Banana Nut Chocolate Chunk Protein Bar

     If you are ever running low on protein bars, make your day better by making your own creation!  Banana Nut Chocolate Chunk Protein Bar will put serious smiles in your tummy and muscle on your biceps!  Each of the 6 bars is only 224 calories, 6.3g net carbs and 26.7g protein.  Let your imagination run wild and see what flavor combinations you can come up with! ;)

Ingredients for 6 Bars~
1/4 cup Caramel French Toast Sweet Spreads Cashew Butter, softened
1/4 cup Swerve Granular Erythritol
1 cup 35 cal/cup So Delicious Cashew Milk
1/4 cup unsweetened Cocoa
5 scoops Quest Banana Cream Protein Powder
2 Tablespoons Nutiva Coconut Flour
Dash Cinnamon
Dash Vanilla
1 Quest Double Chocolate Chunk Protein Bar, diced
2 Tablespoons chopped Nuts

     Mix all ingredients together except for Protein Bar and Chopped Nuts, pour into wax or parchment lined loaf pan.  Top with diced Protein Bar and chopped Nuts, pat down and set in fridge overnight or for several hours.  Slice into 6 and Enjoy  ;)

For 10 dollars off your first 30 dollar order at Vitacost.com click http://goo.gl/jjEvV7.

Shrimp and Slaw

     Shrimp is to Slaw what Sonny was to Cher... oh wait, they split up, ... BUT... Shrimp and Slaw will be together for EVER!!! (promise)  And not only that, everything is totally healthy in this relationship!  Each of the 4 servings is only 351 calories, 15g net carbs and 48g protein.  Have this soon and you will live happily ever after too!  ;)

Ingredients for 4 servings~
1 Tablespoon Extra Virgin Olive Oil
1 medium Yellow Onion, diced
1 Tablespoon chopped jarred Garlic
Dash Cayenne Pepper
2 pounds fresh Shrimp, remove shell and tail
1 teaspoon Riega Organic Shrimp and Fish Seasoning (optional, but I used it)
14oz package Dole Coleslaw
1/4 cup lite Ken's Steak House Sweet Vidalia Onion Salad Dressing
Green Onions, diced for garnish
Red Bell Pepper, diced for garnish
Dash Salt
Dash Pepper

     Heat EVOO in skillet, add Onion, Garlic and Cayenne til golden brown.  Add shelled Shrimp and Shrimp Seasoning til pink and cooked thru.  Meanwhile, stir together Slaw and Salad Dressing til thoroughly coated.  When ready to serve, add Slaw to bowl and top with cooked Shrimp.  Garnish with Green Onions, Red Bell Pepper, Salt and Pepper.  Enjoy  :)

For 10 dollars off your first 30 dollar order at Vitacost.com click http://goo.gl/jjEvV7.

Pink Lady Date Salad

     I never get tired of mixing fruit, nuts and greens.  It makes everything inside me smile, even before my first bite!  Whole Foods has all the components to make joy a reality.  I just had my first Pink Lady Apple experience, and found the firm tart flavors bursting with excitement in my mouth.  It might have been my first, but definitely won't be my last Pink Lady.  Each of these six servings is only 334 calories, 24g net carbs and 30g protein.  This could pass for a fancy dinner or a casual lunch, ...(I would even have it for breakfast...but I fear people would talk...).

Ingredients for 6 servings~
1.5 pounds boneless skinless Chicken Tender
1/4 + 1/3 cup BRIANNAS Blush Wine Vinaigrette
1 pound Brussels Sprouts
1 bunch fresh Kale
10 Deglet Dates, diced
1/2 cup sliced Almonds
1 Pink Lady Apple, diced
4oz Whole Foods Goat Cheese (best Goat Cheese on the planet)
2 large Green Onions, diced
Dash Pepper, as desired for seasoning
Dash Salt, as desired for seasoning

     Marinate Chicken with 1/4 cup BRIANNAS in zip lock bag for several hours or over night in fridge.  Remove Chicken and shake off marinade and cook in skillet, breaking into bite size pieces with spatula while cooking, set aside.  Meanwhile, clean and trim Brussels and cut in half, add to Food Processor and grind to slaw.  Tear all the Kale Leaves from the stem into small bite size pieces, mix with slawed Brussels, and remaining 1/3 cup BRIANNAS and add to large salad bowl.   Next add bite size cooked Chicken around perimeter of bowl, topping with diced Dates.  Add sliced Almond to next inner ring, followed by diced Pink Lady.  Fill center with crumbled Goat Cheese and top with diced Green Onions.  Head on over to Whole Foods and don't leave til your basket is over flowing with all these incredible goodies!  Enjoy  ;)

Disclaimer: I am a Whole Foods Market Blogger Ambassador and this post was inspired by their monthly themes and gift cards received to purchase ingredients for posts of my choosing. I am not compensated by Whole Foods Market for my blog posts and am free to post whatever I see fit to my own blog. 

 

Crispy Zucchini Protein Chips

     My friend Joyce had the BRILLIANT idea to make chips out of Zucchini!  I tweeked this concept into a veggie protein powerhouse.  Feel free to top with Salsa, Chili or just a little salt and enjoy plain~either way you can't go wrong!  Next time you get a hankering for Nachos or just a side to your Turkey Sandwich, turn to Crispy Zucchini Protein Chips to rock your healthy world!  An entire hearty serving is only 345 calories, 14.3g net carbs, and 40.8g protein (macros are for chips only).  Turn this into a meal with your favorite toppings or share for a favorite side.  ;)

Ingredients for one batch Zucchini Chips~
2 small Zucchini, grated
1 extra large Egg
1 bag Quest Cheddar Cheese Protein Chips, crushed or grind to powder in Magic Bullet
1/4 cup grated Parmesan
Dash Garlic
Dash Onion Powder
Dash Salt
Dash Pepper

     Trim ends and grate Zucchini into cotton dish towel and vigorusly squeeze any excess liquid from Zucchini til feels dry.  Mix with Egg, crushed or powdered Protein Chips, Parmesan, Garlic, Onion Powder, Salt and Pepper til well blended.  Drop by 1/2 Tablespoon onto Silpat lined cookie sheet and pat to THIN circle.  Bake at 425 for 14 minutes or beginning to brown .  Finish by broiling on High for another 2 minutes til crisped, watching to ensure doesn't burn.  Remove and enjoy this crispy chip!  Good luck not eating them all before taking time to add a topper!  Enjoy  ;)

For 10 dollars off your first 30 dollar order at Vitacost.com click http://goo.gl/jjEvV7.

Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Protein Bar

     Peanut Butter ain't just for Jelly ya know ...Peanut Butter has other friends too..!  Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Protein Bars make the perfect relationship combo after that bad break up with Jelly...  Pretty sure this love will last, all the evidence is pointing to happily ever after.  Each of the six bars is only 215 calories, 6.2g net carbs and 24.7g protein.  If you want to witness love bloom, head to the kitchen and watch affection take over.  ;)

Ingredients for six Bars~
1/4 cup Peanut Butter
2 Tablespoons Coconut Butter, softened
1 cup 25 cal/cup Silk Cashew Milk
1/4 cup PB2 Peanut Butter Powder
1/4 cup Swerve Granular Erythritol
2 Tablespoons Nutiva Coconut Flour
4 scoops Quest Peanut Butter Protein Powder
Dash Cinnamon
Dash Vanilla
1 Quest Peanut Butter Supreme Protein Bar, diced
2 Tablespoons Lily's Stevia Sweetened Dark Chocolate Chips

     Mix together Cashew Butter, Cashew Milk, Peanut Butter Powder, Granular Erythritol, Coconut Flour, Protein Powder, Cinnamon and Vanilla til thoroughly blended and pour into parchment lined loaf pan.  Press diced Protein Bar and Chocolate Chips in top and chill in fridge over night or til set.  Slice into 6 bars and Enjoy  ;)

For 10 dollars off your first 30 dollar order at Vitacost.com click http://goo.gl/jjEvV7.

Double Decker Mint Chocolate Chunk Brownies

     Just a typical day at the office...an office where EVERYONE wants to work that is!  Double Decker Mint Chocolate Chunk Brownies are the perfect solution to any upcoming Holiday Gathering or to simply have around the house to enjoy the festive spirit.  Volunteer to bring a healthy offering at every celebration this Season (and hopefully there will be some left over to take home).  The best news is that for each of the 9 rich and hearty decadent Brownies, it is only 219 calories, 5g net carbs and 12g protein.  Santa will be praying you leave your left overs on the mantel for him on Christmas Eve...  ;)

Ingredients for 9 large Brownies~
1/3 cup Dark Chocolate Mint Sweet Spreads, softened
1 extra large Egg
1 cup So Delicious 35 cal/cup Cashew Milk
1 scoop Quest Chocolate Milkshake Protein Powder
1/2 cup Swerve Granular Erythritol
1/4 cup Cocoa Powder
1/4 cup Nutiva Coconut Flour
1 teaspoon Baking Powder
Dash Mint Extract
4oz 1/3 Reduced Fat Philadelphia Cream Cheese
7oz 2% Fage Greek Yogurt
2/3 cup Swerve Confectioners Erythritol
Green Food Coloring
1 Quest Mint Chocolate Chunk Protein Bar, diced
2 Tablespoons Lily's Stevia Sweetened Dark Chocolate Chips

     Stir together Sweet Spreads, Egg, Cashew Milk, Protein Powder, Granular Erythritol, Cocoa Powder, Coconut Flour, Baking Powder, and Mint Extract and pour into parchment lined 8X8 or 9X9 baking dish, bake at 350 for 33 minutes, remove and cool.  Meanwhile, stir together softened Cream Cheese, Yogurt, Confectioners Erythritol, dash Mint Extract and Green Food Coloring til desired shade of green.  When Brownies are cooled, slice horizontally and frost bottom layer with half Cream Cheese mixture, stack with top layer of Brownie and finish frosting.  Sprinkle with diced Quest Bar and Chocolate Chips.  Enjoy  ;)

For 10 dollars off your first 30 dollar order at Vitacost.com click http://goo.gl/jjEvV7.

Crock Pot Chuck Roast

     Can you believe we're already diving right into the Holiday Season!?  Every day, Whole Foods Market offers exceptional values, and during the holidays, who doesn't want a quality cut of meat at an exceptional price!?  With the weather turning a bit cooler and the nights lasting longer, now is the perfect time for braising and roasting, and the perfect opportunity to return to our old friend, the Crock Pot!  Check out these 5 tips for Slow Cooking Success:
Go budget friendly~ingredients like beans, whole grains, and spices available in Whole Foods Market bulk section, let you buy the exact amount you need and experiment with many products at once for a great price.
Trim the fat~too much fat left on meat  will give you an unpleasant texture, and having to skim lots of fat at the end of cooking is not enjoyable.
Think ahead~keep "kits" of chopped fresh veggies and meats in the freezer.  That way, you'll be ready to toss these ingredients in the Crock Pot in the morning in no time at all, with dinner ready by the time you come home!
Stay on trend~save money while staying trending!  Cheaper cuts of meat are all the rage at the top rated restaurants right now, and a crock-pot is the perfect tool to master these cuts at home.  Thighs, Beef Chuck, Brisket, Shoulders, Shin and Oxtail; when cooked nice and slow these cuts can be the most delicious bites.
Sear First~don't forget to sear your meat first.  Browned meat taste better, and the slow cooker does not get hot enough to get that done.  For optimal taste, sear first then slow cook to lock in the moisture.  (Except when it comes to chicken)

Ingredients for 6-8 servings~
2-3 Tablespoons Flour
Dash Salt
Dash Pepper
Dash Garlic
2 pounds boneless Beef Chuck Roast from Whole Foods, trimmed of excess fat
2-3 Tablespoons Extra Virgin Olive Oil
1 Tablespoon Chicken Base or 1 Chicken Bouillon Cube
1 cup Water
1 Simply Organic Brown Gravy Packet
2 large Potatoes, cut into 1 inch pieces
16oz bag Baby Carrots
1 packet Liptons Onion Soup
1 Sweet Yellow Onion, sliced

     On a plate, combine Flour, Salt, Pepper, and Garlic.  Dredge Chuck Roast in Flour, coating all sides.  Heat Oil in skillet and brown Roast on both sides.  Meanwhile, line Crock Pot with liner (optional) and fill with diced Onions and Carrots.  Heat Chicken Base and cup of Water in microwave for one minute, stir to dissolve and then stir in Gravy Packet to blend thoroughly, set aside.  Top vegetables with seared Roast, pour Gravy over top.  Sprinkle with Liptons Onion Soup packet and lay sliced Onions on top.  Cover and cook at high for 4-5 hour or low 8-10 hours.  Enjoy  :)

Disclaimer: I am a Whole Foods Market Blogger Ambassador and this post was inspired by their monthly themes and gift cards received to purchase ingredients for posts of my choosing. I am not compensated by Whole Foods Market for my blog posts and am free to post whatever I see fit to my own blog.