WIAW #21 Pumped Up Protein Summer Staples

The first day of another month means just one thing....a new theme for What I Ate Wednesday! Thanks to Jenn at Peas and Crayons for hosting this event and creating fun-filled themes like Summer Staples for August! Check out her blog for more info and to see her delicious recipes!

Chocolate Protein Healthy Dessert Dip with plain Greek yogurt and cocao nibs

Last week I mentioned I was taking a little break from blogging, but I have to contribute to What I Ate Wednesday. Otherwise, I'd have an empty void from not being part of this fun event for a week.  I'll keep it short, though, and I hardly have any new pics to share, so older ones will have to suffice.

Spicy Protein Carrot Dip

My summer staples include salad (have a big one for dinner every night) with lots of veggies, lean protein, and homemade veggie puree or salsa "dressing" on top. But really, these things aren't limited to summer, I've been having salad almost every day in the fall and winter too. One thing that has turned into a staple for me this summer is protein.

Peanut Butter Banana Protein Bread

Tuna, salmon, chicken, beans, lentils, Greek yogurt, peanut butter, dry-roasted nuts, tofu, and whey protein powder all appear in my weekly eats quite often. Now that I have changed fitness courses from endurance running to strength training, I look for more ways to included protein in my diet. Check out these healthy and delicious protein packed recipes I've posted recently for proof.

A version of my Chobani Pumpkin Protein Yogurt (I added banana) with Baked Overnight Oattmeal Crisps

One of my new found favorite protein creations is to combine, beans (black, white kidney, or garbanzo), veggies (winter and summer squash, spinach, carrots, and cauliflower), peanut flour, protein powder, stevia, and spices all in a processor or blender and puree. The result is nothing less than amazing!

Chocolate and Vanilla Healthy Dessert Dips with garbanzo beans, PB & Co Old Fashion Crunchy, unsweetened cocoa (for the chocolate version), peanut flour, whey protein, stevia, and steamed summer squash

Thick and creamy like Greek yogurt, but bursting with a variety of flavors; and it's all homemade!  These purees make several generous servings that I keep in a big container to just scoop my preferred amount out into a cup. Topped with frozen berries, yogurt, and overnight oats, the creation is healthy, tasty eating at its finest!

Strawberry Protein Jam - Strawberry puree with whey protein powder, Strawberry Zevia, and chia seeds

Oh, and Cayenne is my staple for all seasons!

Check out all of my protein recipes posted on Recipage here.

I have so many staple foods like quinoa, overnight oats, dehydrated okra, carrots, and drinks like tea and coffee.  In essence of keeping it short and not "breaking" my break, I'll wait for the second week of August's WIAW to share more summer staples!

Speaking of staples, lets move on to my day of eats and treats.

Happy WIAW!

Breakfast

Cut fennel and peppers for a healthy way to satisfy my need to CRUNCH! I used the crunchy veggies to dip into a tasty puree of white beans and veggies with crumbled goat cheese. Unpictured was the iced French Press Coffee I gulped down like water.

 Lunch

Cold Red Quinoa salad based off of my Quinoa Curry Salad Recipe; Kay's Naturals Jalapeno Mustard Protein Pretzels (new find!); green tea; more cut fennel; organic Pink Lady Apple (I saved the core for my pet turtle...his summer staples are fresh worms and apple cores)

These are pretty good, but leave messy hands. I'll try another flavor next time.

Hector munching on the apple core. Perfect dessert after a live worm dinner!

Dinner 1 - The Spicy and Savory

Summer Staple salad with mushrooms, brussels, tuna, homemade bean and veggie salsa dressing, and more brussels with beets

Dinner 2 - The Sweet and Comforting (but still healthy!)

"PB & J" Veggie protein smoothie (so sad when this was finished); a couple microwave protein oatmeal muffins; apple butter, pumpkin, and cottage cheese mix; unpictured is my cup refilled with the chocolate Healthy Dessert Dip from the picture above.

Microwave Protein Oatmeal Muffins - You can't have just one!!

Apple Butter from my July Foodie Penpal mixed with pumpkin, lowfat cottage cheese and lots of cinnamon. I added frozen blueberries later.

I've been struggling trying to find a good fitness routine that satisfies my craving to do it all! I want to strength train and get my heart pumping with cardio.  Since it drives me crazy not having som sort of plan, I decided to start the Supreme 90 Day DVD workouts. These use dumbells and stability balls with pretty fast circuits.

Hopefully the weights and circuits will give me what I'm looking for, but I also want to do a few days of barbell work and outside running.  I absolutely love running in the 100+ degree heat here in Texas.  People say I'm crazy, but after running 7 or more miles, the exhaustion is satisfying and cold protein smoothies are 10X better!

Kelley started the workouts with me too, so this will be a fun change of pace for the both of us.  At the end, lets see how "confused" our muscles are; that always makes me laugh.

If you're a runner, do you enjoy the eat or stay indoors when it's hot?  What about biking or another outdoor sport?  Let me know your ideas of a great routine, I'm always keeping my eye out for something new!