I have to start this post by stating that this shake is NOT as delicious as a chocolate shake that will make you forget that amazing, smooth flavor that only sugar and fat can bring. However, I will say that this shake is a pretty darn good alternative when you are trying to shed a few pounds and will definitely feel you up for many hours. Definitely a go to in my arsenal of healthy recipes when I am trying to shed a few lbs.
Healthy Protein Shake
serves 1
Ingredients
- One scoop protein powder (for this recipe, the protein powder I use is 100 calories per scoop – I also used chocolate for this recipe, but any flavor would work)
- 1/2 frozen, ripe banana (if you don’t have a frozen one, no worries a fresh one will work also :))
- 1 cup cold water
- 1/2 cup crushed ice
- 1 T. light peanut butter (I used a brand called Better N Peanut Butter that I found at Trader Joe’s. I should also add that this should be called, “Better N No Peanut Butter At All” because it has 50% fewer calories, but isn’t as dynamite as the real thing)
Directions
Place all the ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth & frothy.
200 calories, 2 grams fat & 15 grams protein*
*Please note that protein comes from my protein powder that I used, which was the GNC Be Buff brand. I used chocolate, but couldn’t find that variety online. Click here for the link to the vanilla bean.
The new year is approaching and I am so excited for 2013! All the possibilities and the chance for a fresh start. As I began writing this I was thinking about why there are new years resolutions and promises for fresh starts? After all, we could start fresh any day – what makes January 1st (or 2nd :)) that different?
- One 18.25 box of cake mix, any flavor (for the variety in the photographs I used Devil’s Food, but have made them with yellow cake mix and they are dynamite)
- One 15 oz. can of 100% pumpkin puree
Chilly fall mornings – I hate them. I really should move to Arizona where the heat is too much so I could appreciate the Seattle mornings I have lived with my entire life. Alas, that will have to wait another ten years until my little tykes have left home and I am free to do whatever I please.
In the meantime, this Double Chocolate Banana Bread will act as a “hug” for your tummy. Moist and delicious, this is the perfect treat to enjoy with your morning or afternoon cup of coffee.
Double Chocolate Banana Bread
Ingredients
1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder (Dutch processed or regular)
1 cup granulated white sugar
1 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup dark or milk chocolate chips
2 large eggs
1/2 cup vegetable or canola oil
3 ripe bananas
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Butter and flour (or spray with a non stick vegetable/flour spray) the bottom and sides of a 9 x 5 x 3 inch loaf pan.
In a large bowl whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. In a large food processor, combine the bananas, eggs, vegetable oil, and vanilla. Process until smooth. With a rubber spatula or wooden spoon, lightly fold the wet ingredients (banana mixture) into the dry ingredients until just combined and batter is thick and chunky. Fold in the chocolate chips. Scrape batter into prepared pan and bake until bread has risen and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, about 55 to 65 minutes.
Place on a wire rack to cool and then remove the bread from the pan. Serve warm or at room temperature. Can be covered and stored for a few days, or frozen for longer storage.
Makes 1 – 9 x 5 x 3 inch loaf.
I love the pitter patter of little feet. As my boys have gotten older (they are now nine and eight), the tiny pitter patter has become louder stomps, but I still love hearing it. We live in a neighborhood with lots of kids. There are times when I will have 6-10 little boys running around and I just love it. Given that there are so many of them, they are not always at my home, but it makes me appreciate them so much when they are here. They are sweet, endearing, thoughtful, smart and say the funniest things I have ever heard.
Sometimes I have nothing yummy to feed them and these brownies have become my fool-proof recipe for simple, delicious, decadent and fudgy brownies. My favorite thing about these brownies is that I don’t have to whip out my mixer and I always have all the ingredients on hand.
Easiest Brownies Ever
adapted from Ghiradelli
Ingredients
1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 stick butter, cut into pieces
1 c. firmly packed lighted brown sugar
1 tsp. vanilla
2 large eggs
3/4 c. + 2 T all-purpose flour
1/4 tsp. baking powder
1/4 tsp. salt
Directions
Preheat the oven to 350°F. Butter and flour an 8-inch square baking pan. In the top of a double boiler or in a heatproof bowl over barely simmering water, melt the chocolate chips and butter, stirring occasionally until smooth. Remove the pan from the heat and let cool to room temperature. Stir the brown sugar and vanilla into the chocolate mixture. Add the eggs and mix well. In a bowl, sift together flour, baking powder, and salt. Slowly fold the flour mixture into the chocolate mixture, mixing well until blended. Stir in the chocolate chips and pour the batter into the prepared pan. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, until a tester comes out clean. Remove from the oven and cool for at least 10 minutes before cutting into 2-inch squares. Makes approximately 16 squares – depending on how much batter you eat. 🙂
I love bread and I especially love baguettes. There is something so warm and comforting about a fresh, crusty baguette that is warm out of the oven with a healthy slathering of butter. My mouth waters just thinking about it.
Although I love to bake, I have avoided making bread because I always thought it was too daunting, but on a recent trip to Costco I saw that I could buy a HUGE amount of yeast (about 3 cups worth) for about $4, so I thought I would give my bread making a try. Boy was I glad I did! First off, homemade bread is SO delicious and it is SOOOOO cheap! I am amazed at how cheap it is. For just pennies, you can make bread that is more delicious than what you would pay several dollars for in the store. I also have to add that it is easy. With the help of my Kitchen Aid, which does all the kneading for me, the only hard part is waiting for the bread to rise. Seriously, that is it. Here is my recipe for baguettes. I hope you give them a try.
Super Easy Baguettes
Ingredients
1-3/4 Cups Warm Water (Approximately 105ºF)
1 tsp Active Dry Yeast
1/2 tsp. sugar
4-1/2 Cups Flour Plus Extra for Dusting
2 tsp Salt
Vegetable Oil for Greasing
Directions
Combine the water, yeast and sugar in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the dough hook and blend well with a fork until the yeast is completely dissolved. Wait about 5 minutes until the mixture begins to foam. Add the flour, salt and mix the dough hook on low speed just to incorporate. Increase the speed to medium and knead until the dough is smooth and elastic, 10-12 minutes.
Transfer the dough to a lightly oiled bowl, turn to coat, cover with plastic wrap or a damp towel, and let rise in a warm place until nearly doubled in size, about 30 minutes. Fold the dough gently, then let rise for another 45 minutes. It will look like this:
Fold the dough over on itself, pressing gently to release the gas. Transfer the dough to a lightly floured work surface, cut into 4 equal pieces, and round each piece into a smooth ball, pinching the seams together at the bottom of the ball. Cover the dough and let rise, seam sides down, until relaxed, about 30 minutes.
To shape the baguettes, on a lightly floured surface, press each ball of dough into a rectangle. Holding the short edges of the rectangle, lift and stretch the dough until the rectangle is as long as you would like. Roll the dough into a cylinder, pressing the seam closed with the edge of your palm. Transfer the dough, seam side down, to a parchment lined baking sheet. Cover the loaves and let rise until increased in volume by three-quarters, about 1 hour.
Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 425ºF. Score each loaf in several places by making diagonal slashes just through the outer layer of the dough with a very thin blade.
Transfer bread to the parchment lined baking sheet. Just before baking the bread, brush or mist each baguette lightly with water. Brush or mist the bread 1 or 2 more times during the first 5 minutes of baking time. Bake until the loaves are golden and sound hollow when tapped on the bottom, about 30 minutes. Remove the loaves from the oven and let cool on wire racks before serving.
