I'll Link You Up...FitDay Counter

Hey ya'll! How ya be? I'm doing good here but still trying to bulk up my muscles from the waste down in effort to continue my knee rehab, and I'm doing that my really boosting my protein allotment everyday. (Need a good protein shake recipe?) But, lemme tell ya, it's getting a wee bit difficult to keep track of all this protein and some days are better than others, so I searched the web and found a pretty easy-to-use and FREE website, called FitDay Calorie Counter.

Once you create a free username and password, you can login and enter all you've eaten during the day, and it will create a pie chart for you dividing up Fat, Protein, Carbs and Alcohol percentages. You can even create custom nutrition goals, so I am able to enter in my daily protein goals to make it easy for me to see how I'm doing!

Try FitDay Calorie Counter for free and see if it helps you with your nutritional goals!

The Sneak Attack Protein Drink #1

I'm increasing my protein by double the daily allotment as I am on a hot'n'heavy plan to rehab my notorious knee. The average male needs about 50-63 grams of protein each day and the average woman needs about 36-50 grams per day. A chicken breast has only about 20-30 grams depending on how you prepare it so, I really have my work cut out for me as I try to get about 80-100 grams of protein per day.

Here's a great site to get an approximate on the protein count certain foods may contain!

So in my protein power efforts, this is probably one of the most random posts I think I'll EVER post, but perhaps- just maybe there's someone out there that is looking for a new protein drink recipe and perhaps-just maybe I'll make your day!

I prefer a Whey based protein powder- the one from Trader Joe's doesn't have any weird additives or stabilizers, or any other secret ingredients, and it is low in fat and sugar, which if you do any comparing, this is usually not the case. Most protein powders are, yes, high in protein, but then also high in fat and sugar--not good! Trader Joe's also has a Soy based powder but I haven't tried it yet.

Anywho, I call this my "Sneak Attack" drink because I didn't want this shake to taste like a yucky protein drink...it's really quite sneaky with the smoothness of coffee and whatever favorite coffee creamer you have. You might like this as you're morning drink and get used to it- not just after a work out!!

Ingredients & Recipe:
Printable Recipe

Follow the directions of your protein drink. Mine calls for;

• 4 scoops of Vanilla protein powder to 16oz./2 cups of milk

You'll also need;

• 5 ice cubes
• 1 Tbls. your favorite coffee creamer
• 1-2 Tbls. instant coffee

Begin by adding the ice to the bottom of a blender, top with the milk, then the protein powder, then the coffee creamer, then the instant coffee. Please follow the order I have listed here to save you a lot of trial and error. I have had lots of clumpy, non-dissolved protein drinks in the past, and the order listed here is nearly "no-fail!" Place the lid firmly on your blender and go to town on that puppy until you feel like your ice is well crushed into the shake. Pour and serve, enjoy right away!

I'll Link You Up...Double Duty Food Scale

This is the food scale to top all food scales! Not only can you measure your portions and calculate how much of this and that- but this fine scale will also tell you much more about the item, including sodium, sugar, carbs, fiber, fat...IT'S AMAZING! It basically does all the hard work for you and makes healthy portioning much easier! Another awesome tool is that it will track your entire daily food intake which is great if you are trying to monitor your protein intake, etc., or just trying to stay within a healthy caloric guideline. It's about $60, so slightly more expensive but with all the useful things you can do with it, I think it's really worth it!

Check it out more here!

Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Dessert Bars

In case you had doubts, I am passionately in love with chocolate and anything that resembles a chocolate chip cookie. I LITERALLY had a dream once about taking a bath in a tub of liquidy chocolate (more like the consistency of water than melted chocolate) and it was the best dream ever! Anyways, maybe I need to think outside the box a little more with my dessert selection, but this is my blog, so for now I'm happy with my choices!

Along with healthy fruit salad I have been eating this "dessert" for breakfast the last few days- I know- "really healthy, Nichole, really good!" But I just can't stay away! And I don't think you will be able to either! And with a little whole-wheat flour, and the oats, you can feel pretty good about it- or at least pretend!

Ingredients & Recipe:

Printable Recipe

• 1 stick butter, unsalted, softened at room temperature
• 1/4 cup brown sugar (dark or light)
• 2 eggs, at room temperature (how to get your eggs to room temp in a hurry)
• 1 tsp. vanilla (at room temperature)
• 1/2 cup whole wheat flour
• 1/2 cup pastry flour
• 1/2 tsp. baking powder
• 1/4 tsp. salt
• 1/4 cup milk (at room temperature)
• 1 1/2 cup oats
• 1 cup chocolate chips
• 1/2 cup chopped nuts (pecans, walnuts, etc) (optional)

Begin by preheating your oven to 350 degrees. Prepare a 9 inch baking pan with cooking spray.

Next, dump the butter and sugar into a large bowl...

...and mix & mash it together with a fork until combined and smooth. Next, add the eggs and vanilla, and stir well.

Now, in another large bowl, combine the flour, baking powder and salt. Stir in the flour mixture into the sugar mixture in thirds, alternating with the milk, then stir in oats & chocolate chips (and nuts). Use a spatula to transfer the batter into the pan, smooth out the top and bake until the sides are golden and the top feels set when you tap it, approximately 27-30 minutes. Set the pan on a cooling rack if you have it or away from the oven to cool. Cut into squares to triangles to serve!

Things You Could Also Try...

• I did not put nuts in my bars, but YOU COULD!! Like the recipe notes, you could throw in chopped pecans, walnuts, or even dried cherries!

I'll Link You Up...Wine Totes

Tell me these aren't the cutest wine tote bags you've ever seen!?! So perfect for when you're on the way to a dinner party or a girls' night! And only $12!!! Check out everything www.maptote.com has to offer, including an array of other great totes-great for the grocery store!

I'll Link You Up....Bloody Mary's are O2 to Me!

So, I can't bare to divulge my top secret recipe to my bloody mary mix on the blog yet- (maybe if I could actually ever copyright something on the Internet) but I'm certain that Emeril's are pretty close. If you aren't a "bloody mary person", PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE, give them another shot! I don't even like ketchup, but LOVE a good bloody mary- a "good" bloody mary though- not just a can of tomato juice mixed with a few olives. Blah!

Another good tip; use Absolut Peppar vodka when available for an extra deepness, and don't forget garlic-filled olives, a pickle spear and a celery stalk as garnish (and snack!)

Don't drink alcohol? No problem! A good bloody mary mix doesn't need booze to make it delicious!

How to...? Butternut Squash Edition

Fall is one of the most wonderful seasons for food! First off, I LOVE PUMPKIN EVERYTHING! Pumpkin bars, pumpkin pie, pumpkin soup, pumpkin spice lattes... And aside from that, all the yummy winter root vegetables are in season and ready for me to enjoy!

I read Cooking Light Magazine religiously, as well as a variety of food sites and blogs, and there has been a plethora of Butternut Squash recipes in the mix. Well, that happens to be a food I'm not too experienced on. I learned a lot from reviewing these simple steps on how to cut this type of squash, and now I'm ready to try a new recipe this weekend!

I'll Link You Up!

I get emails from "Hungry Girl" on a regular basis, and think if you're a pumpkin lover you may want to check out this edition! Click here to see pumpkin cupcakes, pumpkin bread, pumpkin enchiladas and more!! Enjoy!