well, you can take it whenever, just keep in mind the shorter absorption time frame you're working with... many people just use whey, no blends, but are careful to ingest smaller amounts throughout the day every few hours, with milk when possible, etc... just be aware that you're working with 2-3 hrs with whey vs much much longer with a blend, and you'll be fine... you can, to a degree, temper the quick absorption with not only milk, but pb, flax oil, oats, etc if straight whey is the only protein powder currently at your disposal.