I am an August Foodie Penpal!

Taking part in The Lean Green Bean's Foodie Penpals has by far been one of the coolest things I've done! Here's what happens in a nutshell (read her blog for more info)...I send a box of $15 worth of fun food to someone, and someone else sends me $15 worth of fun food!

This was my first time taking part in Foodie Penpals, but I am already excited for September's package! My August Foodie Penpal box came from Beth in Alaska! She sent me peppered, original, and teriyaki king salmon jerky, Alaska hunterstick (with added reindeer meat!), and some blueberry herbal tea! I told her I really like chocolate, coffee, and peanut butter, but I forgot to mention I LOVE jerky!!! She also included a beautiful Alaskan postcard with a lovely little note.

I sent my Foodie Penpal package to Adam in New York, hopefully he got it, and maybe tomorrow I'll post about what I sent him!

What I Ate Wednesday

Well friends, turns out the real world is really taking a beating on the amount of free time I have to blog, but I have been an Instagram fool lately (follow me on there!)

Anyway, here is what I ate yesterday brought to you by Peas and Crayons:

Overnight oats for breakfast with banana and PB2 mixed in, and of course my coffee (not pictured)

Morning snack- pineapple Chobani

Lunch was whole wheat bread with turkey and romain lettuce, carrots, and kiwi

I snuck in 2 Dove dark chocolates for an afternoon pick me up, they're my weakness.

For supper I had this spinach, chicken (sautéed in coconut oil and chipotle seasoning), black bean, corn off one cobb, and half an avocado salad.

I went for a 4 mile run and refueled with this protein shake: 1 scoop vanilla whey protein, 8 oz chocolate soy milk, 1/2 c plain Chobani, and 1 T PB2 iny blender bottle

 

Iced Mocha

Ok so I mixed this up last night and put it in the fridge so it was ready to go for my first day of school as a speech language pathologist : ) let's just say its amazing! My roommate even tried it and loved it and asked me to write down the recipe, so here it is!

1/4 c HOT water
1 1/2 T instant coffee
1 c chocolate soy milk (more if necessary)
1 t Hershey's unsweetened cocoa powder
1 T Walden Farms zero calorie chocolate syrup

Wish together, pour over ice and ENJOY!

Tuna Salad

I created my own clean version of tuna salad for supper tonight and paired it with spinach in a flat out wrap.

Tuna Salad
2.6 oz tuna
3/4 c nonfat plain Greek yogurt (I didn't actually measure it out, I just kept adding it until I got the consistency I was looking for, and you should do the same)
1/2 of an apple diced
1 stalk of celery diced
1 c cooked quinoa (I just used what I had left over, I didn't really measure this either)
cracked black pepper to taste

Mix together, refrigerate, and enjoy!

Frozen Treats

I've made two different types of frozen treats in the past week, both have been very refreshing during these hot Nebraska summer days!

The first was my fro-yo popsicles inspired by Get Fit Feel Sexy.

Strawberry Banana Fro-Yo Pops
1 frozen banana
1 carton of strawberries
1 cup nonfat plain greek yogurt
1/2 c unsweetened vanilla almond milk

Blend well together in a blender, pour into popsicle containers, freeze and enjoy!

I can't wait to try other flavors!

Chocolate Peanut Butter Banana Fro-Yo
1 frozen banana
1 c nonfat plain greek yogurt
1 T unsweetened cocoa powder
1 T PB2

Blend well together in a blender, pour back into yogurt container and freeze. Enjoy with Walden Farms zero calorie caramel or chocolate sauce, more peanut butter, or whatever toppings of your choice!

What I Ate Wednesday

To track my eating habits I have decided to do what several clean eaters do and document EVERYTHING I eat throughout the day. Now for those of you who follow me on Instagram, I'm sure you get sick of me posting pretty much everything I eat, but you can either quit following me or learn to like it ; )

SO I am taking part in What I Ate Wednesday hosted by the lovely Jenn at Peas and Crayons!

Breakfast:
Protein oats with steamed apple and cinnamon along with Love Grown Foods apple walnut delight and chia seeds on top. Coffee on the side of course!

 

Lunch:
I went shopping with my mom and sister in Omaha so we had lunch at Panera Bread. I got the chopped chicken cobb salad with avocado and the roasted turkey and avocado BLT with an apple and water!

 

Snack:
Love Grown Foods apple walnut delight (I'm addicted) I packed along for the car ride home.

Supper:
Flatout wrap with avocado, quinoa, spinach, and bacon. Paired with veggies and my homemade dill weed dip (see recipe below), and one juicy mango for dessert!

Dill Weed Dip:

1 1/2 c nonfat plain greek yogurt

1/2 c low fat mayo

1 T parsley flakes

1 T onion flakes

1 t beau monde

1 t dill weed

Mix together and refrigerate. Enjoy with veggies as a healthier alternative to ranch dressing! 

Best Pancakes EVER!

Ok if you love chocolate like I do, these will be the best pancakes ever, if you're not a chocolate lover, well then they'll still probably be the best ; )

I actually just pinned this recipe on Pinterest yesterday (follow me!) and when I saw it was from Chocolate Covered Katie I knew it had to be good AND healthy- perfect! I tweaked the recipe a tad (don't I always) and here it is:

Brownie Batter Pancakes
1/4 c whole wheat flour
1/4 t baking powder
1 T unsweetened cocoa powder
1 T ground flax seeds
1 pkt stevia
dash of salt
1 T coconut oil
1/2 T unsweetened applesauce
1 t vanilla
3 T eggwhites
3 T unsweetened vanilla almond milk

Heat pan on medium/high heat and cook in coconut oil using the same method as regular pancakes. Top with Walden Farms zero calorie chocolate sauce and ENJOY!

Pumpkin Oat Pancakes

I tweaked Katie's Clean Eats recipe a bit to make the batter more of a consistency that I prefer.

Pumpkin Oat Pancakes
1/3 c oats
1/3 c eggwhites
1/3 c pumpkin
1/3 c unsweetened vanilla almond milk (or to your preferred consistency)
2 T whole wheat flour
2 t chia seeds
1 t vanilla
1/4 t baking powder
A dash of cinnamon, nutmeg, and all spice

Mix well together and cook on medium heat like regular pancakes.

I topped mine with Land O Lakes all natural cinnamon butter and 100% all natural maple syrup! Don't forget my morning cup of joe!

Crazy Combinations

As I've mentioned, I LOVE breakfast and have no problem coming up with something to eat in the mornings. In fact, sometimes I have a hard time deciding between all of my amazing choices! However, I feel like I'm less creative when it comes to lunch and supper. So lately I've been trying some crazy new combinations for those meals.

Wraps- tuna mixed with plain Greek yogurt and spread on a flat out wrap with hummus and avocado. OR turkey, bacon, avocado, and spinach on a flat out wrap, mmmmm!

Sweet potato with plain Greek yogurt topped with cinnamon an quinoa on the side!

Romaine lettuce wraps with quinoa, drizzled in teriyaki sauce!

I can't wait to see what I come up with next! (Lately I've been getting a lot of 'your food looks so weird' comments on Instagram, but it all tastes SO good! Hehehe)

Protein Oats

Ok this is my second 'go-to' oats recipe that I just came up with...

Protein Oats
1/3 c oats
1/2 c unsweetened vanilla almond milk
1 T ground flax seed

Microwave for 1:45

Mix in 1/2 scoop vanilla whey protein powder and add more unsweetened vanilla almond milk if necessary.

Add toppings of your choice. Today I put half a steamed pear with cinnamon and chia seeds on top of mine, heavenly!

PB&J Oatmeal Yogurt Parfait

I got this recipe idea from a girl I follow on Instagram @cef0968

PB & J Oatmeal Yogurt Parfait
Cook 1/2 c oats with 1 c water
Stir in 2 T vanilla whey protein powder

Mix 1/4 c PB2 with water until desired consistency

Then layer in a clear glass/jar with nonfat plain Greek yogurt and blackberry chia jam or whatever fruit of your choice!

(I refrigerated mine for close to an hour and a half while I got my oil changed and my tires rotated because I didn't have time to eat it before I left. It's good cold but I might try it warm next time!)

Logan View, Lincoln, London

One of my friends, former teammates and roommates, Jordan Larson-Burbach is playing volleyball in the Olympics for team USA. I played with her in high school at Logan View, then lived with her for a year in Lincoln while she played for the Nebraska Cornhuskers, and now it's still hard to believe that I'm watching her compete with the rest of the world as an Olympian! Very cool.

There are three of these signs up as you enter the Logan View school district from each direction, I get to drive by one every day and I love every minute of it.

Chocolate Banana Mug Muffin

(STUFT Mama's 3 Minute Banana Muffin Mug)

Chocolate Banana Mug Muffin
1 banana mashed
2 T whole wheat flour
2 T oats
1 T ground flaxseed
2 T eggwhites
1 pkt stevia
1/2 t baking powder
1/2 t unsweetened cocoa powder

Mix together and pour into a mug sprayed with nonstick cooking spray. Microwave for 3 minutes then dump on plate.

Yesterday I topped mine with Land O Lakes all natural cinnamon butter and PB2, today I topped mine with PB2 and Walden Farms zero calorie chocolate syrup!

I can't wait to try different things in the muffin like applesauce and other fruit toppings!

 

 

Trail Mix

Just a little healthy, clean, all natural snack I threw together!

Trail Mix
1/4 c raisins
1/4 c raw sunflower seeds
1/4 c soynuts
1/4 c raw pumpkin seeds

Chocolate Banana Pancakes

Chocolate Banana Pancakes
1/2 c oats
1 scoop vanilla whey protein powder
1/2 c unsweetened vanilla almond milk
1/2 banana mashed
2 eggwhites
1 egg
1 t baking powder
1/2 t cocoa powder
(stevia and cinnamon optional)

Mix together and cook on medium heat like regular pancakes.

I enjoyed mine with a little all natural Land O Lakes cinnamon butter, PB2, and Walden Farms zero calorie chocolate syrup, amazing! Can't wait to try other toppings!

Recipe from Katie's Clean Eats

Healthy Cookie Dough Dip

I know, the title looks like an oxymoron but it's the truth, I promise!

This recipe is similar to Chocolate Covered Katie's recipe.

Healthy Cookie Dough Dip
1 can garbanzo beans/chick peas, drained
1/4 c PB2
1/4 c brown sugar
2 t vanilla
1/8 t baking soda
1/8 t salt
3 T oats
1/4 c unsweetened vanilla almond milk

Combine in food processor and blend well. Add mini chocolate chips and enjoy with pretzels, graham crackers or fruit! I like mine on top of cottage cheese with Walden Farms zero calorie chocolate sauce.

Chocolate Caramel Coffee

I drink coffee every morning. Before my parents moved into their new house, I had the privilege of using my mom's Keurig. Now that they have moved out, I am back to my regular old coffee maker.

I never seem to make just the right amount for my travel coffee mug so I always have leftover cold coffee when I get home later in the day.

I got tired of dumping out that extra bit of coffee each evening so I came up with a solution. I poured the extra coffee into a small plastic cup and set it in the freezer. Now when I want an iced coffee I can use that big chunk of frozen coffee instead of regular ice cubes which dilute it anyway.

Lately my favorite thing to add to my coffee, no matter hot or cold, is chocolate soy milk and sugar free Torani caramel syrup. Delish!

Overnight Oats

I LOVE making overnight oats for one main reason, they are ready to eat right when I wake up without any morning prep work! Most of the time I even take them on the go with me in my handy little plastic Ball jars I found at WalMart of all places!

Same disclaimer: Not sure who came up with this recipe first, but they are also a genius and this is the recipe I have compiled for myself.

Overnight Oats
1/3 c oats
1/3 c unsweetend vanilla almond milk
1/3 c plain greek yogurt
1 t chia seeds

Then the possibilities are once again endless...I have added 1 whole peach, 1 whole mashed banana with 1 t unsweetened cocoa powder or 1 T PB2, 1/4 c blueberries, raspberries, or strawberries, and maybe a little honey, 100% all natural maple syrup or stevia for sweetener...whatever you'd like!

Shake well in container, refrigerate overnight, and enjoy cold the next morning!

Let me know what flavors you come up with!

Blackberry Chia Jam

Disclaimer: I have seen some form of this recipe in several different places, I don't know who thought of it first, it wasn't me, but whoever it was is genius.

Blackberry Chia Jam
1 c blackberries (or any fresh/frozen berries)
1 T chia seeds
1 pkt stevia

Mash all together and refrigerate. You can double or triple the recipe like I do and you'll have jam for days!

I love it on top of my oats, mixed in my cottage cheese, or as part of an all natural PB&J on whole wheat bread with Dark Chocolate Dreams or White Chocolate wonderful from Peanut Butter & Co!