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Appetites and Adventures

You’re Off to Great Places + Growing Naturals Giveaway

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I’m addicted to the powder.

 

Not that powder.  Where are your minds?!  Shame!

Protein powder, bro.  I have high standards:

  • NOT grainy or chalky
  • Not full of sugar or loaded with a billion carbs
  • Must actually taste like the flavor on the label
  • Ingredient lists need to be recognizable and short
  • Must contain at least 20g of protein

 

I have tried them all.  Today, I am SO excited that my #1 favorite protein powder of all time, Growing Naturals, has agreed to join in the Blogiversary week celebration.  They meet my high standards and then some… they are even soy-free and vegan!

The chocolate rice powder really does impart a chocolate taste.  It’s perfect in my Mocha Beet Frapp.  The vanilla was just the right amount of flavor to make my Plantain Ginger Bread taste like a warm treat.

Plantain Ginger Protein Bread

 

I’m getting wordy.  It’s Kat’s turn to blog today.  Just click here for more on why they rock.  Or, for proof, know that  beg seek them out to sponsor me at Blend and do giveaways… I want everyone to try it! 😉

Sooooo… here’s the schwag one of you will WIN (giveaway entry at the bottom – US only, along with winners for Monday and Tuesday’s giveaways!):

Growing Naturals

Speaking of protein… my girl Kat is going to need plenty to fuel the race she’s running this weekend.  Check her out and wish her luck below!!!

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You’re off to great places!

(by: Kat)

I’m leaving for my 100 mile race in Pennsylvania today.  Yes, 100 miles, 32 hour time limit.  I’m trying not to try to figure out how fast I have to run each mile to finish in under 30 hours, under 28 hours, etc.  I really just want to finish.  (Editor’s note: You are officially my hero.)

You're off to great places

 

I’m scared, and I even emailed the race director to see if I could defer my entry ‘til next year.  He said no, so I’m going.  Eeeeeeek!

This has brought up serious insecurity.  Why do my friends believe I can do this more than I believe in myself?  My new mantra on my runs has inspired some confidence in me.  I’ve been telling myself, “I am strong, I am injury-free, and I can do this!” 

It really does help me re-frame and know my body is capable and my mind is yearning for the … what?  (Editor’s note: This is so true.  I do it in lifting.  It’s amazing what positive self-talk can do to your physical abilities… and you know I’m not the touch-y feel-y type.)  Maybe a break-through, maybe a break-down.  Sometimes we need a little of both.

No Matter How you Feel... never give up

 

I plan on taking good care of myself, and Wednesday night was all about packing carefully, and preparing my food/necessities.  With 100 miles on foot, you have to think: breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks, and more calories.  (Editor’s note: Meal time is my favorite!)

I also have to think about injury prevention, which means lights, batteries, keeping myself warm.  I have to honor the body that allows me to even attempt this kind of challenge.  I am so grateful to have a healthy body that allows me to push myself physically to achieve something mentally.

Keeping Your Body Healthy

 

I also need to mention that waiting for my bar results has been a terrible waiting period, and I keep getting asked about the date for results which makes me a little batty.  It’s October 28th.  Results October 28th.  (Editor’s note: We are going to celebrate hard core!  I know you OWNED it!)

 

Right now, I’m wound up tight, and so are my finances.  I’m so grateful for everything I have right now, including my Cold Life  Organics deliveries, which save me money and allow me to experiment.

A few experiments lately include this parsnip-cauliflower puree and stuffed red bell peppers.  They are both so easy I didn’t initially think of them as a blog post.  But they are unique, delicious recipes that helped me to think outside the box.

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Cauliflower Parsnip Puree

Parsnip-Cauliflower Puree

  • 3 large parsnips, cut roughly into ¼ inch pieces
  • ½ head cauliflower, cut roughly into ¼ inch pieces
  • ½ Vidalia onion, diced
  • 4 large cloves of garlic, chopped
  • Salt, to taste
  • 1-2 T coconut oil
  • 3 T butter
  • ¼ C coconut milk

 

Saute onion, garlic, cauliflower, and parsnips in the coconut oil until it is generally soft-ish.  You should easily be able to pierce the parsnips with a fork.

Add saute to a food processor and puree.  Add coconut milk, butter, and salt to taste.

 

The parsnips give the cauliflower puree a floral taste that isn’t overwhelming.  It’s a fun substitute for mashed potatoes that will leave your guests wondering.  It’s gluten free, and can be made vegan by substituting the butter for your favorite butter substitute.  It’s also lower carb and lower calorie, if you’re going for that!  I served it with a little salad and chicken.

 

Stuffed Pepper

Stuffed Red Bell Peppers

  • 1/4 lb ground anti-biotic free chicken
  • 1/4  C rice, uncooked.
  • 2 red bell peppers
  • 1 C marinara sauce
  • 1/4 yellow onion
  • 1 T coconut oil
  • 4 cloves of garlic
  • 1/4 green bell pepper
  • 1/8 C nutritional yeast

 

Preheat oven to 400. 

Cut the tops off of bell peppers, and clean out seeds.  Boil water and cook the bell peppers in the water for about 4-5 minutes.  

Meanwhile, cook rice according to package instructions.  Set aside. 

Saute green pepper, onion, and garlic in the coconut oil, add the chicken and continue to saute until just cooked, but not dried out.

Stir in marinara and nutritional yeast. 

Stuff peppers with the mixture and bake for 20-25 minutes.

 

I put cheese on top of one, and not on top of the other.  Both were delicious.  They’re gluten free and can easily been made vegan by eliminating/substituting the chicken for TVP.  These were so easy and tasty, and they brought back childhood memories for my dinner partner.  We love nostalgic food.  We both also added additional nutritional yeast as a condiment while we ate.

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a Rafflecopter giveaway

Check back at the NuNaturals and Muesli Fusion giveaways for the winners!

***

Good luck KAT!!!!  P.S. You guys come back tomorrow.  It’s a giveaway I put together myself of my favorite most-used items. 🙂

What easy recipes/meals do you forget to share because they are just so easy?

What challenges are scary to you lately, and how do you keep yourself going?

 

Comments

  1. I love growing naturals- so much better than sunwarrior! Boring, but I love mixing it in oats or yogurt. I find them not as well in baked goods!

    Alot of my protein heavy patties I forget to post because of its simplicity- but I should get on top of it!

  2. I always forget to post my protein powder smoothies! The simplicity of almond milk+fruit+protein powder+ice all poured in to the giant cup of awesomeness.

    Scare challenge? Uhm. I’ve officially been informed that I’m running my first marathon in 18 days. Holy crap.

  3. GOOD LUCK KAT!! Keep your head up and believe in yourself! As someone who has dealt with her fair share of negative self-talk, and also someone who HATES those people who are all, “Love yourself! Love the world! Shit rainbows out of your ass!” I have to say there is truth behind positive thinking. You’re gonna do great!

    PS, love the parsnip/cauli recipe! It’s been forever since I’ve had parsnips…I’ll have to try this sometime!

    As for Laura’s questions: Favorite easy protein recipe? Protein Pancakes using Kodiak Cake pancake mix…just throw a scoop to the mix, add water, and BAM! Pass the toppings! 😀
    Scary challenge: getting through the rest of my perishables before I go out of town in two days? Eat all the things! Lol

    • Thanks, heather!! Can we do another fun blogger dinner when I get home sometime!?!? I would love to see your face again… and you should drive back down to Atlanta anyway!!!

  6. First, GOOD LUCK KAT! You will rock it! So inspiring!

    And to respond to your questions..I love adding protein powder to anything and everything, but usually forget to post random smoothies I make! I’ve never tried Growing Naturals but would love to since you view them so highly!

    Scariest thing right now: starting a new job today! And the fact that I’m training for a marathon and increasing my strength training at the same time… go big or go home I guess, right!?

  7. Boring, but I tend to just mix protein powder into oats, yogurt, or a smoothie. Occasionally I’ll make homemade protein bars.

  15. Perfect timing on this. I just tweeted for protein powder ideas yesterday. I usually add protein powder to my oats and sometimes mix with PB2 and greek yogurt (with NuNaturals stevia of course) for a sweet treat.

    • Pea Protein is the best…. it’s chemical composition is the most closely related to human muscle tissue, allowing it to build and repair muscles more easily! Plus, it’s delicious!

  20. protein with chia seeds and banana blended up and left in the fridge! stellar pudding!

    • I completely forgot about chia pudding! I’m going to make some of that STAT. Have you tried it with sweet potato? So good!

  22. I love making a dipping sauce or “icing” with my protein powder. It’s a different and tasty alternative to just drinking it!

    • Totally agree! I roast parsnips in cinnamon and dip them in protein sauce. Really fun dessert “fries.”

  24. So excited about this giveaway!! I bought some of the Growing Naturals off of Amazon after I asked you what your favorite vegan protein powder was. I really really enjoy it!! There stuff is good for you and doesn’t have all those icky adders.

    My favorite thing to make is protein pancakes….YUM

  26. I use protein powder in smoothies, cakes, breads, oatmeal etc….pretty much in a lot of things but I’ve been only using whey . This would be a great chance to try out the other kinds of protein.

  27. I love throwing protein powder in my smoothies, so having one that’s not grainy or chalky is important!

    • That is so important to me! This is one of the few vegan powders I’ve found that isn’t “funky” in texture.

  29. First of all, Good Luck, Kat!!!! You’re going to rock that 100 miles. Enjoy the experience..can’t wait to read about it so I can live is vicariously through you (cause that’s the only way I will ever run 100 miles!).

    As for protein powder recipes, I am ashamed to say that I don’t go much beyond smoothies (in spite of all the great ones on this blog!!!!!!). And I don’t even follow recipes for those. A little of this, a little of that, a scoop of protein powder.

    • I do that all the time! I make the same combo with oatmeal when I travel too. Mocha protein oats! 🙂

  31. My favorite easy recipe with protein powder is overnight oats! I mix it in with my layers of both oatmeal and greek yogurt!

  33. My favorite protein powder recipes are always pancakes! I always make them a little different, but they’re always sooo tasty…. I’d love to try this brand of powder, I bet it would make a delicious breakfast 🙂

    • Yeah, you do! I broke out the pumpkin puree a couple of weeks ago – early, but I couldn’t wait! 🙂

  39. My ‘recipe’ isn’t really a recipe at all, but it is super easy!
    I just mix protein powder with almond milk, add spices & sweeteners, and eat it with cereal. My favorite way to do it is mixing my protein drink in a tall glass and then put in bran flakes & crispy brown rice cereal – it’s the perfect ratio of milk to cereal haha 😀

    • I do that…. but never thought to put it in a glass! Something about it sounds so appealing. Breakfast this week! 🙂

  41. I actually made these great protein bars using No Meat Athlete’s recipe for vegan protein bars and Jarrow Formulas unflavored whey protein and they were really good!

  43. I love vanilla flavored protein powder in smoothies, it makes them taste like vanilla ice cream when made with frozen fruit!

  45. I recently made some pumpkin chocolate brownies from protein pow. I think they are my new favorite protein treat!

  48. I’ve never tried this protein powder but want so bad to try some new protein powders! I love to put protein powder in my green smoothies or chocolate protein oatmeal zucchini muffins… I’ve been ADDICTED to those lately!

  53. i just throw it in a smoothie! tried it in home-made protein bars before, but they weren’t the best. :/

    • Awwww! You should try it again! I always keep a batch in the freezer for a quick snack or breakfast.

  55. i love baking homemade protein bars… i need to start making more protein smoothies, though!

  56. First of all you ROCK for all of these giveaways! Favorite protein recipe is a smoothie with frozen cherries, chia seeds, unsweetened almond milk, ice, cinnamon, and topped with crunch granola, or peanut butter and always eaten out of a bowl!!! XOXO

    • Cherries are my favorite!!! You made me realize…. I don’t know the last time I didn’t eat my shake with a spoon. 🙂

  57. You know I’m a HUGE Growing Naturals fan! Great giveaway! I love my protein waffles!

    Kat, you’re gonna do great! Definitely don’t stress. Your goal is perfect and your going into it prepared to be the best you can be. That is really all you can do. Good luck!

  59. I have to say, my favorite protein powder recipe is one for the lazies…. microwave muffin!

  63. My fav protein powder recipe… Protein frosting! Mix protein with almond or coconut milk to for a thick frosting…spread on ANYtHING! This only taste good is the powder tastes great?. I love love to try Growing Naturals to prove you right:)

  67. GO KAT!! You are amazing and incredible just for being willing to even try something like this. I know you can do it too. I’m excited for you and can’t wait to hear all about it. I will be mentally rooting for you from Ohio. 🙂

    • Thanks for all the encouragement!!! You are flattering, and I hope you are right! I’m actually in Ohio, now!! I flew into CLE to meet friends to drive over to PA with! Where are ya?

  70. The easiest protein powder recipe I can think of is a simple mug cake – protein powder, a little almond milk, some egg whites, and then whatever toppings I fancy that day 🙂

  71. I love making protein pudding with pumpkin puree, protein powder, almond milk, and cinnamon.

  84. I’m baking obsessed so it goes in pancakes, cakes and flatbreads, cornbread cakes, and sometimes oatmeal. I’d love to try this though! I’ve been using the plain hemp protein and while I love that it’s literally all hemp with zero processing, it obviously doesn’t give anything nice sweet flavors!

  88. I have tons of easy faves.. but the very easiest is just to put the powder and some cold water in the shaker and shake it!

  89. I love just adding protein powder to overnight oats or a smoothie for extra protein and ‘staying’ power, but I’ve never baked with any. Maybe if I win, it will change things ; ) Thank you for the giveaway!

  91. I mean, you can’t go wrong mixing your pp with some almond milk and shake it up! But I really like protein frosting. It’s so delicious and easy!

  92. I’m digging some protein chips = protein powder + water.
    How much protein do you aim for each day? 1g/lb?

    • I am trying to gain some serious muscle, so I got for 1.5g/lb. “Normal” active people should be closer to 0.75-1.0g /lb.

  94. Lurve putting it muffins and pancakes. Oatmeal works well. And the obvious,,,,, shake. I’ve been browsing your site and it seems as if you have a plethera of fantastic ideas. WOW!!!

  95. If I must choose, it would have to be protein pancakes! So many variations you can never get bored 🙂

Trackbacks

  1. […] « You’re Off to Great Places + Growing Naturals Giveaway […]

  2. […] you all SO MUCH for the kind comments and participation in blogiversary week!  Check back at the Growing Naturals and Favorite Things posts for the last 2 winners!  I’ll have a discount code from the […]

  3. […] giveaway with the most entries was for Growing Naturals, my favorite vegan protein powder.  They were so excited about the […]

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