August Foodie Penpal Reveal and Go Friday!

It's time for another (my second) Foodie Penpal reveal! This is such a fun way to meet new foodies and share great food and drink.  You can also learn about the food others consume around the country.  Let's give a great big thanks to Lindsay at The Lean Green Bean for putting this exciting foodie event together!

This month my FPP Package came from Melissa VanEvery, and I'd say she hit all of my tastes in one box! If you've read my blog before, you probably know I tend to keep most processed, packaged foods to a minimum.  Even then, they undergo my scrutinous ingredient and nutrition label examination before getting in my basket.

I like love treats, and for that reason must make them myself so I don't have the convenience of just opening a packaging a mindlessly eating the whole thing!  I say this because I have.  Not proud.  Now I make what I want to treat myself to and can control all ingredients to omit the fat, sugar, and nutrient-stripped flour.

Melissa's note from the package said she wasn't sure what unprocessed meant to me, but all of the items she sent are things I would and do buy.  Lets go over my August Food Penpal Package.....

A box of green tea from Trader Joes - Perfect! I drink multiple cups of green tea with stevia a day, one less thing I have to buy at the store on my next trip!

The Wizard's Organic Original Hot Stuff - Cayenne is listed in the ingredients twice! 'Nuff said. Love it!

Bottle of Cayenne Powder - This is my salt and pepper; goes on everything not cereal! I buy the stuff in bulk, but now, like the tea, I can skip this on my next few trips.

In-Shell Roasted Peanuts - Melissa got these from a local farmer's market and they are simply wonderful! I told Kelley I wanted to make peanut butter with these, but then I started to open and eat them instead of putting in the food processor.  Oops.  At least I saved some to top our plain Chobani Greek Yogurt alongside a chocolate version of my microwave protein bread. If you ever wondered what awesome tastes like, this is it!

World Market Italian Roast Coffee - Like tea, I love my caffienated beverages....no cream or sugar, thank you.  I served the coffee with my microwave protein bread for a wonderful Sunday breakfast with Kelley. We both agree, the coffee was very good; great choice, Melissa!

Thank you, Melissa, for literally delivering on some of my favorite foods! These won't last long in our house since they are all daily staples! Melissa doesn't have a blog of her own, but she was a wonderful Foodie Penpal.

After reading this post, head on over to Natalie's blog at Fresh Life Findings to see what I sent my August Foodie Penpal.

Happy Friday, Enjoy Your Weekend!

Is this the first time you’ve heard about Foodie Penpals? Would you like to join? Here’s the info right from Lindsay’s site; I highly recommend joining in on the fun!

-On the 5th of every month, you will receive your penpal pairing via email. It will be your responsibility to contact your penpal and get their mailing address and any other information you might need like allergies or dietary restrictions.

-You will have until the 15th of the month to put your box of goodies in the mail. On the last day of the month, you will post about the goodies you received from your penpal!

-The boxes are to be filled with fun foodie things, local food items or even homemade treats! The spending limit is $15. The box must also include something written. This can be anything from a note explaining what’s in the box, to a fun recipe…use your imagination!

-You are responsible for figuring out the best way to ship your items depending on their size and how fragile they are. (Don’t forget about flat rate boxes!)

-Foodie Penpals is open to blog readers as well as bloggers. If you’re a reader and you get paired with a blogger, you are to write a short guest post for your penpal to post on their blog about what you received. If two readers are paired together, neither needs to worry about writing a post for that month.

-Foodie Penplas is open to US & Canadian residents. Please note, Canadian Residents will be paired with other Canadians only. We've determined things might get too slow and backed up if we're trying to send foods through customs across the border from US to Canada and vice versa.

-If you’re interested in participating for September, please CLICK HERE to fill out the participation form and read the terms and conditions. 

-You must submit your information by September 4th as pairings will be emailed on September 5th!

*If you're from somewhere besides the US, Canada or Europe and want to participate, send me an email and I'll see if we get enough interest this month!

WIAW #25 Homemade Protein Granola Sans Gluten

I have a new addiction. It's the sugar and oil free protein granola I've been making almost daily. I just posted about the peanut butter version, but have made a chocolate, cinnamon ginger, and vanilla version since.

Wonder why so much awesome granola? Besides the fact I prefer to make as much of my own food as possible, I wanted something crunchy and gluten-free for my nightly treats-in-a-cup.  I normally have Greek yogurt, pureed veggies with stevia and frozen fruit plus protein powder, nut butters and nuts, and Ezekiel Sprouted Grain Cereal.

Still wondering?  Probably because I haven't really answered yet....sorry.  I've been going to the doctor a lot lately and my blood test results plus the fact that I'm constantly worn out and have stomach bloating lead me to think I am gluten intolerant.  Maybe Celiac's, but I'd rather have it confirmed before I go off spouting I have that.

Therefore, I am laying off the gluten to see how I feel.  This means no Ezekiel in almond milk; there's just something comforting about it.  So, to fill the crunchy void, I'm making this granola with gluten-free ingredients. I definitely enjoy my new homemade granola and see this becoming an instant staple. Or I guess it already is a staple now....you get the point.

Since cutting out most of the gluten, I have felt a little better in the stomach area, but need more time before I decide on anything.  Gluten-free isn't really a major change for me since most of my diet revolves around veggies, fruit, fish, and non-gluten grains like quinoa, millet, oats, corn and rice. I guess I'll just have to wait for my next doctor's visit before getting any closer to an actual diagnosis.Until then, I guess I'll just force this deliciously crunchy and healthy granola. No Problem!

For fun fitness, Kelley and I just bought new hybrid bikes that are mostly road, but can handle an easy trail too. We have only ridden together a few times, but enjoy each other's company when we do.  I see this becoming a great routine to get our fitness and spend quality time together. Very important in a marriage!!

Along with biking, we're still following the Supreme 90 Day Workouts and can feel how well it works everything in your body. I swear, after this one video, my bicep should have its own mini bicep from doing so many different types of curls. Most of the videos leave me with a soaked shirt and shorts dripping of sweat. And to think I used to make fun of workout dvds; guess I put my foot in my mouth there!

So, lets all give Jenn at Peas and Crayons a great big thanks for putting What I Ate Wednesday together and have a look at my eats. Thank you, Jenn!

{B} Microwave eggwhite omelette with mixed veggies, a tad bit of Artisana coconut butter, and Melinda's Chipotle Sauce + baby carrots on the side. {L} Green bean and black-eyed pea quinoa salad + homemade pb protein granola clusters for snacking. {D} Same big salad with steamed Brussels, mushrooms, and homemade green salsa dressing + PB Protein Banana Bread with more PB. {D2/Healthy Treats} No-bake Almond Oat and Millet Protein bars (made using my Quinoa Almond Cookie recipe) + Green protein smoothie with more pb banana bread, Plain Greek yogurt, and PB on top.

Pretty good day of eats if you ask me! See, omitting gluten isn't so hard, and it will open your eyes (stomach?) to a wonderful world of different and delicious food.

Have you ever had to make a sudden dietary change due to unforseen circumstances/events?

Have a Happy WIAW and wonderful week right into the weekend!

WIAW #24 PB-GY-C-O-P: Summer Staples and Beyond

Peanut butter (PB), Greek Yogurt (GY), Carrots (C), Oats (O), and Pumpkin (P).  These foods have been not just summer staples, but year round staples for me. Give me these things and put me on an island and I'll be all set. Maybe, I might ask for a banana and honey to go with the PB, GY, and Oats, and cinnamon to go with, well, everything!

Carrots are a great first step for a person just starting to switch to a healthier lifestyle.  They can be purchased as baby carrots and used as an easy, grab n'go snack; easy! I thank carrots for helping me get on the right track years ago as I made the change.  A Google search with the terms "just add cayenne" and "carrot" and "blog" came back with 4,640 results.  When using the quotes, I'm pretty sure most of these are from my posting around the web.

Carrots provide one of the easiest snacks to bring to work so I avoid anything in a box.  Plus, have you tried dipping carrots in peanut butter? I'm sure many of you have, and hopefully you derive the same simple satisfaction as I do.  That or mustard; they are both great combos!

Have you tried Google searching your name or blog name plus a favorite food to see what comes up?  I thought it was pretty cool....maybe I'll try peanut butter, greek yogurt, oats, and pumpkin next!

I have actually mixed all of these together in an overnight oat concoction that creates a perfect summer staple when eaten cold.  Basically, I eat all of my overnight oat mixes cold; frozen fruit added to make it colder. The carrots and pumpkin are pureed, of course.

When I don't create an amalgamation with these summer/year round staples, I easily love the taste and texture of each item alone.  Peanut butter with a spoon? Uh, yeah, why wouldn't I do that? Cool and creamy 0% plain Greek yogurt is a delight with each giant gob I greedily cram in my mouth spoonful.

Oats and pumpkin are what I combine most.  Pumpkin is perfect for making overnight oats extra thick, creamy, and more nutritious to boot! Add cinnamon, stevia, and yogurt and you're on your way to foodie pleasure. Oh yeah, add peanut butter too.

Overnight oats with Greek yogurt, frozen bluebs, and peanut butter = WIN!

See? All of these things work great alone or together. That's synergy, my friends.....synergy.

What else is synergy? Full body workouts, that's what! Kelley and I are on our second week of the Supreme 90 workouts and I feel it after each one.  This DVD set is the best video bang for your buck I know.  Why spend up to over a hundred dollars on P90X or Insanity?  That's....errr...insane.  Supreme 90 can be found at most Walgreens for 10 bucks tops.  Use the rest of your cash to get some dumbbells and a stability ball for the videos and you're all set.

Along with the videos, I squeeze in effective compound moves with the barbell including squats, dead lifts, bench, and overhead press. If I can that is, the videos can leave me pretty sore as it is.

Wow, all this talk of my favorite foods and working out has me hungry! Lets see my eats and I'll be on my way to more eats now!  As always, and big thanks to Jenn at Peas and Crayons for hosting What I Ate Wednesday!

Happy WIAW!!

Breakfast

Quick and easy microwave okra frittata; leftover pumpkin and banana protein pancakes with Artisana Coconut butter and peanut flour mixed; instant espresso coffee, black.

Lunch

 Slow-cooker salsa pork chops with black-eyed peas and broccoli (you can't see it, but this is covering half a baked jersey sweet potato and mushrooms); Overnight Oatmeal Crisps cooked with banana and Artisana almond + coconut butter; fresh cut turnips and carrots

Dinner

Overnight Oatmeal Crisps smeared with goat cheese; Spring Mix salad with tuna (unpictured) and topped with the roasted brussels sprouts, mushrooms and garlic pictured below; chocolate black bean and veggie protein pudding; I used my microwave protein cinnamon bread to dip into the creamy pudding; I may or may not of added peanut butter to the mix....ok, I did

Here we are in mid-August going full speed into September and fall season!  Geez, what's up with time?  I guess "it flies" is an appropriate explanation.  Hope you all have a wonderful rest of the week and partake in delightfully tasty eats!

Q: What are your year round staples?

Q2: Cardio, strength, or combo....what's your favorite?

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!