Muscle Milk {Protein} Brownies


No need to worry about the proposed dessert tax that may accompany the new FDA dietary guidelines. These brownies are high in protein but, low in added sugar.

Muscle Milk {Protein} Brownies
Ingredients 
1/4 Cup Oats
3/4 Cup plain Greek Yogurt
1/2 Cup honey or Agave
1/2 Cup Cocoa Powder
1/2 Cup chocolate Muscle Milk protein powder
1/4 Cup liquid egg whites
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp vanilla

Optional: ½ cup chopped almond pieces 

Frosting
2 Tbs chocolate Muscle Milk Protein Powder
3 Tbs honey or agave
1/2 Cup plain Greek yogurt
1/4 Tbs cocoa powder
1 tsp vanilla
2 Tbs natural peanut butter


Directions
Preheat oven to 350. In the blender, add oats first and grind into flour. Combine remaining brownie ingredients and blend well. Stir in the nuts if desired. Pour into a greased 8×8 baking dish and bake for 25 minutes. Combine frosting ingredients in a small bowl and set aside. Frost while still warm. Dust with Himalayan sea salt or espresso grounds if desired.

You can find the Muscle Milk Protein Powder here.

#myplate

These power bites taste more like a protein bar than a pan of brownies,
but without the aftermath of a sugar spike,
they energize and build lean muscle.


Warrior Smoothie

On a recent trip to visit our peeps in SoCal, we stopped by a superfood bar for a quick pick-me-up with a "Warrior" smoothie. Laden with nutritious greens and sweetened with dates, it was a refreshing way to reboot the system that really did make me feel more like a warrior. Whenever the head begins to get cloudy, or the body begins to feel sluggish, the Warrior is a great way to cleanse. So, now I've been making these at home.


Warrior Smoothie


Ingredients:
4 cups kale or spinach
1 cup unsweetened almond milk
1 apple (cored)
1 frozen banana
4 dates
1 tablespoon almond butter

*You may add protein powder for a boost if desired.

Directions:
Add almond milk to the blender, then add the greens. Place all remaining ingredients on top. Turn on the lowest speed first, then gradually increase to top speed until smooth and frothy. Dilute with water as needed.



A fabulous way to use up those greens past their prime in the fridge!

¡Salud!

Homemade Muesli


While traveling through Europe this summer, we discovered muesli unlike anything sold here in the States.

The muesli here is mostly oats, and sells for about $7 a box, which explains why it is not a common commodity in America. European muesli leans more toward trail mix than oatmeal and is everywhere. We must have sampled at least a dozen brands as we passed through England, France, Belgium, Germany and Ireland. The sheer variety was amazing.

Whether you have a full day of sightseeing planned, or just a typical day ahead, muesli is power food

My family is now hooked, so we have begun creating our own muesli at home for a fraction of the box price. 

Here's a basic recipe, but feel free to improvise:

4 cups raw oatmeal
2 cups dried and diced pineapple/mango chunks
1/2 cup raw sunflower seeds
1 cup unsweetened coconut flakes
1/3 cup flax seeds
1/2 cup raw pumpkin seeds
1 cup raisins or dried cranberries
1 cup chopped dates (rolled in flour)
1 cup chopped dried apples
1 cup chopped nuts (macadamia, peanuts, almonds or walnuts)

Store in an airtight container.


Serve mixed with Greek yogurt or milk
topped with fresh fruit and honey if desired.