Tuesday, February 10, 2015

Two Delicious & Healthy Drinks - THM Friendly

I cannot believe I waited this long to try the Shrinker.  It was one of the first videos that I'd seen from the Trim Healthy Mamas themselves - Serene Allison & Pearl Barrett.  I used to drink A LOT of iced chai latte from Starbucks - it was soooo good.  But it's got a whopping 42 grams of sugar!!  WHAT!?!?  Anyway, enter the Shrinker from the THM ladies… This drink has less than 20 calories and zero sugar added.  Oh my word it's me back in Chai land.  Ahhhhh =)

Initially, I shied away from trying this drink because of the key ingredient - Oolong Tea.  I'd never heard of it before and have yet to find it in a store.  I mean seriously - Oolong?  Even the name is funny lookin' right?  Well, a couple weeks ago, I saw a post about Prince of Peace Organic Oolong Tea being on sale at Puritans' Pride (and as of this post, it still is 2 boxes of 100 for $14.95).  Well, I took the plunge and ordered it.  I am so glad I did.

Today, I followed Serene & Pearl's video (and ignored the parts where they talk over each other) but ultimately, I had the most amazing "healthy" drink EVER!! It tastes so much like an iced chai latte, ohhhh so good.

The purpose of the Shrinker is well… to "shrink" you.  It's used between meals to keep blood sugar levels balanced and helps us stay full on liquids instead of getting all "snacky."  The health benefits are immense as well - some supported, some not, but if you're curious - do a quick search and check it out.  Well, enough of my rambling about that…

Later in the day, for my afternoon snack, I tried another beverage recipe:

The Snickers Smoothie.  Yes, it was a Snickers-like "milk shake" really.  Link to the recipe is HERE.

Here's what I used:

1 cup Unsweetened Vanilla Almond Milk
1 scoop Vanilla Whey Protein (didn't have any plain)
3 TBS Peanut Flour
2 TBS Cocoa (unsweetened)
1/2 tsp Caramel Extract
1/4 tsp Gluccomannan (optional if you don't have any - it's a thickener and also helps you feel full)
Pinch Sea Salt
2 TBS Sweetener (I used a Stevia & Erythritol Blend - pretty much the same as Truvia)
1 cup Ice

Blend it all together using my Nutri-Ninja cup and it made just over two pints.

I thought, as I was putting this together, that it might be a bit too powdery.  Nope.  Everything blended up nicely and for the first time, I was very happy about using the Gluccomannan.  It thickened this smoothie to the point of a creamy milkshake.  Imagine a straw-worthy, slightly melted Wendy's Frosty with a peanut-y/caramel taste.  Are there there?  Yes.  You should make this.  Even if you don't have the Glucomannan or Peanut Flour - use a TBS of natural peanut butter instead.  Peanut butter would add some fat, but seriously - it'd be worth it.

And moving on to the meals for yesterday and today:

Monday:
B:  Oatmeal w/cinnamon & sweetener topped w/blended cottage cheese & frozen blueberries
L:  Turkey Swiss wrap w/salad greens & Laughing Cow Garlic & Herb (used Joseph's Lavash)
S:  Handful peanuts
D: Salmon Patties (a.k.a. "Crabby Patties") w/steamed broccoli, butter and cheese
S:  PB Cup - just one as it was late and I just wanted something sweet

Tuesday:
B:  Oatmeal w/cinnamon & sweetener topped w/blended cottage cheese & frozen blueberries
L:  Ham & Cheddar w/mustard & salad greens on Joseph's Lavash
S:  Snickers Smoothie
D: Beef Enchiladas w/salad
S:  PB Cup - just one again - almost out - need to make more!!

That's all for today folks!  Thanks for playing Movie quotes with me last week.  Here are the answers in case you were wondering…

Sunday Feb 8 "Must Love Dogs"
Friday Feb 5 "Frozen"
Wednesday Feb 4 "Terminator" to name only one
Tuesday Feb 3 - "Matrix"
Monday Feb 2 - "When Harry Met Sally"

Have a great week!


Sunday, February 8, 2015

THM Really Works - Down another 2 lbs!!

I was so excited when I stepped on the scale this morning.  I try not to weigh in too obsessively and usually weigh-in on Sundays, but I was just wondering and...  YAY!

In my food world today, I didn't get the fruits and veggies I was aiming for and this morning it dawned on me why.  First, most of the fruit is in the freezer and therefore, out of sight, out of mind.  Totally forgot it was there.  I woke up late and didn't have time to fix the oatmeal - which is where my morning fruit usually is.  I probably could've put some frozen berries in the fridge overnight for my cereal - there's a thought.  Anyway, around dinner time, I realized my lack of anything green today, so I added a side salad.

Here's the details
B:  Uncle Sam Whole Berry Flakes & Flax Seed w/unsweetened vanilla almond milk
L:  Turkey breast with mayo on Joseph's Lavash
S:  Choc. PB Cups (from last night - yummo!)
D:  Pizza using Joseph's Pita w/sausage & turkey pepperoni and salad with cheese, ranch & turkey bacon bits
S:  Chocolate Cake in a Mug (THM Recipe) w/ chocolate cream cheese frosting 

New for today is a healthy coffee creamer.  I've been trying to find a coffee creamer to replace the last of the sugar in my life that resides in my coffee creamer.  I've found 2 that work with the THM lifestyle.  Here are the recipes:

Coffee Creamer
1-2 tsp vanilla extract
1 doonk (1/32 tsp) stevia extract
1 and 3/4 cup unsweetened Almond Milk
1 scoop Whey Protein Powder
1 tsp stevia/erythritol blend
Stir into coffee, sweeten more if needed with on-plan sweetener

"BulletProof" Coffee 
1 mug brewed coffee
1-2 tsp unsalted butter (pref grassfed)
1-2 tsp coconut oil (pref MCT)
vanilla or other flavoring (optional)
sweetener to taste
Blend 'til creamy (in a blender)
 
NOTE:  Shake and carefully unscrew lid to release air a few times if making in Bullet-style blender BEFORE actually blending to avoid messes.


So uh… it appears that I walked away from my computer and didn't post this on Friday night.  Ah well, here is  a rare Sunday post for your perusal…  I may as well include my weekend meals too:

Saturday
B:  Sausage & Cheese on Low Carb Tortilla (S)
L:  Steak Wrap w/cheddar, side salad with ranch (S)
S:  Handful peanuts (S)
D:  Spicy Beef & Broccoli over "Pasta Zero"(Recipe to be posted soon!) (S)
S:  Choc PB Cups (yep made more!) (S)

Sunday
B:  Oatmeal w/whipped cottage cheese & blueberries (E)
L:  Turkey w/mayo on Joseph's Lavash (E)
S:  Nothing yet...
D:  Haven't eaten yet!
S:  Probably PB Cups LOL!

Oh and something else I've been doing… Sippers!!  These are between meal drinks that help keep you full and offer great health benefits to boot.

Here's one I've particularly enjoyed:
Tazo's Passion Tea brewed with sweetener added (I make a 2-quart pitcher and share that with the fam)

In a quart jar, pour a half a jar of Passion Tea.  Add 2 TBS Bragg Organic Apple Cider Vinegar, 1/2 tsp powdered ginger and additional sweetener if you like (I've been adding about four drops of liquid stevia).  Stir.  Add ice to raise the liquid level to the top.  Enjoy!

Passion Tea Sipper
Hope you are enjoying your weekend!!  Live today as if it were your last because you never know when it might be.

Movie quote:  "The best place to meet a guy is at the supermarket.  You don't need to waste a lot of time there, either.  You see a guy holding a list, you know he's married.  He's in the frozen food section carrying a small basket, he's single.  I like to hang out by the fruits and vegetables, there's a better chance of getting a guy who's healthy."

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