Dairy Free Sugar Free Vegan Mint Chocolate Chip Shake

Cacao nibs and mint blend together with nondairy vanilla ice cream to create a healthier version of the mint chocolate chip shake. By choosing sugar-free ice cream like So Delicious' Coconut-Milk Vanilla you cut out the dairy and sugar. This shake is creamy, sweet, and crunchy from the cacao nibs. This shake makes for a great dessert option or an after workout recovery shake by blending in your favorite plant-based protein powder.

Dairy Free Sugar Free Vegan Mint Chocolate Chip Shake

PopSugar Fitness

Makes 1 Serving

Stars of the Show:

• 1 tbsp raw cacao nibs - Could not locate cacao nibs at the store and used a 100% cacao bar instead.
• 1/2 tsp vanilla extract - Used vanilla bean paste. 
• 1/2 cup dairy free vanilla ice cream
• 1 handful mint leaves
• 2 tsp Green Vibrance food supplement (can be found at Whole Foods), optional
• 3 ice cubes
• 1/2 cup unsweetened almond milk
• pinch of Himalayan sea salt

And Action:

Combine all ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth. Thin out with more almond milk if needed. 

Creamy Vegan Buckwheat Porridge

I packed my lunchbox with all of the ingredients needed to make breakfast at work. I figured I would be able to just throw this together without an issue. I've made oatmeal before but this was my first time working with buckwheat. Wasn't as easy as adding hot water and letting it sit for a couple of minutes. This actually required microwave time and stirring.

Not a breakfast I would recommend taking to work to prepare but a good option for the weekend rotation and those sensitive to gluten.

Creamy Vegan Buckwheat Porridge

PopSugar Fitness

Makes 1 Serving

Stars of the Show:

• 1/4 cup buckwheat groats - I used cream of buckwheat.
• 1/4 cup soy milk (or milk of choice)
• 1 cup water
• 1/2 banana, sliced
• Optional mix-ins: Cinnamon, chopped fruit, nut/seed butter - I added cinnamon and raspberries.

And Action:

Grind buckwheat groats in a spice/coffee grinder for 2-3 seconds, two times. There should be some larger pieces left of the groats. In a small saucepan bring buckwheat, water, and milk to a boil and reduce heat, stirring frequently. After four minutes stir in banana and keep whisking frequently for two more minutes. Serve with cinnamon, chopped fruit, and nut/seed butter. 

Panko Crusted Halibut

I am failing at keeping up with my workout sessions and slipping on healthier choices. No excuse is ever a good excuse but Little Man started swim class and it puts us home later in the evening. The nights go... dinner, shower, homework, and straight to bed. 

The stars have not been aligned lately and I've been having a string of bad days. No excuse but it has drained me emotionally and physically. I know, I know, exercising and healthy eating will put me in better spirits but I'm just so damn tired by the end of the night.

Every meal is a chance to do better. 

I'm training for a 5k coming up in December and a half marathon in March. I was browsing the Internet (aka Pinterest) for post run meals and came across a recipe for Panko Crusted Fish Over Kale. A guilty pleasure of mine is shopping at Whole Foods on Sundays. Easily my favorite errand to run. As I've mentioned before I have the best of intentions to stick to the plan. I set myself up for success by shopping there and fill my cart full of fresh produce and lean proteins.

After Wednesday's swim class I prioritized my night time to do list on the drive home. When we got home I enacted the game plan. Showered first and then set Little Man up at the table to work on homework. While he got to work I got to work on preparing dinner. 

Luck has not been on my side this week. I went to pull the halibut out of its wrapper and one of my filets landed on the floor, the kale was limp, grabbed garlic salt instead of powder, and forgot to add the parsley. The kale was the game changer and were subbed with green beans steamed in the bag. 

Thankfully I delivered a balanced meal that was absolutely delicious. 

Protein is necessary for your body to recover after a strength training session or a long run. I did neither but Little Man did swim. He earned this meal and it came to the table within 30 minutes and packed 36g of protein. I prefer halibut but you could use tilapia or cod. 

Panko Crusted Halibut

Adapted from: PopSugar Fitness

Makes 2 Servings

Stars of the Show:

• Olive oil cooking spray
• 1 1/2 tbsp butter - I used Land O Lakes with Olive Oil.
• 1/4 cup lemon juice - I LOVE! citrus but even this amount was overpowering. I would cut the amount in half next time.
• 1 tsp garlic powder 
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/2 cup panko bread crumbs
• 2 small halibut filets
• 1 tbsp freshly chopped parsley

And Action:

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Spray a small baking dish with the cooking spray.

In a small dish, whisk melted butter, lemon juice, garlic powder, and salt well. In a separate dish, make an even layer of panko breadcrumbs.

Take one halibut filet, and dip it in the butter mixture. Flip the filet and dip again so both sides are covered.

Press the skinless side of the filet into panko crumbs, then place the fish skin side down on prepared baking dish. Repeat with other filet, then sprinkle both with fresh parsley.

Place baking dish into the oven and cook for 13 to 15 minutes (mine needed 5 minutes more).

Pumpkin Spice Smoothie

Living in Texas the weather does not cool off until the end of Octoberish but I'm so ready for Fall. It's the time of the year I can't get enough of the seasonal treats, especially pumpkin and especially pumpkin pie! I also love this time of year because it brings about the best holidays... speaking of which... I need to start decorating for Halloween and on a more exciting note Starbucks welcomes back their seasonal favorites too.

Ordering a Pumpkin Spice Latte from Starbucks is saved for special occasions since I can't bring myself to spend $5 on a coffee and with the weather still in the 90s it's hard to justify that price. Starbucks is something I rarely treat myself to so I'm grateful I have a very generous boss who often treats us to Starbucks and I can indulge without the guilt. Of course when I say indulge I mean order a grande nonfat and no whip. Still not the best nutritionally speaking.

Pumpkins are filled with complex carbohydrates, fiber, antioxidants, and Vitamin A.

Whip up this pumpkin pie smoothie and enjoy a guilt free treat for breakfast like I did or a grab and go treat. Tastes like the pumpkin pie filling without the crust. Just a heads up I did not add the 1 tsp cinnamon since I did not have it on hand and it ended up being perfectly spiced from the pumpkin pie spice and ginger. The recipe below produces a thick shake, like I'm talking stick to your ribs thick. I prefer a smoothie that I don't have to work so hard to get through a straw looking like a fish. Next time I'll thin it out by adding more almond milk. The best thing about smoothies is that they can be adapted to suit your tastes.

Pumpkin Spice Smoothie

PopSugar Fitness

Makes 1 Serving

Stars of the Show:

• 1/2 cup pumpkin, canned or freshly cooked
• 1/2 frozen banana
• 3/4 -1 cup almond milk, depending on how thick you like it.
• 1/2 scoop (approximately 2 tsp) vanilla protein powder
• 1 tsp cinnamon, optional
• 1/2 tsp pumpkin pie spice
• pinch of ground ginger

And Action:

Put all the ingredients in the blender and blend until smooth. Pour into a glass and enjoy!