Posts tagged #Protein Powder

Chai Oat Protein Balls

Chai Oat Protein Balls | My Engineered Nutrition

Welcome to the first recipe of 2018!

I can't believe how fast 2017 flew by. But, here we are in January - a fresh start. I'm not really much for New Year's resolutions, but I do have a few this year that I've made for myself. Since I'm all about sharing goals and have no shame in doing so (HELLO Figure Prep) I will share one with you. One of my goals is to gain back my running endurance that I had at one time long ago and be able to run 3 miles in 30 minutes. Not only does this mean working up to running 3 miles consecutively with no walking breaks (something I currently can't do...whoops), but it also means running 10 minute miles (I currently am running about a 10:45 mile). This is coming from a gal who ran a 1/2 marathon at an average 10:00 pace 10 years ago. My, how things have changed...

What are your resolutions for this year? Do you have any? If one of your's happens to be eating healthier than you are in the right place!

Chia Oat Protein Balls | My Engineered Nutrition

Recently, I've been SUPER busy with all aspects of life: personal, social and career wise. I love it, I thrive off it actually. However, sometimes it does get the best of me and I don't have the time I'd like to prepare the meals I would like to be eating. I'm willing to guess that some of you struggle with the same problems I have. 

This is exactly why I created these Chai Oat Protein Balls! These are super easy to make (no bake!) and are great for on-the-go. These are made with just 4 major ingredients...FOUR! (OK so if you count spices and vanilla extract it is technically 6, but you should seriously already have those on hand) All you need for these balls are dates, cashews, chai oats and vanilla pea protein, plus a little extra cinnamon and vanilla extract. Not only are these tasty, they are also gluten free and dairy free!

I am using True Nutrition's Gluten Free Quick Oats, sweetened with monk fruit and the chai latte flavor. If you don't have these on hand (although I highly recommend their products!) you can substitute with your own chai spice blend. Each ball packs 4 grams of protein and just 2.5 grams of fat. 

I hope you gives these a try and let me know what you think!

Chia Oat Protein Balls | My Engineered Nutrition

Chai Oat Protein Balls

Prep Time: 30 minutes

Servings: 12 balls

Ingredients: 

Chai Spice Blend (if substituting TN oats)

Baking Accessories:

  • Food processor

Directions:

  1. In your food processor, combine pitted dates, cashews and 1 tbsp water. Pulse on high until a smooth paste of dates and cashews forms. 
  2. In a medium bowl combine oats, protein powder, cinnamon, vanilla and date/cashew paste. Mix with a spatula to combine all ingredients. You should have a dough like consistency. If it is too dry, add water 1 tbsp at a time to reach the desired consistency. We want the dough to hold and shape into balls so don't add too much liquid.
  3. Place into the freezer for about 15 minutes for the dough to cool and come together. 
  4. Remove from freezer and roll into 12 equally sized balls. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.

Nutritional Information (1 ball):

95 calories - 4 g Protein, 13.7 g Carbohydrates, 2.6 g Fat

Pumpkin Pecan Protein Cake

Pumpkin Pecan Protein Cake | My Engineered Nutrition

I don't know what it is about this time of the year, but without fail it always seems to FLY by. Back in October I looked at my calendar and saw that my project deadlines were nicely spaced out and would carry out between November and December, all wrapping up conveniently in mid-December prior to my holiday time at home. Well wouldn't you know, ALL of my projects decided they wanted to move up the deadlines and get things completed before the end of November. 

(Cue madness and insane amounts of work to be completed in half the time)

Pumpkin Pecan Protein Cake | My Engineered Nutrition

I had every intention of posting this recipe for you a few weeks ago, but then my day job called and I had to work around the clock just to finish those deadlines, leaving zero time for My Engineered Nutrition. No good! I just couldn't WAIT to share this with you. I know that most of you who follow my recipes like protein powder recipes that are quick and on-the-go. Since it is the holiday season, this is a bit of a special treat:

Pumpkin Pecan Protein Cake!

Pumpkin Pecan Protein Cake | My Engineered Nutrition

The holidays are filled with gatherings of family and friends, which are great, but usually they are also filled with decadent foods and sweet treats. Don't get me wrong, I love it as much as the next person, but I'd also love to be able to lighten things up if I can. This cake is the perfect treat! I bet you wouldn't even guess it was made with protein powder unless someone told you, it's that good! 

Compared to most sweets, it is low in fat, carbohydrates and sugar. What's not to love about that? As an added bonus, I'm also going to go out there on a limb and say you can eat this as breakfast cake as well. No judgement here.

I hope you give this a try and let me know how you like it. Happy Holidays!

Pumpkin Pecan Protein Cake | My Engineered Nutrition

Pumpkin Pecan Protein Cake

Prep Time: 30 minutes

Bake Time: 20-25 minutes

Servings: 16 slices

Ingredients: 

  • 2 scoops True Nutrition Cinnamon Bun Whey Protein (1/2 cup)
  • 1-1/2 cup gluten free all-purpose flour (I used Gluten Free Baking Flour but typical all-purpose flour will work as well)
  • 1/4 cup coconut palm sugar
  • 1/4 tsp baking powder
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • 3/4 tsp salt
  • 1 tbsp pumpkin pie spice
  • 1 cup pumpkin puree 
  • 3/4 cup lowfat Greek yogurt (2%)
  • 1 egg
  • 4 tbsp butter, melted
  • 2 tsp vanilla
  • 1/2 cup pecans, toasted and chopped

Cream Cheese Frosting

  • 1/4 cup light cream cheese (2 oz)
  • 3/4 cup lowfat Greek yogurt (2%)
  • 1 tsp pure maple syrup

Baking Accessories:

  • 13 inch x 9 inch baking pan
  • Parchment paper

Directions:

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Prepare cake pan by greasing with coconut oil or butter and lining with parchment paper. Set aside.
  2. Toast pecans by spreading them out on a baking sheet and placing in oven for 5-10 minutes. Be sure to keep a close watch on them so not to burn! Once toasted, roughly chop pecans. Set aside.
  3. In a mixing bowl combine your dry ingredients: whey protein, flour, coconut palm sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt and pumpkin pie spice.
  4. In a stand mixer or large mixing bowl with hand mixer, combine your wet ingredients: pumpkin puree, Greek yogurt, egg, melted butter and vanilla. Mix at medium speed until well combined. Add dry ingredients in 3 batches, mixing at medium speed until incorporated. 
  5. Fold pecans into batter with a spatula until evenly mixed in.
  6. Pour batter into baking pan. Bake for 20 - 25 mins or until a toothpick inserted into center comes out clean. Be sure not to over bake the cake since there is whey protein in the batter and it could easily become dry and rubbery. Allow to cool 10 minutes before icing. 
  7. While the cake is cooling, combine light cream cheese, Greek yogurt and maple syrup in small bowl and mix with a hand mixer. Once cake has cooled, ice with cream cheese frosting and slice into 16 pieces and enjoy! Store remaining cake in refrigerator to keep fresh.

Nutritional Information (1 slice):

145 calories - 8 g Protein, 14 g Carbohydrates, 7 g Fat

Posted on November 20, 2017 and filed under Baking, Protein Powder, Sweet Treats.

Pumpkin Protein Pancakes

Pumpkin Protein Pancakes | My Engineered Nutrition

October is mere days away, which can only mean one thing: PUMPKIN SEASON! Let’s kick the season off right and make a big stack of these Pumpkin Protein Pancakes together, shall we?

Pumpkin Protein Pancakes | My Engineered Nutrition

Protein pancakes are a fickle thing. If you’ve been a follower of MEN, then you know my feelings towards them back when I posted my Fluffy Protein Pancakes using egg white protein powder. I still love those pancakes (seriously, try them if you haven’t already!) but it seems without fail I get questions about replacing other protein powder types with whey in my protein powder recipes. I get it, whey is the most popular protein powder type, but mannn is it tough to work with at times.

Pumpkin Protein Pancakes | My Engineered Nutrition

These pancakes were definitely a labor of love but the result is so worth it! I tweaked this recipe (no joke) 5 or 6 times to get it right. Unlike most protein powder pancakes I’ve tried, which can turn rubbery and dry, these stay soft and moist! The pumpkin definitely helps in that regard. These are low in fat, thanks to the applesauce and pumpkin acting as butter and egg substitutes, AND low carb/gluten free since we’re using coconut flour. You’ll have zero guilt eating the whole stack and if you’re really adventurous...drizzle a little pure maple syrup on top!

Happy Fall, y’all! 

Pumpkin Protein Pancakes | My Engineered Nutrition

Pumpkin Protein Pancakes

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 2 minutes

Servings: 6 pancakes

Ingredients: 

  • 1 scoop Cinnamon Whey Protein Powder (1/4 cup), vanilla would work as well
  • 2 tbsp coconut flour
  • 1/2 tsp baking powder
  • 1/4 tsp baking soda
  • Pinch of salt
  • 1/2 tsp cinnamon
  • 1/2 tsp pumpkin pie spice
  • 1/4 cup pure pumpkin puree
  • 1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce
  • 1 egg
  • 1 egg white
  • 1 tbsp almond milk (or milk of choice)
  • 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
  • Optional: Pure maple syrup for serving!

Directions:

  1. In a mixing bowl combine your dry ingredients: whey protein, coconut flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt and spices. Whisk to fully mix ingredients.
  2. In a small bowl combine all wet ingredients: pumpkin, applesauce, eggs, almond milk and vanilla. Whisk together and then add to dry ingredients. Whisk until all ingredients are incorporated.
  3. Heat a non-stick pan (I love my ceramic non-stick Greenpan) over medium heat - you don't want the pan too hot that it burns your pancakes! Scoop batter (approximately 1/4 c) onto pan. Cook the first side until you begin to see bubbles form, about 1-1/2 minute. Flip and continue to cook until both sides are browned, about another 30-45 seconds. Serve while hot! 

Nutritional Information (1 pancake):

50 calories - 7 g Protein, 4 g Carbohydrates, 1.2 g Fat

 

Looking for MORE pumpkin recipes? Here are few more My Engineered Nutrition favorites! 

Posted on September 28, 2017 and filed under Protein Powder, Breakfast, Recipes.

Chocolate Cherry Protein Shake

Chocolate Cherry Protein Shake | My Engineered Nutrition

As far as recipes with protein powder go, I feel like I've practically tried my hand at everything. Plenty of pro-nuts, cakes, brownies, muffins, pancakes and more...but no protein shakes. Truthfully, I hardly ever drink them (gasp!). If I'm honest, I can't stand the taste of a simple protein shake made from whey powder and water. Bleh. I just would much rather eat something with protein than drink it. My secret is out. This is why I haven't ever once done a recipe for a smoothie or shake.

Chocolate Cherry Protein Shake | My Engineered Nutrition

Well, today that changes. I may not love basic protein shakes, but you know what I do love? MILKSHAKES. Who doesn't? If you also don't like protein shakes (or maybe you do) and get down with some milkshakes, then you are going to love this Chocolate Cherry Protein Shake. 

Chocolate Cherry Protein Shake | My Engineered Nutrition

The base of this shake is Chocolate Fudge Micellar Casein. If you are like me, you like your milkshakes as a dessert after dinner - or maybe you like them for breakfast, which is totally fine, no judgment here. Casein is a "slow" protein, meaning you absorb it much slower than whey protein. Slow rate of protein breakdown is great for muscle recovery, aka when we are sleeping.

But don't let this shake foul you, it may taste like a milkshake but it is actually packed with antioxidants! First, it has cacao powder, not to be confused with cocoa. Cacao is made from un-roasted raw cocoa beans, high in antioxidants, no sugar, and even some fiber. I also snuck in some spinach to provide an extra boost of antioxidants, vitamins and minerals, plus you won't even know it's there.  Last but certainly not least, let's not forget about the cherries which are also packed with antioxidants, contain cancer-preventative compounds and also naturally contain melatonin which aids in sleep! 

Chocolate Cherry Protein Shake | My Engineered Nutrition

This shake is thick and creamy and you will hardly believe it yourself that it is actually SO GOOD for you! I may just have to start making this a nightly routine... 

Chocolate Cherry Protein Shake

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Servings: 1 shake

Ingredients:

*This makes for a very thick shake. If you prefer a thinner consistency, simply add more milk to your liking!

Directions: 

  1.  Add all ingredients to blender and blend until creamy!

Nutritional Information (1 shake)

305 calories - 34.5 g Protein, 31 g Carbohydrates, 4.8 g Fat

 

 

 

Lemon Pistachio Protein Donuts

Lemon Pistachio Donuts | My Engineered Nutrition

Oh.

My. 

Goodness.

These donuts. I just don't even have the words.

Lemon Pistachio Donuts | My Engineered Nutrition

Let me try and find them: LEMON. PISTACHIO. PROTEIN. DONUTS. 

Even though I made them myself, it is hard to believe how amazing these taste when they are made with protein powder. I mean, let's not fool ourselves - baking with protein powder is GREAT, but its never quite the real deal. But I swear to you, if you didn't know how these were made you would think I picked them up from a near by donut shop. 

Lemon Pistachio Donuts | My Engineered Nutrition

I will admit that I had my doubts I could ever get this recipe exactly spot on like I wanted it. The first attempt the batter had too much liquid and they baked flat and rubbery. The second attempt I almost had but it they were a little dry, however, still definitely edible, I just wasn't sold on the glaze. This third attempt I was determined to nail it and boy did I. 

I will say I tried so hard to make a "healthy" glaze for these donuts by using minimal sugar and even some whey protein powder in the mix, but it just wasn't the consistency I wanted. So I compromised and made a traditional glaze with powdered sugar and milk...but used it oh-so-sparingly. I try my hardest to steer clear of refined sugars but you know what, sometimes you gotta give a little.

Aside from the glaze these are incredibly healthy donuts! The lemon zest and lemon juice make these the ideal summertime donut as their flavor is bright and bursting with with citrus. Each donut packs 8 grams of protein and less than 5 grams of fat. It is hard to believe something that taste THIS good is actually healthy. Don't believe me? You'll just have to see for yourself!

Lemon Pistachio Protein Donuts | My Engineered Nutrition

Lemon Pistachio Protein Donuts

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Bake Time: 8 minutes

Servings: 6 donuts

Ingredients:

Donuts

  • 1/4 cup  vanilla whey protein powder (I use Whey Protein Isolate from True Nutrition)
  • 1/2 cup all-purpose flour (I use Bob's Red Mill Gluten Free All Purpose)
  • 2 tbsp coconut palm sugar 
  • 1/4 tsp baking soda
  • 1/4 tsp baking powder
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 1 tbsp butter, melted
  • 1/4 cup nonfat Greek yogurt
  • 1 egg
  • 1/2 tsp vanilla
  • Zest of 1 lemon (approx. 2 tbsp)
  • 1 tbsp lemon juice

Glaze

  • 3 tbsp powdered sugar, loosely measured not hard packed
  • 2 tsp milk (or nondairy milk of your choice, I used cashew)

Additional Toppings

  • 2 tbsp pistachios, toasted

Directions: 

  1.  Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease donut pan with coocnut oil (just so the donut don't stick to pan) and set aside. 
  2. Mix all dry ingredients (protein powder, flour, coconut palm sugar, baking soda, baking powder and salt) together in a large mixing bowl. In a smaller bowl, combine wet ingredients (butter, lemon juice, lemon zest, yogurt, egg and vanilla) and whisk together. Add wet ingredients to the dry and whisk together until well incorporated. 
  3. Transfer batter to a large Ziploc bag - we will use this as a piping bag. Snip a very small hole in one of the bottom corners of the bag and evenly pipe batter into donut pan. I like to tab the pan on my counter top to level out the batter and ensure there are no air bubbles. 
  4. Transfer donuts to oven to bake for 8 minutes or until a toothpick in inserted into the donut and comes out clean. Make sure not to over bake since we are using whey protein and over baking and make your donuts dry and rubbery!
  5. After the donuts have finished baking, remove pan from oven and remove donuts from pan for cooling. 
  6. While donuts are cooling, prepare the glaze. In a small bowl add 1 tsp of milk at a time to the powdered sugar, stirring after each tsp of milk. If you haven't already toasted your pistachios, now would be the time to toast them. Once cooled, chop the pistachios finely.
  7. With a spoon, drizzle equal amounts of glaze over the tops of the cooled donuts. Sprinkle chopped pistachios over each right after the glaze.
  8. Serve immediately or store in an airtight container, placed in the refrigerator.

Nutritional Information (1 donut)

145 calories - 8 g Protein, 17.5 g Carbohydrates, 4.7 g Fat