Protein-Packed Blueberry Banana Bread

INGREDIENTS: 
🔹2 ripe bananas, mashed
🔹¾ cup of oat flour
🔹¾ cup vanilla whey protein powder
🔹1 cup of 0% fat Plain Greek yogurt
🔹⅓ cup @muscleeggs Cake Batter
🔹¼ cup of unsweetened applesauce
🔹1 TBSP stevia
🔹2 teaspoons of pure vanilla extract
🔹1 teaspoon of baking soda
🔹Pinch of salt
🔹⅓ cup blueberries
🔹¼ cup dark chocolate chips (optional)

DIRECTIONS:
1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
2. Add all remaining ingredients (except blueberries and chocolate chips) to bowl and mix well.
3. Prepare an 8x8 baking pan with cooking spray or coconut oil.
4. Evenly place batter in pan and mix in the blueberries and/or chocolate chips.
5. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes or until a toothpick pulls clean when tested.

Black Bean and Tomato Quinoa

Black bean and tomato quinoa is the perfect summer side dish. It's packed with protein, healthy carbs, and fresh lime, cilantro and scallions.

 

INGREDIENTS:

1. 2 teaspoons grated lime zest

   1. 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice

   2. 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted and cooled

   3. 1 tablespoon vegetable oil

   4. 1 teaspoon sugar

   5. 1 cup quinoa

   6. 1 (14- to 15-ounce) can black beans, rinsed and drained

   7. 2 medium tomatoes, diced

   8. 4 scallions, chopped

   9. 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro

DIRECTIONS:

1. Whisk together lime zest and juice, butter, oil, sugar, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4teaspoon pepper in a large bowl.

2. Wash quinoa in 3 changes of cold water in a bowl, draining in a sieve each time.

3. Cook quinoa in a medium pot of boiling salted water (1 tablespoon salt for 2 quarts water), uncovered, until almost tender, about 10 minutes. Drain in sieve, then set sieve in same pot with 1 inch of simmering water (water should not touch bottom of sieve). Cover quinoa with a folded kitchen towel, then cover sieve with a lid (don't worry if lid doesn't fit tightly) and steam over medium heat until tender, fluffy, and dry, about 10 minutes. Remove pot from heat and remove lid. Let stand, still covered with towel, 5 minutes.

4. Add quinoa to dressing and toss until dressing is absorbed, then stir in remaining ingredients and salt and pepper to taste.

Chocolate Carmel Protein Mug Cake

I have such a BIG sweet tooth so this clean eating, protein filled dessert really hits the spot! And the very best part about this sweet treat is that it only take 2 minutes to prepare and 2 minutes to bake. That's a delicious goodie in your mouth in less than 5 minutes. 

Mix the following in a bowl and then pour the batter into a coffee mug coated with non-stick cooking spray.

INGREDIENTS:
🔸1/2 scoop of Chocolate protein powder
🔸1/2 banana (mashed)
🔸2 TBSP @muscleegg chocolate caramel whites (or egg whites)
🔸1TBSP sugar free pancake syrup
🔸1 TBSP ground flaxseed meal
🔸Pinch of baking powder

Microwave for 2 minutes.

Invert the mug to drop the cake onto a plate. Top with Icing. To make the icing, mix the following in a bowl:

🔸1/2 scoop of chocolate protein powder
🔸1 TBSP sugar free pancake syrup
🔸A sparing amount of almond milk

Sweet Potato Fries

Sweet potatoes are my complex carb of choice so it's a good thing they are so versatile! You cannot go wrong with how you spice or flavor these fries. The concoction below is my personal favorite, but just fresh ground pepper and a tiny bit of sea salt is delicious too. When you find your perfect seasoning blend, make sure to tag me with the new recipe on Instagram!

INGREDIENTS:

• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
• 2 pounds sweet potatoes, sliced into 1-inch-wide wedges
• 2 tablespoons olive oil

DIRECTIONS:
1. Preheat the oven to 425˚F.
2. In a small bowl, toss together the chili powder, paprika, garlic powder, salt, and cumin.
3. In a large bowl toss the potatoes with the oil, then with the spice mix until evenly coated.
4. Transfer the potatoes to a large baking sheet and roast, flipping occasionally, until tender, browned, and crisped in places, about 25 minutes.
5. Serve immediately.

No-Crust Paleo Pizza

Are you craving pizza? If you're anything like me, pizza is a personal favorite. With this delicious recipe, you no longer have to wait for your cheat day to indulge in a gooey, cheesy slice. 

Well known in Paleo circles, meatza is a great alternative to crust. I find the eye of round roll thinly sliced at a local farmer's market in Hollywood. You will want to marinate the meat overnight to get the best tasting crust possible. 

This is the only pizza we allow in our house.🍕🍕🍕

MARINADE:

•  1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
•  1/3 cup balsamic vinegar
• 1 tbsp. crushed garlic
• 1 tsp. chopped basil
•  1/2 tsp. chopped oregano
• 1/4 tsp. fresh ground pepper

INGREDIENTS:

• 2-3 lbs. thin cut beef eye of round roll
• 1 cup low-sodium marinara sauce
• 8 oz. shredded no fat mozzarella cheese
• 1 green pepper
• 8 oz. sliced mushrooms

DIRECTIONS:
1. Place the eye of round roll on a large cutting board. Sprinkle one side with salt and beat with a tenderizing hammer...(harder!!) Turn the meat over and beat until meat is 1/4 inch thick. 
2. Mix the marinade ingredients. Place the meat in a ziplock bag, add marinade and seal. Marinate several hours or overnight.
3. Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Spread meat on a large cookie sheet. Bake for 20 minutes.
4. While beef is in the oven, sauté peppers, mushrooms and onions. Hear the marinara sauce in a saucepan. 
5. Remove beef from oven and pour off the fat and blot dry with a paper towel. 
6. Spread marinara sauce over the beef. Add mozzarella and toppings. Feel free to add any additional toppings, I used goat cheese on mine. 
7. Bake for 7 minutes. When the cheese is melted, remove from oven and let cool for 5 minutes.
8. Slice and enjoy!