Happy New Year……

Happy New Year

Well, we made it! Another year gone, and another fresh year to look forward to. Thanks to the crazy amount of fireworks, and our neighbors banging pots and pans, I was forced to see the new year in. I haven’t willingly done that in 13 years. 😉 I don’t know about all of you, but 2015 was packed with happiness, sadness, success, setbacks, inspiration, and rewards. We are entering 2016 with a ton of goals, and we plan on meeting, and exceeding, every single one of them!

I don’t believe in resolutions, at least not for me, because they usually don’t last, but I always make goals throughout the year, and when a new year hits it isn’t any different. I plan to blow this year out of the water!

I know that most people reevaluate their health when the new year hits and strive to make changes to their eating, and their fitness routines. If that is one of your goals for this year, you have come to the right place! I’ve been on this journey for over four years now, and I don’t plan on stopping any time soon. As a nutrition, and fitness, consultant I am constantly making changes, and improvements to the way I eat and exercise. I’m always trying to find new, and delicious ways, to satisfy that nagging “yum” sensation that we all get. I generally use my husband as my taste tester, and if he approves, we have a home run. If you can make a food healthy, and delicious, you have made a masterpiece. 🙂

I threw together these protein bites yesterday in an attempt to use them as a vessel to get more protein, and healthy fats, into us. I wasn’t even sure what to call them. Protein bombs crossed my mind, but that just didn’t sit right. 😉 These protein bites are 120 calories, and tout 5 grams of protein! That isn’t half bad for a yummy treat.

I must give you fair warning though, just like any food, healthy or not, if you over indulge your waistline will show it.

 

So, while these goodies are packed with tons of goodness make sure they fit into your calorie intake. They are awesome for a supplement to any snack, or meal, or just as an indulgent treat. They contain coconut oil so make sure you keep them in the freezer or you will have protein puddles. 😉

I used some out dated candy molds for mine that inevitably broke in the process, but silicone molds would work great! If you don’t have any molds that you can work with just pour the mixture in a pan, or dish, and put it in the freezer for about 5-10 minutes. That should firm them up enough that you can cut them into squares, then put them back in the freezer to harden the rest of the way. If you like smaller bites like I do, I made these husband size, instead of 12 you can make 24. (That means you can eat 2 per serving right?) Any way you mold them, slice them, or count them, take a few minutes to let yourself indulge, sit back, relax, and enjoy!

What are your goals for 2016?

Indulgent Protein Bites

By Angie Gouchenour

12 bites

Ingredients

¼ cup coconut oil

½ cup crunchy peanut butter (Use natural to make these refined sugar free)

1 teaspoon vanilla flavoring or extract

1 scoop (49 grams) of protein powder (I used Vanilla Body Fortress) (Refined sugar free depending on your protein powder ingredients)

2 Tablespoons Stevia (powdered)

2 Tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder – sifted after measuring

Directions

In a microwave safe bowl melt the coconut oil and peanut butter together (About 1 min)

Add vanilla and stir to combine

Add the protein powder, Stevia, and cocoa powder and stir well

Pour into molds, or pan, and place in the freezer until set (usually 15-20 minutes)

Remove from the freezer, pop the bites into a container, place in a Ziploc bag, or plastic container with a lid and return to the freezer. These are not counter stable.

If you are using a pan, or tray, place the mixture in the freezer for 5-10 minutes, remove and cut into pieces, then continue freezing until completely firm.

120 calories per bite