciate the unintended positive effects (except maybe the weight gain.) Despite its being an amino acid supplement, as opposed to complete protein, I must say that Juven is highly ProteinPact.

ProteinPact Reviews #6 - Inner Life

2010-07-08T14:57:00.000-07:00

Passover came along during my time on bed rest, and I needed a new protein supplement, ideally one that was kosher for Passover. I came pretty close to finding one. It just so happens that there is a website http://www.kosherprotein.com. The powder they use doesn't quite fit all the criteria for being kosher for Passover, but as I said, it comes pretty close. And the alternative options are very limited.

Kosherprotein.com sells, among other products, whey protein isolate powder from the Inner Life brand. Inner Life is lactose free, which made only a slight difference to my sensitive stomach, it is certified kosher and dairy by the Orthodox Union. Upon closer inspection, I discovered that unfortunately not kosher for Passover.

So, why is this protein powder different from all other protein powders? The price. Kosherprotein.com knows they have a unique selling point for their products, so it's expected that they'll sell their protein powder at a minimum of $20 a pound.

Overall: The powder does contain 24 grams of protein per serving, but at $20 or even $25 per pound compared to roughly $8.50 per pound of other protein powders, Inner Life kosher protein powder is not what I would call ProteinPact.

ProteinPact Reviews #5 - MetRx (ProteinPlus)

2010-07-04T19:08:00.000-07:00

The truth is that I discovered protein bars long before my health depended on them. I honestly don't remember when I discovered MetRx bars. It was probably one night a few years ago when I felt desperate for nutrition and chocolate at the same time. Fortunately, that's what I got.

Don't get me wrong. I don't think there's ever a complete substitute for real nutrients from natural sources. However, when I need something high powered, quick, and relatively small, instead of shopping and cooking a varied, multi-colored, healthy meal, grabbing a MetRx bar is my go-to option.

MetRx's ProteinPlus line has been my favorite. I have problems digesting rice in particular, so I've had to check the ingredients carefully. Much of the ProteinPlus line is rice-free. So, when I'm in need of the aforementioned snack or just down 32 grams of protein, I have a MetRx ProteinPlus bar. The flavors are good, although they taste a bit more "nutritional" than Snickers or Milky Way bars. Of course, they are a bit more nutritional than such candies. Furthermore, MetRx products are available at most major food and pharmacy stores.

Overall: With their good taste, great protein content, and low net carbohydrate count, MetRx ProteinPlus bars are my ideal go-to protein supplement. They definitely meet my ProteinPact standards.

ProteinPact Reviews #4 - Designer Whey

2010-06-30T20:50:00.000-07:00

We now return you to your newly scheduled installment of my life story.

Having found great success but limited protein intake with ProSource powder, I had my parents look at stores such as the Vitamin Shoppe for a higher protein powder that looked like it would be helpful. That's how I came across Designer Whey. My brother, who frequently lifts weights, confirmed that it would help. I have yet to try Designer Whey in any context other than shakes (water, sometimes fruit added to the powder,) but the shakes have definitely improved my muscle growth and feeling of strength.

There have been a couple drawbacks, however. The flavor that claims to be vanilla is one that I found to be highly unflavored and in need of a lot of help. Honey and fruit make an okay combination. Even with that combination, however, I still find it to have somewhat of a medicinal taste. I also found the strawberry flavor to be a bit off, though not nearly as bad. The chocolate flavors I tried, on the other hand, were nothing short of delicious. My recommendation is 1 scoop (provided) per 8 ounces of water.

My biggest problem with this brand of protein powder was the gastric distress that came along with every shake. I must note that one of my surgeries in the fall was a colostomy, since which my digestion has been terrible. I've been unable to eat anything without feeling like I've drunk at least one glass of milk (I have a degree of lactose intolerance.) However, these protein shakes seemed to set off my symptoms more than other foods. Designer Whey advertises that it is low lactose, so that shouldn't have bothered me much. Unfortunately, it did. All in all, I'd say that the results of the protein intake were marginally worth the side effects.

Overall: Designer Whey protein powder comes in several great flavors and one or two not-so-great flavors. The powder is a very good source of protein, and provides enjoyable nutritional supplementation for those who can stomach it. Digestion-specific circumstances notwithstanding, Designer Whey is definitely ProteinPact.

ProteinPact Reviews #3 - The Protein Bakery's Peanut Butter Brownie

2010-06-27T17:10:00.000-07:00

Note: I refer to my style of blogging as "Change of Plans" because there always seems to be one. Today's change is that I got a sponsorship! Special thanks go out to The Protein Bakery in New York City for providing the product reviewed in this post*. Next time, we'll return to my personal story, probably on Wednesday (which will be the next change of plans.)

I firmly believe that a good brownie trumps most things (generally speaking.) I also find the peanut butter/chocolate combination to be quite delicious. Those are biases I've held for years. So, when I found The Protein Bakery on Twitter, approached them for a product to review, and discovered their Peanut Butter Brownie, I was really excited.

According to its packaging, The Protein Bakery is celebrating its 10th anniversary. Congratulations to them! The label on the brownie package also includes the tag line "ALL-NATURAL. ALWAYS DELICIOUS. WHEAT-FREE." The brownie's ingredients include whey protein and rolled oats, among traditional brownie components. It's up to the bakers to make sure they're natural. The list indicates that there is no wheat, again up to the brownie's makers. The only piece of the tag line that I can assess on my own is "ALWAYS DELICIOUS." I can't argue with that at all! Even having eaten the first of two brownies straight out of a sealed package from a hot mailbox, I enjoyed it very much. The second one I froze, and that was equally good.

In addition to providing my opinion on the taste and claims of products, I aim to occasionally provide suggestions for improvements or changes that should be made. In this case, I have two things to say. First, although I did enjoy the peanut butter aspect of the brownie, I wish there had been more of it. noticed peanut butter marbled into the top of the brownie, and I think more in the center would have made it even better. Second, I simply wish there were a Protein Bakery or a place to get their baked goods in my suburban area.

Overall: My goal is to determine whether the product is "ProteinPact," that is, whether it is worth its protein content. Keeping in mind that this is a brownie, I have to say that it meets my ProteinPact standards. The brownie has a fair amount of fat and sugar (21g and 33g respectively,) but again, it's a dessert item. The brownie only has 11g of protein compared to most products' minimum of 20g, but it's not just designed as a nutritional supplement. Knowing that I'd be eating a Protein Bakery Peanut Butter Brownie for dessert or as a snack, I have to say that it's ProteinPact. Thanks again for this wonderful opportunity!

*If you would like me to review your produt, please provide me a way to contact you, and we'll work something out.

ProteinPact Reviews #2 - ProSource Protein Powder

2010-06-20T18:38:00.000-07:00

Note: I really want this blog to be updatd weekly. If I deviate from that goal, please tell me (politely) in the comments.

Working off of a recommendation from hospital nutritionist, I began my ProteinPact with a few packets of ProSource protein powder. I was told that I should have between 90 and 100 grams of protein every day, and that I could use their ProSource packets in pretty much any food setting. I could mix it into a drink, into soup, mix it in to food, take it any way I wanted. The powder was unflavored (key in versatility,) so I chose to mix it into the food I was already given. My "favorite" hospital food became stuffed shells with ProSource. While visually less appealing, I could hardly taste the powder.

Initially, I found great success with ProSource. My impaired muscle began to granulate, my wound began to shrink, and I slowly began to feel better and stronger (which I attribute to many things including the protein.) The advantage of ProSource over some other protein sources is its quality. While I am not an expert on the science behind protein, I do know that fish, dairy, and soy were not enough for me. Naturally occuring protein is an important part of my diet, but sometimes it doesn't meet my needs. A pure protein supplement seems to be most beneficial for my protein intake and for my health.

Since using ProSource, I have moved on to other supplements, and I have noticed an area in which ProSource seems to be lacking. While most of my recent supplements have provided at least 14g of protein per serving, ProSource only provides 6g in its pre-portioned packets. Of course, there's no rule against using more than one packet at a time. However, for the sake of finances and ease of use, I've found that a higher concntration of protein is better.

Overall: ProSource protein powder is easy to use and is high quality, however its low concentration of protein per serving leads me to consider it less ProteinPact than other supplements.

ProteinPact Reviews #1 - Intro

2010-06-13T19:35:00.000-07:00

I've decided to restart this blog, temporarily posting a series of product reviews (perhaps other series of reviews after this.)

This post in particular is not for the squeamish. If you have a weak stomach, please do not read any further. The reviews that follow this post will be moderately, but not entirely less graphic.

For the past 8 months (almost) I have been recovering from a deep, serious wound. As a result of the wound, I have lost muscle tissue, skin, body weight, and even a little bit of bone. I have been confined to several kinds of therapeutic beds, and put on regimens of antibiotics, wound care, and a high protein diet.

Of those life changes, the one I need to maintain most strictly over the long term is the high protein diet. I have tried a number of nutritional supplements that aid in increased muscle and skin growth and repair, with varying degrees of success. I intend to continue a protein packed diet and try any supplements that I think will help (based on experience, professional advice, and my own dietary particulars.) That is why I refer to this series as ProteinPact.

I am going to review the products I have used thus far, one at a time, and hopefully find more. For the sake of full disclosure, in addition to informing the public, I do intend to obtain sponsorships and free samples in exchange for my reviews of products.

If there are any products you would like me to try/review, please comment below, and we will make an arrangement privately. If you provide a product for me to review and try, I will thank you in my review.

Amazon Affiliates Program

2010-05-16T19:23:00.000-07:00

I am now an Amazon Affiliate. That means that if you buy the products I suggest, I can earn a percentage of the cost when you purchase them here: http://affiliate-program.amazon.com/useyounud-20

I look forward to your support of my effort. Thank you!

first video flashback

2009-09-15T07:15:00.000-07:00

Famous YouTuber HappySlip recently did a video reminiscing about her first video on YouTube. I decided to follow suit with this video.

shelessthanthreesme...haha

2009-09-15T07:12:00.000-07:00

In this video, I celebrate the 30 subscriber mark, thanks to ilessthanthreeyouu. Check out her channel. She's grrrrreat!

Video Blitz Explained!!!

2009-09-01T19:38:00.000-07:00

Here's an explanation of why I've posted so many videos this month.

Fabulous Cakes!

2009-09-01T19:33:00.000-07:00

Check out my friend Sara's Fabulous Cakes on Facebook or at fabulouscakes@hotmail.com.

direct upload

2009-09-01T19:29:00.000-07:00

My obligatory direct upload video. It didn't seem to have a limit like everyone else's, though.

My Nerdfighter Song

2009-09-01T19:28:00.000-07:00

This is my Nerdfighter song. Yes, I am a Nerdfighter.

Unto The Hills

2009-09-01T19:25:00.000-07:00

This is a review of my friend Cathy's CD, Unto The Hills. The album is available at CD Baby (http://www.cdbaby.com/schanelydon) and her website (http://www.lodgestudios.com).

baby, it's cold outside

2009-08-29T21:51:00.000-07:00

Some comment on the weather...

What's at the end of the Reading Rainbow?

2009-08-29T21:44:00.000-07:00

A short discussion of the tragic end of the PBS series "Reading Rainbow."

over 100 subscriptions!!!

2009-08-29T21:42:00.000-07:00

A corny plea for people to subscribe to my channel. Maybe you can help me out in that regard.

789 pics

2009-08-29T20:23:00.000-07:00

This one is a cute little slide show of my 789 pics. I like the fact that the music gets cut off at the end before it resolves.

FF'J

2009-08-29T20:21:00.000-07:00

What do you think FF'J means? Comment here or on my video itself.

My 789 Saga

2009-08-29T20:19:00.000-07:00

Here's my "real" 789 video...well, one of them. I met more than just YouTubers there.

peace, unity, and the light of truth

2009-08-29T20:16:00.000-07:00

In this video, I memorialize Ted Kennedy by relating his life to a quote from Rav Kook.

RIP Ted Kennedy

2009-08-26T06:21:00.000-07:00

A few quick words to mark the passing of Ted Kennedy.

happy john day!!!

2009-08-25T11:30:00.000-07:00

In this video, I wish a happy birthday to John Green, half of the nerd fighting duo, the Vlog Brothers. (or should that be "nerd, fighting"?)

um...aaaaand...

2009-08-24T21:42:00.001-07:00

Thanks to my incessant YouTubing, I've curtailed my "um"ing quite a bit. Next up, my "aaaaand."

waffle timer: a serious video...really

2009-08-24T21:40:00.001-07:00

In this one, I use a frozen blueberry waffle to time my discussion of the current job market in my area.

Audio Swap Video

2009-08-24T21:38:00.000-07:00

Here I'm lip syncing to Carole King's "Natural Women," and it's been overlayed by another song, as per YouTube user ilessthanthreeyouu's instructions.

Magibon FAIL

2009-08-16T10:29:00.001-07:00

This is my semi-impression of internet sensation Magibon, who just stares at her camera. Go out and buy Carole King records. I kind of have an old(ish) lady crush on her.

Internetese 2

2009-08-16T10:26:00.000-07:00

Here's another set of "odd observations" about internet terminology.

remember the days of dialup modems?

2009-08-16T10:23:00.000-07:00

Do you remember the days of dialup modems? Most of my viewers probably don't. Anyway, making this video felt like a return to those days, so I just left it as a quick comment on that feeling.

vacation is over...

2009-08-16T10:18:00.000-07:00

This is just a video of me being emo and mourning the end of my "vacation." It was REALLY good while it lasted, though.

My Societal Annoyances

2009-08-09T22:10:00.000-07:00

My response to MikeandToneRP's video "Society".

It really bothers me when many people in this society are struggling to find work and even shelter, struggling to make it in the world, and all some other people care about is buying "another new Blackberry."

Seven Pounds

2009-08-09T21:50:00.001-07:00

A challenge to all my YouTube subscribers (and everyone reading this), shot just after I watched "Seven Pounds."

ham peas

2009-08-09T21:01:00.000-07:00

In this video, I talk about an interesting product I found and purchased the other day: HamPeas. And they're KOSHER! Why is that? leave a comment below or on the video if you know.

The story of the recession goes like this...

2009-08-06T23:32:00.000-07:00

This video should be self-explanatory. It's in response to a contest that ended months ago. I thought I'd share my interpretation anyway.

how many guns do YOU need?

2009-08-06T23:26:00.000-07:00

This video contains a short reflection on a recently approved law in the state of New Jersey. I didn't want to express all my views on gun control because I'm still afraid of opening cans of worms on YouTube.

In Spite of All The Danger

2009-08-04T22:39:00.000-07:00

I had a V.I.V. (Very Important Viewer) request more music. So, this is the beginning of my response to that request. It's an early Beatles song, attributed to Paul McCartney and George Harrison, a less-common songwriting pair.

Global Geek Video

2009-08-04T22:36:00.000-07:00

This is my contribution to Global Geek Week with some fancy schmancy MyAnnoyances lighting.

cosmic confluence or simply overcharged by the electric company?

2009-08-02T09:37:00.000-07:00

I needed to discuss a bill with my landlord recently, and I kept putting it off for no specific reason. It turns out that she wasn't available during that time anyway. So, lucky me, I have another day to delay the bad news I anticipate receiving.

I discuss the situation in this video, and ask my viewers to share similar experiences. Now I want you to watch the video and leave a comment telling me about your experiences in those situations.

3 Personal Messages: I'm back, Paige Railstone, and 2 Personal Messages

2009-08-02T09:33:00.000-07:00

In this video, I tell you all about Paige Railstone, a DJ now located in NYC. I highly recommend her music, especially her new album "Off The Railstone." I also ask for help (which was received) with an indicator that stayed up after I deleted my new mail.

R-rated betadine

2009-07-20T19:20:00.000-07:00

Showing off some betadine with an interesting twist...

be careful what you wish for...

2009-07-20T19:15:00.001-07:00

In which I discuss a recent situation involving one of the many intricacies of karma.

thank you, subscribers! sidebar has important info!

2009-07-19T17:54:00.001-07:00

Click on the video to go to my actual YouTube page for the whole story. Anybody out there know how to cancel out background noise in regular iMovie '08 (not HD)?

blind aid

2009-07-16T10:22:00.000-07:00

I found some braille on a box of band aids. Now I'm wondering why it's not on more packages...or maybe it is.

how to point to the sidebar

2009-07-12T11:10:00.000-07:00

Here I explain how to point to the sidebar. There's often a lot of confusion, and I'm here to clear it all up. I hope this catches on.

my 789 thank yous

2009-07-12T11:08:00.000-07:00

In this video, I give special thanks to everyone I met who made the 789 Gathering the great success it was.

i'll be there

2009-07-08T10:19:00.000-07:00

I did this one without my new guitar setup, due to a missing battery, no way to get the old one out, as well as other technical difficulties. It came out better than I thought it would. Enjoy!

how not to film: composition

2009-06-23T11:53:00.000-07:00

This is the second in my series on how (not) to film a YouTube video.

how not to film: lighting

2009-06-18T19:18:00.000-07:00

This is the first in a series of improvements to my channel, which I've documented for all to see.

if the clothes fit...

2009-05-20T23:53:00.000-07:00

Here's one I came up with at my parents' house and meant to record at my apartment, where the videos are usually done. I'll most likely re-record it when I get back there.

For best results, turn your sound all the way up.

My Channel Song

2009-05-18T23:41:00.001-07:00

Here's a little tribute to my two new subscribers and all my loyal non-subscribing viewers. I came up with it fairly spontaneously (not that hard, I know). The song urges you to rate my videos, respond to them, comment on them, and subscribe to my channel.

Note: Due to an omission during the editing process, this is the first and hopefully only video in which I do not start the video by saying "Hey, YouTube!"

Redemption Song

2009-04-21T23:07:00.000-07:00

Funny story (I hope): I first heard this song when I was at least 21 years old, maybe 22. I went up to the band after they played it and asked them what it was. Due to the song's popularity, the band thought I was kidding, and said the drummer "stole it from somewhere". I took them seriously and went away saying "Oh, okay." Eventually I heard the real thing and felt pretty naïve for not knowing one of the most popular songs on Planet Earth (in some circles).

microwave sprinkles

2009-04-21T23:02:00.000-07:00

In this video, I attempt to actually engage in an "Is It A Good Idea To Microwave This?" experiment. You may be asking yourself "was it a good idea to do that?" My answer would be "No. It was simply a Bad Idea."

Some sources would say this video deserves a better rating than it has.

odd observations

2009-04-21T23:00:00.000-07:00

Here's a video with more Odd Observations. In this video, I actually introduce the idea of Odd Observations.

maybe baby...

2009-04-21T22:55:00.000-07:00

Why don't you listen to some Buddy Holly while I post the next video?

like clockwork

2009-04-21T22:48:00.001-07:00

Another set of odd observations I came up with on the way home from my grandfather's funeral.

A Question About Explosions

2009-04-21T22:45:00.000-07:00

This time I'm responding to another favorite, "Is It A Good Idea To Microwave This?"

Dan Brown war response

2009-04-21T22:37:00.000-07:00

This one was in response to one of the more popular YouTubers, Dan Brown, who talked about the changing definition of war. I may elaborate on this video someday.

notebook holes

2009-04-21T22:05:00.000-07:00

Here's another Odd Observation involving notebook holes. Why don't I give you two for the price of one? The second Odd Observation is that this video is full of errors. There might be one in every sentence! At least the lighting is improved over the first few videos.

Internetese 1

2009-04-21T22:02:00.000-07:00

Here's another set of Odd Observations regarding the Internet. Fairly decent lighting has been discovered!

And there was light...

2009-04-21T21:59:00.000-07:00

...Well, there's a little more than before.

have you seen my videos? i hope you have!

2009-04-21T21:57:00.001-07:00

A desperate plea for viewers and subscribers, not to mention comments and such. Hehehe...

Just My Imagination

2009-04-21T21:52:00.001-07:00

This is me "amateuring". I hadn't yet decided whether to show my face on YouTube. I got the idea to create a mysterious voice-only character, but I scrapped it due to lack of resources.

For your listening pleasure, a massacre of a Motown classic. What's worse is the bit of the previous video smack in the middle of this one. Oh well. Enjoy!

Random Vlog With Random Facts

2009-04-21T21:44:00.000-07:00

Here are 5 random facts about me and my vlog, clearly before I figured out how to edit videos in iMovie. Improved lighting will be the next step.

Where Did I Get The Coconuts?

2009-01-19T11:03:00.000-08:00

The following is the first YouTube video I ever made. Awww. Isn't that sweet?

Anyway, here it is on my current blogging site. Enjoy!

GPS Parts

2009-01-16T07:21:00.000-08:00

My second video in a disjointed series of what I call "odd observations". Odd observations are things I've noticed that are either oddly coincidental, oddly designed, or don't make sense together, like this:

About The Blogger

2008-01-24T00:36:00.000-08:00

Elazar Nudell is a graduate student, studying Industrial/Organizational Psychology. He hopes to provide you with insightful information into the world around you. Elazar's posts encompass a wide variety of subjects from philosophy to psychology, business, arts, and more.

Note: Among other things, Elazar enjoys puns. His last name is actually accented on the second syllable.

Welcome to Use Your Nudell

2008-01-24T00:04:00.000-08:00

Welcome to my brand new blog, Use Your Nudell. In the following posts, I will share information I find particularly interesting or useful. I hope you find the same in my posts. Enjoy, and remember to Use Your Nudell.