After a tough workout you’re not always hungry but it’s still a good idea to get in some protein ASAP. A protein shake is a good way to refuel quictly but they are not always tasty. I’ve tasted a lot of protein powders, my favorite so far is the My Victory Protein Boost by NuSkin.

My Victory is a great tasting, natural and vegan protein mix. While it taste just fine on it’s own with out the cake batter flavorings, it’s awesome with it. You know for that special day when a plain protein shake just isn’t calling your name

Vegan Cake Batter Protein Shake

1 Cup Unsweetened Vanilla Almond Milk

1 Scoop Vegan Vanilla or Plain Protein Powder

1/8 Teaspoon Vanilla

1 Teaspoon Butter Emulsion

1 Teaspoon Sprinkles (Optional)

Directions:

Add all your ingredients in a protein shaker… and shake! Enjoy right away.

I’ve been enjoying mine after a tough Insanity workout quite often Here I am COVERED in sweat!

What is your favorite protein shake to make?

I have been getting a lot of questions lately from friends and fellow bloggers about juicing. I’m definitely no expert but I’ve done my fair share of juicing so here are my thoughts!

FAQ’s of Juicing

How do you go a day or two or three without eating solid foods?

I would only suggest doing juice cleanses that provide at least 1,200 calories for your diet. At no point during a cleanse have I ever felt faint or so weak and I thought I needed to sit down and neither should you. The 1,200 calories are dense with nutrients and they definitely keep you going. Juicing is much more about mindset than anything. Go into a cleanse with a positive mindset and you will do great.

How do I get started?

Start by testing some juices to see what you like. For example I really don’t like carrot or cucumber juices. But I found that I LOVE kale and spinach. To my surprise even though I’m not a fan of beets, beet juice is pretty tasty. It’s all about trial and error. Grab a juice or two for dinner to test them out. This way you can pick a cleanse with juices you will enjoy and not have to hold your nose to drink them!

Is it good for you?

I have no formal training in any medical field so I’m not authorized to answer that question. Feel free to chat with your doctor if you have concerns. I know that I always feel fresher and better after a cleanse. When I was still struggling with blood sugar issues in February the last two days of the cleanse were the best I had felt in a long time.

Do you lose weight?

Yes you will lose a couple of pounds, but most of it is water weight. I lost 5.5 pounds the first time I did a cleanse simply because I had more excess weight to lose. The second time I lost 2.5 pounds but I was lighter to begin with. Do not expect to keep all of the weight off and be realistic with your results.

Can I workout while juicing? Continue reading →

My second recipe for tempeh bacon. Why? Because it’s so good!

I love cracked pepper and I love the idea of the crispy crunchy texture of pan fried tempeh coated in it. Tempeh bacon is on of my favorite things to make. It all started with my smokey bacon earlier this year! Since then I’ve been making “bacon” sandwiches on a regular basis.

Prep time is short for this sandwich topper, salad mix-in or stand alone snack. You can prepare the tempeh ahead of time and cook a little as you need it. I sometimes freeze leftovers in portion controlled plastic baggies to save it for a quick re-heat later.

And don’t be scared of tempeh. The texture is firm and on the dry side, the flavor is pretty plain and can be seasoned up any way you like it. I much prefer using tempeh instead of seitan which is a bit more chewy and yeasty tasting (if that even makes sense).

You will love todays recipe because of the smoky smell liquid smoke brings to the mix plus there is a bit of heat with the chili powder. On top of that the bacon is rimmed with a kick of cracked black pepper. The gourmet taste is out of this world and it will bring pork bacon lovers over to the dark side real quick!

Cracked Pepper Tempeh Bacon

1 Package Tempeh (I used multigrain)

1 Tablespoon Liquid Smoke

1 Tablespoon Olive Oil

1 Teaspoon Paprika

1 Teaspoon Chili Powder

3 Tablespoons Cracked Black Pepper

Olive Oil for Pan Frying

Directions:

1) In a large zip lock bag add your block of tempeh (I cut mine in half). In a small mixing bowl combine all your spices EXCEPT the cracked pepper with the liquids, mix well.

2) Add the mixture to your plastic bag and shake well to coat the tempeh.

3) Spread the cracked pepper on a plate and press the coated tempeh into the plate. Press hard to make sure the cracked pepper sticks to the outside of your blocks of tempeh.

4) Place the black pepper crusted tempeh bacon back in your plastic bag. Let your cracked pepper tempeh bacon rest for at least 20 minutes, it can sit for up to four days.

3) To cook, slice the tempeh into quarter inch think slices. Heat a tablespoon or so of olive oil in your skillet on medium to high heat. Pan fry one side at a time for about 4 minutes each side until each strip is golden brown.

4) Serve hot!

I love tempeh bacon!

Have you ever cooked with tempeh?