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Protein Waffles for the Family

Protein waffles are made several times a week.  I make them in big batches and the family eats them in big batches with a family of five active members food goes quick.  Mimi loves waffles and calls them waffle pancakes. Whether their pancakes or waffles they are called waffle pancakes and she asks for them daily. So, I like to keep them available all the time.

I used to make us separate waffles; mine protein and hers from the bag at Sam’s club. The main reason was the cost of protein.  I figured out how to make a big batch that is family friendly and my kids actually prefer them now.  They actually will say, “Mom, what happened to the other waffles.” It’s funny how when you eat good food you crave good food.

This makes a really big batch so I often freeze them in separate baggies for easy grab n go breakfast. It doesn’t take long and once you get into the waffle flipping groove you’ll wonder why you didn’t make your own sooner.  Give this easy yummy recipe a try and let me know what you think of this cost-effective protein waffle recipe.

I find that people think eating healthy is expensive but I think that is just an assumption.  If you broke down the savings from making your own, especially in bulk, you would save a considerable amount yearly.  Eating healthy does not have to be expensive. That is why I really like to use MomSanity Mom Fuel Vanilla Protein. It is affordable for families and the ingredients I can trust to use in for everything my family eats.  When I buy protein I usually buy one for shakes and one for baking.

I love to top it with Lakanto Maple Syrup. I’ve told you in the past why I have switched to Monk Fruit Sweetener instead of sugar for my families baking needs and they have not noticed the difference in the least.

Protein waffles are really easy to meal prep and also to make in advance.  They are also something that is associated with not being a diet food which is hard to get my Bible and Bootcamp Beauties out of the mindset of restriction.  We cannot live our life on a diet but we can make better choices.  These waffles are not as convenient as you just add water but the taste is worth the effort.

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I am a MomSanity Ambassador and Lakanto Affiliate I make the commission of both products through purchases through my link.  My affiliation does not affect my reviews or opinions. I tell you what I like and don’t like. My Full Disclosure Policy

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7 Benefits of Cherries

There are so many benefits to Cherries. Add cherries to your shake for a super boost before or after a workout.

 

There are affiliate links in this post. I am a NOW Influencer and in partnership with #NOWWellness. I am compensated for my content. My opinions expressed are my own.  My Full Disclosure Policy 

Living in New Jersey

One of the things I love about summer is the fruit. Cherries are a favorite summertime fruit because they’re so juicy, ripe, and I can get them locally rather than buying them in the store.

Grateful to live in the Garden State and an ideal location. We are 20 minutes from a lake, 10 minutes from a farm, 45 minutes from the Jersey Shore, and 10 minutes from Philadelphia in a great little suburb town in South Jersey. If I was into the mountains, which as of now, I am not a hiking kind of girl, I could be in the Poconos or Upstate New York in about 2 hours.

Buy Local Produce

Buying local is easy where I live; that is why I try to buy my produce locally. I instead support our local farmers and, over the years, have made some great relationships.

When Debbie, the owner of Hess Brown Farm in Moorestown, NJ, told me they got cherries in, I went overboard. Cherries are high in sugar, but they have other benefits that I tend to overlook their high sugar content.  I usually consume two protein shakes a day. One, after a workout and the other as my late afternoon snack.

Usually, the second one is full of greens, and the first is my yummy treat I give myself for sweating it out that morning. Cherry Almond, anything is so yum, so I experimented with my shake and had a great surprise.

Watch your Protein

There are lots of protein powders on the market. Whey, Egg White, Soy, and Plant-Based, just to name a few. I will have done multiple posts on why I choose plant-based protein over the other options.

Plant-based protein is easier on my digestive system. The problem with plant-based protein is it can be very grainy and sometimes just gross. Similar to other proteins. Also, for protein powders, they can be loaded up with junk. Sucralose is the main thing I stay away from because it has a link to some awful side effects.

I don’t understand how health and fitness “experts” can tell you how to work out and exercise and then recommend shakes with gross ingredients that are harmful to your insides.  The plant-based protein that, after much research, I love is NOW® Sports; it is my favorite. It’s not gritty; it’s very creamy; there’s no junk, and it works well when you bake.

7 Benefits of Cherry Juice – These are my personal views and not those of NOW

1.Better Sleep.

A 2010 study concluded that tart cherry juice had resembled effects as insomnia medications like valerian or melatonin on older adults. In the study, those who consumed tart cherry juice had more regular and improved sleep patterns.

2.Fight Inflammation

Cherries are have increased amounts of antioxidants, which have been shown to help reduce inflammation in the body.  The antioxidants that are found in tart cherry choice are highly concentrated anthocyanin, flavonoids that are known to have the same effects as ibuprofen and naproxen.

3. Reduce Muscle Pain

Multiple factors cause cherries to reduce muscle pain, and they are already explained in other benefits: antioxidant content, anti-inflammatory properties, and naturally occurring in nature.  Those who consume tart cherry juice before and after intense training can reduce muscle pain similarly to chemically produced supplements without any health-damaging side-effects.

4. Reduce joint pain

Those who suffer from joint pain has felt relief and reduction through drinking tart cherry juice. Cherry juice has been shown to mimic the arthritis medication in its ability to relieve joint pain without the side effects of these pharmaceutical drugs. Without joint pain, it allows you to live a happier and more productive life in and out of the gym.

5.Helps your body conduct electrical current better

Cherry Juice contains a lot of potassium, which is supportive in allowing electrical impulses to flow throughout the body more efficiently. Cherries have high trace minerals that help maintain blood pressure, hydration, muscle recovery, nerve impulses, digestion, heart rate, and pH balance. This makes cherries an excellent post-workout fuel.

6. Increase Immunity

Cherries contain the micronutrients needed in high concentrations to fight off illness. Most fruits and vegetables contain micronutrients that our bodies need to perform better and fight infections.  Cherries individually are highly concentrated in antioxidants called  Flavonoids. Most plants contain these antioxidants to fight germs. There has been researching concluding that digesting these chemicals found in cherries can have a positive impact on boost our immune system function.

7. Effects of cancer cells

Researchers studied pitted cherry juice and compared it to a treatment called, which is used to treat cancerous colon tumors in animals.  The study resulted in reduced growth of cancer cells with animals who consumed cherry juice regularly.

My pre- and post-workout with beet and cherry juice mix that I am still working on a recipe.   You should be adding cherries to your diet. It is a natural way to improve your health, fight infections, enhance your quality of sleep, and enhance your immune system. It also tastes good too! This recipe you can use any protein powder, but just make sure you read your labels and learn about what you’re putting in your body. If you like Cherries as I do, you will love this. If you try it, let me know what you think. Are you a cherry fan? Why? Why not?

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Grab $10 off your NOWFOODS.com with code FAITHFUELEDNOW10! I promise you’ll thank me! The best plant-based protein you will ever taste!

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Why is the Watermelon Rind so good for you?

 

Watermelon Rind

When I think about summertime watermelon is always one of the first things that come to mind. Are we ready for summer?  Watermelon is a staple in the summer. It wasn’t until a few years ago I learned that the watermelon rind is something that you can eat.

Watermelon Rind will not make you sick

Have you been told that if you eat the Watermelon Rind, it will make you sick? Well, I am a living testament that is a myth. People toss the watermelon when it gets to the crunchy white part of the watermelon, but this is probably the most nutritious part of the fruit. The entire watermelon from flesh to seed is edible and delicious. I prefer the rind over the pink flesh, but I am not your typical person.

Seeded Wateremelon

Four Benefits of Eating your Watermelon Rind

Watermelon Rind has so many great nutrients in it, a very mild flavor and an excellent way to save on waste. If those reasons don’t persuade you there are also these four:

  1. Chlorophyll
    Helps with blood building contains more of the amino acid; Citrulline than the pink flesh.
  2. Additional Vitamins
    Contains Vitamin C, Fiber, Potassium and a small amount of Vitamin B6
  3. Low Calorie
    It contains fewer calories. Therefore, it will add bulk and variety without adding to your caloric intake.
  4. Taste
    Taste like a cucumber; everything from skin to seeds of a watermelon is edible.

What does Watermelon Rind taste like

Watermelon is a staple at our house whether cooking out or just another day is Watermelon. I typically keep the rinds and freeze them to juice. So, I will cut the skins off before serving and place them in a storage container to freeze. I try to stock up during the summer in Watermelon Rinds because they are readily available and useful for you all year long. They have very bland flavor and if eaten raw a big crunch.

Ways to eat Watermelon Rind

There are so many ways that you can eat Watermelon Rind; pickled, preserved, chutney, raw, in a salad, stir-fry, juice or a smoothie. The easiest way that I have found to get my kids to eat it is to make it a refreshing smoothie or popsicle. It’s a great way to get those wonderful nutrients in and save waste.

watermelon rind popsicles

I’ve tried it both ways with the skin and without the skin. If you have a good blender like a Vitamix or Ninja would include the skin because it is edible and will break it down so that it doesn’t affect the texture. If you do not, I would recommend including the skin because it can be a weird texture kind of like pulp in Orange Juice. Also, as far as taste goes it will not overpower the Popsicle so don’t be scared!

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How do you make Rainbow Swiss Chard?

Rainbow Swiss Chard

Rainbow Swiss Chard is easy to grow, very versatile to cook, and very nutritious to eat. I have been gardening for a few years now. You think I am geeky about fitness I am a bigger garden geek. I try to contain it in public.  My husband once teased me because I watched an over 2 hour documentary on “dirt” (It’s actually soil, but I didn’t want to sound geeky and correct him) So, yeah I prep, plan, prepare and reap all year round.

Rainbow Swiss Chard is so easy to grow and a great starter crop for beginning gardeners! It’s also a really great green, but it’s a little earthy in flavor, and it’s not a favorite in my house until I tried a Tasty recipe one day.  Of course, I had a few of my adaptation, and from there I started making different kinds of Rainbow Swiss Chard rolls, and now my abundant garden green is a weekly rotation and an excellent source of nutrients. A member of my Bibles and Bootcamp shared a Swiss Chard Roll Recipe with our group I had to try it but with my own spin. Now I have four delicious Swiss Chard Roll Recipes I want to share; it’s actually one excellent recipe with four delicious fillings.

Some Rainbow Swiss Chard Facts

Rainbow Swiss chard is known as a “nutritional powerhouse” vegetable; kind of like that superfood category that is recently gaining momentum. In my opinion, everything that comes from the ground that is edible is a superfood they’re all packed with many micronutrients. This power green is packed with vitamins, nutrients, and so many health benefits. Just add this to your grocery list now! It’s a really adaptable green and is rich in Vitamin C, K, E, Manganese, Zinc and Beta Carotene; which I have written about before, but what’s it claims to fame it’s high levels of Betalin.

Betalin is the rainbow in the swiss chard. The pigment that goes up the veins of the Swiss Chard whether it’s a vibrant red, orange, yellow or white.  Betalin pigments occur naturally and are very effective detoxification.  It helps to engage and process unwanted toxins that we have in our bodies.  Be cautious when cooking your Rainbow Chard that you don’t overcook the vegetable will lose the effectiveness of the Betalin.

Swiss chard has an earthy taste, and I personally like the stalks better than the leaves.  I saute the entire thing cut up stems and all and put in my eggs or eating them as a veggie.

Try one, two, or all four, and let me know what you think! All of these recipes feed a family of 5

To Assemble Rainbow Swiss Chard Rolls

  1. Make a pot of salted water. A pinch will due or 1/2 tsp for 6 cups of water.
  2. Once water is brought to a rolling boil remove from heat.
  3. Immerse 4 to 6 leaves in boiling water for 1 minute to blanch them.  Remove from water and blot dry with a paper towel.  I like to lay mine on a paper towel to dry off more while preparing other leaves.
  4. Place the leaves face down. Add about 1/4 cup of filling in the center of each rollup and start rolling from large end to narrow like a burrito.
  5. Place Rainbow Swiss Chard rolls in a steamer basket and steam for 6 to 8 minutes.
  6. Plate, Serve and Enjoy!

To Assemble Rainbow Swiss Chard Rolls

  1. Make a pot of salted water. A pinch will due or 1/2 tsp for 6 cups of water.
  2. Once water is brought to a rolling boil remove from heat.
  3. Immerse 4 to 6 leaves in boiling water for 1 minute to blanch them.  Remove from water and blot dry with a paper towel.  I like to lay mine on a paper towel to dry off more while preparing other leaves.
  4. Place the leaves face down. Add about 1/4 cup of filling in the center of each rollup and start rolling from large end to narrow like a burrito.
  5. Place Rainbow Swiss Chard rolls in a steamer basket and steam for 6 to 8 minutes.
  6. Plate, Serve, and Enjoy!

To Assemble Rainbow Swiss Chard Rolls

  1. Make a pot of salted water. A pinch will due or 1/2 tsp for 6 cups of water.
  2. Once water is brought to a rolling boil remove from heat.
  3. Immerse 4 to 6 leaves in boiling water for 1 minute to blanch them.  Remove from water and blot dry with a paper towel.  I like to lay mine on a paper towel to dry off more while preparing other leaves.
  4. Place the leaves face down. Add about 1/4 cup of filling in the center of each rollup and start rolling from large end to narrow like a burrito.
  5. Place Rainbow Swiss Chard rolls in a steamer basket and steam for 6 to 8 minutes.
  6. Plate, Serve, and Enjoy!

 

Have you ever had Swiss Chard? What’s your favorite way to cook it?

 

 

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What is Pea Protein Powder?

I am a #NOWWellness Influencer. I have included an affiliate link in this post that I receive a commission from purchases, and I am compensated for my post. All my opinions are my own. My full disclosure policy

Pea protein powder fuels my post workouts. Over the years, I have tried so many protein powders and shared them with you.  I have written several posts over the years for protein powder. I’ve gone from having it daily to eliminating it altogether. I am always coming back to add it to my diet because it’s a convenient way to get clean protein.

My Criteria for Choosing a Plant-based Protein

  1. What’s in it?
  2. How does it taste?
  3. Can I bake and make pancakes with it?

Pea Protein Powder is a High-Quality Plant-Based Protein Powder

I also want it to be a high-quality source of protein. Pea protein is considered a highly bioavailable protein meaning your body quickly absorbs and uses pea protein as a fuel source. Pea Protein is a plant-based protein that is a high source of protein that is easily applied and absorbed by the body.  There are many types of plant-based protein.  I find pea protein to be a superior source when looking for a plant-based protein.

Why not Whey Protein Powder?

I don’t do Whey Protein at all, mostly because it has milk in it, and I am lactose intolerant. My husband drinks Whey Protein and has also fallen in love with the taste of NOW® Sports Whey Chocolate Isolate.  Whey protein is also a highly bioavailable protein and has higher absorption than pea protein, especially if you drink an isolate.  I prefer Pea Protein because I digest it better than Whey because of the dairy content. Whey is great for some people, and others, we have a great option like NOW® Sports Pea Protein Powder that comes in different flavors. My husband says  Whey Protein tastes better than others he has tried.

My first experience with NOW® Sports Pea Protein Powder

Last summer at Empower Summer Camp, I was introduced to NOW® Sports Vanilla Toffee Pea Protein, and I became addicted.  We had fun making smoothie bowls my first time, and the taste is fantastic. I am not a huge chocolate fan. I enjoy a brownie from time to time, but vanilla is my go-to in protein powders. Check out my everyday post-workout shake below. They have other flavors too.  Pick your choice of Creamy Vanilla or Chocolate, Vanilla Toffee, or unflavored and make it your own.

Clean Pea Protein Powder

I pretty much trust all NOW products because they are CERTIFIED (you know I love me a cert)! NOW has provided natural health products and supplements since 1968.  They’re not one of these new companies that are popping up on Instagram with the claim of all “natural” ingredients or the naturalistic fallacy.  NOW’s testing is why they have been a leader in producing products for health and wellness. The label is entirely transparent; there is no questioning what is in the bottle.  I trust them for my family’s needs.

What’s in Pea Protein Powder?

NOW Sports Pea Protein passed my high standards for quality protein, but why NOW Sports Pea Protein? Two reasons. It has quality ingredients and 4,400 mg of branched chain amino acids and over 2,200 mg of arginine.Pea Protein has become the go-to plant-based protein because of all of the things I have said above:

  • It’s very clean; It’s just protein, nothing else.  It does have branched chain amino acids and is a complete protein profile, which is why it needs no fillers, unlike dairy-based products.
  • It does not have an overpowering taste, any smart smell, and no bad aftertaste.
  • High Source of quality Protein some people find it hard to find high quality and clean plant-based protein.  Usually, plant-based protein is not enough for dietary needs.
  • Helps maintain healthy weight when people think of losing weight; they first grab veggies, not protein, but protein is an excellent way to maintain healthy body weight.  If you get .7-1 gram per the amount you weigh in protein a day, you will build muscle faster that will help you burn fat faster.  Weight x .8= Amount of Protein you should eat a day. Another reason that proteins help you feel less hungry. Studies have shown that Pea Protein is equal to dairy-based protein in suppressing hunger.

Why do I recommend Pea Protein Powder?

As I said before, I have been drinking the same protein shake daily for over a year with the same enthusiasm. No, seriously, it tastes so good. It’s really creamy, and BCAAs are great for when I am trying to grow for my fitness competitions.  I am not a fan of meal replacement shakes, but I am a huge fan of the convenience of quality Protein Shakes for snacks and post-workout fuel. I sometimes work out as late as 11 at night. It just works. Some people get up at crazy early hours and exercise, and some of us stay up late to crazy hours and workout. Pick your crazy, but don’t judge. The last thing I want to do is eat. I usually Shake, Chug, and pass out, so when I eliminated Protein Shakes from my life, it made post-workout meals a chore.

It’s not gritty, and it tastes AMAZING, and some Pea Protein I have tried are gritty. Light but filling because it is 25g of protein. Shake, and some nut butter and I am ready to go.

Pancakes, Cookies, Donuts, and Muffins

Yes, yes, and yes, it has passed the baking test, and because the powder is so refined, everything is light and fluffy. I also love that NOW has a variety of flavors: Chocolate, Vanilla Toffee Vanilla, and Unflavored.  Unflavored is excellent because you can use it to make savory items.  It is so good.  I made “You’d think they Could be Ritz” Protein Crackers. They resembled those buttery crackers mm mm. <Recipe to come>

I haven’t had a protein that I have completely loved until now.  I really am ending the search and found something that is affordable, delicious, actually truly clean with no fillers, and something that I would recommend to my clients, friends, and family with the confidence they will like it, and it’s good for them. If you want to give NOW Foods, a try take $10 off your $40 order with coupon code “FaithFueledNOW10.”

Do you have a particular protein you love?

 

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