With the new year here and resolutions in full swing it can become redundant after some time of making changes. Perhaps you have already found excuses to miss the gym. Maybe that fast food restaurant was truly out of convenience even though you swore them off weeks ago. For me, I wanted to eat more balanced-not diet-just balanced and healthier.
Protein has become a nutrient I am eating consistently more and the more I pay attention to protein products, the more I realize how fun I can have creating foods that offer me the protein I need without unhealthy additives. One of my favorite snacks to quickly whip up is protein pudding (or ice cream if you freeze this recipe then eat).
In this recipe I used some favorite brands-Justin’s Almond Butter and Premier Protein Vanilla Whey Protein shake mix and milk. That’s all you need. Justin’s gives you the peanut and almond butters with only real ingredients. Make sure you choose a protein whey brand that also doesn’t have additives and is low in sugar too.
Protein Pudding Recipe
1 scoop of vanilla whey protein powder (I use Premier Protein so they have double scoops-in this case use 1/2 scoop)
Stir all ingredients together adding milk a bit at a time until you get a pudding consistency. This makes 1 serving. You can eat as is or freeze for protein ice cream. Top your pudding with cinnamon or granola but it is full of flavor as is.
Keep your eye out for Justin’s products at grocers near you. Visit Justin’s online to learn more.
I am a Premier Protein Ambassador. This post is a sponsored post and all opinions are my own #TheDayIsYours
How is your New Year starting out? Are you sticking to those health plans? Many of us spent weeks or months researching health regimens and food habits so we are ready to start the new year off right. Now that we are a few weeks in you may be wondering if you are on the right track. Are you seeing plateaus? It’s OK! This is normal. Are you eating right and consuming the right foods at the right times? Protein is one of the single most important nutrients your body needs to power through the day and workouts. So let’s talk protein…
Fun workout fact!
Did you know that when you work out you are actually damaging your muscles a bit by creating small tears? This is OK! It is in the repair process that your muscle learns to heal and in a way that it becomes stronger than it was.
In order to handle the workload and heal it uses up your body’s nutrients. Your body’s muscles will visit your “nutrition storage’ and use it all up. In order for your body and muscles to recover, you need to stock up your nutrient shelf ASAP because it is coming back for more within 20-40 minutes after your workout. This is how it was explained to me by a trainer once and thought it was some clever education to share.
When is the best time to consume protein?
First of all, you are consuming plenty of protein each day right? If not, please start today. Did you read my last paragraph? It is that important to keep protein stocked on your ‘nutrient shelf’ (or within your body). Make sure you mix protein shakes and bars with actual protein-rich whole foods too like chicken breast, eggs, greek yogurt, etc..
In the morning. Every morning-even rest days you wake up after hours of not consuming any food. Muscles will break down without protein so consuming protein right away in the morning actually helps to build muscle to start you off right for the day. Try waking up with a Premier Protein shake in any of their delicious flavors. With these shakes you get 30g of protein, 24 other essential vitamins & minerals at only 160 calories and added calcium without the loads of sugar.
Pre-Workout. You know your muscles are going to hog up all the protein you have stored so far in the day so why not reload before your workout so you have enough protein on board to make it to the finish line. Try eating a Premier Protein Bar before leaving to the gym or 30 minutes prior to your workout. If you did not know, Premier Protein does not add artificial flavors or additives to their products.
Post-Workout. Hurry! You have about a 20-40 minute window that your muscles will be frantically searching for that protein for recovery. If you did a pre-workout protein snack then you can perhaps extend that window a tad. Your body just hogged all your nutrients and if your muscles don’t get that nutrition they will not recover and repair properly. This is a great time for another Premier Protein shake or 1 scoop of Premier Protein Powder in a your blender bottle so you get all the nutrients and amino acids needed in one convenient drink.
Additionally, if you have a protein-rich lunch such as an egg salad or grilled chicken sandwich, greek yogurt with fruit & granola or chicken salad with hard boiled eggs and add some protein to your dinner your body will thank you! Don’t forget your growing, athletic teenager! They need the protein throughout the day too so pack them a shake and/or bar before they head off to school and sports practice in the afternoon.
The Giveaway
1 lucky reader will win a (random) sample assortment of Premier Protein shakes and bars. Enter below. Open to US and ends on 2/10. Good luck!
This is not a sponsored post. I was not compensated
We live near Seattle and recently visited a spot near Capitol Hill I have wanted to visit for a while now. The Seattle Starbucks Reserve Roastery and Tasting Room is must-stop in Seattle to experience the finest coffee crafting you can’t get anywhere else.
If you are a Starbucks fan you have heard that CEO Howard Schultz stepped down as CEO to focus on these new roastery concepts that I feel can be a huge hit. The outside of the building is tall with very large wood doors and when you walk inside it is almost overwhelming to the eye because there is so much to see.
Yes! It is truly the place to watch the finest beans from around the world being roasted in front of your eyes. I’d say about 40% of the atmosphere is the assembly pieces needed for the roasting and bagging of their special reserve beans. It is all around you and above you working to roast. You are simply intruding on the process to watch, taste and shop. It is an experience you won’t forget, not just a place to get coffee.
Starbucks travels the world for the finest beans and develop a signature roast for the most special of those beans found. These signature roasts become the Starbucks Special Reserve beans for sale at the Roastery, online and some storefronts.
When you walk in you are greeted then you can head into the gift shop or head to the first bar for some coffee or pastries and salads. Keep walking to the back and you get some museum-style decor to view and larger seating areas including a private area for large crowds you can try and hold down for you group.
Walk upstairs to see a fantastic view of roasting from above.
If you take a seat and choose to browse the house menu it can be confusing as there are recipes you have never seen anywhere else. At the front bar you can order your typical drinks you are used to but in the back you get some extra help. If you request an explanation of what you are wanting to taste a Barista will come sit with you like we had. He sat and helped explain the entire menu and choose a drink we may like based on our conversations and tastes we talked about.
Below is the Smoked Butterscotch Latte my BIL ordered. This one is sweet and so creamy. It is espresso and whole milk infused with smoked butterscotch and black pepper. He challenged my BIL to try despite the pepper note and it was fantastic.
They made my son a butterscotch hot chocolate. My son thought it had some orange flavor so perhaps it was a smoked butterscotch used or a special blend.
What did I order? I had to try the Shakerato Bianco. I have no words-speechless to the divine taste. You need to love the espresso taste for this one. A Shakerato is Italian iced coffee drink featuring freshly ground espresso shaken over ice and poured into a martini glass. So you get some crunch of tiny ice particles in each sip.
Because there were more of us we also ordered the taster which means we chose 3 of the days brews and had them in carafes with small tasting cups for sampling. This is a great way to give a few a try and please everyones palate at the table.
From my 8 year old son to my Father we all enjoyed the visit. You cannot comfortably walk here from Pike Place as it is many blocks up hill. However in the day of Seattle traveling you can find a parking spot and visit perhaps after dinner at some of the fantastic restaurants within a block or two of the Roastery. Located at 1124 Pike St. Seattle, Wa.
Holiday Gift Guide Feature: Holland House Wine Cooking Sauces
Chances are you have a foodie on your gift list. Even if you have a hard-to-shop for on your list, you can’t go wrong with food and kitchen gifts. One of my favorite gifts is to gather kitchen items and accompanying food for a basket. You can buy a good thermos and add some coffee and teas for a beverage basket. Or you may find deals on frying pans or a wok and add some sauces like the wine cooking sauces from Holland House. The uses for these sauces are endless. You can marinade, cook and saute with them for delicious flavors.
If you are the one hosting holiday meals, you will love the flavors Holland House sauces add to your meats and poultry. Even seafood can get a bold flavor with these. It will become your go to bottle when cooking meals. It has for me.
When I was first sent the wines I started browsing the Holland House website and found their recipe page. I saw a recipe for Chicken Piccata on Campanelle with Lemon Butter Sauce and I had all of those ingredients already in my fridge and cupboard. I followed the recipe and it was a hit! I will share that recipe below!
Chicken Piccata on Campanelle with Lemon Butter Sauce (from Holland House recipes)
Ingredients:
4-6 boneless chicken breasts, sliced into 1 inch long and ½ inch wide pieces
1 lemon, halved
2 tsp. garlic powder
½ tsp. kosher salt
1 tsp. fresh ground pepper
15 capers
⅓ cup Holland House White Cooking Wine
1 box of campanelle pasta
1 stick butter, unsalted
Directions:
Combine chicken, garlic powder, salt, pepper, cooking wine, juice from half a lemon and 10 capers. Cover and refrigerate for 2 hours.
Bring a large pot of salted water to boil. Add the pasta and cook until al dente, according to package directions. Drain and keep warm when done
Combine the butter and juice from the remaining lemon half in a small saucepan. Whisk together and cook on low heat. Add the chicken and marinade to the saucepan and cook thoroughly.
Transfer pasta to plates and top with chicken and sauce. Garnish with remaining capers.
You can find these sauces at retailers and grocers near you. Give it a try and pick up a bottle and start using it as a marinade and sauce. You can pick up a few and add to your gifting baskets this season as well. Make sure you follow them so you are on alert to promotions. You can also sign up and save on their website to get coupons.
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