Zucchini Protein Pancakes

     Can I just say that sometimes I even shock my own self !!!  I mean, these pancakes I came up with today made me stand still in my tracks and enjoy every single morsel !!!  So tender, so filled with flavor, so richly comforting !!!  And just wait til you hear the Macros for the entire batch  (with out the berries, and good enough to eat naked ... the pancakes, I mean)~ 245.5 calories, 11.85g carbs, and 31.4g protein!!!  This was truly something I could eat every morning, and especially perfect for St Patrick's Day with the mild green color !!!  ;)

Ingredients~
4oz Zucchini, diced
2 Tablespoons Oats
1/4 cup Egg Whites
1/4 cup low fat Cottage Cheese
2 Tablespoons ground Flax Seed
1/2 scoop Vanilla 100% Whey Isolate Isothority Protein Powder
1 packet Truvia
Dash Cinnamon, to taste
Dash Vanilla, to taste
2-3 Strawberries for topping, if desired
Small handful of Blueberries for topping, if desired


     Place all ingredients into Magic Bullet and blend thoroughly.  Spray non stick skillet with Butter Pam and make 8 small pancakes on hot skillet, flip after golden brown to cook each side.  When finished, stack on plate and top with Berries if desired.  Enjoy  ;)

Protein Marshmallow Fluff

     Marshmellow Fluff... you complete me !!!  Andrea from proteincakery.com has just single handedly changed the face of Protein Cooking ... With this option, it opens up a whole new world of healthy dessert options!!!  Who would complain about that !!!  And wait until I tell you how many calories are in the entire batch ( a full mixing bowl, probably yields 4-5 cups) ...180 calories, 4g carbs and a whopping 42g protein !!!  Yes, you read that right ...

Ingredients~
2 Tablespoon Agar Powder (16g) OR 2 teaspoons Meringue Powder
1/2 cup Vanilla Whey Protein Powder ( I used Isothority with 100 cal/scoop and zero carbs)
2/3 cup water, separated into 1/3 cup each
6-7 drops Marshmallow Root Extract
2 teaspoons Erythritol or 4 packets Nectresse

     In large mixing bowl, mix Meringue/Agar, Protein Powder and 1/3 cup water, let sit for one hour.  (Note: If using entire batch right away feel free to use the Meringue Powder as it will soften and get melty after several hours in the fridge.  It is however, re whipable if you want to go that that bother.  If you are wanting a batch that will hold up in the fridge for a long period then you need to use the Agar, as it will hold its original form over time.)  After 1 hour, heat remaining 1/3 cup water to boil and turn off heat.  Begin to beat the Protein mixture in Mix Master ( hand held mixer will work but take more time), and slowly add in the hot water, and continue to beat til thick and no longer hot, then add the Marshmallow Extract and Sweetener.  Continue to beat til stiff peaks form, stiff peaks are when you see peaks of fluff that don't fold over ( make take 10-15 minutes).  Gently spoon fluff in a jar and store in the fridge, trying not to eat it all on the way ...the Macro's are so off the charts that it really wouldn't matter if you did, this is a Protein Gold Mine !!!  Big thank you to the "Princess of Protein", Andrea !!!  Enjoy  ;)

Bountiful Baskets~ Purchase Seasonal Produce for a fraction of the cost !!! bountifulbaskets.org

     One of my goals this year was to volunteer more, especially at the Kansas Food Bank, The Lord's Diner and Bountiful Baskets.  Well now, my volunteering has just gotten much easier !!!  If you have not heard about Bountiful Baskets you are in for a great surprise !!!  It is a volunteer driven food co-op out of Idaho, who work together for the mutual benefit, so all who want to participate can have local seasonal produce at rock bottom prices.  BBFC distributes produce baskets, organic produce baskets, artisan bread and sandwich bread every other week.  Standard baskets are always 15 dollars, and you bring your own sack or box to carry it home.  Each time is different produce based on what's in season and best pricing.  The good news is that it is already in Wichita, but the better news ( for me) is that it is now coming to ANDOVER !!!  The first delivery is Friday at 5:45 at Ace Hardware on Andover Road just north of Central.  You have til 10 oclock tonight to pre purchase your basket, and any add on's you would like.  Go to www.bountifulbaskets.org to register, then go to Participate now, click on Kansas, and the drop down of Butler County for Andover or Sedgwick for Wichita, then on the site location click on Ace Hardware.  You can put in a contribution for up to 3 baskets, you have to contribute to one, then you have the choice to add any additional items available.  It looks like cherries tomatoes, blueberries, peaches and more!  Then submit, and follow directions for payment!  So anyone looking for an opportunity for fresh regular or organic produce at wonderful prices, please come and join us and take advantage of this perfect opportunity to feed your family top quality food !!!  In good health~paige  ;)

Key Lime Protein Cheesecake

     Quest just advertised a new Key Lime Pie recipe and it put me in the mood to start playing with a little Key Lime myself .  Does it get any better than a good Key Lime Pie!!!???  Especially if its rich, smooth and creamy ... AND each slice has 138.5 calories, 5.5g carbs, and 18.25g protein!  The 9'' Springform pan will give you 8 slices.  And, I found a new high quality Whey Protein at Supplement Giant that was a totally pure formula, Zero Carbs and bakes up wonderfully!!!  Check them out, and then bake your own Key Lime Pie guilt free !!!  ( please disregard my first attempt at decorating with swirls, ...I am definitely not going to be accused of being a "Swirl Queen" anytime soon)... I asked my daughter Chelsea to do it for me because she has a Cupcake company, "Chelsea Cake's" and is a pro... but she had the nerve to tell me I needed to grow up and start doing things for myself ...kids these days :0

Ingredients~
2 Coconut Cashew Quest Bars, dived into 8 pieces on each bar
2 Tablespoons Almonds, 1 oz or 24 Almonds
3 Packets Truvia
1 teaspoon Coconut Oil
1 Tablespoon plus 3/4 cup Egg Whites
3-5.3oz Light&Fit Dannon Greek Key Lime Yogurt
1 scoop plus 1 Tablespoon Vanilla Protein Powder
1/4 cup fresh squeezed Lime Juice
Zest of one Lime
3 Tablespoons 2% Fage Greek Yogurt
Dash Vanilla
1 teaspoon Coconut Sugar

     Bake divided Quest Bars on Silpat lined cookie sheet at 400 for 5-7 minutes, or until crisped.  I actually turned mine over after cooking and baked on other side for another 5 minutes so after they cool they will be super crispy and easy to grind into crumbs.  Add cooled cookies to Magic Bullet along with the almonds and grind to powder.  Add 1 packet Truvia, Coconut Oil, and 1 Tablespoon Egg Whites and continue to blend til thoroughly combined.  Pat crust onto bottom round of 9" Springform pan that has been sprayed with Butter Pam, and re attached to pan. Meanwhile, mix Key Lime Yogurts, 3/4 cup of Egg Whites, 1 scoop Protein Powder, Lime Juice and 2 packets Truvia and pour into pan.  Sprinkle zest on top of batter and bake at 325 for 30-40 minutes, making sure it is still giggly when you remove from oven, otherwise it will be too dry.  I promise it will set up as it cools and chill overnight.  While baking, mix frosting of 3 Tablespoons Fage Yogurt, Dash Vanilla, Coconut Sugar, and 1 Tablespoon Protein Powder, then add to ziplock baggie and chill til ready to frost after Cheesecake has cooled and chilled. When ready to frost, snip one corner of the baggie, Be creative and decorative to your hearts desire  and feel like you are back in 4th grade art class !!!   Enjoy  ;)

Grilled Tofu, Zucchini, Eggplant with Avocado and Turkey Bacon Sandwich

     I had lunch at a local little vegetarian spot downtown a couple weeks ago and had a Tofu/Eggplant sandwich for the first time in my life, and it was DELICIOUS !!!  I knew I had to have that again in my life !!!  But, I thought I would add a little bacon to show off my humorous silly side !!!  Bacon and tofu, as it turns out, can be friends!!! Aren't you curious how this relationship works out!!!???  Can this marriage really be saved !!!???  It can and it will !!!  Hope you give this one a try !!!  ;)

Ingredients~
100 calorie Sandwich Buns
14 to 16oz block extra-firm Tofu
2 teaspoons grated fresh Ginger
2 teaspoons Coconut Sugar
Dash Pepper
1/4 cup light Soy Sauce
1 Tablespoon EVOO
Zucchini, sliced lengthwise
Eggplant, sliced lengthwise
Sliced Avocado
2 slices cooked Turkey Bacon ( I highly recommend The Fresh Market Turkey Bacon in the meat case, it's very lean and has great flavor)
Hennings Mango Fire Cheddar, thinly sliced
Cilantro Leaves
Veganaise, to taste
Siracha, to taste

     Slice Tofu lengthwise into 4 pieces.  Mix Ginger, Sugar, Pepper, Soy Sauce, and EVOO in 9X13 pan and lay Tofu slices in to marinate for 2 hours, turning once at the hour mark.  Then sear Tofu on a hot grill until it crisps up and has grill marks, 3 to 5 minutes per side.  When you remove Tofu from marinade, immediately add Zucchini and Eggplant to coat while Tofu grilling, Next grill veggies until tender and browned, about 4 minutes per side. Reserve remaining marinade and mix with Veganaise and Siracha, then brush on inside of buns with sauce and grill til lightly browned.  After all grilling is done it's time to build your masterpiece!!!  Open each side of your bun on your plate, sprinkle each side with Cilantro,  then layer the Tofu, Eggplant, Zucchini, Avocado, Turkey Bacon and Cheddar. Bring sides together and Enjoy !!!  ... and yes, this marriage can be saved !!!  Cheers  ;)