Carrot Cake Protein Shake

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Question: Can You Have Your Cake and Drink It Too?

Why, YES, you can... And Why It's GREAT For You:

• Almost TWENTY TWO Grams of Protein
• Very low in saturated fat
• Very high in calcium
• High in iron
• High in manganese
• Very high in phosphorus
• High in riboflavin
• Very high in vitamin A

Compiled using CalorieCount via About.com

When I first met Justin, I remember wanting badly to make him a cake (gifts are my love language and delicious-yet-healthy treats are my food language, so by the transitive properties of gifting-love-dom... umm... nevermind). I remember standing in the baking aisle at Jewel, with him on the phone. There I was, staring right at a box of carrot cake mix, and I asked him… “Do you like carrot cake?”  His response? It’s not my favorite.

Woe is me. I guess we’ll go with Chocolate, then..

So, when I suggested trying out and altering a Carrot Cake Milkshake recipe from Chocolate Covered Katie, I was utterly surprised at his response: Let’s do it! Looks delicious.

In fact, it was even his idea, after returning from doing the Body By Science workout at the gym, to turn it into a protein shake. And so we did.

Protein shakes are something I’m working on for you guys… because I want to show you that protein shakes should be utterly delicious. So here’s “Episode Two” (For episode one , check out peanut butter banana protein shakes). Because it should not only be good FOR you, but it should also TASTE good, too! 

Carrot Cake Protein Shake

Servings: 2

Calories Per Serving: 216

Protein Per Serving: 21.8 g

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Weight Watchers Points (Old): 4

Weight Watchers Points Plus (New): 5

Ingredients (makes two, so cut it in half if you only want one... or you can opt to chill the second glass for the next day!):

• 1 large banana, frozen (it will save you a headache if you peel it, then put it in a bag and freeze it... but if you forget, you can always peel it afterward with a knife and your very very frozen fingers)
• 1 cup milk (skim milk or unsweetened vanilla almond milk are both great, but any milk substitute will also work -- just be aware that slight flavor changes will come with any major substitutions!) **Caloric information compiled using unsweetened vanilla almond milk
• 2 servings protein powder (Just use the prescribed amount per persoof powder for one "serving" of your particular brand)
• 2 tsp pure Vanilla Extract
• 1 tsp Cinnamon
• 1 small carrot (or two baby carrots), peeled
• Tiny dash of salt

Directions:

1. Combine all ingredients in a blender
2. Add a few cubes of ice only if your blender is good enough to chop them all up! 
3. Blend well and serve!

Skinny Dessert Recipes

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As summer begins to creep in on us, I'm sure a lot of you are becoming a bit more conscious about food than you were during the winter (or, as I like to call it, hibernation) season. Many people turn to workouts to ramp up their fitness (if you're looking for a full body workout in 25 minutes, check this one out!), while forgetting one very important factor: Exercise + Nutrition = Fitness. Whether we like it or not, we've got to start finding healthier ways to satisfy our sweet teeth!

In an effort to put a smile on your face without putting the pounds on your belly, here are a few delicious dessert recipes along with calorie information and weight watchers points! They're all kid-tested and man-approved! Check out my diet philosophy page for an explanation of foods to optimize, limit, and avoid and find more delicious-yet-healthy recipes!

P.S. If you're still adamant about hopping on the workout train, check out the following links!

• this list of free downloads for interval workout music, which will time out your interval workouts without you having to buy a timer or watch the clock!
• a full body workout in 25 minutes, no equipment required (other than a water bottle!)
• more fitness resources, including nutrition plan printables, workout plans, calorie calculators, etc!

130 Calorie Carrot Cake Pops
The perfect serving size for a small piece of cake, these carrot cake pops are so fun that even your kids will love them!
Calories Per Serving: 127
WW Points: 3
WW Points Plus: 3

100 Calorie Skinny Oreo Dip
Does it get any better than a bowl full of Oreo Dip?! Serve this as a appetizer -- no one will believe it's only 100 calories per serving!
Calories Per Serving: 100
WW Points: 2
WW Points Plus: 3

Skinny Monkey 
Remember Chunky Monkey ice cream? I thought I'd never be able to enjoy that treat again... until I discovered that you can make your own Chunky Monkey -- I mean SKINNY Monkey -- substitute! Made with a pudding base and incorporating fresh bananas and walnuts, it will also give you your chocolate fix! Just don't tell the kids it's only 117 calories :)
Calories Per Serving: 117
WW Points: 3
WW Points Plus: 2

Chickpea Chocolate Chip Cookies
These cookies are incredibly delicious and packed with fiber! For only 100 calories, they're not only low-cal, but are also full of nutrients, as they use chick peas and nut butter for the batter!
Calories Per Serving: 100
WW Points: 2
WW Points Plus: 3

Carrot Cake Pops

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Starbucks has been featuring <200 calorie "Cake Pops."  Having already done the "Cake Balls" thing, I figured I'd whip up some of my own! By cutting out oil, eggs, and butter, these babies are under 150 calories a 'pop!'

Are you loving this? Check out some similar recipes. While the Carrot Cake Pops are in popsicle (or lollipop) form, feel free to use the recipes for any of the following truffles or cake balls. All of these would work quite well: Pumpkin Cheesecake Truffles, Thin Mint Truffles, Oreo Truffles, Low Cal Cake Balls.

For those of you who are on a more serious diet... don't cry! You don't have to feel left out of the truffle madness! Try these Cake Batter Truffles for only 100 calories... or these Chickpea Chocolate Chip Cookies (kid tested!) for a fiber-filled treat!

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What You Need:

• 1 box of Carrot Cake mix
• 2/3 box of low fat cream cheese
• 1 can of La Croix
• 1/2 cup of White Chocolate Chips
• Vanilla Candy Melts
• Popsicle/Sucker sticks

What You Do:

1. Mix cake mix and 1 can of La Croix

2. Pour into cake pan and fold in white chocolate chips 

3. Cook for 35 minutes (or according to package directions), then take out and let the cake cool (if you're impatient like me, you can put it in the freezer for an hour or two).

4. Once the cake is fully cooled, mash it up (this is fun). Add 2/3 of a package of low-fat cream cheese and combine until fully mixed.

5. Roll into small balls (appx 1-1.5 inch in diameter).

6. Add sticks and place aside.

7. Melt candy coating. Start with 1 minute in the microwave, then stir. Heat in 15 second intervals and stir in between. Don't over heat... but if you do, and the candy gets chunky, add 1 teaspoon of vegetable or canola oil and stir.

8. Using the stick as a handle, dip cake balls into the candy coating. Use a spoon to make sure you're getting the candy coating all the way to the popsicle (once the coating hardens, this will hold the cake ball onto the popsicle stick).

9. Set aside to cool!

P.S. I ran out of white melts so I made a few that were covered in Peanut Butter melts -- that's why there are a few brown ones.

Have a good one :)