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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Dr. Oz Brownies

I call these "Dr. Oz Brownies" because they were a food prop in my segment of The Dr. Oz Show. Some of my mom friends said that they make brownies by taking a boxed mix and adding a can of pumpkin to it and half a bag of chocolate chips. Since I LOVE peanut butter, I changed it a little to my exclude the chocolate chips but add some yummy peanut butter. When I told the producers how I like to make them, they decided to use it as part of the show (which was later cut out, unfortunately). I don't doubt there are a thousand different versions of these online, but here is how I make the super simple brownies.

These are extremely dense and fudge-like--not cakey at all. And they're rich! Which is why I love them :)

Dr. Oz Brownies
1 box of brownie mix (I use the Betty Crocker family size one)
1 (15 oz.) can of pure pumpkin
3 Tbsp. peanut butter

Just combine the brownie mix and pumpkin in a bowl (nothing else). It takes a while to mix, and the batter will be very thick, but don't add anything else to it. Spread it in an 8x8 or 9x9 pan. In a small bowl, melt the peanut butter in the microwave (about 30 seconds). Drizzle it on top of the brownie batter (and swirl it around to make it pretty, if you like). Bake for 30-35 minutes at 350 degrees. Let them cool completely before cutting (if they are warm, there is a strong pumpkin taste... once they cool, you don't taste the pumpkin). Cut it into 24 pieces (the pieces will be small, but because it is so rich, a small piece is satisfying).

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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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Peanut Butter Chocolate Cookies

I decided to post this recipe just in case any of you are falling short on sugar in your diets. I want to make it clear that this recipe is in no way HEALTHY by any stretch of the word. However, when I mentioned them on Runs for Cookies, so many of you asked for the recipe, I just decided to post it. It's your heart attack, not mine, so here you go! ;)

I'm sorry, but this recipe has been moved to my everyday blog, Runs for Cookies. Here is the link that will take you directly to the recipe! Thanks for stopping by :)  --Katie

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Homemade Chocolate Vitatops

One of my favorite snacks is a chocolate Vitatop with fat free Cool Whip. The Vitatops are so good, but SO expensive. So after buying a muffin top baking sheet at a garage sale, I decided to create my own Vitatops. You can find the original recipe here. I altered it to my liking.

This recipe has migrated over to my everyday blog, Runs for Cookies. This link will take you directly to the recipe.

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Cookie Dough Hummus

I made this awesome recipe on Sunday, and again today. I'm SHOCKED at how good it is!!  It's hummus that really does taste (and look) like cookie dough. I ate it with pretzels, which was awesome, and then for dessert today I had it with a chocolate Vitatop. Heavenly!

I made it as follows:
1 can of chick peas, drained AND peeled (takes a little time, but worth it!)
1/4 cup natural peanut butter
6 Tbsp. pure maple syrup
1 1/2 tsp. vanilla
pinch of salt
1/4 cup chocolate chips

Blend all ingredients except chocolate chips in a food processor until very smooth. Then fold in the chocolate chips.  (Makes 8 servings. Per serving:  139 calories, 5 grams fat, 3 grams fiber, 20 grams carbs, 4 grams protein)

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S'mores Pie

This really isn't very low in calories, but it was SO GOOD that I just had to share it. It's super easy to make, the kids can make it with very little help, and it's fun to eat an entire little pie by yourself!

S'mores Pie  (Serves 1)

1 miniature graham cracker crust (I found these at Wal-mart in a 6-pack)
1/3 cup miniature marshmallows
1 Tbsp. dark chocolate chips

Preheat the oven to 400. Put the marshmallows into the pie crust, and then top with the chocolate chips. Bake for about 10 minutes, watching closely--take it out of the oven when the marshmallows begin to get toasty :)

Makes 1 serving.  (Cals: 240; Fat: 10 g; Fiber: 1 g; Carbs: 39 g; Protein: 1 g)

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Monster Cookies

My friend Renee gave me the recipe for these--they're SUPER delish and pretty healthy for a cookie!


Monster Cookies

1/4 cup unsalted butter
1/2 cup natural peanut butter  (I used natural creamy pb)
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 large egg
1 large egg white
1 tsp. vanilla extract
2 Tbsp. ground flax seed
3 cups old-fashioned oats
1 tsp. baking soda
1/4 tsp. salt
1/2 cup mini chocolate chips  (make sure you use the mini ones, so you get a little chocolate with each bite!)
1/2 cup raisins

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Combine butter and peanut butter in a mixer. Beat until smooth. Add brown sugar, egg, egg white, and vanilla extract. Beat until smooth.

Add oats, flax, baking soda, salt, chocolate chips, and raisins. Mix well.

Drop spoonfuls of dough (I used 1.5 Tbsp each) 2" apart on cookie sheet. Bake 11 to 12 minutes, until lightly golden (I did 10 minutes). Let cool a few minutes on a baking sheet before removing to rack.

Makes 30 cookies.

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Renee's Oatmeal Breakfast Bars

These are SOOOO good--and beware if you're a binge eater, it's very hard to eat just one!  I modified this a bit the last time I made them to reduce the calorie count, and they turned out wonderfully. So I'll type up the modified recipe.

Note: The bar above is 1/12 of the pan, not 1/24 ;)

Oatmeal Breakfast Bars

1/4 cup plain, fat free yogurt
2 Tbsp. honey
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup Egg Beaters
1 tsp. vanilla extract
3 cups old fashioned oats
1 cup whole wheat pastry flour
1/4 cup ground flax seed
1-1/2 tsp. baking soda
1 cup unsweetened applesauce
1/2 tsp. salt
1 tsp. cinnamon
1/3 cup raisins
1/2 cup mini chocolate chips
1/2 cup chopped walnuts (optional, not included in nutrition info)

Preheat oven to 325. In a large mixing bowl, beat yogurt, honey, and sugar until creamy. Add applesauce, eggs, and vanilla and beat well.  In a separate bowl, combine oats, flour, flax, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon.  Add the dry ingredients to creamed mixture.  Stir in walnuts (if using), raisins, and chocolate chips. Prepare a 9x13 pan with cooking spray. Spread batter in pan and bake 20-25 minutes until lightly browned (I like to underbake them just a touch, so they stay a little gooey). Let cool, and cut into bars.  Makes 24 bars.

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Single Serve No-Bake Cookie

You all know about my love affair with oats... and PB2... and chocolate. So why not combine them into a no-bake cookie?!  My dad used to make big batches of the no-bake cowpie cookies (fudgy cookies made with chocolate, peanut butter, butter, oats...)  There is NO WAY I would be able to make a big batch and eat just one! So I created this single-serve version, and it's sooo delicious!



1 Tbsp. PB2 (don't reconstitute it!)
1 Tbsp. No Pudge! Brownie mix (I think other brownie mixes would work, but I love the No Pudge! ones)
scant 1 Tbsp. skim milk
2 Tbsp. quick cooking oats

Combine the PB2, brownie mix, and skim milk and stir until smooth. Add the oats and stir to coat well. Drop the whole thing onto a small piece of wax paper and refrigerate at least 2 hours.
Makes 1 serving, 2 WW points.  (120 calories, 1 gram of fat, 3 grams of fiber, 24 grams of carbs, 6 grams of protein)

And before anyone asks....

You can buy PB2 (and find all the info about it) here... www.bellplantation.com 

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