Peaches and Cream Pancakes

     If Peaches and Cream Pancakes are whats for breakfast, then how do we figure out how to make it whats for lunch and dinner too!?  This macro friendly specialty is only 324 calories, 23.1g net carbs and 46g protein...yes FOURTY SIX!!!  Who doesn't love a good deal, and when you go to spend your calories today, you know what I'm putting my money on!  Happy pancakes y'all  :)

Ingredients for one serving~
1 scoop ABS Vanilla Cake Batter Protein Pancake Powder
1/3 cup 30 cal/cup Blue Diamond Almond Milk
1/3 cup Egg Whites
4oz Peach, diced
5.3oz container Dannon Light & Fit Greek Mousse Yogurt

     Mix together Pancake Powder, Almond Milk and Egg Whites till well blended and pour by 1/4 cup onto hot Pam sprayed skillet til cooked thru on each side, repeat with remaining batter.  When all three Pancakes are cooked and cooled, spread a 1/3 yogurt on each Pancake and spread the bottom two layers with 1/4 of diced Peaches and stack all three Pancakes.  Finish by topping stack with remaining 1/2 diced Peaches.  Enjoy  :)

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

Crunchies Freeze Dried Snacks

     I have found a new love!!!  Crunchies freeze dried Grapes are one of the best things I have ever eaten!!!  I actually had to check the ingredients list to make sure it only listed Grapes as advertised, sure enough it did.  These could take the place of candy any day of the week, kids would love them...adults too.
     Unlike traditional heat drying, the freeze-drying method used by Crunchies ensures that fresh fruit and veggies retain their nutritional value while enhancing shelf life-and creating that satisfying crunch.  They know many health snacks don't taste great, so they place an extra focus on the taste of their food.  They ensure a crunchy, fruity flavor burst in every bite... and I can attest to that!  They also like to keep things simple, from their food to their packaging.  By giving you a convenient "no-hassle, no mess-perfect on-the-go snack," you should really rethink the way you snack.  Crunchies are the only freeze-dried fruit company who own their supply chain from field to fork.  They source fruit directly from farmers who grow it.  Lastly, their food is pure-nothing but fruit from farmers who they know and trust.
     For more information and where to buy click www.crunchiesfood.com.  In good health, paige  :)

Grab & Go Travel Snacks

     With endless snack choices available during summer travel, it can be difficult to stay on a healthy track.  Luckily, the Vitamin Shoppe is here to help consumers find the right option for their diet, craving and wellness needs.  The Vitamin Shoppe has an option for everyone-whether they are looking for gluten-free, dairy free or soy free!
     Protein-packed snacks and bars can be a great choice to help keep energy high and feeling full during an action-packed day of travel or sightseeing.  Their on-staff Personal Trainer, Jake Boly, suggests five components to look at before choosing the right bar:

1) Calorie Content
2) Ingredient List
3) % of Protein
4) Type of Protein
5) Taste

     Check out some of their new favorite Bars and Snacks coming to a Vitamin Shoppe location near you, or find them online at www.vitaminshoppe.com/lp/bar-shoppe.  The BHU Fit Bar is low sugar, high fiber and fair trade.  The new flavors include: Paleo Egg White Protein Double Dark Chocolate and Primal Grass-Fed Whey Protein Salted Caramel Pecan and more!  FitJoy Bar is 20 grams of protein, non GMO, gluten free, no artificial colors, flavors or sweeteners.  New Flavors:  Chocolate Iced Brownie, Mint Chocolate Crisp, French Vanilla Almond and more!  Lenny & Larrys 2oz Complete Cookie is 8g of protein, non GMO, vegan and soy free.  The flavors are Birthday Cake, Snickerdoodle, and Chocolate Chip!  Enjoy travel with out guilt or worry with these great products!  in good health~paige  :)

Never over eat again!

Wanna know why you overeat!?  If you are like me, you find yourself asking why did I eat so much more often than you would like to admit.  Whelp, thanks to good ol' Dr Oz we now have a clue into the window of over indulgence.  I recently came across a very enlightening article he wrote and I would love to share it with you.  Now you will know why you over eat and what you can do to stop it dead in its tracks:

     If you have a hard time knowing when enough is enough, you know tapping down your hunger is no game.  But there's good news.  New research might help you stop overeating.  We've talked about how being obese interferes with the proper functioning of your appetite-regulating gastrointestinal hormones leptin (I'm satisfied) and ghrelin ("Feed me").  Well, researchers have identified why another appetite-regulating gastro-hormone, uroguanylin, stops doing its job.  Turns out it's not obestiy but overeating (especially carbs and bad fats) that keeps the hormone from telling you it's time to stop taking in calories.  The good news: Uroguanylin production cranks back up when you stop overeating, even before you lose weight.  So:

1) Eliminate processed carbs, bad fats and added sugars and syrups from your diet.  Drink plenty of water.  It helps control hunger.  Stick with lean proteins from skinless poultry and fish.

2) Eat all the vegetables and salad (easy on the dressing) you want.  Toss greens with walnuts, 1/4 avocado, carrots, celery, bell peppers and artichoke hearts (in water).

3) Start a walking routine (headed for 10,000 steps a day).  And sleep 6.5-8 hours nightly; your gut hormones like that alot!

     Start out making a few changes and see if you notice a difference in your Uroguanylin right away!  In good health~paige  :)

Cherry Pecan Brownies

     How beautiful are these Cherry Pecan Brownies!?  #nuffsaid ...and yes, they do taste as good as they look!  All I can focus on is how can I get a bite ...  In addition to amazing flavor, these won't derail any healthy habits.  Each of the 12 Brownies are only 140 calories, 6.3g net carbs and 12.5g protein.  If you like the idea of after dinner dessert, I think these would fit the night time snack bill any day of the week.  :)

Ingredients for 12 servings~
1/2 cup Brownie Batter G Butter
2 Jumbo Eggs
2~ 5.3oz  Dannon Light&Fit Greek Cherry Yogurt
1/2 cup Swerve Granular Erythritol
1/4 cup Shiloah Farms Cocoa Powder
1/4 cup Betterbody Foods Coconut Flour
1 scoop Quest Chocolate Milkshake Protein Powder
1 teaspoon Baking Powder
Dash Betterbody Vanilla
Dash Cinnamon
- - - - - - - - - - - -
4oz Kroger Greek Yogurt Cream Cheese, softened
1/3 cup Swerve Confectioners Erythritol
- - - - - - - - - - - -
1 Quest Double Chocolate Chunk Protein Bar, diced
1/2 cup fresh pitted sliced Cherries
1 Tablespoon chopped Pecans

     Mix together first set ingredients and pour into parchment lined 8X8 pan, bake at 350 for 30 minutes.  Meanwhile, stir together second set of ingredients and spread on cooled Brownies, top with diced Chocolate Chunk pieces, sliced Cherries and Pecans.  Enjoy  :)   PS. Store leftovers in fridge if there are any.

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

Warm Chicken Salad

     If you are looking for a hearty single skillet dinner, why not give my Warm Chicken Salad a try!  This produce filled dish envelops all things healthy.  Each of the six servings are only 292 calories, 24.7g net carbs and 26g protein.  So relax and enjoy your meal knowing you are treating your body well with not much clean up after!  ;)

Ingredients for 6 servings~
1 cup Betterbody Foods Quinoa
1 Tablespoon Extra Virgin Olive Oil
1 medium Vidalia Onion
1 Tablespoon chopped fresh Garlic
Dash Cayenne Pepper
8oz sliced fresh Mushrooms
16oz/1 pound fresh Broccoli Florets
1 pound diced raw boneless skinless Chicken Breast
1/2 cup shredded Parmesan
Pint Cherry Tomatoes
1/4 chopped Purple Onion
Dash Pepper
Salt to taste

     Cook Quinoa according to directions, set aside.  Meanwhile, add EVOO to hot skillet, followed by Onion, Garlic and Cayenne til golden brown~I cook mine on medium and may take 30 minutes to achieve perfect coloring and texture.  Add Mushrooms til cooked thru, then add Broccoli and Chicken til Broccoli crisp tender and Chicken thoroughly cooked (add skillet lid to speed cooking time).  Stir in cooked Quinoa, and top with Parmesan, Cherry Tomatoes and Purple Onion.  Garnish with Pepper and Salt to taste.  Enjoy  :)

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

Pepperoni Sandwich

     If you find lunch to be an exhausting dilemma every. single. day. then raise your hand!!!  I try to share my lunch creations from time to time to help a sista (...or brotha) out.  As I was playing in my kitchen the other day, noticing the clock was about to strike 12, I realized that old familiar dread and doom feeling started to consume me once again with that inner nagging of what's for lunch...(what I really want to do is shout leave me alone you pesky varmit... so far that hasn't worked out...)  Having to be a big girl and face the churning of my belly, I started scouting around to piece together the perfect ingredients to feed my soul.  Hence, the Pepperoni sandwich was born.  And let me tell you it was simply divine, and when I thought it couldn't get any better, I added a bag of Quest Sea Salt Potato Chips and hit the bullseye sweet spot of perfection.  All this for 330 calories, 18.7g net carbs and 39g protein.  Add a Fuji Apple for another 75 calories and I would call that an afternoon to remember.

Ingredients for one Sandwich~
2 slices Sara Lee 45 Calorie Bread
2 slices Sargento Ultra Thin Swiss Cheese
10 slices Turkey Pepperoni
No calorie, I Can't Believe It's Not Butter Spray
1 bag Quest Sea Salt Chips

    While heating skillet, spray one side of your Bread with spray Butter and lay on hot skillet.  Then layer with one slice Cheese, Pepperoni, the other slice Cheese and top with remaining slice of Bread and spray top of exposed Bread with Butter.  When golden brown and Cheese has started to melt, flip and toast other side.  Remove, slice, serve with Chips and Enjoy!!!  :)

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