Healthy Protein Snack Bites

Do any of you have trouble with mid-afternoon munchies?  I don't really have a sweet tooth, but in the middle of the afternoon, I get craving chocolate or peanutbutter, or something else just a little sweet.  

I looked high and low and found these two recipes that really help me, with 100 calories or less, to satisfy the afternoon hunger-monster. 

Peanut Butter & Pumpkin Bars
1/2 cup vanilla protein powder
1 tbsp peanut butter
1/2 cup quinoa flakes
1/4 cup pumpkin puree (not pie filling)
1/8 cup whole milk (can use almond or soy milk)
1 tbsp coconut flour
1/4 cup + 2tbsp flaked coconut

Combine all ingredients, except the 2 tbsp coconut. Shape into bars. Coat each bar by gently pressing it into the flaked coconut (the 2 tbsp that you set aside). Store in fridge or freezer.
One batch = 848 calories.
(I made 8 bars, so my bars are 106 calories each) Feel free to make the size that is right for you.

Pumpkin Peanut Butter Protein Balls

1/4 cup pumpkin puree (not pie mix)

1/4 cup peanut butter
1 cup oatmeal
2 scoops protein powder
1tbsp vanilla extract
1tbsp pumpkin pie spice
1/2 tbsp cinnamon
3 packets of stevia
Mix ingredients well, form into balls and keep in the refrigerator.

12 Healthy Things PLUS a Yummy Clean Dessert & Giveaway Link

12 Healthy Things To Try

I am trying to implement these 12 healthy things into my life, but I am not trying to do it all at once.  I am aiming to add at least one a week.

1. Plan your meals for the week ahead

2. Cut down on consumption of processed foods

3. Skip the bread basket

4. Eat more vegetables

5. Go to bed earlier

6. Keep your gym bag in the car so it is at the ready

7. Try a new workout class!

8. Try a new vegetable

9. Go vegan for a day

10. Stretch more

11. Park at the far end of the parking lot

12. Write down your health and fitness goals.

The High Protein Cheesecake Bowl 

I've made this dessert a few times when I am craving chocolate or something else a little sweet, but want to stay away from high calorie choices.

This recipe is very simple, very tasty, and easy to whip up.

All you need is:

1 cup  Greek Yogurt

1 scoop Protein Powder (use your favorite flavour - I used chocolate)

Mix them together in a bowl, and.......eat.  So yummy!!

I found the recipe on NiaShanks.com 

Giveaway Link
For the chance to win a pair of Oilsell Roga Shorts, go to http://www.thelocalelite.com/2012/08/10/oiselle-roga-short-giveaway

Healthy Frozen Treats

When the weather is hot (as it has been), I start craving popsicles and icecream cones and Klondike bars, don't ask what I'd do for a Klondike bar when I have a craving!    Those aren't part of my clean eating, so I needed to find something cleaner and healthier.

I searched around on blogs and Facebook and found a few recipes for healthy popsicles and frozen treats that I thought I'd give a try.

PROTEIN POPS

The first one is from Oxygen Magazine and is called Protein Pops

1 cup frozen fruit
1 scoop vanilla protein powder
1 tbsp ground flax seed
1/2 cup water
Blend all ingredients in a blender and pour into popsicle moulds (or dixie cups with wooden sticks) and freeze for at least 4 hours.

Mix all the ingredients into a blender and mix

Pour into popsicle moulds 

Don't forget to add the sticks (or it will be hard to get out!)

Now just freeze for 4 to 6 hours!  Yum!

FROZEN YOGURT ICE POPS

Another easy and tasty one is Frozen Yogurt Ice Pops, and I like anything with Greek Yogurt in it.  I found the recipe on Weelicious.com

1 cup greek yogurt
3 tablespoons honey
Mix together and pour into popsicle moulds and freeze for at least 4 hours

FROZEN YOGURT DOTS

The last one (and easiest to make) and great for a quick, small snack is Frozen Yogurt Dots. This recipe is from One Goodthing by Jillee

The recipe is simple, just place small drops of fruit flavoured (or plain) yogurt on to a freezer-safe cookie sheet or plate and pop them into the freezer. If you want nicely formed dots, put the yogurt into a baggie and cut out a corner to squeeze the yogurt onto the cookie sheet.  These are so delicious! 

Take the dots off of the cookie sheet/plate and put in a different container.

Keep in the freezer.

Yummy, Healthy Snack - Kale Chips!

Kale Chips

Do you love the taste and crunch of potato chips, but stay away because they aren't healthy? Me too, but I've found a much healthier alternative that is soooo easy to make and in my opinion tastes much better!

It's kale chips. 

Kale leaves, washed and thoroughly dried
2 tablespoons EVOO (extra virgin olive oil)
Sea salt, (or any spice/flavouring you prefer) for sprinkling

Preheat the oven to 275 degrees F
Remove the ribs from the kale and tear into smaller (1 1/2-inch) pieces.
Put the pieces in a bowl and toss with EVOO & spices, then place on a baking sheet.
Bake until crisp, turning the leaves halfway through, about 20 minutes.

You can try different spices and flavourings. An interesting one to add to the kale is parmesan cheese :)
Kale is full of vitamins A, C, & K plus other nutrients.