Protein Mocha Latte

This is a delicious super fast breakfast that is big on protein and low on calories.  Knowing I can have one of these in the morning, makes it easier to get up when the alarm goes off!

 

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I’m not an advocate of drinking coffee and if you want to make this without it, it will be a delicious giant hot cocoa (still yummy.)  My doctor asked me to try a bit of coffee in the mornings because I have such low blood pressure.  If I just use a tiny bit, it does seem to help.

Protein Mocha Latte

Protein Mocha Latte

174 calories; 2 net carbs; 8g fat; 21 g protein; 7g fiber

Ingredients

  • 2 cups almond milk (unsweetened vanilla) 60 calories
  • 1 scoop vanilla protein powder (designer whey) 100 calories
  • 1 Tbs Dutch cocoa powder 12 calories
  • 1 tsp instant coffee 2 calories
  • 2 packets truvia (or sweeten to taste as needed)

Instructions

  1. Warm milk. Transfer to a blender and blend in remaining ingredients. Pour into a mug that makes you happy.
http://www.centsablyfit.com/protein-mocha-latte/

Day 23 Single Serving Protein Pancakes, plus Drywall and Running

I woke up at 6 am for the second day in a row! The plan was to go running this morning, but I’m not usually up this early and who knew it’s still dark at 6am? Like midnight dark. Plus it was raining. I’m totally a fair weather runner. So I read my scriptures instead, which was another kind of awesome.

The drywall man came today! I watched him for awhile and happy tears came to my eyes. It’s finally happening! There’s hope to have a real kitchen before Thanksgiving. I may be able to paint Monday…

After dinner I looked outside and the rain had stopped and the sun was out, so I went running :). Felt good to make strides towards being ready for the 5k in a few weeks.

I took no pictures of food today, but here’s my journal. And I figured out a single serving protein pancake recipe–so you don’t have to guess if you get one serving or not.

FTC 2013 Day 23a

FTC 2013 Day 23b

Single Serving Protein Pancakes

Single Serving Protein Pancakes

Ingredients

  • 1 egg
  • 1/3 cup cottage cheese
  • 1-2 Tbs almond milk
  • 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1/3 cup rolled oats
  • 1 packet truvia
  • 1 pinch baking powder

Instructions

  1. Blend everything until smooth and cook on a griddle. Makes about 4 pancakes.
http://www.centsablyfit.com/day-23-single-serving-protein-pancakes-plus-drywall-and-running/

Day 16 Homemade Fudge Protein Cookies

Last night I was eating cake. Not just any cake, but my favorite cream filled layer cake from Costco. As soon as it was gone, I felt remorse. Why would I delay my goals that way? Is one moment of pleasure worth a forever fighting to get where I want to be? If only I could undo it, that one decision to eat cake. And then… I woke up.

Oh happy day! I touched my belly, it felt smaller.

So I hopped on the scale. Oh, I know I shouldn’t have. Weigh in day isn’t until Sunday, but sometimes I just have to know. Like the pregnancy test I should wait to take in two more days….but two days is too long to wait to know if our lives will be forever better. (I’m not pregnant, just an illustration.) And the number on the scale looking back at me was 139.8. What?!!! I walked into the bedroom in my weigh in outfit 😉 and said, Darren look at this. This is what 139 lbs looks like. And we high-fived and laughed.  I’ve wished for 2 years too see a 3 in the tens place and it taunted me like a race-horse’s carrot always just out of reach.  But all it needed to be real was a little bit of consistency from me.

The dream and this success are good fuel for me. A gift from God to make good choices through the Independence Day festivities that begin tonight and don’t end for us until Sunday morning. We are true patriots and Independence Day is second only to Christmas in our family. A wonderful and terrible (for weight loss) thing at the same time.

But I have allies at the parties too: My friend, Rebecca, who wrote me last night to tell me what supportive dishes she is bringing to the basket dinner tonight. And my sister-in-law for our family gathering. Both are Fit Yummy Mummies and it just helps to be surrounded with friends who are using the same methods to meet their fitness goals.

I don’t remember a lot about yesterday, except that I tried Holly’s new July workout of the month and loved it! It was super challenging for me, especially since the last 4 exercises were in plank positions. My shoulders get tired quickly like this and it’s good for me to build this up–though somehow miserable at the same time. My chocolate workout recovery shake makes up for any discomfort I feel during the workout itself. I love those shakes!

And I sucessfully made two recipes for fudge protein cookies. These are like a protein bar, but softer and chewier. The first one is higher in fat and is less sticky–more like a traditional no bake cookie (but really without sugar how can it be the same?) Note the original recipe used oatmeal, but I updated the recipe with coconut flakes to reduce the net carbs even more.

Fudge Protein Cookies I

Yield: 4

4 servings: 220 calories each; 19g fat, 2 net carbs, 11g protein

Ingredients

  • 1/4 cup coconut oil (this is a good time to use your raw stuff from Costco)
  • 1/4 cup almond milk
  • 1/2 cup Truvia or 1/3 cup Gentle Sweet
  • 2 Tbs cocoa powder (I used extra dark Dutch process)
  • 1/4 cup peanut flour
  • 1/4 cup Vanilla whey powder
  • 1/4 cup unsweetened flaked coconut

Instructions

  1. Slightly warm the coconut oil, just until it is liquidy but not cooked.
  2. Stir in peanut flour until smooth.
  3. Add almond milk, and cocoa powder. Stir until smooth again.
  4. Add stevia, whey powder and then oats last.
  5. Drop into 4 large cookies onto a silpat or wax paper. Chill until firm.
http://www.centsablyfit.com/day-16-homemade-fudge-protein-cookies/

The first cookie was delicious, but after I typed in the nutrition information I was less than impressed. So I tried again for protein cookie #2.  It’s also yummy, but a bit stickier and doesn’t set up as fast.  The nutrition specs are exactly what I was hoping for, so I can deal with a little sticky.

Fudge Protein Cookies II

Yield: 4

Calories per serving: 173

Fat per serving: 10

Ingredients

  • 2 Tbs coconut oil
  • 6 Tbs almond milk
  • 6 Tbs peanut flour
  • 2 Tbs cocoa powder
  • 2 scoops vanilla whey powder (I used Designer Whey)
  • 1/2 cup stevia in the raw (or 12 packets trivia or 1/8 tsp nunaturals pure stevia extract)
  • 3 Tbs quick oats (not instant)

Instructions

  1. Soften coconut oil until liquidy.
  2. Stir all ingredients together (see recipe above for more details.)
  3. Drop into 4 large cookies onto wax paper or a silpat. Chill until firm.
  4. Once firm, wrap in wax paper or sandwich baggies and store in the fridge.

Notes

Protein: 16g Carbs: 13g including 3g fiber

http://www.centsablyfit.com/day-16-homemade-fudge-protein-cookies/
With the oats replaced with unsweetened coconut flakes, these have 169 calories each; 11g fat; 4 net carbs; and 14g protein

NYTC Day 25 Food Journal

Breakfast: 1 banana and a detour protein bar

Snack: 1/2 pita with 1/2 cup chicken salad (the end of it) and sprouts.

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Salad with chicken breast, sprouts, pom nuggets and 1 Tbs sunflower seeds. Fat free raspberry dressing. (this was a variation of last night’s dinner)

Snack was 2 cups of thistle tea with almond milk and allspice. That took away my nibbling hunger and kept me warm until dinner.

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Dinner was a plain large baked potato, sugar snap peas, home canned pears, 4oz beef and a dill pickle.

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NYTC Day 18

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Breakfast: Peanut Butter Chocolate Yogurt with Apples: (I love this flavor combo!)
6 oz mountain high plain yogurt; 2 Tbs peanut flour; 2 Tbs cocoa Powder; 1 Tbs stevia in the raw; 1 chopped apple

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Snack: 2 eggs; 1 orange 1/2 oz nuts

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Lunch: Layered bean dip with lettuce (no chips) and 1/2 oz nuts: 1/2 cup fat free refried beans; 2 Tbs tomato and green chilies (canned) 1/4 cup chopped onion, 2 oz canned chicken breast–microwave it all together. Top with salsa and lettuce.

Snack: 1 detour bar; 3 fit and active 14 calorie Popsicle (yes you read that right–3, I own it.); 1 serving of baby carrots; and 1 cup of beef broth from pioneer brand powder. I have been STARVING today! Just trying to get through the day without eating 3,000 calories. I’m ovulating (TMI?) That’s when my appetite goes crazy. In a few days it should settle back down. It doesn’t help that today is my recipe writing day, the day I look at thousands of delicious well-styled food pictures for inspiration.

1 oz nuts while cooking the family dinner

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My dinner was more of the layered bean dip. I was down to 1 oz chicken left, so I added a little hummus and 1/2 and ounce of crushed chips. It was a nice change of pace without going crazy on the calories.

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This is what the family had: Frozen stir fry  blend with ground turkey and ramen noodles. I probably could have eaten this, but wasn’t sure how to calculate the calories. The family said it was fabulous. I didn’t even taste it–just added a dash of sesame oil, soy sauce, garlic, ginger, and the ramen noodle seasoning packets. I usually throw them away since I’m sensitive to MSG, but the family isn’t. It’s probably what made it so tasty, lol.

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It’s only 6 pm and I have a lot of food writing to do.  I’m bound to get hungry even though I feel okay right now.  I don’t have any calories left for the day.  My plan is hot tea with stevia and baby carrots.  I DO believe in zero calorie foods.  Maye it’s like believing in the tooth fairy, but I’m pretty sure i didn’t get in this condition from eating too many carrots, lol.

I’m making progress on my goal to 20 burpees in a row.  I had Darren watch me do them to see if he could give me some pointers.  If you know Darren, you know he LOVES to give pointers.  I think this made his day.

It turns out that I was wasting a lot of energy popping my rear up in the air before throwing my legs bag.  He showed me how to more slide hop my legs back instead and I can do several more before dropping dead. Yay!  I may actually learn to like burpees after all….maybe.

NYTC Day 16

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Blueberry oat custard: 1/2 c oats, 1 egg, 1 Tbs stevia, 1 cup almond milk, 1 cup blueberries (I made it without protein powder and it tasted MUCH better.

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Lunch was an apple salad:  2 cups torn lettuce; 2 oz canned chicken breast, 1 apple, 2 Tbs craisins, 1 Tbs sunflower seeds, 2 Tbs fat free raspberry viniagrette

Here’s my fitness pal summary to show the rest of the day.  The hungries took over this afternoon and I had a hard time making good choices.  I’m excited about tomorrow–it will be a better day.

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I’ve rediscovered that writing EVERYthing I eat down makes a huge difference.  I took 4 days off from journaling while I planned Heidi’s 13th birthday party and now am bloated and uncomfortable from just a nip there and a taste here of the wrong foods. I’m hoping none of that is really extra fat and that it will be gone after a few days of doing the right things.  One can hope…

NYTC Day 10 Food Journal

Breakfast: 2 eggs and a grapefruit

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Snack: 1 cup plain yogurt, 1 Tbs stevia, 2 Tbs peanut flour, 2 Tbs cool whip (finished off the tub from the holidays) and 1 chopped apple

Tip: when stirring peanut flour into yogurt use regular, not Greek. Greek is too dry for this use and the peanut flour adds protein so Greek is not necessary.

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Lunch was chicken fajita salad: Sauteed onion and peppers with chicken breast seasoned with a splash of lime juice, cumin, and chili pepper. Dished over lettuce with cilantro, chopped avocado aand Jack’s fresh salsa. Delicious!

Afternoon Snack: 1 detour bar and some home dried strawberries. I had a huge costco bag of strawberries that I had never opened. When I did to make a smoothie it was FULL of ice. So I thawed them out and dried them overnight in a small dehydrator. They are a nice treat and change of pace.

This evening I took Heidi and Heather out to Zona Rosa, a very fancy shopping district in the North part of Kansas City. There’s a ballet shop nearby where we bought Heidi a new pair of pointe shoes. Then we stopped by a shop called Village Vintage, which is a sort of flea market and also carries Annie Sloan Chalk paint. I’ve been drooling over chalk paint for awhile but didn’t feel like driving that far to spend that much money. I bought gray and both kinds of waxes. I hope to paint the new table top that is coming for my Pottery Barn knock off project table. The top will be gray and the bookcase legs white. I have twin china hutches in my dining room that would love to be gray too. Lots of furniture really could use a touch up around here :). I also got a huge gawdy mirror that I adore. It was only $35!

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NYTC Day 9 Food Journal

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Breakfast: 1 cup plain Mountain High yogurt (not Greek), 1 Tbs stevia, 2 Tbs pure protein peanut flour, and 1 Tbs cocoa powder all stirred together. And 1 banana sliced over all.

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I bought 2 new stability balls at Aldi so when my friends come over to play we can all do FYM workouts together. Brandon adopted one.

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It threw him on the floor 3 times before he figured out he could wedge it in our “lovely” sunken tub and turn it into a horse. He is so adorable. And yes, the tub is smack in the middle of our master bedroom with no walls around it, lol.

Snack: 4 tiny cucumber tea sandwiches (these won’t keep long) and a string cheese.

My blood pressure is very low today. I can hardly stand without melting in a heap and feel like I could drop to sleep sitting. Trying a redbull to see if that helps. I’m trying to get stable enough to be able to do my intervals.

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Lunch: 1 mini pumpkin cookie (what happens when I wait too long to cook lunch, get starving and there’s a cookie sitting there, lol) 1 turkey burger, 3/4 oz cheese, 4 lettuce leaves; 1/2 cup mixed fruit.

Intervals done at 1pm in time to shower and teach my voice lesson. I found the interval set that I purchased from Holly and realize I’ve been doing them all wrong. I’m makin a new plan befor Thursday 🙂

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Dinner is the same stir fry from last night with the addition of some broccoli. I need to use up all the sausage before it can go bad.

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NYTC Day 8 Food Journal

 

I was extra hungry today and went over a little on my calories. I figure it will balance out with last week’s 200 under almost every day.  The weekend went well with food choices and I did my Saturday workout at 10:30 pm.  I would have been tempted to skip but I really wanted to see what was under the post it note on my workout calendar :).  I did my intervals while we watched James Bond classic Goldfinger with Darren.  Those movies are soo cheesy.  Heidi said she snuck down the stairs to see what the loud thumping was all about and saw me doing burpess while watching the old movie.  She said, “You guys are so weird.”   Bwa ha ha.  Guess who’s turning 13 a week from today.

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Breakfast: oatmeal with half a chopped apple and 2TBS Protein plus peanut flour stirred in. Sweetened with stevia. And topped with 1/4 cup almond milk.

Snack: 6oz Greek yogurt, 2 Tbs freeze dried strawberry powder and 1sliced banana, 1 cup air popped popcorn.

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Lunch: 2 cups torn lettuce; 2 oz chicken breast, 1fresh clementine, .5 chopped toasted almonds, 2 Tbs ginger sesame salad dressing, 1/4 gluten free brownie

Snack: 10 small dried strawberries, 1string cheese

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Dinner:  Italian Turkey Sausage; Green beans, red bell pepper and red onion.  I left off the marinara so I could really taste everything.  It was delicious!  Even though I scorched it a little.

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Snack:  Detour Bar; and a tiny pumpkin cookie and cucumber tea cake that Heidi made for her Girl’s class.  I wanted to taste her handiwork, especially since we sent the treats with Dad ahead of her and he left them in the car and forgot about them.  So all her hard work and no one tasted them at class.  She has pointe class for ballet that overlaps with her girls class and is always late.  We keep hoping her point schedule will change, but so far no luck.

I did my workout at 2:00 today just in time to shower and get the kids from school.  I was super excited to be noticeably stronger today and not have to modify as much on my workout. Here’s the My Fitness Pal report.

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NYTC_Day_8b NYTC_Day_8c

 

NYTC Day 3

My post titles aren’t very imaginative, eh? Have any ideas for me?

It’s 6:45 and all is well 🙂 Kids are up, uniforms on, my pants fit 🙂 All good stuff.

Here’s breakfast:

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Blueberry oat custard. 1 cup almond milk, 1 egg, 1/2 cup oats, 1 Tbs stevia (cook together while whisking) then stir in 1/2 scoop vanilla whey powder and 1 cup frozen wild blueberries.

Workout completed at 9:30, hooray. I did January workout of the month A. It was even more challenging today than the last time I did it. (I had friends with me last time and working out with them makes me push myself without thinking about it. We talk and laugh the whole time and “poof!” The workout is done. Then the next day I wonder why I’m so sore, lol.

After workout snack:
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6 oz Greek Yogurt and 3 oz blackberries. Now off to answer the 80 emails that have poured in since midnight, write the menus for Grocery Shrink Plus, and fix some technical issues on some new sites. Hopefully I’ll fit in some housework too….the floors are scaring me.

Lunch: 2 oz canned chicken over gourmet lettuce (from Aldi), .5 oz almonds; 2 oz apple; 1 small chopped orange; 2 Tbs craisins and 3Tbs rapberry viniagrette.

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My emails are answered, dishes half washed and floors are still scary. But I did some Kindergarten stuff with Brandon which was fun. Baby is still asleep from the night. Keep checking to make sure he is breathing. It’s after noon already!

While making lunch, I cut up a ton of lettuce to use later this week. Saves time. And I do just use a steel knife on it. I’ll eat it before it goes bad.

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And my dressing had so much oil in it that it was gross. So I sucked out 75% of it with my baster and replaced the volume with water.

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After lunch my appetite was still asking for attention. So I’m going to try one of these:

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This will count as a PI since it has splenda, eww. A PI is a planned indulgence (I get 3 a week) and includes any food not FYM approved.

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Here’s the size, smaller than I expected from the size of the box. The taste is decent with a slight aftertaste of fake at the end. Not sure I will rebuy.

The afternoon got away from me with blogging and a little housework. We got the Christmas trees down finally! My afternoon snack was a detour protein bar, 1/2 an ounce of beef jerky (2 hours later) and 1/2 cup of freeze dried strawberries.

Grant got up at 1pm from the night and I fed him some eggs. He did not keep them down and has been moaning all afternoon. I just want to hold him. But the rest of the family appears to be helpless when it comes to dinner. They should subscribe to Grocery Shrink Plus, lol.

I found myself scrounging in the kitchen for something to eat and was gravitating towards the leftover caramel popcorn from Christmas.  Knowing I would have to write that down stopped me in my tracks and I chose the jerky and strawberries instead.  My sugar cravings instantly disappeared.  I learned something about myself.  When I’m craving sweets my body is really just hungry for real, healthy food to help stabilize my blood sugar.

And now I’m in a quandry.  I’m tired; I’m hungry.  I’m making spaghetti for my family and am not sure what to have for myself.  My usual self would just fill up a plate of spaghetti.  It’s all super healthy for those who aren’t trying to burn fat, but that many carbs at night won’t support my fat loss goals. If I had thought ahead I would have spaghetti squash already cooked up in the fridge ready to microwave.  We’ll see what I do in a bit, I guess.

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Dinner: 1 cup Dr Tagues protein chicken noodle soup. Broccoli and salad with fat free Italian dressing.

The soup is from my Dr. And comes dry in packets like this:
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It’s expensive and tastes like Lipton cup of soup so I save it for emergencies.

Here’s today in a nutshell:

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I may have some mint tea for a snack tonight.  I’m feeling like I may be a victim of the flu soon.  Two more of my boys mentioned not feeling right in their bellies….Oh, boy.

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