Cafe Latte Protein Shake

Daily healthy breakfast is important in our lives.  And sometimes I just need to make up a change in shakes.  I will post several different shake ideas throughout our time together.  Just blend it up and enjoy!

Ingredients...love my Herbalife!  I also use decaf instant because I really don't do much coffee at all, but this is awesome!

·         2 scoops café latte

·         2 scoops vanilla PPP

·         1-2 tsp cinnamon

·         1 tsp instant coffee (I use decaf)

·         12-16 oz Water

·         5 ice cubes

Blend away and drink!

Tripp Dipp

Who all likes ranch dip?  I know that I'm happy with it sitting around a pool with some veggies and chips!  However, those calories start to add up fairly quickly and it's not very substantial.  An old friend of mine, who absolutley LOVES ranch, introduced me to this recipe years ago.  She and her dad would make it for all sorts of gatherings.

Over the years, I have tweaked it here and there to make it a bit healthier and with much more protein.  No matter what...the flavor is there and so is the satiation of my hunger!  Here's to Dr. Tripp, always thinking of you while you look down on us!

Ranch Mix, Greek Yogurt, Cottage Cheese, Cayenne Pepper, Celery & Green Onions

Finished product

Honestly, I need to get a picture of it all plated or a better picture in general.  It can be a bit difficult sometimes when Little Penner is constantly needing my attention...and I gladly will give it to him.  These days are flying by!  I will also blame my beautiful mother for the lack of photos, she had hand surgery over the weekend and I was helping her out by prepping food for her household as well as mine this week.  That's rather difficult with a 14 week old too!  No matter, it got me in a serious mood to cook and bake as you can see with all of these posts, LOL.

Print Recipe:

1 cup of Cottage Cheese
1 cup of Greek Yogurt
3 Green Onions (green and white bulb included)
2 Celery Sticks (sliced/diced and optional...I like the crunch)
Fiesta Ranch Mix (Click HERE for my personal recipe, or use store bought if you prefer)

Mix everything in a bowl.  Cover and chill.  Enjoy with a veggie platter and/or chips.

Dry Seasonings

How many times do you read in recipes...Italian mix, Ranch mix, etc.  Not everyone has those on hand and to be honest, have you actually read the ingredients in pre-packaged versions?  Not exactly the healthiest choice (but hey...sometimes we are in a hurry!)

I purchased these little jars a few years ago...I'm not even sure from where to be honest with you.  I don't even think they were made to keep spices, but the lids are airtight and I can use my chalk pen to write on the glass bottom.  So, I have fallen in love with these little containers.

Back to the whole purpose of this lesson in spices.  Here is a list of some spices I have collected over the years and that I tend to use throughout my time in the kitchen.  Put them together, use them and then be creative and make some up yourself!

Ranch Mix:

2 Tbsp. Parsley

1.5 tsp Dill Weed

2 tsp Garlic Powder

2 tsp Onion Powder

2 tsp Onion flakes

1 tsp Chives

~ 1 tsp each Salt & Pepper

Mix together dry seasonings.  You can also grind up in a food processor or coffee grinder to make a finer grain of mix.  Add 1 Tbsp to 1/3 cup Greek Yogurt and 1/4 cup Milk to make dressing.  

**For Fiesta Ranch Mix...add .5-2 tsp Cayenne or other suitable red pepper...it's all up to your own tastebuds!

Mediterranean Mix:

*borrowed from 21 Day Fix*

4 Tbsp Parsley

4 tsp Onion Flake

2 tsp Basil

1 tsp Oregano

1 tsp Thyme

1 tsp Garlic Powder

1 tsp Sea Salt & Pinch of Pepper

Smokey Southwestern Mix

*borrowed from 21 Day Fix*

1 Tbsp Chili Powder

2 tsp Ground Cumin

1 tsp Coriander

1/2 tsp Onion Powder

1/2 tsp Garlic Powder

12 tsp Oregano

1/2 tsp Smoked paprika

1 tsp Sea Salt

Penner just absolutely LOVES his taco seasoning.  I'm not opposed...however, I prefer less ingredients.  You know, like ones I can actually say without having to sound them out.  It's always nice to actually know what the ingredient is as well without having to Google that ish, LOL.  We love using this recipe instead.

All Purpose:

*borrowed from 21 Day Fix*

4 tsp Onion Powder

2 tsp Garlic Powder

2 tsp Mustard Powder

1/4 tsp Thyme

1/4 tsp Pepper

1 tsp Sea Salt

Pumpkin Pie:

1 tsp Ground ginger

1 tsp Cinnamon

1/2 tsp Nutmeg

1/4 tsp Clove

1/4 tsp Cardamom

1/4 tsp Sea Salt

Herbs de Provence:

2 Tbsp Each

Savory, Rosemary, Thyme, Oregano, Basil, Marjoram, Fennel

Mix together dry seasonings.  You can also grind down into a finer grain, but this can be used as a wonderful rub,  You can also add tarragon or sage while removing other ingredients...this is a very flexible seasoning.

Overnight Chia Pudding

One of my faves!  This is the best breakfast in the world...or you can even make it into dessert by splitting it into 4 small bowls.  I mean, who doesn't want chocolate pudding for breakfast that is not only super delicious but incredibly healthy and let's not forget that it takes absolutely NO TIME to make it!

I absolutely love my Herbalife products.  Yes, I am a distributor.  No, you do not NEED to use these products, but I can say that I love them and have seen excellent results from clients and mentors.  But it is all up to you.  Here, you see I have used 1 serving of Dutch Chocolate (9g Protein) and 1 serving of Chocolate PDM (15g Protein).  I forgot to take a picture, but I also wanted some creaminess, so I used Organics Almond Milk.  You can see I just threw it all in my food processor (blender was in the dish washer and I was feeling pregnant and lazy, LOL)

Next I added a serving each of flaxseed and chia seeds to my pudding.  This not only helps with making it congeal, almost like a tapioca, but it adds incredible health benefits!  Throw in the blender, pour into a bowl of your choice, cover it up and let it sit overnight.

Not a great photo (sorry) but this is the end result this morning.  I sliced up 3 strawberries and a half banana to put on top.  I added 1/4 cup of dry oats and cinnamon.  I was craving something sweet, so I added about 1/2 teaspoon of honey lightly drizzled on top to satisfy my "Inner Brat".  Then I sat and read my book while enjoying this wonderful breakfast!

Print Friendly Recipe:
1 Serving of Chocolate Protein Powder
1.5 cups Almond Milk (or your choice)
3 Tbsp Flaxseed
3 Tbsp Chia Seed
1/2 Banana 
3 Strawberries
1/4 c Raw Dry Oats
Honey & Cinnamon (optional)

Mix first 4 ingredients, then cover and put in fridge overnight.  Slice fruit the following morning and add the last of the ingredients.  Enjoy!!

Be creative and mix up some ingredients!  Let me know about some other recipes to try and we can all just truly enjoy this great breakfast option!