Chicken 'n' Noodles

I was really in the mood for some creamy comfort food, and since I already had cooked and shredded chicken in the fridge, I just threw this meal together last-minute. Jerry and I both loved it! If the chicken is already cooked, the whole meal comes together very quickly.

I'm sorry, but this recipe has been migrated to my everyday blog, Runs for Cookies. This link is a direct link to that recipe. Thanks!  --Katie

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Peppermint Pattie Protein Shake

Chocolate and peppermint go so well together... and this protein shake is no exception! Definitely gave me the peppermint fix I was looking for. A good garnish for this would be whipped cream and chopped Andes mints. (This would probably also be good if you add 1-2 tsp. instant coffee, for a peppermint mocha latte type shake).

Peppermint Pattie Protein Shake

3/4 cup unsweetened vanilla almond milk (or whatever milk you'd like)
1 serving chocolate protein powder (or vanilla powder + 1 Tbsp. cocoa powder, which is what I use)
1 Tbsp. instant chocolate pudding mix
1/4 tsp. peppermint extract
10 ice cubes
optional--1/4 tsp. xanthan gum and 1/4 tsp guar gum, for thick and creamy texture

Throw all ingredients into a blender and blend until smooth. I eat it with a spoon, because it reminds me of ice cream :)  Makes 1 serving (about 20 oz). 4 PointsPlus if you calculate on Weight Watchers Recipe Builder. It's 5 PP if you use the nutrition info below.

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Vanilla Pumpkin Protein Shake

This recipe has since been migrated to my everyday blog, Runs for Cookies. Click Here to be taken directly to the recipe!

This shake turned out so yummy it actually deserves its own post ;)  One of my readers requested that I create a pumpkin protein shake. I've tried a few recipes that I found online, but wasn't crazy about any of them. A lot of the shake recipes use bananas to sweeten, and I just wasn't crazy about the combo of pumpkin and banana. I used Torani Pumpkin Pie flavored syrup in this--if you really can't find it and/or don't want to buy it online, you could probably just use some sort of sweetener (1 Tbsp. of maple syrup would probably be good!) and extra pumpkin pie spice.

Anyway, this shake makes me super excited for my favorite time of year--fall!

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Protein Shakes/Smoothies (part 2)

(You can find Protein Shakes/Smoothies part 1 here)

I just had surgery a few days ago, and my doctor wants me to get a LOT of protein while I'm healing. So I'm going to be having lots of protein shakes again!

Cinnamon Roll Protein Shake

I'm sorry, but these protein shake recipes have been migrated to my everyday blog. Here is a direct link to the recipes. Thanks for stopping by!  --Katie

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Snickers Protein Shake

Since I'm getting surgery next week, my doctor wants me to get a LOT of protein. This protein shake tastes JUST like a Snickers bar. It's a yummy treat!

I'm sorry, but this recipe has been migrated over to my everyday blog, Runs for Cookies. This link is a direct link to that recipe. Enjoy!  --Katie

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Protein Shakes/Smoothie Recipes

I NEVER would have thought that I would have jumped on the protein shake bandwagon, but breaking my jaw opened a huge new world of breakfast and even lunch possibilities. I've come to love these shakes so much that I just don't want to give them up!  I buy the EAS 100% whey protein powder from Sam's Club (It's $27 for 76 servings).  They have chocolate and vanilla, and I bought both.  I also use almond milk in my recipes--it's only 40 calories per cup, and it makes the shake taste so much better than with just water. I buy the Almond Breeze unsweetened vanilla almond milk.  And tons of frozen fruit (unsweetened)--cherries, blueberries, mixed fruit. I also freeze my bananas when they are ripe. I peel them, cut them into four chunks each and put them in a ziploc bag in the freezer.

If you really don't want to buy protein powder, you could probably substitute with Carnation Instant Breakfast.

Also, if you find yourself liking these as much as I do, you may want to invest in a good blender. I just spent $80 on a good blender that was WELL WORTH IT.

I'm sorry, but the protein shakes recipes have been moved to my everyday blog, Runs for Cookies. Here is a direct link to the protein shakes recipes.

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