February 16, 2023 – Protein Poppits snack

While searching for the next protein bar brand and flavor to try, I ran found these little bags of Power Crunch Protein Poppits. I thought it would be a nice change from the protein bars and they were only $1.98 at Walmart, so I grabbed two bags. The first bag I tried was the BBQ flavor.

I’ve never been a big fan of BBQ potato chips, so I went into this with my mind made up that they were not going to be good. Well, I was WRONG! These little crunchy balls of BBQ goodness are delicious. They are very barbecue flavored in a good way. You get the smokey, sweet, and tanginess of an actual barbecue. How do the macros stack up? Pretty good. One bag is 110 calories, 4.5g total fat, 5mg cholesterol, 430mg sodium, 3g carbs, and a whopping 15g protein!

But, are they crunchy? Take a look in the bag at these crunchy little nuggets of yum!!

Very delicious! Very crunchy! So flavorful that I couldn’t eat the whole little package in one sitting. I’m going to try them as a crouton on a salad or I might try them on a bowl of tomato soup.

Bottom line – These BBQ treats are yummy. I also have a bag of the ranch flavor, which I will review another day.

Do you have any favorite high protein snacks or treats that you would like to share. Comment below and start the conversation.

Thanks for reading.

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January 12, 2023 – Chicken Salad Chick Fancy Nancy Chicken Salad Copycat Recipe

It has been a month since Chicken Salad Chick opened near us and I am a big fan. I’m slowly working my way through their flavors. My favorites so far, are Fancy Nancy and Patti Thai-riffic.

What happens when I get a craving for my favorite Chick and I can’t get my hands on any? Kathy get’s sad. So, have been on the lookout for a copycat recipe. I found one and have tweaked it to my liking. I served this on low carb sun-dried tomato wraps.

Faux Fancy Nancy Chicken Salad

Ingredients

  • 2 cups of chopped rotisserie chicken
  • 1 fuji apple, chopped
  • 1/2 C seedless red grapes, cut up
  • 2 TBSP chopped pecans
  • 1 cup mayo
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 1/4 tsp freshly ground pepper
  • 1 1/2 tsp ranch seasoning

Add all ingredients into a bowl and stir until well combined.

Refrigerate for 30 minutes prior to serving.

Will keep in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.

Makes 4 servings

This was spot on. I did not put celery in because I am not a fan. You can add finely chopped celery like Chicken Salad Chick does if you would like.

You can experiment with lower calorie substitutes for the mayonnaise. I used Dukes, which I love. If you want to lighten it up but keep that mayo taste, use half mayo and half fat free greek yogurt.

I hope you get a chance to try this recipe. I made enough to supply me with lunches all week. This made my day.

Thanks for reading.

February 9, 2023 – Tasting the ONE Maple Glazed Doughnut protein bar

Hmmm…I can’t imagine what attracted me to this flavor. Could it be the giant maple glazed doughnut on the cover?

Before I get into the taste test, how do the numbers stack up?

Serving size 1 bar, calories 230, Fat 8g, saturated fat 6g, trans fat 0g, polyunsaturated fat .5g, monounsaturated fat 1g, cholesterol 10mg, sodium 150mg, total carbs 23g, dietary fiber 3g, total sugars 1g, protein 20g.

Higher in calories and lower in fiber than yesterday’s White Chocolate Raspberry Quest bar. So, how does the taste stack up?

OMG. The moment I bit into a piece of this protein bar I was a kid again. This tastes like a Bit-o-honey candy only less sweet.

It was absolutely delicious and, despite the lower fiber content, very filling. I cut the bar into smaller pieces to snack on and was satisfied before finishing half of the bar. It had a texture similar to the Bit-o-honey with a light maple glaze. Since it was so satisfying, I ate half as a morning snack and the rest as an afternoon snack.

So, what brand/flavor should I try next? Do you have a favorite? Or maybe you have a good recipe for me to try. Let me know in the comments.

Thanks for reading.

February 8, 2023 – Quest Protein Bar taste test- White Chocolate Raspberry

So today I tasted the white chocolate raspberry flavor of the Quest Protein Bar. First the macros:

Serving size 1 bar, calories 190, Fat 8g, saturated fat 3g, trans fat 0g, cholesterol 5mg, sodium 250mg, total carbs 22g, dietary fiber 13g, total sugars 1g, protein 20g.

The numbers look good but how does it taste?

DELICIOUS!!!! It reminded me of raspberry cheesecake. No artificial after taste. There was real raspberry in this bar. I would definitely eat this one again. I’ll have to try other flavors too.

Tomorrow I will be tasting a maple glazed donut One bar. I can’t wait.

Do you have any brands/flavors to suggest? Or maybe you have a good recipe for me to try. Let me know in the comments.

Thanks for reading.

February 4, 2023 – Do you like protein bars?

I am looking for protein bar suggestions. Since breakfast is around 5:30 AM and lunch at work not happening until 1:00 PM or 1:30 PM, i sometimes get HANGRY at work. I need a pick me up snack between breakfast and lunch but I want it to be healthy. Cereal bars are too high in carbs.

Please list your favorite store bought bars as well as any recipes you love. You can put them in the comments or click on my contact info and send me a message.

Once I get a list I will start taste testing.

Thanks for reading.

January 30, 2023 – Easy, tasty, healthy lunch at work

One of my big challenges is figuring out what to have for lunch on days that I work. Today I tried something new and it was TASTY!!!

Life Cuisine – Cauliflower Crust Chicken Mozzarella Piada. It took 3 minutes to cook. It was very flavorful and the macros were good. It kept me satisfied until dinner. I found this one in the freezer section at Publix. I plan to look for more from this brand.

Thanks for reading.

January 28, 2023 – Healthy (and tasty) food substitutes.

Are you looking to make some healthy changes in your life but don’t want to give up your favorite foods? If so, then you’re in luck! There are many healthy food substitutes that can help you lose weight and eat healthier without sacrificing flavor.

From zucchini noodles to cauliflower rice, there are a number of options that are both healthy and delicious. In this article, we’ll give you a list of 10 healthy food substitutes that you can use to make your favorite meals healthier. So what are you waiting for? Get started on your journey to better health today!

Eating healthier is one of the best ways to improve your overall health and wellbeing. Unfortunately, a lot of the traditional comfort foods we associate with our childhoods are high in fat, sugar, and calories. Therefore, finding healthy food substitutes is an important step in making sure we eat a balanced diet. Not only can swapping out unhealthy ingredients for healthier ones help maintain a healthy weight, it can also reduce the risk of developing lifestyle-related diseases like heart disease, diabetes, and high blood pressure. Moreover, many of the healthy substitutes taste just as good, if not better, than the traditional ingredients.

When looking for healthy food substitutes, it’s important to consider the health benefits of the swap. The best substitutes should contain fewer calories, less fat and sugar, and more fiber and nutrition. Therefore, it’s important to look at the nutrition labels and compare the ingredients of the two products. When it comes to swapping out unhealthy ingredients for healthier ones, it’s important to look for substitutes that have fewer processed ingredients and more natural ones, like fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Additionally, you should avoid any substitutes that contain added sugar or fat.

When it comes to making healthy swaps, there are a lot of options that can help you make healthier meals. Here are some of the most popular healthy food substitutes:

1. Zucchini noodles – swap out traditional pasta for zucchini noodles for a healthier and lower-calorie option.

Photo by Jacqueline Spotto on Pexels.com

2. Cauliflower rice – swap out white rice for cauliflower rice for a lower-calorie and nutrient-packed option.

3. Avocado spread – swap out mayonnaise for an avocado spread for a healthier option that still packs a creamy punch.

4. Greek yogurt – swap out sour cream for plain Greek yogurt for a healthier and lower-calorie option.

5. Almond milk – swap out regular milk for almond milk for a dairy-free and lower-calorie option.

6. Lettuce wraps – swap out a hamburger bun for a lettuce wrap for a healthier and lower-calorie option.

7. Baked sweet potato fries – swap out regular fries for baked sweet potato fries for a healthier and lower-calorie option. You can even make sweet potato “toast” by cutting the sweet potatoes into planks, baking/toasting them, and serving with toppings.

8. Coconut flakes – swap out breadcrumbs for shredded coconut flakes for a higher-fiber and lower-calorie option.

9. Nut butters – swap out butter for nut butters such as almond butter or peanut butter for a healthier and lower-calorie option.

10. Applesauce – swap out oil for applesauce for a lower-calorie and dairy-free option.

Making healthy food substitutes can seem like a daunting task, especially when you’re used to your old habits. Here are some tips to help make sure these substitutes become a staple in your diet:

1. Start Small – Start by replacing one ingredient at a time. Make gradual changes that you can stick with over time.

2. Give Yourself Time – Making healthy swaps takes time and patience. Don’t get frustrated if you have a few missteps – it’s part of the process.

3. Plan Ahead – Meal planning is a great way to make sure you have healthy ingredients on hand and that you’re prepared for the week ahead.

4. Mix it Up – Don’t get stuck in a rut. Try new healthy alternatives and recipes to keep food interesting.

Eating out can be a challenge for anyone trying to make healthier choices. Here are some tips for eating out and still making healthy choices:

1. Look for vegetable sides – Most restaurants offer a variety of vegetable sides like steamed vegetables, salads, and roasted vegetables. Look for items that are cooked or grilled without added fat or salt.

2. Choose lean proteins – Look for lean proteins like grilled chicken and fish that are cooked without added fat. Avoid deep-fried items or batter-crusted items.

3. Ask for substitutions – Most restaurants are happy to accommodate requests for substitutions. Ask for things like salad instead of fries or grilled vegetables instead of French fries.

4. Load up on greens – Start your meal with a salad or side of steamed vegetables to help fill you up and keep you from overeating.

Making healthy food swaps doesn’t have to be hard. With a little bit of planning and research, you can easily find healthy food substitutes for your favorite dishes. Remember, look for substitutes that are lower in calories and have more natural ingredients. Also, don’t forget to plan ahead and mix up your choices to keep things interesting. Finally, when dining out, look for lean proteins, vegetable sides, and ask for substitutions. Following these tips can help make sure you eat a healthy and balanced diet. So don’t wait any longer – get started on your journey to better health today!

January 21, 2023 – Egg substitutes

Have you checked the cost of eggs lately? I just looked and Walmart has a dozen Great Value Large White eggs for $4.64. I saw a package of 60 eggs at BJs Wholesale for $22.99. I am at the point where, the only time I use eggs is if I’m eating eggs for breakfast of hardboiled eggs. I don’t want to bake with them. What can you substitute for eggs? Well I found the following on Facebook and thought I’d share it with you.

I hope this helps you to bake and eat healthier and save some money.

Thanks for reading!