I was over visiting April again yesterday and she was whipping up the easiest protein cake ever! If you love to play with protein as much as I do then you’ll want to put her recipe in your Easy Bake (Microwave) Oven! Grab a coffee cup and let’s make…

Protein Cupcakes

• 30 grams of whey protein powder (I’ve only made it once and I used Protein Freeze)
• 1 tbsp 100% cocoa powder
• 1/4 tsp baking powder
• 2 packets Stevia (or whatever sweetener you prefer)
• 1 tbsp pumpkin or applesauce (your choice!)
• 3 tbsp liquid egg whites (or 1 egg white)

Directions:

In a microwavable mug, place the protein powder, cocoa powder, baking powder, and stevia. Mix well. Stir in the egg whites and pumpkin or applesauce so that you end up with a thick batter. Microwave for 60 seconds.

Use a knife to gently loosen the cake from the mug. Place the mug upside down on a plate and let the cake slide out. Cut in half and fill with desired toppings like peanut butter, Greek yogurt, or sprinkle with powdered sugar. Makes one serving.

Does this taste like a cupcake you’d get at your favorite bakery? Not exactly! But, it certainly gives a cupcake a quick and healthy shake!

Now I really must go finish this cup of coffee so I can make another shake and bake.

The UPS Man left a package waiting on my doorstep when I slid home from vacation on Christmas Day. Inside the box I found three of my favorite things: Cookies, coffee, and a cookbook. Let’s just say the day after Christmas only one of these things was still around.

I have to tell you about the cookies. Angela sent me some amazing homemade TRIPLE CHOCOLATE COOKIES inspired by a recipe she found in Ellie Krieger’s cookbook, The Food You Crave…a fitting title because I crave these cookies! I begged Angela for the recipe and have made them. Twice. I like to call them…

The Cookies I Crave

• ¼ cup (1/2 stick) I Can’t Believe It’s Not Butter, baking butter softened
• ¼ cup firmly packed Splenda brown sugar
• 3 TBS Splenda sugar blend for baking
• ¼ cup unsweetened applesauce
• 1 large egg
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• ¼ cup all-purpose flour
• ¼ cup chocolate Protein Freeze protein powder
• ½ cup whole-wheat pastry flour (or regular whole wheat flour)
• ¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• ¼ tsp salt
• 4 oz. dark chocolate chips
• Nuts (optional)

Pre-heat oven to 350. In a large bowl mash together the butter and sugars, then add the applesauce, egg, and vanilla.  Beat until creamy. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flours, protein powder, cocoa, and salt. Add the flour mixture to the butter mixture and mix well. Stir in both chocolates and add nuts (if desired), and mix well. Using a tablespoon, scoop batter onto ungreased cookie sheet and bake until cookies are set – about 12 minutes. Transfer cookies to rack to cool. Serves: 24

Nutrients per cookie: 82 calories, 4g fat, 6g sugar,1g fiber, 3g protein

I used Smart Balance butter and whole wheat flour instead of all purpose flour and they got rave reviews (by yours truly)!

You’re probably wondering what cookbook Angela sent me? Ellie Krieger’s latest cookbook, So Easy. Here’s what the cover says:

Luscious, Healthy Recipes for Every Meal of the Week

I do not make this stuff up. Who wouldn’t want luscious, healthy meals for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and dessert every day of the week? If you do, then I strongly recommend adding this cookbook to your collection.

Now I really must go grab a cup of coffee and a cookie and call Angela…’cause it’s her birthday! Happy Birthday, Ang!

This weekend I watched some old movies and did a little baking. I watched There’s Something About Mary for like the 5,000th time. My favorite part is when Ben Stiller’s character, Ted, picks up the hitchhiker…

Hitchhiker: You heard of this thing, the 8-Minute Abs?

Ted Stroehmann: Yeah, sure, 8-Minute Abs. Yeah, the exercise video.

Hitchhiker: Yeah, this is going to blow that right out of the water. Listen to this: 7… Minute… Abs.

Ted Stroehmann: Right. Yes. OK, alright. I see where you’re going.

Hitchhiker: Think about it. You walk into a video store, you see 8-Minute Abs sittin’ there, there’s 7-Minute Abs right beside it. Which one are you gonna pick, man?

Ted Stroehmann: I would go for the 7.

Hitchhiker: Bingo, man, bingo. 7-Minute Abs. And we guarantee just as good a workout as the 8-minute folk.

Ted Stroehmann: You guarantee it? That’s — how do you do that?

Hitchhiker: If you’re not happy with the first 7 minutes, we’re gonna send you the extra minute free. You see? That’s it. That’s our motto. That’s where we’re comin’ from. That’s from “A” to “B”.

Ted Stroehmann: That’s right. That’s — that’s good. That’s good. Unless, of course, somebody comes up with 6-Minute Abs. Then you’re in trouble, huh?

Hitchhiker: No! No, no, not 6! I said 7. Nobody’s comin’ up with 6. Who works out in 6 minutes? You won’t even get your heart goin, not even a mouse on a wheel.

I like the way the hitchhiker thinks. He’s going to take an idea and make it better. That’s kind of my philosophy in the kitchen. I like to take a perfectly good recipe and give it a new spin. For instance, I found this fabulous Mexican Cookie recipe in Cooking Light magazine, I made some simple swaps and transformed them into…

Mexican Protein & Spice Cookies

Ingredients:

I thought I’d share a few more ideas with you to give for fitness! This is my third list so if you need a refresher on my first two gift giving guides click right here.

This list contains a few things you can start whipping up quite easily over the next few weeks. I think yule spread a lot of Joy if you make any of these presents on…

THE FIT LIST

Hot Chocolate Protein Kits

I am a bit obsessed with hot protein drinks now that our temps have reached below zero, but who’s complaining?  Not only are protein lattes and mocha’s packed full of protein, but they taste ahhhhmazing, too! Bundle up 3-4 servings of Protein Freeze inside a cellophane bag, top with dark chocolate chips and/or marshmallows, tie with a bow, and tuck it inside a really cute mug. Be sure to include the recipe for a Whole Latte Protein or a Peppermint Protein Latte with your gift, too!

You might want to give Hot Chocolate Protein Kits to: Your training buddies, your personal trainer, your favorite high school or college athlete, and your really hot friends.

Protein Ice Cream Kits

Protein Freeze makes fantastic ice cream! Make ice cream kits by scooping up 3-4 servings of vanilla or chocolate Protein Freeze into a cellophane bag, top with dark chocolate chips and/or marshmallows, and tie with a bow. Package up your protein packets inside an ice cream bowl and maybe even include an ice cream scoop. Be sure to add some brief instructions, too. Something like: Blend 3/4 cup Protein Freeze, 3/4 cup water, 2T Peanut Butter and freeze! Top with dark chocolate chips and enjoy!

You might want to give Protein Ice Cream Kits to: Your coach, your teachers, or your really cool friends.

Personalized Notepads

One year my niece and nephews made notepads for their parents for Christmas gifts. They drew up some masterpieces and then we hit the local copy shop and had them made into pads of note paper. You can easily design some paper on your computer, too, with a great quote, your gift recipients name or initials, or something personal for the lucky recipient.

You might give Personalized Notepads for: Aunts, grandparents, coworkers, friends, and your favorite blogger.

Candles

Nothing says, “You light up my life” better than a candle. I retired my glue gun many moons ago and replaced it with double stick tape. I dressed up this candle with some ribbon I found at Super Target last week. Simply stick the double stick tape to the jar and adhere the ribbon on top. Try this same technique with ornaments, too.

You might want to dress up a candle for: A hostess gift, your neighbors, and your really bright friends.

Now I really must wrap this up so I can pack up my whey and fly to the gym!

You might need to make your own Peppermint Protein Mocha if…

• You can’t get to Starbucks because you’re snowed in!
• You need a shot of protein and a splash of nonfat Christmas cheer
• Your ice maker is still broken (are you listening, Santa?!)
• You have really good taste

If you picked any of the above you have come to the right place because here is the recipe for a grande…

Protein Peppermint Mocha

Ingredients:

• 1/4 cup chocolate whey protein powder  (I use Protein Freeze)
• 1 packet Starbucks VIA instant coffee (optional)
• 1/8 tsp peppermint extract
• 3/4 cup water

Instructions:

• Blend ingredients together in your shaker or blender.
• Pour into a coffee cup and microwave for 45-60 seconds.
• Sprinkle with crushed candy canes and enjoy!

If you are a fitbook e-newsletter subscriber you might have noticed this very recipe was featured in the December issue. If you are not on their distribution list click here so you won’t miss out on some great information. In case you missed this issue, check the Fitness & Spice Facebook Fan Page to see a copy of the December fitbook newsletter–it is packed full of affordable stocking stuffer ideas and a special offer.

Now I really must go whip you up a cup of cheer, I think you’ll agree, it’s beginning to taste a lot like fitness!

I met my friend Sondra for coffee yesterday and let me tell you after leaving Starbucks I was energized not only from the caffeine in my Grande Americano, but by the positive energy that Sondra brought to the table, too.

One would think after spending three hours (!) chatting away at Starbucks that I would have remembered to pick up the coffee coated almonds that I had my eye on, but I forgot.

When I got home from the gym tonight I decided I had everything in my cupboard to make…

Starbucks & Spice Almonds

• 1 egg white
• 2 cups natural almonds
• 1 packet Starbucks VIA Instant Coffee
• 3 Tablespoons Splenda for Baking

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Beat the egg white until foamy. Add the almonds to the egg white and toss well. Blend the Starbucks VIA and Splenda in your Magic Bullet or blender into a fine powder. Add this mixture to the almonds and stir to combine everything well. Spread the mixture onto a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper and bake for 12 minutes, stirring half way.

The result? A cup of coffee infused nuts…very, very, grande!

And if that wasn’t enough…I wanted to see if I could make chocolate covered almonds using chocolate whey protein powder. So, I made another batch of almonds. This time, instead of using the Starbucks VIA in the recipe above I used  3/4 cup chocolate Protein Freeze. The result? Chocolate Protein Glazed Almonds…one powerful snack!

I think these almonds will make great gifts for the coffee and health nuts on my gift lists this year. Because, let’s face it, some of my best friends are quite nutty (except for Sondra, of course).

Protein ice cream, where have you been all my life?

Fast Track sent me some chocolate Protein Freeze last week. When it arrived, I tore open the package and read the instructions on the label:

Preparation: Pour entire container of Protein Freeze powder into a large bowl. Add 12 cups of water and 1 cup of nut butter. Blend and then freeze.

If you know me, you know I rarely follow a recipe to the letter but this time I was tempted because I think chocolate and peanut butter is proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy.

I decided to make an individual serving to start. So I grabbed my Magic Bullet blender and mixed together 1/3 cup Protein Freeze, 2/3 cup water, and 2T natural peanut butter. I popped it into the freezer and a few hours later I had protein chocolate peanut butter ice cream which IS proof that God loves us and wants us to be even happier.

A few hours after that, I had my second batch in the freezer and a batch of chocolate oatmeal protein cookies in the oven. I had to see if Protein Freeze could pass my baking test, didn’t I? Let me just say, I was not disappointed. I’ll share that recipe with you another time because I have to tell you about the protein latte I made with Protein Freeze. Remember my recipe for A Whole Latte Protein? Well, Protein Freeze stood up to that challenge, too.

Today I decided to make another serving of Protein Freeze ice cream using a packet of Starbucks VIA instant coffee instead of the peanut butter and the result was a rich, dark chocolate ice cream. I have another batch brewing in the freezer right now.

I have my mind set on making cinnamon protein ice cream and since I haven’t ordered my tub of vanilla Protein Freeze yet, I tried making cinnamon ice cream with a vanilla protein powder I have in my cupboard and it was a flop. I don’t know what makes Protein Freeze different, and they are understandably holding that trade secret close to their pecs because, trust me, I asked. I guess they can keep their secret and as long as they keep making it no one will get hurt.

Now I really must go, I need to place an order for Protein Freeze and ask Santa to bring me this popsicle maker so I can make my Muscles Pop!