WIAW #21: Mixed Veggie Protein Smoothie and Papaya Seed Salad for Fun Fitness Food

This summer is zooming by faster than you can say…ummm…zoom. That was bad, sorry. Anyway, although I’m not in school or anything, I can’t believe it’s almost “Back-To-School” season again! Once school’s in session, that means a longer commute to work though…bleh.


If you read my blog often, you probably know I like to puree random fruits and veggies to make creamy protein smoothies. I normally have some type of winter squash that I will steam and use for my smoothies, but lately I’ve been trying to branch out and try other things. Plus, sometimes you just don’t feel like cutting a big squash in half, scooping the seeds, cooking, and removing the skin every weekend.


So far I have used steamed rhubarb with strawberries which, obviously, made a very red but delicious smoothie. I’ve also tried green beans (not too bad), yellow summer squash (steamed and raw), and zucchini. Although it’s hard to beat pureed butternut squash for a super thick and delicious protein smoothie, I would (and do) use all of the above again.

It works for pies! Why not protein smoothies too?

This is a great way to pack in extra veggies while having a healthy dessert too. Stevia, frozen bananas or berries, peanut butter, and cinnamon can truly make the best tasting concoctions in my opinion; what do you think? Here’s one of my latest mixes with peas, carrots, tofu, vanilla protein powder, vanilla extract, stevia, and cinnamon. Like my cup and green koozie? This is my favorite way to eat my mixes; stick in the freezer for a while and enjoy with a spoon!

Another favorite of mine is to add fresh, pepper papaya seeds on my salad. Have you ever tried papaya seeds? They are not fruity at all and have a very strong pepper taste that is perfect on salad. I bet they’d pair well with a baked white fish or in a cold grain salad dish too.

In the fitness department, I’m making sure to keep it fun and varied with a mix of heavy barbell lifting, high-rep dumbbell DVD exercises, running, and swimming. I almost forgot, mowing the lawn with a reel mower twice a week ain’t no walk in the park either! Yes, I said “ain’t”; being a Texan allows me this right.


I love all of the workout circuits other bloggers have been posting and the ones all over Pinterest too. Just reading through them all is fun and makes me want to jump and do one right then. I like the ones with added weights over bodyweight circuits. Which ones, if any, do you prefer?


Sprinting makes up a lot of my running, but I’ve switched to swim sprints for variety and just more enjoyment. Nothing like some heavy lifting followed by a quick swim in the pool! Since my current goal is strength, I try not to go overboard on cardio, but I don’t feel complete without it. I guess I could just eat more. Think pea and carrot smoothies will help me get there?

Happy What I Ate Wednesday and as always, thanks to Jenn at Peas and Crayons for hosting this fun blog event!

[B] Steamed veggies and tuna; rooibos tea mixed with black Tea (thanks to my Foodie Penpal!)

[S] Cut fresh red pepper and fennel with green tea

[L] Tuna-Millet Green Bean Salad

[Workout] Barbell Power Clean, Supreme 90 video, and mowing with a reel mower

[D] Gianormous salad with papaya seeds and sautéed bay scallops (you can’t see the scallops, but they’re there!) and homemade lentil veggie salsa; [D2] Veggie black bean peanut butter dip mixed with Chobani plain Greek yogurt, and pistachios; Pea, Carrot, and papaya protein smoothie; I added CHO on top later

My Lentil Veggie Salsa before the processor

I'm thinking about following the Supreme 90 Workout videos all the way through and give the barbell a break.  What do you think about this change?  It's hard to give up the barbell as it just feels good, but these videos can really work you if you use heavy dumbbells! Stay tuned for updates!

I stress way too much about working out b/c I don't ever feel like I do enough.  Really, my body is screaming at me to rest.

Q: Are you following a certain plain or just taking it day by day?

Q2: Do you have trouble giving your body a break or do you look forward to the rest day every week?

Tasty Tuesday: Chobani Pumpkin Protein Yogurt

No, Chobani doesn’t have a new pumpkin flavored yogurt; maybe one day. But, you can easily make your own healthy CHOmpkin (yay or nay on this word?) with a few simple ingredients. If you're lacking Chobani in your kitchen, visit their coupon section for coupons to help you get some soon!


You might be wondering why I’m posting about a fall/winter food in middle of the summer. Or maybe you’re not. I enjoy pumpkin year round, and when combined with creamy 0% Plain Chobani Greek yogurt, it makes a superb summer treat.


I go through giant containers of plain 0% CHO within 2 days; no problem. I swear, Chobani is healthy foodie crack! Once I reach the bottom of a container, I normally make "CHOvernight" proats (protein powder + oats) with different flavors and other add-ins. Pumpkin puree is almost always in the mix, and stevia is my sole sweetener. I will eat as is, or spread on a cookie sheet and bake for overnight oat crisps.

Standard overnight oat mixture....so cool, creamy and delicious!

As I was making a batch of vanilla pumpkin proats in my semi-empty CHO container, I wondered what just pumpkin and CHO would be like. Obviously, it “had” to be good because 2 goods make an awesome, right? So, after one day of the large container being opened, I had half of the yogurt left. Time for pumped up vanilla protein pumpkin Chobani!

To the half full container of CHO, I mixed in vanilla whey protein, pumpkin puree, cinnamon, vanilla extract, liquid stevia, and YUM! The creaminess of frosty pumpkin yogurt with a boost of vanilla protein makes me want to go workout several times a day just to get my protein “recovery” right after.

I like where this is going....

Then again, maybe I just need protein anyway…one workout a day is good enough. As for the CHOmpkin (the word is growing on me) yogurt, once a day is not enough! This works as a healthy meal or dessert for anytime. I’d suggest tossing in some dry roasted almonds and blueberries or banana to up the flavor and nutrition.

.......yep, and it's tasty!

As with most things, this simple recipe can be adapted to suit your own tastes. I think next time (and there will be a next time; and another after that…), I will add mashed banana and peanut butter or peanut flour.

Another healthy homemade fav I’ve been making are protein crackers. I posted about goat cheese salsa crackers, but just tried using peanut flour/butter for an awesome protein peanut cracker that’s irresistible! Once I get the recipe down, I’ll be sure to post for you to try yourself. I love homemade crackers since you can make so many sweet, savory, or spicy versions, but rolling the dough can be an arduous task. *sigh* What we do for delicious, healthy food!

Chobani Pumpkin (CHOmpkin) Protein Yogurt
1/2 full 32oz container of plain non-fat Chobani; I’m sure Vanilla would be fabulous too, I just try to avoid added sugar

1 cup pumpkin puree

2 scoops stevia sweetened vanilla protein powder; I use About Time whey protein and love its high quality
2 t ground cinnamon

1 t vanilla extract

15 drops liquid stevia or 3 stevia packets
Optional: Peanut butter or flour to taste; dry roasted peanuts or other nuts, chia seeds (for a pudding-like consistency), mashed banana

Add all ingredients to your half full tub of CHO and mix and mix and mix until well incorporated.
 Eat. A lot. Be Happy!

If you want a frozen treat, chill in the freezer for approximately two hours, set out to thaw for 10 minutes, the blend for an icy treat. Add frozen blueberries or banana for an extra creamy and chilly treat with zero guilt!

Freebie Friday: Chobani Greek Yogurt Giveaway

Today is the last day to enter for your chance to win a sample case of Chobani Greek yogurt.  Go here to enter now; it's easy, so you have nothing to lose......well, maybe 5 minutes.

But honestly, if you could have a shot at winning something good from an awesome company like Chobani, why not try?

How a business responds to consumers plays a major role in their success, and Chobani quickly responds to questions or concerns to ensure to keep a satisfied customer.  This alone makes me automatically reach for the Chobani label yogurt over other competitors.  Besides just having better tasting and creamier yogurt, Chobani offers excellent customer service.

I will sometimes contact companies whose products I frequently use to see how long and how well they communicate in their response. The good ones earn my respect and continued business; the poor performers get the opposite.

Recently, I contacted a competing Greek yogurt brand over a packaging concern, and their response seemed rather blunt with not even the slightest bit of sympathy. I won't drop names, but I bought it because it was on sale, but I won't make that mistake again!

After that bad experience, I wanted to make today's post a big THANK YOU to Chobani and all the other companies who respect their customers.

Since today is the last day to win product from this excellent company, here a few links with healthy recipes using Chobani Greek yogurt that are easy and delicious:

Creamy Tzatziki and Yogurt Banana Bread - 2 separate recipes, 1 page

Baked Peanut Butter Oatmeal Cake w/ Chobani PB Vanilla Frosting

Chobani Protein Bread

Peanut Butter Dip N'Dots

These wholesome recipes are a must for any healthy foodie, and Chobani yogurt helps add flavorful protein to all of them.

Good luck to all who entered, I wish I could provide CHO to all participants.....maybe one day....

Have you ever contacted a company for a concern or just because?  Did you receive a timely and respectful response, or one that left you looking for a new brand?

Chobani Greek Yogurt: Review and Free Giveaway Contest

 

Look what I got in the mail; Chobani Greek Yogurt!! Ok, so I actually got these about 2 weeks ago, but who’s keeping track? Don’t answer that….

I already had 2 of these....

The happy and friendly people at Chobani graciously sent me these large containers of Plain, Non-Fat Chobani to sample and review.  I requested plain as I like to control the sugar added to yogurt, and you can use it in sweet or savory applications. Or, as Kelly and I like to do, just eat it right out of the container. At only 140 calories for a cup of the plain, non-fat, you could eat half of a 32 oz container for a mere 280 protein packed calories. Sweeten with NuNaturals Vanilla Liquid stevia for an easy dessert!

Chobani has quickly become the leading Greek yogurt brand across America and is the official sponsor and provider for the U.S. Olympic Team through 2014. Of course, I’ve already been enjoying their yogurt before this news since it is affordable and offers the thick, creamy consistency I love.

Many yogurt brands claim their yogurt is “Greek” by adding thickeners and other artificial ingredients to obtain the look and consistency, but Chobani only uses what’s needed for real Greek yogurt. Here’s a quote directly from their FAQ section:

“You won’t find any thickeners, gelatins or stabilizers in Chobani. Instead we use a centuries-old straining technique to remove excess liquid. This is why Chobani is so thick, creamy and packed with two times more protein than regular yogurts.”

With their quality products, Chobani provides quality customer service since they know the consumer (us) are the backbone to a successful company. I have experienced their excellent service several times, and I am never let down by their response. Go ahead; contact Chobani just to say hi or offer praise, someone will happily respond within no time.

Since I have had Chobani before, I already knew about its superior taste and consistency (just a little tangy, very thick, and super creamy), so I decided to cook with what I received. Here are several recipes/ideas (new and old) I created using what Chobani sent me.

Sweet or Savory Chobani Protein Corn Bread

Ingredients

3/4 cup applesauce or pumpkin puree

1/2 cup Chobani plain non-fat Greek yogurt

1 large egg and 4 large egg whites (I have used 12oz of pureed Mori-Nu Silken Tofu for a great vegetarian substitute)

1 cup whole grain spelt (or other whole grain) flour

1 cup whole grain corn flour

1/4 cup all-natural stevia sweetened vanilla soy or whey protein

1/2 cup all-natural unflavored soy or whey protein

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon baking soda

12-oz can Zevia Ginger Ale (Sweet) or 12-oz bottle of favorite beer (Savory)*

 

*Since I obviously had enough yogurt, I made both versions.  I Added a tsp of cinnamon to the sweet bread mixture; for savory bread, I used all unflavored protein powder and added cumin, garlic powder, cayenne, and paprika.

Directions

-Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Spray a 13 x 9-inch baking pan or a 12 muffin baking pan with non-stick spray

-In a large bowl, beat eggs with a whisk, add all other wet ingredients and whisk to blend

-In another bowl, mix the flour, protein powder, salt, and baking soda together.

-Add dry ingredients to the liquid mixture and mix just until combined.

-Pour the batter into prepared pan. Bake for 35 to 40 minutes or when a toothpick comes out clean.

Other use - The savory batter is also great in casseroles either combined with other ingredients or poured on top after everything else is placed in your baking dish.

Icing that's ok to lick off the top!!

Chobani Greek Yogurt Icing

 With 2 cups plain, non-fat Chobani Greek Yogurt, add one of the following ingredients for desired flavor:

- 1/2 cup peanut flour for peanut butter icing

- 1/2 cup vanilla protein powder (preferably stevia sweetened) and 1/4 tsp pure vanilla extract

- 1/2 cup chocolate protein powder (preferably stevia sweetened) and 6 drops NuNaturals Cocoa Bean Extract

- 1 very ripe mashed banana and 1/4 tsp vanilla extract

- 1/2 cup pumpkin puree, 1 tsp cinnamon, 1/2 tsp ginger and nutmeg, and 1/4 tsp cloves

This is so good you’ll want to eat the icing as is, and since it’s healthy, you can have your cake icing and eat it too.......guilt-free!

Sweet n’Spicy Chip Dip

Take 6 oz low fat cottage cheese (pureed if you don’t want chunks), ¼ cup plain non-fat Chobani Greek yogurt, ¼ cup salsa, 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper, 1 tablespoon honey, 1 tablespoon horseradish (optional), 2 tablespoons chopped parsley, Salt and pepper to taste. Combine all ingredients in a bowl and mix well. Let chill for 1-2 hours to let flavors meld.

Serve with sliced fruit and veggies for dipping or spread on toast for a quick, portable snack. I like to make a sandwich with this spread and sliced apples for something different but very satisfying.

Low-cal Guacamole

Take prepared guac (homemade or storebought) and add a small jar of salsa and mix thoroughly. The salsa will add to the amount of dip you have and provide more for everyone to enjoy. This way you can serve more if you have company, or just eat more yourself; it will be a big hit either way!

Use Chobani for this easy Peanut Butter Dip N’Dots recipe I posted last week. Does my mixing container look familiar?

For more great recipes and ideas, check out Chobani’s Kitchen website for healthy dinners and desserts.

Are you ready to cook with Chobani Greek Yogurt or just want to grab a spoon and eat it right out of the container? Kelley loves the plain non-fat with Annies Chocolate Bunny Grahams used for dipping, and I usually steal a few bunnies for myself.....delish!

Chobani has been kind enough to offer a sample case of their number one Greek yogurt in the U.S. to one lucky reader of my blog.

Disclaimer: Although Chobani provided the yogurt for review, I was not compensated for this review and the views and opinions are all my own.

Sorry, this contest has ended.  Thank you for stopping by and please visit often; there will be more giveaways coming soon!

 

1. Comment telling me your favorite Chobani flavor or which one you’d like to try.

2. Follow me on Twitter and Tweet the following – “I’m entering to win @Chobani Greek yogurt from @I_Love_Cayenne! Enter for your chance to win - http://bit.ly/Hbrk2U"

3. Visit Chobani on Facebook and “LIKE” their page. If you already “Like” Chobani, leave a comment letting me know.

4. “LIKE” Just Add Cayenne of Facebook. If you already “Like” Just Add Cayenne, leave a comment letting me know.

5. Help support Just Add Cayenne and subscribe to my blog. Just post a comment if you are already subscribed.

Congratulations, Irina, you won the Chobani Giveaway!  Please contact me via e-mail to provide contact information to where you would like your yogurt shipped.

If I do not receive a response withing 2 days, I will randomly pick another contestant to win.
Everyone is a winner when they request coupons directly from Chobani by submitting your info here, don't wait, do it and you'll be happy you did!

I love contests that are easy to enter, and I’m more than delighted to offer such a great product to one lucky viewer. Good luck!

Turtle Food Friday

 We’re finally building a home for our turtle, Hector, this weekend! We had a nice outdoor setup at our old home, but then we moved into an apartment while having a new home built and he had to go in a large plastic storage box. It wasn’t so bad since he spent most of the time hibernating, but now he’s out and ready for a big outdoor space again.

Kelley and I are excited for this project since it will be something we can do together and give a great turtle a great home. This means time out of the kitchen for me this weekend, and less involving meals to prepare for next week’s work lunches.

He loves his bugs!

Frozen bags of mixed beans with veggies and canned tuna or salmon in water are perfect for times like these. All you do is steam the veggies in the microwave, season as much or as little as you like, and viola, easy peasy steamed bean and veggie lunch. Add any whole grain and you’ll have a complete protein meal to enjoy.


Other flavors/add-ins I like are creamy goat cheese stirred into the mix while still hot, spicy brown mustard, Drew’s Smoked Tomato dressing (a Kelley favorite), salsa, and generous portions of cayenne. Steamed veggies make great turtle food too, so I can feed another member of the family simultaneously!


Turtles eat a lot of the same food we do, but nothing processed and packaged, just like we shouldn’t. They eat almost any whole food item like fruits, veggies, beans, eggs, tuna, and more. Hector’s favorites are apple cores, grape tomatoes, June beetles, and fat worms. He usually gets the same things I prepare for myself (less the insects, that’s all his) and he’ll eat most of it pretty well. I find myself catching bugs and freezing them for when I can’t find anything fresh, but living food is his preference.

I'm sure Hector will love microwave eggs as much as I do.
These will be fast and easy to make for next week!

We also have two cats (Gus and Lou) and a dog (Abby), but I claim Hector more than the others since he doesn’t shed or throw-up hairballs everywhere. I’ve always been a fan of reptiles for this reason (although snakes do shed, it’s not often); plus, they just interest me.

Simple mix of mushrooms, green onions, and tomatoes will compliment
canned tuna and cayenne well!

When time in the kitchen is limited, the foods I usually bake or prepare for myself (to avoid packaged products as much as possible) become scarce. Luckily, I saved some of my creations from past weeks in the freezer for times like these. It will be another week of having less pureed treats like I mentioned at the beginning of this week, but it’s not very bad like I expected it to be.

Phew! I just checked and luckily I have some of these Chocolate Acorn Squash Brownies saved!! I made these with this black bean brownie recipe, but with squash instead of beans.

Another thing I stopped doing is dicing carrots and apples to use as a cereal with mixed nuts and Ezekiel Cereal. Just peeling alone takes a lot of time, but for now I will just get baby carrots and only slice apples to eat them as finger foods; no cup and spoon needed. Sounds silly, but you haven’t seen me with a cup and spoon in hand; anything (as long as it's still healthy) is fair game!


I hope to bring a successful turtle home building message to all readers on Monday. Make sure to check back for the update!

This Chobani Greek Yogurt will help to hold me over too....yum! Check back next week for my review of their plain, non-fat variety and Giveaway Contest to boot!

Q: Do you have any constructive plans for the weekend? What do you think of turtles and other reptiles? Do you have any of your own?

Baked Peanut Butter Oatmeal Cake

I just realized I missed Pi Day yesterday, 3/14; and it was Albert Einstein's birthday too!  I’m not quite the “math geek” though, so I don’t feel too bad for missing it.  Maybe reading more news items would’ve helped, but, meh.  Did realize and/or celebrate the day?  I saw some foodie bloggers celebrated by (shocker!) eating pie.

It's good as is, but a Greek yogurt frosting would really "take the cake"

Actually, Chocolate-Covered Katie’s post about making a pie for Pi Day is what brought the day to my attention.  The pie and its recipe looks quite appetizing and has been added to my list of recipes I want to try that she’s posted in the past.

What are you looking at? Eat me.

In fact, the baked oatmeal cake with Chobani Greek yogurt icing that I posted in yesterday’s post was a recipe inspired by Chocolate-Covered Katie’s very similar baked oatmeal cakes.  She has made a few variations from pumpkin to cookie and all of them look exquisite!

Extra cinnamon on top looks good and tastes great....nutmeg would be good too.

Working off of her basic oatmeal cake, I created a recipe for a super peanut buttery oatmeal cake, and am very pleased with the end result….so was Kelley!  You must make this to fully appreciate its beauty, taste, and healthy ingredients; gather the following ingredients and bake one (or two or three) for yourself!

Baked Peanut Butter Oatmeal Cake

- 1/2 cup peanut butter overnight oats *(see recipe below….it’s easy!)

- 1/4 tsp baking powder

- 1/4 tsp vanilla extract

- 1/2 tsp cinnamon

- 1 ½ tablespoons NuNaturals NuStevia Baking Blend, 8 – 12 drops liquid stevia, or 1 ½  packets White stevia powder (If you want sugar, use 1 – 2 tablespoons honey or agave nectar)

- 1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce, pumpkin puree, or mashed banana (Plain yogurt works well too)

- 1/4 cup milk of choice or just water will work

- Small dash of salt

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Mix all ingredients together until well incorporated. Pour into one of the muffin molds in a muffin tin, 1-cup ramekin (or use a glass baking dish like I used), or just spread flat on a baking sheet for a crunchy treat. Make sure you use non-stick bake ware or non-stick spray before pouring batter into device of choice. Cook for 25 - 30 minutes; the top should have a nice light brown and the whole cake will feel firm. You can set your oven to broil and let cook about 3 – 4 minutes for a crispier crust; reduce baking time by 5 minutes if you do this.

*Overnight Oats

Pour 2 cups of plain rolled oats in a container with a lid (I use empty yogurt containers to make sure I get the big of yogurt on the sides.  Add 1/4 cup of *insert flavor choice here* unsweetened cocoa powder and another 1/4 to 1/2 cup of *insert second add-in or more of the first choice here* flour/powder of your choice.   Add 12 – 18 drops of plain or vanilla NuNaturals liquid stevia or 2 – 3 packets of NuNaturals Stevia Powder and a dash of sea salt. Mix the dry ingredients and add water until it reaches the top of the oats.  Stir to combine making sure the powders are well incorporated, close the container and let sit in the fridge for at least four hours and up to 5 days; it won’t last that long though.

What happens when you let your spous try a "bite"

This cake is mighty tasty on its own; try smearing peanut or any other nut butter on top for the ultimate nutty cake! Of course, banana and peanut butter are great together and would be delicious mashed with cinnamon and smeared on top.  Try your favorite spread and let me know what you come up with.

What?  You want to try the Chobani Greek Yogurt Icing?  Ok, it’s extremely easy; just like this entire recipe…..

Chobani Greek Yogurt Icing

■2 cups plain, non-fat Chobani Greek Yogurt; I used a big container of Chobani and just mixed everything inside so no extra dish was needed.

Peanut flour with a little cinnamon....great combo!

Just add one of the following to your Chobani for desired flavor:

-          1/2 cup peanut flour for peanut butter icing

-          1/2 cup vanilla protein powder (preferably stevia sweetened) and 1/4 tsp pure vanilla extract

-          1/2 cup chocolate protein powder (preferably stevia sweetened) and 6 drops NuNaturals Cocoa Bean Extract

-          1 very ripe mashed banana and 1/4 tsp vanilla extract

-          1/2 cup pumpkin puree, 1 tsp cinnamon, 1/2 tsp ginger and nutmeg, and 1/4 tsp cloves

Everything mixed and ready to frost...or ice....you pick!

All of these flavors for icing are soooo good and easy.  Any icing variation is also healthy enough to be eaten by itself without worries ….I’m guilty!

Do you like things iced or frosted or do prefer food without added toppings?  Whether you do or don't this oatmeal cake will become a favorite for either preference.

Reminder: Only one day left to enter for your chance to win NuNaturals Stevia products!