Banana Nut Brownies

     If these Brownies don't make your mouth water you need to go to the eye doctor and get your vision checked.  My tummy is pining for another and I just had one.  Ok Ok... we all know that's a lie, I had two...and plans for other later...but that's another story.  Luckily, these macros are so fantastic that there is room in the day for more than one.  Each of these large babies are only 165 calories, 6g net carbs and 10g proteins.  If you like the idea of dense fudgey goodness then you are in for a wonderful experience.  Thank you Vital Proteins for sharing your Dark Chocolate Collagen Whey Protein with me, and allowing magic to happen in the kitchen.

Ingredients for 9 large Brownies~
1 small mashed Banana (approx 3.5oz, 6 inches)
1/2 cup plus 2 Tablespoons softened Nut Butter
2 Extra Large Eggs
2 scoops Vital Proteins Dark Chocolate Collagen Whey Protein
1/4 cup Cocoa
1/2 cup 2% Fage Greek Yogurt
1/2 cup Lakanto Monk Fruit~use code Paige20 at checkout for discount
1 teaspoon Nielsen Massey Pure Vanilla Powder (sub with Vanilla Extract)
1 teaspoon Baking Powder
Dash Cinnamon
Dash Salt

     Mix all ingredients except 2 Tablespoons Nut Butter til well incorporated and pour into parchment lined 8X8 pan, drop softened remaining Nut Butter on top of batter and cut thru with a knife til patterned as desired.  Bake at 350 for 30 minutes.  Enjoy  :)

Banana Pancakes

     When Vital Protein sends you Banana Collagen Whey Protein, you have no choice but to make pancakes...I mean, isn't that what everyone is doing...!?  I just want to fit in.  Regardless of my social standing, these turned out fabulous.  And, this tall stack can be yours too for only 385 calories, 28g net carbs and 38g protein (macros don't include topping...they are yummy enough to go topless if desired...the pancakes I mean...please, let's not make a scene over breakfast).  Visit vitalproteins.com to get yours today!

Ingredients for one tall stack~
3oz mashed Banana (approx 5.5-6 inches)
1 Extra Large Egg
2 Tablespoons Coconut Flour
1 scoop Vital Proteins Collagen Banana Whey Protein
1/2 teaspoon Baking Powder
Dash Cinnamon
Dash Vanilla or Banana Extract

     Stir til well combined, should yield 3/4 cup batter.  Drop batter by 3 Tablespoon increments on hot nonstick skillet, cooking each side til done, should yield 4 equal pancakes.  Stack and garnish as desired.  Enjoy  :)  PS  I used a Powdered Peanut Butter as my topping with Lily's Chocolate curls.

Coconut Cream Cookies

     What form do you like your Vital Proteins Collagen Creamer best...!?  Trick question, I know it's COOKIES, duh!  If you bake with Collagen then you've already experienced the moist dense texture results, like no other!!!  And the macros are nothing to complain about either, each of these 26 cookies are only 52 calories, 1.5g net carbs and 1.7g protein.  This is what it looks like when all good things come together in one place....then into  my mouth!

Ingredients for 26 Cookies~
1/3 cup Coconut Oil, , melted
3 scoops Vital Proteins Coconut Collagen Creamer (vitalproteins.com)
1/4 cup Coconut Flour
1/3 cup Lakanto Monk Fruit~use code Paige20 for discount at checkout
2 Extra Large Eggs
1/2 cup Oats, ground in Magic Bullet to powder
1 teaspoon Baking Powder
Dash Cinnamon
Dash Vanilla or Coconut Extract
1 Tablespoon shredded Coconut

     Mix all ingredients but Coconut til well combined.  Drop by level Tablespoon on Parchment lined cookie sheet, should yield 26.  Using the back of a fork, press down lightly in criss cross pattern on each cookie, top with Coconut evenly.  Bake at 350 for 8-9 minutes for soft chewy results and 10 minutes for a crisper cookie.  Enjoy  :)

Sugar Free Decadent Fudge

     With the Holidays upon us, Fudge seems to be a staple among gift giving and gatherings.  I found a simple way to stay sugar free and enjoy the richness in moderation guilt free... or at least semi guilt free....  This batch whips up a pound and a half of decadent goodness, with each ounce weighing in at 104 calories, 1.5g net carbs and .8g protein.  I melted my serving and drizzled over a bowl of Halo Top Ice Cream, I thought I had died and gone to Chocolate Heaven...my goal for my final resting place.  Seasons Greetings  :)

Ingredients for 24~1oz servings~
2 cups Heavy Whipping Cream
1/2 cup Lakanto Monk Fruit~use code Paige20 for discount at checkout
1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
1 teaspoon Butter Extract
Dash Salt
9oz bag Lily's Stevia Sweetened Dark Chocolate Chips (sub with Lily's Premium Baking Bar)

     Heat all ingredients minus the Chocolate in saucepan to boil, reduce to simmer 15 minutes, then stir in Chocolate and pour in decorative parchment lined tin if gift giving.  Store in fridge to chill and set.  Give to your favorite person...even if that is yourself!  Enjoy  :)

Cheesy Mug Meatloaf

     When they sent me the new cook book to review, Designed for One!, I couldn't wait to flip thru the pages.  One recipe really caught my eye and inspired an idea for one, four times!  I developed Nancy S. Hughes Mug Meatloaf into a simple recipe that will spread out during the week with out reinventing the wheel.  If you are cooking solo or duo, take a gander and see how this can enhance your life, just like it did mine.  For more information and where to buy, click shopdiabetes.org.  These simple recipes are sure to please and American Diabetes Association approved.  Each of my 4 Cheesy Mug Meatloaf's are only 265 calories, 3.5g net carbs and 35.5g protein.

Ingredients for 4 Mugs~
1 pound 93% lean ground Beef
3/4 cup Egg Whites
1 crushed bag Quest Sour Cream and Onion Potato Chips (sub with 1/2 cup Quick Cooking Oats)
6 Tablespoons Salsa
1/4 cup shredded Cheese
Lite Salt to taste
Pepper to taste
1 Tablespoon Ketchup

     Mix Beef, Whites, Chips and 1/4 cup Salsa til well combined, divide into 4 equal portions, (each portion should weigh 6 1/8oz on a food scale).  Add one portion to a Pam sprayed mug or Pyrex container and cover with Saran Wrap and microwave for 3 minutes, let rest 5 minutes, top with 1 Tablespoon Cheese and season as desired, repeat 3 more times.  Meanwhile mix the remaining 2 Tablespoons Salsa with the Ketchup and top evenly among the 4 mugs.  Enjoy immediately or store in fridge for later use.  :)

White Bean Kale Soup

     When the weather gets cool the soup gets warm and the Crock Pot comes out!  And what better way to sooth your soul than a hearty serving of White Bean Kale Soup!  This is enough to feed a crowd as you gather around the table to break bread.  Each of the 10~2 cup servings are only 261 calories, 21g net carbs and 27g protein.  What could be better for filling a large pot...  :)

Ingredients for 10 servings, 2 cups each~
2 Tablespoons Olive Oil
2 medium Onions, diced
1 Tablespoon chopped Garlic
Dash Cayenne
10oz shredded Carrots
5oz container Baby Kale
1 pound 96% lean ground Beef
1 pound 99% lean ground Turkey
1 packet Ranch Seasoning
1 can Chicken Broth
1 can drained Corn
2 cans mild Rotel
1 can drained Garbanzo Beans
1 can drained Northern White Beans
1 can diced Petite Tomaotes
Salt to taste
Pepper to taste

     Heat Oil in skillet, add Onion, Garlic, and Cayenne til golden brown.  Add Carrots til softened, then add Kale til wilted, then add meat til cooked thru, drain if necessary, and stir in Ranch til well incorporated.  Add to Crockpot (I made mine a day ahead in the Crockpot to let the flavors marry, then let it heat on low for 2-3 hours before serving), add remaining ingredients, serve when heated thru.  Enjoy  :)

Triple Chocolate Layer Cream Cake

   If you think this Triple Chocolate Layer Cream Cake looks like it tastes delicious...You. Are. Right!  Wanna piece!?  Then get to the kitchen and make one for yourself, and you will see exactly what I mean!  Each of the 8 pieces are only 176 calories, 6g net carbs and 13g protein.  I have to say that I have thoroughly enjoyed sinking into my chair at night with a rich piece of deep chocolate heaven accessorizing my fork... #lifeisgood  ;)

Ingredients for Cream Filling~
10.5oz 2% Fage Greek Yogurt
1/3 cup Lakanto Confectioners Monk Fruit~use code Paige20 at checkout at discount
1/2 scoop  Quest Chocolate Milkshake Protein Powder
2 Tablespoons Black Cocoa Powder or regular Cocoa

Ingredients for Chocolate Cake~
1/3 cup Coconut Oil, melted
1 Extra Large Egg
1 cup 30 cal/cup Almond Milk
1 scoop Quest Chocolate Milkshake Protein Powder
1/3 cup Lakanto Monk Fruit~use code Paige20 at checkout for discount
1/4 cup Black Cocoa Powder or regular Cocoa Powder
1/4 cup Coconut Flour
3.5oz 2% Fage Greek Yogurt
1 teaspoon Baking Powder
1 teaspoon Nielsen Massey Organic Madagascar Bourbon Vanilla Extract
Dash Cinnamon

Ingredients for Chocolate Frosting~
2 large squares from Lily's Dark Stevia Sweetened Chocolate Premium Baking Bar (or 2 Tablespoons Lily's Stevia Sweetened Dark Chocolate Chips)
1 Tablespoon 30 cal/cup Almond Milk

     Mix all Cream Filling ingredients and chill in fridge while baking cake.  Mix all Cake ingredients and pour in 8'' parchment lined on the base  and Pam sprayed sides cake pan, bake at 375 for 30 minutes.  Remove and cool, when cooled slice cake horizontally (insert toothpicks around diameter as a guide if necessary).  Take half of filling and frost bottom half of cake, stack other cake half on top, and finish frosting with other half of filling.  Chill in fridge.  Meanwhile, mix frosting ingredients in bowl and microwave til softened, stirring til smooth.  When cooled enough to frost, add to baggie, snip the corner and top cake with lattice work design.  Store leftovers in fridge.  Enjoy!  ;)