Mom's Cake Batter Frozen Yogurt (with ViSalus)

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My frozen yogurt habit has gotten out of control.

I don't know when or why it happened, but lately, I have been hitting up Forever Yogurt about twice a week. I can't get enough of my two favorite flavors: Mom's Cake Batter and Salted Caramel Popcorn.

Unfortunately, there are two problems with this addiction. First, it costs money. No, it's not expensive, but over time, who knows - it could add up. Second, it's very high in sugar, which, on its own is fine every once in a while, but when you're going back more and more, it becomes a bit of an issue.

My solution? Make my own. Less money. Less sugar. More protein. 

I made a chocolate protein frozen yogurt a while back, and was pretty satisfied with that. When ViSalus contacted me and asked me to develop some recipes using their product, I immediately knew that this would be Stop Number 1 on the ViSalus Train. I'd tried their shake powder before and thought it tasted deceptively like cake batter. So, this was pretty much the perfect storm.

Mom's Cake Batter Frozen Yogurt (with ViSalus):

Servings: 1

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup 0% Plain Greek Yogurt (I have used Fage, Chobani, and Oikos)
• 2 scoops ViSalus Powder (or 1 scoop regular protein powder - the ViSalus scooper is itty bitty)

Directions:

1. In a mixing bowl, combine ingredients and mix well, until all powder pockets have disappeared. You should be able to do it with a spoon.
2. Freeze for at least 2 hours. (You can skip this step if you don't mind it not being "frozen" yogurt -- if you do skip it, move on to Step 5).
3. When you're ready to eat it, take it out of the freezer. Let thaw for 10 minutes.
4. Pop it in the blender and pulse on low setting until it reaches desired consistency.
5. If you want to be fancy, you can pipe it into a bowl using a plastic bag to make it look like it came from the machines.
6. Top with add ons of your choice! I used blueberries and maple syrup.

Notes:

• I used Greek Yogurt, but you can feel free to substitute any plain yogurt, if you'd like. 
• I also used ViSalus Shape powder, because it seriously does taste like cake batter, but you could use any vanilla or sweet cream flavored protein powder if you'd like.
• You don't have to freeze it. In fact, if you're impulsive like me, you might just want to eat it right after mixing. No shame in that... :)

**I was contacted by ViSalus and asked to develop some recipes using their product. They provided me products to work with in this process. Stay tuned for more recipes!**

Bruleed Bananas and Dates in Chobani

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I used to focus so heavily on recipe posting that my recipe list would grow by 2 or 3 each week. Now? As I focus a bit more on real life, the recipes have been few and far between.

#Oops. I guess this blog is as versatile and changing as real life. #SorryImNotSorry

That said, sometimes I make something that is just so delicious, it pretty much comes out of the oven screaming "SHARE ME ON THE BLOG!" Like a mandrake root kind of scream (Harry Potter for the win). A girl has to oblige.

This recipe is an awesome breakfast, mid-day snack, or even dessert. Don't hesitate to swap out ingredients, like using a different greek yogurt (or regular yogurt, if you must). If you want it a bit sweeter, feel free to use vanilla instead of plain yogurt.

Bruleed Bananas and Dates in Chobani

Ingredients:

• 1 Banana
• 1 tbsp Sugar, for sprinkling
• 3 Dates
• 2 tbsp Organic Shredded Coconut, No sugar added
• 1 tbsp Sliced Almonds (Walnuts, Pistachios or Pralines would be delicious here, too)
• 1/2 cup Plain Greek Yogurt
• Parchment paper

Directions:

1. Slice banana into 1/2-1/4 inch pieces. Place on parchment paper lined cookie sheet and sprinkle sugar on top of banana pieces. Broil for a few minutes, until the sugar has browned. Set aside.
2. Chop dates.
3. Scoop yogurt into a bowl or cup. Add banana slices, then sprinkle with dates, shredded coconut, and almonds.
4. Enjoy the heck out of that bowl of delicious goodness.

WOTDs, Muller Yogurt, and Gratefulness

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Muller Greek Yogurt Corner in Caramelized Almonds

After my long runs this week, I refueled with the yogurt Muller (by Quaker) sent me to try out. It was definitely delicious, and had just the right ratio of creamy to crunchy. This was their "Greek Corner" product (they must know I love Greek Yogurt!) in the Caramelized Almond flavor. It rings in at 220 calories, with 13 grams of protein - exactly what my body needs after a long run! You can find more info on that particular one here.

Now, the workouts!

This week was full of variety. I generally make a plan and try to stick to it, but it's fair to say that I fly by the seat of my pants fairly frequently, so things tend to take their own form as time goes on.

Half-dead Following My Fiance Around The Gym

Wednesday
9.5 Mile Run, Abs Work

I totally skipped my favorite ever Pilates class on Wednesday, but let's be honest, after a 9.5 mile run, my body was just not into it. Some of you big fancy runners out there probably could have made it happen, but my body just isn't used to doing that much work in one day, so I skipped. Instead, I followed my fiance around the gym and timed him on my phone as he did his weights exercise. What a good soon-to-be-wifey, eh? :) I also squeezed some ab exercises in there, but that was all I could handle.

Thursday
Weights Work, Full Body

I focused on my upper body routine: shoulders, biceps, triceps, chest, and upper back with free weights, then on machines. Then, moved down to abs on the ab crunch and ab rotator machines. Then, I topped it off with the leg press, leg extender, etc. You know, all those leg machines that are in a row at the gym. Whatever you call them... I did 'em.

Friday Before Ballet Burn

Friday
Ballet Burn

This was a first for me! I was cramming in a workout before mojitos and cuban food at Havana, so this class was perfect. It made me sweat, but not so much that I had to wash my hair (score). I was honestly really surprised that it was as difficult as it was! I was totally sore for two days. This being my first ever ballet workout class, I'm calling it a success!

Weights and Such for Ballet Burn Class

Saturday
8.5 Mile Run

Saturdays have sort of turned into my default long run days. I just end up with a bit of time to spare mid-day, so I've been trying to put it to good use. I was planning on making this another 9 mile run, but I started having some weird calf pain. It basically felt like my calf muscle was dead weight. So, not knowing what that meant and not wanting to injure myself, I pulled back to a walk for a few minutes to cool down and then hopped off the machine around 8.5.

During this run, I watched The Lucky One, with Zac Efron. I got through most of it but then finished it on my Tuesday run. It wasn't the best thing ever, but it was definitely emotional enough to keep me engaged during my run. Also... Zac Efron is pretty. And the kid in that movie is super cute. What's not to love, right?

Sunday
REST!

I almost didn't, but my fiance convinced me to have a rest day. I had blogger book club eating and drinking wine club that afternoon, and didn't find time to work out before it. When we got home around 5, it just seemed like a better idea to relax for a bit and then head over to Grandview Tavern for a bite to eat and a cocktail. I had a bowl of chili, a side salad that was delicious, and a vodka soda with extra lemon.


Monday
Body By Science (Weights), Insanity Max Cardio Conditioning

Monday morning, my fiance and I got up early to hit the gym for Body By Science. We do the whole routine together, taking turns so that we can both time each other (part of the workout is lifting continuously for 45seconds-2minutes).

After work, I had planned a recovery run to loosen up my muscles from Saturday. I was thinking something like a leisurely 3 mile run (not saying 3 miles is easy - just saying I had planned to do it at an easier pace), to get everything pumping and loosen up, but not put a ton of strain on my body.

Unfortunately, I got to the gym after work and realized I hadn't brought a sports bra. Who wants to do a 3 mile run in their underwire? Not me. So, I trekked home, stopped at the Green Grocer for some cilantro and avocados for dinner, and then did some Insanity. I used to do those DVDs religiously, so to speak. It was definitely hard going back to it, because my feet and lower legs weren't used to it. 

Watching "A Few Good Men" on the TV after my iPad died

Tuesday
9 Mile Run

So, the day after forgetting a sports bra, I arrived to the gym after work to find that, while I did indeed remember the bra, I had forgotten to charge my iPad. Is it a bad thing that this had me on the verge of a total melt down? I'm super workout ADHD, so the only thing that has been able to keep me on a treadmill for run longer than 3 miles is some serious on-demand entertainment. When my iPad only had 16%, I started freaking.

But then I told myself: It will last longer than you think. And, somehow, it did. I got through somewhere around 7 miles before it died and I switched to the TV attached to my treadmill, which turned into me watching one of the best parts of A Few Good Men. "These are the facts and they are undisputed." As a former pre-law-er and avid mock trial-er, gawd, I love that movie. No shame. 

Before the iPad died, though, I finished The Lucky One with Zac Effron. No tears were shed by me, but the characters sure cried a lot. Pretty sure the people around me thought I was watching a soap opera. Next, I watched an episode of The Mindy Project. The guy from Knocked Up was in it, and I find him hilarious.


Wednesday
Upper Body Weights & Pilates Class

Justin and I have plans tonight with our "Mentor" couple from pre-marital classes at church, so I'm aiming to not get sweaty this afternoon. After all, if I have to shower and get my hair wet, I'm a goner for the day (meaning I'll proceed with sopping wet hair and no makeup, looking like a cross between a five year old girl and a wet dog. lovely). 


GRATEFULNESS! 
Yesterday, I totally forgot to do my gratefulness exercise. Here goes:
 
Dear Sidewalk Snow that is Hard to Walk through,
I can feel you sneakily giving my calves a workout. Well played, winter. I probably needed that.
Love,
Carly

Protein Honey Cheesecake

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My Dearest Readers,

I am writing to let you know that I think you deserve the best. We're talking the absolute best. No cheap imitation, no dishonest fakery, nothing that pretends to be one thing and turns out to be another. Just the pure, honest to goodness, delectable best.

I think you deserve to eat something that is utterly delicious. You deserve to drool over the mere thought of such a sweet, tasty bite... and then, you deserve to consume it.

You also deserve to have all of these things without feeling guilty. After all, where is the beauty in consuming something so deeply gratifying, only to be left with regrets? I contend that it would be much more beautiful to ditch the guilt in favor of satisfaction. Contentment. Joy. Thankfulness.

And so, I made you this cheesecake. So that you can not only indulge your senses and give in to temptation... but feel proud of it. That's right. I said proud. You can eat this for breakfast to start your day out with a butt kicking of protein. You can eat it after a workout to repair your muscles. You can eat it day and night without feeling guilty, because you're not consuming empty, sugary calories.

It's just plain good.

Love,

Carly

Protein Honey Cheesecake

Adapted From: Blogilates (Her recipe includes berries - head on over and check it out if you'd like!)

Prep Time: <5 Minutes

Cook Time: 20 Minutes

Total Time: <25 Minutes

Ingredients for Cheesecake:

• 1 cup 0% Fat, Plain Greek Yogurt (Oikos, Chobani, or Fage will all work, among others. I tried out Oikos for this recipe)
• 2 tbsp Low Fat Cottage cheese (I used 1% milk fat)
• 1 tbsp Whole Wheat Flour
• 1 tbsp Lemon Juice
• 2 Whole Eggs
• 1/4 Cup Vanilla Whey
• 1/4 Cup Stevia

Indredients for Crust:

• 6 pitted Prunes
• 1/4 cup slivered almonds (they break up faster than whole ones)

Directions:

1. If making a crust, combine prunes and almonds in a food processor and blend until they form a rough gravel. If you don't have a food processor, you can finely chop the prunes and break up the slivered almonds with your hands into tiny pieces and then mix well with your hands. Then, distribute crust into a greased cupcake pan and press down to make it a compact layer.
2. Combine all cake ingredients in a blender and blend for about 20 seconds or until smooth. 
3. Pour the mixture into the cupcake pan (if you included a crust, you'll pour this over that), filling to about 3/4 full. This mixture will not rise the same way a real cupcake would.
4. Bake at 325 degrees for 20 minutes.

Notes:

• Blogilates includes a recipe for the crust. While I did make a few of these with crust, I contend that it's not particularly necessary. They're just as delicious without the crust. That said, I did modify the crust recipe to make it slightly lower calorie. It's a very thin crust that pretty much only serves to add just the tiniest bit of crunch.