Oatmeal Raisin Protein Cookies

Oatmeal Raisin Protein Cookies

While snacks are really a made up thing, and our belief that we need “snack foods” is something that we’ve been told we should want by advertising, I do get that sometimes we need something quick and small that we can easily munch on while on the go or even stuck at our desk.

And because all too often the easiest snacks to grab lack protein, I think it is important to share recipes that are quick “snacks” that help you hit your macros and that 40% protein that I recommend you hit each day.

That is why I want to share this Oatmeal Raisin Protein Cookie Recipe! You can make these and have a sweet, protein treat ready when you need it all week!

Oatmeal Raisin Protein Cookie Recipe

(Picture courtesy of one of my clients doing my 6-Week Macro Cycling Shred!)

Servings 15

Ingredients
3/4 cup Almond butter
1.5 cup vanilla protein powder
3/4 cup honey
2 cup Oats
1 cup Light Coconut Milk
1/2 cup Raisins (you can sub chocolate chips or chopped nuts)
2 tsp Vanilla extract

In a food processor, mix all ingredients together except for the raisins (chocolate chips or chopped nuts). Once you have dough you can mold with your hands, mix in your toppings.

Divide your mix into 15 balls. Place them on a tray lined with baking paper and press them down into cookies. (If crumbly, add a bit more honey and coconut milk.)

Bake the cookies at 325 degrees F for 8-12 minutes. Just be sure to keep an eye on them and do not over bake or they will come out very dry!

Remove them as soon as they’ve browned on top. They will still look wet, but let them sit for a bit and they will firm. Do not over bake!

MACRO BREAKDOWN:
Calories: 300
Protein: 24 grams
Carbs: 29 grams
Fat: 9 grams
*This is with Raisins not chocolate or nuts.

These are a great afternoon snack to hold you over or even pre-workout! And to fit your macros you can even make these servings smaller or bigger as needed! Depending on what you put in them too, you can even slightly adjust the macros to be higher fat or lower carb as well.

What are your go-to snacks to get more protein?

Love how delicious these look and want to try my 6-Week Macro Cycling Shred? Check it out HERE!

Tis The Season Of Pumpkin Spice Lattes…

Tis The Season Of Pumpkin Spice Lattes…

When coffee shops start advertising their Pumpkin Spice Lattes, you know fall, and the endless array of seasonal treats, are back!

And our waistlines don’t thank us haha

That is why I always like having some healthy seasonal recipes to bust out, including the Pumpkin Spice PROTEIN Latte.

This is a great seasonal protein shake you can treat yourself to that won’t have the sugar and fat overload of the traditional variations.

So bring on the Pumpkin Spice!

Pumpkin Spice Protein Latte

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Servings: 1

Ingredients
12 oz cold-brewed coffee
1 scoop vanilla protein powder
1-1/2 tbsp organic pumpkin puree
½ tsp pumpkin pie spice mix (can make the one below)
1 tsp honey
Ice
To make Homemade Pumpkin Pie Spice Mix:
1 tbsp nutmeg
1 tbsp cinnamon
1 tbsp ginger
1 tbsp cloves
1 tbsp all spice

First make the Pumpkin Spice Mix and save the rest for later. Add all of the other ingredients to a blender.

If you are less of a coffee fan, you can sub in some milk of choice for a few ounces of coffee.

Blend everything together with ice until mixed throughly and serve!

MACRO BREAKDOWN:
Calories: 138
Protein: 25 grams
Carbs: 9 grams
Fat: 1 grams

AHEM! The perfect high protein treat since many of you have heard me harp on the importance of making PROTEIN a focus of your diet…Especially those of you doing the Macro Cycling Shred!

Dieting Shouldn’t Mean Deprivation

Dieting Shouldn’t Mean Deprivation

Often when we hear the word diet, we immediately think, “I have to eat bland, disgusting, boring, tasteless food that leaves me just wanting the things I love.”

But that isn’t what a diet is. The word “diet” has gotten twisted into something it isn’t.

Diet is actually just simply defined as WHAT we eat. But today most of us associate the word “diet” with what we DON’T get to eat.

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Homemade Protein Bars – Vanilla Almond Coffee Oatmeal Protein Bars

Homemade Protein Bars – Vanilla Almond Coffee Oatmeal Protein Bars

Often when we want to lose weight and improve our body composition, we focus on changing our caloric intake.

But, especially if we want to change our body composition and not just lose weight on the scale, we can’t just focus on cutting calories.

If you want to create body composition changes, you need to focus on not only how many calories you consume, but on the type of calories you consume.

Not all calories are created equal.

If you are concerned with building and retaining lean muscle mass (which you should be) while you lose body fat, you need to make sure that you focus on consuming enough protein.

One great way to add in more protein to your diet, especially to support muscle growth from your workouts is by consuming Whey Protein Powder.

Don’t like the taste of protein powder in a protein shake?

Then here is a Homemade Protein Bar recipe that not only hides the taste of the Whey Protein but is also a great pre-workout snack because of the macro balance (and the little bit of caffeine from the coffee). These Vanilla Almond Coffee Oatmeal Protein Bars will give you energy to power through your workout so you can build lean muscle mass!

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A Healthy Creamy Garlic Sauce

A Healthy Creamy Garlic Sauce

I think often people feel  like eating well means eating flavorless food.

But it doesn’t have to be that way.

Below is a great Creamy Garlic Sauce to add flavor to meatballs, burgers or even chicken.

And the best part is…IT’S HEALTHY!

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