{Protein Buckeyes}

{PROTEIN BUCKEYES}

I don't know about you, but during the holidays my family loves to make buckeyes. These peanut butter and chocolate candies are one of my favorite treats. Let's be honest, anything with chocolate and peanut butter is my favorite! 

I wanted to recreate buckeyes and make them healthier. I came up with this recipe:

Ingredients:

2 scoops {NUZEST} Vanilla Protein Powder 

(Use the code "thesweetlife" to save some $)

40 g. or 2 1/2 T of Crazy Richards Creamy Peanut Butter

1/4 cup+ 1-2 T. of coconut milk or milk of choice

1/4 c Enjoy Life Mini Chocolate Chips

1 tsp. coconut oil

Crazy Richards Creamy Peanut Butter for drizzling

Directions:

Mix together Nuzest, 40 g of peanut butter, & coconut milk in a bowl. You can add more milk if needed, but the batter should be dry enough to roll into balls but wet enough to stick together. Next, roll batter into 7-8 balls. Place balls onto a plate. Next, melt the chocolate and coconut oil. Once melted, stir to combine. Top each ball with chocolate so that they are evenly coated. Drizzle more peanut butter on top of the chocolate. Place the balls in the freezer for 10-20 minutes or until the chocolate is hardened. 

YUM!

These are the perfect, healthy treat or dessert. I like to store mine in the refrigerator for when I have a sweet tooth. 

If you make the protein balls, please tag me @toriswholelife and #thesweetlife so I can easily see your creations!

Happy Baking!

Later Taters

"It's a beautiful day, don't let it get away."  

{4 Ingredient, Macro Friendly, Protein Mug Cake}

Hello cupcakes! 

Back at it again with another macro friendly recipe. 

Before I tell you the recipe, let me tell you there is only 4 ingredients. Here are the macros:

159 calories, 1 g fat, 8 g carbs, & 30 g protein

Now...  the moment you all have been waiting for... THE RECIPE!

Ingredients:

50 g egg whites

1 scoop (30 g) of Quest Peanut Butter Protein Powder

60 g canned pumpkin puree

1/4 tsp baking powder

Directions:

Mix all ingredients together into a mug or small microwave safe bowl. Once combined, scoop about 1/4 c of the batter out and save it to use as a topping. Place the mug cake into the microwave & cook for 1 -1 1/2 minutes or until mug cake is set. Remove from the microwave & top with remaining batter!

Serves: 1

There you have it! A simple, easy, & macro friendly mug cake. I love to have this about an hour before bed because it helps keep me full throughout the night. You can experiment with different toppings if your macros allow for it (or if you are not counting macros). I would add things like PB, crushed up cereal, cinnamon, pecan pieces, ice cream, cream cheese, etc. Have fun with it! 

If you do recreate the recipe, tag me @toriswholelife and use #thesweetlife so I can see your creations.

Avatar Nutrition Update:

If you have followed my journey, you know this is my 4th week counting macros with the help of Avatar Nutrition. I love the accountability and the community that comes with this service. For those of you who are unfamiliar with Avatar, its a macro coaching system that allows you to put in your info, goals, etc. and it adjusts your weekly macros based on your weekly weigh in. 

Things I have noticed since starting:

1) I am more accountable for the food I am consuming. 

2) The good habit and strict counting is really starting to sink in on week 4 (makes sense based on habit research)

3) I love creating macro friendly recipes

4) Watching Youtube videos and interacting with the Avatar Facebook community is so helpful!

5) I am starting to lose inches even if the scale isn't moving much

6) Even though I am in a moderate cutting phase, I still have so much strength and energy in the gym

7) I know that my macros are going to decrease over the next couple weeks, but BRING IT ON!

8) Create staple meals in Myfitnesspal or whatever app you use to count. This makes it easier to plan ahead. I have meals that I truly love eating, so I am always looking forward to eating. 

9) Meal timing is everything when you are cutting macros!

I will keep updating you all! Hopefully I will post some progress photos soon. Also, my plan is to cut for another 4-8 weeks. Once my cut is over, I will begin a slow reverse diet phase with Avatar to increase my metabolism.

Later Taters

"It's a beautiful day, don't let it get away." 

{Dairy Free Chocolate Chip Cookies}

Dairy Free Chocolate Chip Cookies

Hello cupcakes! 

I threw together these cookies the other night and they were a huge hit. My boyfriend said, "These are probably my favorite cookies you have ever made!"

I was so excited to hear him say that because I have made him many things in the past. That's how good these cookies are! I think the coconut milk fat makes the cookies so flavorful!

YOU HAVE TO TRY THESE! Here's how to make them...

Ingredients:

2 eggs

1 can of coconut milk** read below before starting

1 c sugar of choice (I used white sugar because that is all I had)

1 1/2 c Anthony's Goods Almond Flour

1 c whole wheat flour

1 tsp vanilla

1/2 tsp baking powder

dash of salt

1/2-1 c chocolate chips 

(I used Trader Joes Semi Sweet Chocolate Chips because they are lactose free, but you could also use Enjoy Life Chocolate Chips which are dairy free)

Directions:

**Place coconut milk can in the fridge overnight. The next day, remove and open the can. Use a spoon to scoop the coconut milk fat off the top. This is what you will use for these cookies. Save the actual milk portion for coffee or smoothies.**

In a bowl, combine all ingredients. 

Mix until incorporated. 

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. 

Grease a baking sheet.

Scoop cookie dough onto the baking sheet.

Bake for 12-15 minutes or until the cookies start to golden on the tops.

Makes 12-15 large cookies

Later Taters

"It's a beautiful day, don't let it get away."