Healthy Recipes: 4 Ingredient Raw Peanut Butter Cookies

Peanut butter and chocolate...need I say more?  This is a great snack, dessert, recovery food, what have you!  

This is probably one of the simplest, most addictive cookie recipe (especially for pb fans!).  The ingredients are easy to find, all natural, and wholesome.  All you need is a food processor, the ingredients, and that's it(:

The ingredients are...

• 1/4 cup of oat flour (you can make your own by putting rolled oats into a food processor or buy it at most grocery stores)
• or 1/3 cup of rolled oats (this is an estimate)
• 1 tablespoon of chocolate chips
• 1 tablespoon of honey
• 1/4 cup of your pb of choice (I used a toffee protein flavor)

Take all of the ingredients, except the chocolate chips, and put them in the processor.  Blend until smooth.  Then, scoop out the mixture into a bowl, and add the chips.  Roll the cookies into balls, and enjoy!  Each cookie was about a tablespoon big.  This would be a great healthy snack for kids (they would love to help you roll cookies into balls, too), bring to the office Christmas party, or just have around the house. My roommates and friends gave me the stamp of approval, too! 

 For these amounts, it yielded about 7 cookies at about 100 calories, 5 grams of protein,  10 grams of carbs, and 4 grams of sugar.  Not bad for a dessert, if you ask me! 

Product Review: B-Up Protein Bars!

Recently, I was sent a sample of an up-and-coming protein bar brand, B-UP! I am so pumped to share my review with you all. 
With 20 grams of protein, 180 calories or less, high fiber, low sugar, and natural ingredients, this is the perfect snack to keep you on track for a healthy lifestyle.  So far, they have 3 great flavors that not only satisfy your sweet tooth, but they help keep you full until your next full meal!  I loved each of the flavors, even baked.  Each bar was chewy and soft, which was the thing that made them memorable to me.  They had a great texture and a marshmallow type of taste to each.  I would definitely recommend these for a snack or post-workout recovery food!

Their flavors:

• Sugar Cookie: This flavor was sweet and made me think of sugar cookie dough, with a hint of marshmallow.  This one was awesome baked!
• Chocolate Mint: I would have to say this flavor was my favorite.  It was like an Andes mint or Thin Mint girl scout cookie.  I didn't get a chance to have this flavor baked, but I really liked it room temperature!  It had one layer of chocolate with a layer of mint, as well as chocolate chunks.  YUM.
• Cinnamon Roll: This one was absolutely delicious baked too!  It made me think of a cross between a cinnamon roll (obviously) and a snicker doodle cookie. 

 
With healthy ingredients and high protein, I would definitely say this protein bar brand is a great choice!  You won't feel derailed from your healthy lifestyle while being able to snack on something sweet.  I hope you enjoy them as much as I did!

You can purchase these bars on their website, which I will provide below, or at GNC!

http://www.bupbar.com/

Healthy Recipes: Whole Wheat Pancakes

Last Sunday, my dad and I decided to make pancakes.  Although many people consider pancakes consider an unhealthy way to start the day, I disagree.  If you want to make that your splurge and add some crazy stuff to your cakes, by all means, go for it.  But, if you're sneaky like me, there are ways to have you cake and eat it, too (without making it your "cheat meal").  Get it?  Have your cake? Pancakes? Okay, I'm done.

Perfect morning combination. 

So, in this post, I will give you a recipe that makes quick and easy pancakes, while also some tips to order pancakes out if you are at a restaurant.  

When making pancakes at home or ordering at a restaurant, try to opt for a whole wheat blend.  It will keep you fuller longer. Other types of pancakes that are healthier options are oat or buckwheat.  They are slow digesting, complex carbs as well.  Some restaurants may not offer this option, and that's okay.  Not every meal is going to be perfect.
Also order any toppings on the side.  That way, you can control how much syrup, butter, what have you, goes on that pancake.  Some restaurants go crazy with toppings, like whipped cream or chocolate chips, which really doesn't seem necessary to me when you have butter and syrup to top your pancake.  I used to only eat the pancake with chocolate chips plain, back in the day.  The syrup and butter was overkill.

When it comes to syrup alternatives, I wouldn't suggest sugar free syrup, to be honest.  It is full of chemicals.  Natural maple syrup is the way to go, if you are going that route.  In addition, butter isn't always a "no-no".  Just add the syrup in spoonfuls instead of pouring it on. Butter can be a healthy fat if you only add one tablespoon maximum.  I don't like butter on my pancake, but for some, this is a must. The trick to butter and syrup is moderation.

Personally, I like adding yogurt to my pancake.  See if this is an option.  Try Greek yogurt, if it is available.  Sometimes, restaurants offer it on the "a la carte" menu with berries and granola.  This is a great way to top your pancake and skip out of syrup/butter.  Just practice moderation with that granola!

Whether you are ordering whole wheat or regular, try to stick with one pancake.  When you think about it, pancakes are pretty filling by themselves.  I don't feel the need to eat a short stack anymore when I take my time and enjoy the large pancake in front of me.  Add a side of fruit to your meal for antioxidants and fiber, a glass of milk for protein and calcium, or eggs for added protein.

My dad and I decided to go with a whole wheat pancake mix (Aunt Jemima brand). The mix required  one egg, oil, and milk.  I used two egg whites in place of the egg, oil, and nonfat milk.  My dad took 1/3 cup of batter, about, for each pancake (except mine).  He is the perfect pancake maker.  He just sprays the pan lightly, puts the batter on, flips when the bubbles form.  That's it!

We also threw some blueberries in mine, which is my favorite. I topped my pancake with honey flavored Noosa yogurt and more berries.  My dad made me an extra large pancake (he was making two per person, and I asked for just one...so he decided to just combine the two I guess).  I ate the whole thing anyway, and it was DELICIOUS.  This breakfast was easy, healthy, quick, and big.  I was full the entire morning and felt fueled enough to shoot some baskets with him after we ate.

Most important meal of the day done right.  Enjoy!

Product Review: New Vega One Formula!

Over the summer, I got the opportunity to review some samples from the vegan protein powder brand Vega.  They came out with a new "all-in-one" protein powder that has so many great health benefits called Vega One.  This is a great supplement for those who are cutting out dairy or gluten, like those with lactose intolerance, celiac, or vegans.  Sometimes, when you have those restrictions, you have a hard time getting the nutrition you need.  This powder is a great way to fill in those gaps.  What I like about it is that I feel really great using it because of the all natural, clean ingredients.  For 160 calories per serving, you get 20 grams of protein, 6 servings of greens, 50 % of your daily recommendations of vitamins and minerals, 1.5 grams of Omega-3 fatty acids (SO good for you), antioxidants (the equivalent of 3.3 cups of blueberries), 1 billion probiotics (the equivalent of one cup of yogurt), and 25% of your daily recommendation of fiber.  I have never had a protein powder that covered so many bases, so I was really pumped for this sample.

This company asked me to review their new product before it hits shelves, and I was so excited. They mailed me a box of their french vanilla flavor.  God knows I'm a sucker for anything vanilla.  

Green smoothie without having to ravage my fridge for spinach(:

My little brother asked "Can I be in your blog?" Who could deny that face?

I used it as a nice recovery snack.  I blended it with ice, water, half of a cup of frozen strawberries, and half of a cup of frozen peaches.  It was sweet, but not overly so.   I loved that they not only improved their flavor, but it blended well.  I didn't eat after my workout until about an hour afterwards, and, by that time, my energy began to waiver.  As soon as a I drank the protein shake, I felt immensely better.  It was fruity and refreshing.  The french vanilla flavor complimented it so well!  For those who want a creamier taste (and can tolerate lactose) add some milk.  Those who cannot drink milk, I think soy or almond milk would be a great base instead of water!  I look forward to adding some frozen banana to this powder the next time I use it.  Frozen banana always makes my smoothies creamier and sweeter.

I definitely think that this new powder is worth trying!  Look out for Vega One when it comes out in January!  Here is a link for it:   http://bit.ly/newvega1