Chocolate Peanut Butter Smoothie

Is there anything better than peanut butter and chocolate? Pause and ponder that. For me, the answer is no. but I choose not to indulge in just any peanut butter and chocolate thing.  I have a delicious tasting alternative to fattening shakes. Today's recipe is for a protein packed, scrumptious power smoothie. I had one last night for a bedtime snack. The creamy texture and bright chocolate peanut butter flavor satisfied me completely. The protein sustains me to keep my blood sugars stable so that I don't crave other kinds of sweets. There is a secret ingredient that you mustn't leave out: a tablespoon of cream cheese. If you a re low-carbing it, choose full fat. If you are on Dukan diet, choose low fat. If you are on low calories, choose fat free. Here is the recipe:

One scoop of chocolate Shakeology (see link on right side of page) or a scoop of EAS low carb Vanilla protein powder (Costco has this for an excellent price)

2 tblsp of good cocoa (not the kind with sugar in it it, just plain cocoa)
1 tbsp. peanut butter
1 tbsp cream cheese (makes the texture unbelievable creamy)
Splash of vanilla
Sweetener to taste ( I like Sweet & Low)
8 oz water ( I don't use milk because I don't want to cut the brightness of the flavor)

Throw all this into a bullet blender or regular blender and whiz until the cream cheese is smoothly incorporated. Then add ice.  Continue blending and the pour.

Let me know how you liked this or your own favorite versions of low carb smoothies. I have many other recipes for power hsakes and smoothies on a board of the same name at http://pinterest.com/.

Oatmeal Makeover

On very cold days like today, I like a bowl of hot oatmeal. My recipe was basically this: oatmeal, some sort of milk, butter or margarine, and a few flavor add-ins.While it was tasty and felt so good going down, in an hour or so, I my blood sugar would drop and I'd be hungry again. I started staying away from oatmeal and other hot cereals. That was until I found at www.canyoustayfordinner.com, a recipe for the best buttery 300 calorie oatmeal ever. Yes, of course, I want that! The recipe called for an ingredient that was iffy at best: egg whites. The only way to find out whether it worked was to make it myself. She told it true, it is the best and buttery tasting, too. I also used whole wheat cream of wheat, oat bran, and cream of  buckwheat (for my gluten-sensitive sisters).  I added vanilla and cinnamon for a delicious twist. You can go to Pinterest or her site and see it yourself but I'll give you my own revised recipe here:

Pilate's Pretty Rendition of Best Buttery 300 Calorie Oatmeal Ever

2/3 cup dry oatmeal
1 1/3 cup water
Your choice of sweetener (I use Sweet & Low or Splenda)
Dash if Vanilla
Generous sprinkle of cinnamon
Dash of salt
3 egg whites

In microwave or on stove top, mix the oatmeal, water, sweetener,vanilla, cinnamon, and a dash of salt. Cook following directions on oatmeal box. While you cook the cereal, get out 3 eggs. Separate the whites from the yolks (save them for another use or toss them) and whisk the whites only until frothy. Stir quickly into the hot oatmeal and enjoy!

The egg whites turn the oatmeal into a buttery tasting sou`flee. Egg whites are a fat free source of clean protein. Coming in at a whopping 10.8 grams of protein, my blood sugar stays stable and I can make it to my next meal without craving carbs. Use oat bran instead of oatmeal and add a beautiful tally of 9.6 grams of fiber! Oh, it makes me feel healthy and beautiful just thinking about it.