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!

Chia Muesli Breakfast Pudding with Greek Yogurt, Berries, and PB2

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I recently discovered Chia seeds... and they're my new favorite thing. Truly. Want to know why? Okay, I'll tell you. Just because you asked. ;-)

• They taste like whatever you cook them in - that means you don't have to deal with a funky flavor in order to get healthy food into your body!
• When exposed to liquids, the seeds form a gel-like substance. This causes it to increase in size and makes you feel fuller -- without adding additional calories (as the gel is mostly water).
• They help your body use energy more efficiently, so that you can burn calories steadily instead of all at once and then slumping.
• They contain more Omega 3 Fatty Acids than Salmon! 
• More calcium by weight than whole milk! That means you can enhance your calcium intake, which is good for your bones and also allows you to get your daily calcium needs without consuming other calcium sources, which are often high in fat.
• More fiber than flax!
• They're filled with complete protein, meaning that, unlike peanut butter or bean-derived protein, you don't need to combine it with other foods to get the full effect!
• You can bake with them (get excited for some Chia recipes on Creatlive over the next few weeks)! The gel derived from soaked chia seeds can be substituted for butter and other fatty baking ingredients in most recipes! To do this, use half of the amount of butter/oil you would need (ex: 1 cup butter = 1/2 cup Chia gel)
• Antioxidants prevent free radical damage in your body. That helps protect you against diseases and cancers.

What do you put them in?
Chia seeds do not add or remove from any flavors in your food. That means you can use them just about any way you'd like!

• Baked goods
• Salad dressings
• Puddings
• Smoothies

For today, we're putting it in breakfast. Muesli, to be exact. For those of you who aren't familiar with Muesli, it's a traditional Swiss and German breakfast or light dinner food that consists of various types of rolled oats along with small pieces of nuts and fruits. Muesli is, essentially, an even more antioxidant-rich and healthy version of Oatmeal.

When combined with Chia seeds and soaked overnight in skim milk, you wake up to a DELICIOUS and remarkably healthy breakfast. I know I cook healthy a lot... but this is the healthiest of the healthy. This stuff might make you turn into a superhuman. It's just that good for you!

For 211 calories per serving, you're getting 11.4 grams of protein (wow) and 4.5 grams of dietary fiber. From those of you who read my post yesterday on why you need more fiber in your diet... can I get an amen?

Chia Muesli Breakfast Pudding
Prep Time (Night Before): 2 minutes
Prep Time (Morning Of): 2 minutes
Calories Per Serving: 211
WW Points (Previous): 0

WW Points Plus: 6

Ingredients (Makes 4 servings):

• 2 cups Milk, Nonfat, Fluid
• 3/4 cup Muesli-Old Country Style
• 4oz Yogurt
• 1/4 cup Dried Cranberries (Craisins will also work)
• 4 oz Chia Seeds
• 1/4 cup raw Blueberries
• 1/4 cup Strawberries (cut)
• 1 tbsp dry PB2 (combined with 1/2 tbsp water and stirred to make Peanut Butter... or just use another organic or natural peanut butter that you have on hand, though the PB2 option is much lower in calories)
• 1/8 cup Finely Diced Walnuts

Directions:

1. Combine Muesli, Chia seeds, and Milk and soak overnight.
2. Heat over stove or microwave. 
3. Add other toppings on top and serve!

Credits:
Top 10 Benefits of Chia Seeds

100 Calorie Skinny Oreo Dip

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I know. Your mind is blown right now. Because you can finally eat Oreos without ruining your diet. Congratulations! The world is yours! Happy Monday :)

The pictures in this post are the equivalent of two servings (I kindly shared this treat with Justin. What a lucky kid, no?!). By following the recipe below, you'll get a total of 8 servings. That means you can have seven new best friends if you share!

Instead of boring thrilling you with my fabulous witty word vomit, read more for drool-worthy pics and THE RECIPE!