Chocolate Peanut Butter Protein Fudge

Chocolate peanut butter fudge, packed with protein, and is also dairy-free, gluten-free, vegetarian, AND vegan... AND it's delicious? What?!?!?!

Yep. It's real. I promise.

{Adapted from this recipe.}

So satisfying that you might not even want 1/10th of it in one serving!

Ingredients:

2/3 cup canned pure pumpkin puree (NOT pumpkin pie filling!)
1 tbsp unsweetened all natural cocoa powder
2 scoops chocolate protein powder

1 tsp honey (you can use agave, maple etc.)
3 packets of Stevia/sweetener
5 tbsp creamy OR crunchy natural peanut butter

optional: almonds, walnuts, granola, etc.

Directions:

In a bowl, mix everything EXTREMELY well. Stir in any add-ins, if wanted.

When done, place a piece of parchment paper (or plastic wrap) inside a freezer-safe container (this will also shape your fudge). Press into place so it's evenly distributed.

Place in your freezer for 2+ hours. (Best if done overnight.)

Both my parents AND my brother loved this! I'm obsessed myself, but that's probably because I'm a peanut butter addict!  You don't taste the pumpkin... Just a great peanut butter and chocolate-y sensation. You will love me if you try this. I promise.

Almond Joy Protein Pancakes with Pumpkin Protein Cream

Phew! That was a long title!

But, like it reads, this blog is gonna be dedicated to a recent breakfast recipe I've created; Almond Joy (inspired) protein pancakes with pumpkin protein cream. I know the combination sounds weird, but trust me on this one! I wouldn't steer you guys wrong!

I used to put so much effort into my breakfasts, but lately, especially since school restarted, I've been just sticking to creative-ish, nut butter-filled oatmeals, but I've been loving trying new pancakes every Saturday... Otherwise known as PANCAKE SATURDAY!

Ingredients:

Pancakes - Dry:
1/4 cup dry oats
1/2 scoop (about 2 tbsp) milk chocolate protein powder
1/2 tbsp unsweetened all natural cocoa powder
pinch of salt
cinnamon
1/2 tsp baking powder
1 packet of PureVia/Stevia/sweetener
shredded coconut, as much as you want
slivered almonds, as much as you want
optional: sprinkle of (about 1/4 package) chocolate almond Frosting Creations

Pancakes - Wet:
3 egg whites
1/4 tsp vanilla
1/4 large ripe banana
1/2 tbsp plain Greek yogurt

Pumpkin Protein Cream:
2 tbsp canned pure pumpkin puree
2 tbsp plain Greek yogurt
1 tsp cinnamon roll protein powder
1 packet of PureVia/Stevia/sweetener
dash of cinnamon

Directions:
In a blender (or food processor), blend your oats with about 1 tsp shredded coconut and a pinch of cinnamon until they're a flour-y consistency.

In a bowl, combine all other pancake ingredients completely, aside from your coconut and almonds. When done combining, stir them in.

While your pancakes are cooking, combine all the ingredients for the pumpkin cream.

When done, top your pancakes with everything.

And I meant everything. 

Cupcake-in-a-Microwave

Well, you all know I have an obsession with microwaved desserts. I make them often, and I go all out.

But... I think I out-done myself with this one.

Yes. That cupcake is healthy and was made in a microwave. I was as surprised as you are.

*This can be alternated to the flavor you want. The one I'm showing you is a chocolate-pumpkin flavor! Though, the chocolate overpowered the pumpkin... It was still there!

Ingredients:
2 tbsp dry oats (I used old fashioned)
2 tbsp pumpkin puree
1/2 tbsp unsweetened all natural cocoa powder
1 packet of Stevia/sweetener
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
pinch of salt
dash of cinnamon
dash of pumpkin pie spice
pinch of nutmeg
1 egg white
1 tbsp almond milk
1/2 tbsp plain Greek yogurt
1/4 banana, mashed in
optional add-ins: granola, cereals, dried fruits, etc.

Directions:
Mix completely and thoroughly.

Put 2 cupcake liners inside a (microwave-safe) mug. Pour your batter into the cupcake liners carefully.

I topped mine with a banana slice. Just because.

Microwave for 3 minutes.

If it overflows, don't worry! Mine did both times I made this. Just push it all back into the mug/cupcake liner, and microwave for another minute. (The extra minute will also re-form your cupcake if it got too large and it overflowed! It all depends on your mug size, really!)

Top with nut butter and any other thing your heart desires, and enjoy this moist, healthy, microwaveable cupcake! Quick, easy, delicious, and healthy... What more can you ask for in a dessert?!

What I Ate Wednesday #25

Okay, so, in one week, it'll be the last day of October.
That means it's almost November. And that means... THE  BEST HOLIDAYS ARE ALMOST HEEEEERE!! WOOOO!

Once November hits, though, I hope time stops flyin'! I don't want the holiday season to come and go in the blink of an eye!

Haha okay, anyways, I almost always start off my WIAWs talking about how fast time is flying. (But it IS!!!!!!) So, I think I should move on to some eats from this past week, yes? 

10/17/12 - Dessert/Snack: clean "cookie dough" microwave muffin with sliced apple & homemade "Almond Joy" almond milk ice cream! I used crushed chocolate cookies and cream Goldfish since I have no chocolate chips/carob chips... Still SO good.

10/18/12 - Breakfast: ugh... I just love OIAJ. Having a family who loves "butters" as much as I do is such a fabulous thing. OIAJ all da time!

Healthy "Funfetti' protein egg white oatmeal with a sprinkle of some granola & cereals + banana & apple slices/cubes + some pumpkin pie yogurt & plain Greek yogurt + cinnamon + some sprinkles! + a bit of Dark Chocolate Dreams, all inside a nearly-empty jar of the best "butter" EVAHHHH — Biscoff spread!!

All of my oats did not want to fit in the jar... But that didn't stop me from eating them all!

10/19/12 - Breakfast: peanut butter "Twix" protein egg white oatmeal with granolas & cereals (for the “cookie” layer) + banana slices (just because I love me some bananas!) + plain Greek yogurt + cinnamon + caramel Greek yogurt (caramel powder mixed with plain Fage!) + natural peanut butter! 

10/19/12 - Snack/Drink?: no picture, but a recipe instead!

Absolutely the best hot chocolate I've ever made!

... And it's healthy!

10/19/12 - Dessert/Snack: DELICIOUSLY SMELLING healthy and {mostly} clean dessert/nighttime snack - chocolate caramel microwave mini cake with homemade "Almond Joy" almond milk ice cream and sliced apple! (And some peanut butter, banana & granola/cereals, of course!)

Oh, and I stuffed 4 mini marshmallows in for fun (and mainly to see them expand! Hehe)... They’re good for the soul!

10/20/12 - Breakfast: PANCAKE SATURDAY!

Pumpkin protein pancakes layered with warm pumpkin spiced apple & banana slices (because the pancakes are so low cal, I have a whole apple with it!), plain & pumpkin flax granola, and natural peanut butter; all topped with healthy #chocolate protein “sauce” and maple syrup! Freaking amazing. Cannot believe these are healthy/clean. {Let me know if you guys want this recipe!}

10/20/12 - Lunch: lunch after a long day of food shopping with my mommy!

Pumpkin spice bagel thin (omg perfect) with Biscoff spread & natural peanut butter, banana, shredded coconut, fresh spinach & a banana-pumpkin egg white scramble! On the side, I have fresh tomato & steamed fresh broccoli and carrots in plain Greek yogurt + ranch powder!

This was one of my most delicious lunches in awhile.

10/20/12 - Dinner: made a healthy dinner for my family!

Prosciutto, spinach and provolone stuffed baked garlic-Italian chicken cutlets, with mashed garlic cauliflower “potatoes”! I had mine over a HUGE salad!

I got the inspiration for the chicken from Skinny Taste. It came out to be literally the best chicken I've ever baked/made.

10/20/12 - Snack: you know you’re vegetable obsessed when you put it in your gigantic tub of popcorn...

No dessert this night; just a huge ass bowl of delicious air-popped popcorn and a side of slices apples!

Haven't had this in too long!! It was nice to have it again!

10/21/12 - Breakfast: best post-workout breakfast!!!! That's my favorite time to have OIAJ.

Banana bread egg white oatmeal with plain & peanut butter granola + cereals + banana slices + some plain Greek yogurt + cinnamon + a bit of Biscoff spread + a splash of extra almond milk, all inside a nearly-empty Dark Chocolate Dreams jar!

Confession: I almost made less than a serving of oats out of anxiety and thoughts about later (going to a family's house for dinner and dessert)... aka I almost restricted... but I didn't. And I'm so proud of that.

10/21/12 - Dinner & Dessert: after I was done eating, I felt like I was pregnant and about to pop... But it was well worth it! My uncle's lovely girlfriend made us some AMAZING pasta and meatballs (and sausage, which I'm not a fan of), and I had a great plateful (that SHE put together for me!! I never let anyone else prepare my food!) with TWO pieces of WHITE(!!) Italian bread! Then, I had 2.5 pieces of THE BEST HOMEMADE PUDDING CAKE THING EVER!! OMG. Homemade crust, real chocolate pudding, and homemade whipped topping... Can't ask for any better! Homemade is always a good choice! Haha. But, I had exactly what I wanted, I had absolutely 0 regrets, and my anxiety (that I unfortunately had for days prior) went gone down immensely after eating and enjoying myself.

Life in a 100% Italian family is NOTHING without homemade Italian food! Moderation is yours and my best friend... I promise, everyone.

Oh, and this is kind of irrelevant to this post overall, but my uncle and his girlfriend’s new townhouse is SO cute! They live in a beautiful woodsy area. I’m in love with the scenery and the house.

10/22/12 - Breakfast: even though it was Monday, I woke up in a really positive mood! I also woke up dizzy and starving, though, since I hadn't eaten in almost 12 hours and my body isn't used to that anymore.

Anyways!! This delicious and healthy breakfast: fluffy pumpkin pie egg white oatmeal with plain & pumpkin flax granola + cereals + banana slices + shredded coconut + maple yogurt “frosting” (using the most disgusting 2% Greek yogurt... So hard to keep down, haha. Never buying it again! I don't know if it was the brand, or the fact I've never had Greek yogurt containing fat... But, either way, it's literally disgusting) + Cinnamon Raisin Swirl peanut butter!

10/22/12 - Dessert/Snack: holy deliciousness!

I missed my lovely little clean and healthy nighttime dessert/snack! 100% clean pumpkin mini cake topped with lots of different PB with homemade almond milk “Almond Joy” ice cream, on top of a sliced Gala, banana slices, & some granola and cereals, ALL topped with healthy chocolate sauce and shredded coconut!

10/23/12 - Breakfast: this... was incredible. Omg. I can't wait to make it again soon.

Since my favorite candy bar is a Take 5, I decided to make a Take 5 oatmeal! Chocolate protein egg white oats with {peanut butter} granola + cereals + banana slices + slivered almonds (since I don’t have peanuts!) + caramel Greek yogurt + pretzel pieces + White Chocolate Wonderful + cinnamon + a splash of extra unsweetened original almond milk!!

This tasted legitimately like a deconstructed Take 5 bar. Heaven. 

10/24/12 - Breakfast: chocolate chip cookie dough protein egg white oatmeal with peanut butter granola + cereals + banana slices + cinnamon + Cinnamon Raisin Swirl PB & Biscoff spread + an extra splash of unsweetened original almond milk!

... I promise it looked more like a cookie before I added more milk!

I've recently fallen in love with Body Rock TV and Zuzana Light! I've been doing their workouts (along with my main man Shaun T.'s Insanity!) a lot lately, and I LOVE them! Such a challenge! {Workout diary here!}

Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough... Muffin?

Yep, you read the title correctly!
I created a chocolate chip cookie dough muffin... or "mini cake", if you will.

It's yet another microwaveable dessert, and guess what? It's good for ya! 

Ingredients:

1 tbsp dry oats

1/2 tbsp whole wheat flour
1/2 tsp packed light brown sugar
1 egg white
1 tbsp almond milk
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp baking soda
pinch of salt
dash of cinnamon
1 packet of Stevia/sweetener
1/4 banana, mashed
2 tsp pumpkin puree (optional, just for moisture)
1 tsp (or more) chocolate/carob chips (I actually didn't have any, so I used broken up chocolate cookies 'n' cream Goldfish! Haha. Compromising at its finest!)
1/2 tsp plain Greek yogurt

Directions:

Mix everything, aside from your chocolate chips, thoroughly.

When completely mixed, pour into a (sprayed) microwave-safe mug.

Carefully stir in your chocolate chips, and any extra add-ins. (Banana slices, granola, etc.)

Then, microwave for 2 minutes and 30 seconds.

(To make sure it's completely done, outline your mug with a fork or knife. If it doesn't stick, it's done.)

Flip the mug onto a dish, then top with anything your beautiful little heart desires!

Surprisingly, this actually did resemble AND taste like a cookie... in muffin form.

I actually made this twice, and it came out great both times! I hope you guys make it, enjoy it, and have a lovely, positive Saturday! Be happy!

Strong is the New Skinny

I remember my desire to be skinny. My desire to have showing hipbones, collarbones, and a thigh gap you could drive a car through.

I'm not that person anymore. Those aren't my desires anymore. Yeah, I'm still struggling with body image, restrictive/disordered thoughts/habits, and whatever else... But, I know for a fact that the person I once was, I won't be again. I want to be strong. I want to be fit. I want to be able to flex and have muscle... not bone and nothing more. (That's not attractive, nor is it comfortable...) What is a body without any structure? Not a body, that's for sure.

My newest obsession, and "fit-spiration", is Zuzana Light.

{Source.}

Zuzana is a fitness personality, most known for her killer workouts on Body Rock TV! She's actually co-founder of BRTV (my other new obsession!), and she's just... beautiful. Inside and out. She has a lovely personality, and her videos are beyond motivating! She's SO strong, and it's nice to see a girl like her. A girl who's not afraid to have muscles, and to push herself. A girl who strays away from cardio sometimes and does tons of strength and HIIT (high-intensity interval training). Some of her "ZWOWs" are even harder than some Insanity videos... and, if you've even attempted Insanity, you'd KNOW those are pretty darn hard themselves! During one of her videos today, my heart-rate reached higher than ever before!

My current favorite ZWOWs:

ZWOW #1

ZWOW #14 (this one might actually kill you)

ZWOW #32 "Show Me Your Strength"

 ZWOW #34 "Beg For It To End"

ZWOW #37 "Just Add Water!"

Are you apart of the warriorZ? Or are you a bodyrocker? Who's your favorite "trainer"? (I'm stuck between Zuzka and Shaun T!)

2-in-1

Guess what this post is gonna be about?
If you guessed more microwave desserts... You are correct.

I told you I am obsessed. But, hey, at least I admit it, right?! 

Ingredients:

1 tbsp dry oats

1 tbsp cinnamon roll protein powder
1/4 package cinnamon roll Duncan Hines Frosting Creations (optional... you can just use all protein powder, or just lots of cinnamon!)
1 tbsp pumpkin puree (adds moisture, not flavor!)
a few banana slices (optional, but recommended)
1 egg white
1 tbsp almond milk
1 tsp plain Greek yogurt
1/2 tsp cinnamon (heavy dash)
1/4 tsp vanilla extract
1/4 tsp maple syrup
pinch of salt
pinch of nutmeg
sprinkle of brown sugar
1/2 tsp baking powder
1 packet of Stevia

Frosting:

1-2 tbsp plain Greek yogurt

1/4 tsp maple syrup

1/2 packet of Stevia (optional)

Directions:

Mix all ingredients thoroughly, then pour into a sprayed microwave-safe mug.

(I also add in a sprinkle of cereals and granola. It adds such good texture! As does extra banana slices.)

Microwave for 2 minutes and 30 seconds.

Meanwhile, mix the ingredients for your frosting. Pour into a baggy, push to a corner, cut the tip.

After your cinnamon "roll" has cooled for a few minutes, pipe your frosting on top, and top with whatever else you'd like! (Let it cool for a little bit just so the "icing" doesn't immediately melt off!)

Then enjoy every single cinnamon-y bite!

Clean banana bread funfetti cupcake, anyone?

Ingredients:

1 tbsp oats

1/2 tbsp whole wheat flour
1 egg white
1/2 tsp sprinkles*
sprinkle of crushed Fruity Pebbles*
1 tbsp almond milk
1/2 tbsp plain Greek yogurt
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/4 banana, melted in the microwave for 30 seconds (easiest to use overripe)
1 tbsp pumpkin puree (adds moisture, not flavor)
dash of cinnamon
pinch of salt
sprinkle of brown sugar
1 packet of Stevia
1/2 tsp baking powder

Frosting:

1-2 tbsp plain Greek yogurt

1/4 tsp maple syrup (or any other flavoring of your choice. You can add in some cocoa powder to make it chocolate frosting!)

1/2 tsp sprinkles and a sprinkle of crushed Fruity Pebbles to top*

*If you don't want to use Fruity Pebbles, just use as many sprinkles as you want! Surprisingly, 1/2 tsp comes out to be enough for at least a topping, but then again, I also used crushed Fruity Pebbles. I only used both of them because you can have quite a bit more for less calories/sugar/etc., and they also have a brighter color and fruiter flavor! I loved the addition, but again, it's all personal preference!

Directions:

Mix all ingredients thoroughly, then pour into a sprayed microwave-safe mug.

(I usually always top with some extra banana, haha.)

Microwave for 2 minutes and 30 seconds.

Meanwhile, mix your frosting ingredients. After your cupcake has been plated, plop on your frosting, sprinkles, and any other fun additions!

I've been receiving some really great feedback on my microwave "clean" desserts, and it's inspiring me to get even more creative and experimental in the kitchen! Thank you to anyone who has tried any of my recipes, it means the world to me, and I'm so glad you like the result! I appreciate it so much, so thanks a million!