Calling all bakers! I have teamed up with Better Body Foods to spread the word about a really awesome baking contest! And yes, there are fabulous prizes involved!

Better Body Foods sells a great coconut flour that I love baking with. We know that almond flour is also great for baking though, so BBF is hosting a contest to come up with a great coconut/almond flour blend.

The “Blend a BetterBody Food” competition which will be held from October 7th-November 4th to find the perfect blend of almond flour and coconut flour. The goal of the competition is to combine the low cost of coconut flour and the moistening effects of almond flour to create a blend that is great for the oven AND the wallet.

What can you win you ask??

The winner of the competition will receive:

-Get’s recipe featured on new coconut/almond flour product packaging.
-BBF gift basket
-1 Blendtec blender
-100$ Wal-Mart gift card

Count me in!!!

To win:

-Create/find your perfect ratio of coconut and almond flour.
-Use that blend in a recipe
-Post the flour ratio and recipe to any social media site
-Tag @betterbodyfoods and use #BetterBodyFoods and #BetterBodyBlend

That’s it!!!

A few rules:

-US only
-Multiple entires allowed

There will also be weekly winners that will receive a 100$ Walmart gift card for their post!

**AND I will personally be selecting one winner who tags me as #BFF in their post! That winner will receive a big bag of BetterBodyFoods coconut flour for more baking**

Check out the official rules and information from BetterBodyFoods

Now go bake!!!

I love baking with protein powder.  It is a great substitute for sugar and flour in most recipes and a great way to add a ton of protein to things like cookies, brownies, pancakes, and more!

I have a few go-to protein powders, but always love trying different types, brands, and flavors.

NuZest reached out to me and sent a few samples to try out! NuZest is a pea protein, which I don’t have a ton of experience with.  It is known as a Clean Lean Protein.  Gluten free, soy free, dairy free, and GMO free.  It is 100% vegetable and is very low fat, low carb, and easy to digest.  

I am not the kind of person who is concerned with artificial stuff, but NuZest is also free of all those fillers and additives that a lot of protein contain.

When I get a new protein I always like to try it as a shake first.

I decided to try the Smooth Vanilla and Rich Chocolate as a super simple protein shake.  Just water and the powder!

I was actually very surprised that it mixed up so well.  I don’t know why, but I had expected it to be a little clumpy…it was not!!

The vanilla flavor was not very strong.  I would have preferred it to be a little more flavorful, but I think this powder would be great as a smoothie.  Blend it up with some frozen fruit, milk, and yogurt and you would have yourself a tasty treat.

The chocolate was my favorite out of the two.  It had a much better and stronger flavor compared to the vanilla.

They both have a very clean and natural taste to them.  If you are not used to that, it might take a little adjusting.  Neither one was very sweet at all, so keep that in mind too.  

I probably would not drink these as a simple protein shake on the daily, but would like to try it in a smoothie or mixed with almond milk.

You really can’t beat the macros though… (keep in mind that is a 20g gram serving)

It is also nice to see such a short and recognizable ingredient list!

Ok, let’s do some baking!

Wild Strawberry and Cappuccino sounded perfect for some breakfast cookies.

I used the cappuccino in my #KimHoeltjeCookie recipe.

They turned out really good!! The cappuccino/coffee flavor was subtle, but I could taste it.  Again, I would have preferred a little bit stronger flavor, but it did make for a yummy Chocolate Cappuccino Cookie!

I got to enjoy all 12 cookies for only 350 calories 8F 42C 30P! I also got to enjoy them with zero guilt!

Ingredients:
1 scoop Nuzest Cappuccino protein (20g) *I only used 20g instead of my usual 30g*
1/2 c canned white beans (chickpeas, garbanzo, navy…) (130g)
1/4 c canned pumpkin (60g)
3 T egg substitute (46g)
1 t vanilla
1/2 t baking powder
2 T chocolate chips (28g)
sweetener of choice (3-5 packets)

Instructions:
Drain and rinse beans.
Puree beans, pumpkin, egg, and vanilla. Add some additional egg or milk if necessary to get smooth.
Stir in remaining ingredients
Use baking mat, parchment, or non stick spray. Drop batter onto cookie sheet.
Bake at 350 for about 15 minutes. *The pea protein requires a longer baking time* Keep a close eye on them! If you over bake, they will dry out.

I then used the Wild Strawberry in some Sprinkle Pudding Cookies.

Of course, I had to add sprinkles because they just make everything better!!

Ingredients:
1 scoop NuZest Wild Strawberry protein (20g)
3/4 cup canned pumpkin (180g)
1/4 package sugar free fat free vanilla pudding mix (8g)
1 T egg substitute (15g)
1 -2 T unsweetened almond milk (15 – 30ml) (add til you get a pudding consistency)
1 t vanilla
1/2 t baking powder
sweetener to taste (4 packets)
sprinkles

Instructions:
Mix all ingredients til smooth
Use a baking mat or parchment paper and drop batter onto cookie sheet – top with sprinkles!
Bake at 350 for 16-20 minutes (cookies will be soft and pudding-ish in the middle)
Enjoy warm or try cold with some cream cheese in-between!

The strawberry protein was definitely the most flavorful out of the four.  It was also my favorite!

My conclusions about baking with NuZest pea protein??

1. I noticed was that the batter was very thick even though I only used 20g of powder instead of the usual 30g.
2. I had to bake the cookies longer than normal.
3. The flavor of the protein is not as strong as some other brands.
4. The macros and ingredient list are fabulous!
5. It has a very clean, natural, and “healthy” taste

I would recommend this protein to anyone looking for a very natural and clean protein powder! It is also a great choice for vegans and vegetarians.  I wish it was a little sweeter and had a little more flavor, but given the ingredients and nutritional profile, it is pretty great!!

I would say give it a try and see what you think!

You can order a tub for $44.95 or some sample packs for only $14.
As a little bonus, you can use code “KIM” to save 15%

Give it a go and let me know what you think!!

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What do you do with the one and only zucchini you get from your garden?!

Make pancakes!!! 

These are without a doubt my healthiest pancakes yet! Packed full of zucchini and carrot, plus a ton of protein! They also contain no sugar, no flour, no gluten, and couldn’t be easier to make!

This is all you need:

Quest Vanilla Milkshake protein, egg substitute, vanilla, baking powder, zucchini, and carrot

I highly recommend using Quest protein for this recipe! You can order it here!
Feel free to try other brands, but you might have to play around with measurements

You can also use regular egg!

Grate your zucchini and carrot.  I like it super fine, but feel free to make it a little thicker.

I use one cup total of grated veggies so feel free to use all carrot or all zucchini! 

Mix egg, vanilla, protein, and baking powder first.

Stir in veggies and you’re ready to go!

Cook like regular pancakes on medium heat. 

Believe it or not, a drizzle of syrup goes great on this savory/sweet stack!

If you want to go a complete savory route, try using an unflavored protein.  You could even add some cheese or spices!

All those shredded veggies give these pancakes a great texture and a ton of volume! The entire stack is under 200 calories!! We are talking 8 pancakes here!

Basically fat free, low carb, high protein and a great way to get in some extra veggies.

The perfect breakfast, lunch, dinner, or snack!

Entire stack – 188 calories
1F 14C 34P

Zucchini Carrot Pancakes

2015-10-14 09:54:43

Yields 8

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Ingredients

1. 1 scoop Quest Vanilla Milkshake protein (28g)
2. 1/2 cup egg substitute (120g)
3. 1 t vanilla
4. 1/2 t baking powder
5. 1/2 cup grated zucchini (50g)
6. 1/2 cup grated carrot (50g)

Instructions

1. Grate carrot and zucchini (press zucchini with a paper towel to remove moisture)
2. Mix protein, egg, vanilla, and baking powder
3. Stir in grated veggies
4. Cook like regular pancakes on medium heat
5. Enjoy!

Notes

1. Feel free to try another brand of protein, but you will have to play around with measurements
2. You can use all zucchini or all carrot

By Kim Hoeltje

Kim Hoeltje http://www.kimhoeltje.com/

Fall has some of the best food! You just can’t go wrong with candy corn, salted caramel, pumpkin, and caramel apple!

I am a sucker for all the fun Halloween and Fall candy! I have been loving making some homemade “snack mix” and adding all the Fall fun!

Is this the healthiest snack out there?! Heck no! It is mostly candy…but there are some raisins in there so that makes it all good!

You got your sweet, you got your salty…crunchy and chewy!

The mini candy corn, pumpkin spice chips, pecan pie M&Ms, and salted caramel peanuts are a must for this mix!

Next Fall obsession is a super easy Carrot Spice pancake recipe.

I love to use FlapJacked Carrot Spice mix because all you need to do is add water!

The secret to this tall stack is adding 1/2 – 1 cup of shredded carrot.

It adds a ton of volume, a great texture, and all sorts of vitamins and healthy stuff!

Top them with some sugar free syrup or cream cheese and enjoy!

I have also added shredded zucchini to the buttermilk mix. You really gotta give it a try!

Last but not least is the newest Quest Bar!

There have been a lot of mixed reviews about these bars…

Boo too corn fiber…

Too many calories…

Too much fat…

Not pumpkin-y enough…

Messy…

My thoughts?!

Yes, I prefer the IMO fiber…it is higher in calories and fat…it doesn’t have a super strong pumpkin flavor, the coating is a bit crumbly…BUT

I love the texture and flavor so it is well worth the extra couple calories in my opinion! It has a very subtle pumpkin flavor but a great vanilla flavor! I think the coating tastes like white chocolate and I like the crunchy bits and chewy bar.

But hey…to each their own! And if you don’t like them, just don’t buy them! More for me

If you do want to try them, order here! They are limited time only so at least worth a taste if you ask me.

Any who… those are just a few of the many foods I am enjoying this Fall season! 

What is your favorite Fall food??

I recently entered a contest hosted by Better Body Foods to try and win a bunch of really cool stuff! I don’t know yet if I won, but I did create one amazing recipe…

White Chocolate Pumpkin Cookies! Whether I win or not, I am just happy to have a new favorite cookie to enjoy.

Ingredients are pretty simple:

MTS Pumpkin Pie whey, almond flour, coconut flour, canned pumpkin, egg substitute, baking powder, cinnamon, vanilla, white chocolate chips, and your favorite sweetener.

As always, I don’t recommend making substitutions, but I am sure you could play around with different flours.  You would just need to play around with the measurements as well.  

You can absolutely use other flavors of protein! Caramel, vanilla, peanut butter, chocolate…they would all be great and MTS Nutrition has them all!!

**Order MTS Whey:
Tiger Fitness 
Use code KIM to save 5% on all MTS products (must spend $49)

MTS Nutrition 
Use code KH30 to save 30% on your total order!

Mix and bake. That’s it! Oh, and feel free to take a little taste of that cookie dough…
Been doing it for years and never got sick!

You could leave out the white chocolate chips, but I am telling you, they are key!! Goes great with the pumpkin!
Come to think of it, dark chocolate would also be amazing! Or peanut butter chips…butterscotch… Ah so many possibilities!

No sharing allowed!

 The entire batch is under 400 calories. I call that breakfast!

Plus they are packed full of protein, fiber, and are gluten free.

 I definitley consider these a win!

10-12 cookies – 377 calories
15F 29C 35P

I am known for making lots of high protein goodies, but then I remember that not everyone likes their cookies, muffins, and pancakes to be packed with protein powder! 

I get a lot of requests for recipes without protein powder so here ya go!

Pumpkin Cream Cheese Cookies! 

Great for Fall and no protein powder is required.  Just your average, ordinary baking ingredients.

Coconut flour, almond flour, canned pumpkin, fat free cream cheese, egg substitute, vanilla, cinnamon, baking powder, sweetener of choice, and sprinkles if you’re feeling crazy!

Easy as always…mix all ingredients in a bowl and bake! 

These aren’t the prettiest cookies ever, but adding the sprinkles makes them ten times better!

See what I mean!?

They are soft on the inside, but have a nice little outside crunch when you take that first bite. The cream cheese is key! It gives them a fabulous 

Best part?! You can eat the entire batch for breakfast!

The whole dozen is just under 250 calories but you still get 18 grams of protein for the batch.

And that”s without using any protein powder!

So good you will want to eat them by the handful!

12 cookies – 242 calories
9F 22C 18P

Pumpkin Cream Cheese Cookies

2015-10-28 09:34:11

Yields 1

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Ingredients

1. 1 T coconut flour (8g)
2. 2 T almond flour (14g)
3. 1/2 cup canned pumkpin (120g)
4. 3 T egg substitute (46g)
5. 4 T fat free cream cheese (60g)
6. 1/2 t baking powder
7. 1/2 t vanilla
8. 1 t cinnamon
9. sweetener to taste (3-4 packets)
10. sprinkles!!!

Instructions

1. Mix all ingredients together til batter is smooth
2. Drop batter on cookie sheet (use parchment paper or baking mat)
3. Top with sprinkles!!
4. Bake at 350 for 20 minutes

Notes

1. I don't recommend substituting flours, but feel free to experiment!!

By Kim Hoeltje

Kim Hoeltje http://www.kimhoeltje.com/

Looking for the perfect Halloween treat?! Look no further!

This White Chocolate Candy Corn Bark is the perfect addition to any Halloween themed spread!

It’s also a great way to use up all that candy corn after the trick-or-treaters have had their fill.

Ingredient list is super short:

White chocolate and candy corn is all you really need.  I add some festive sprinkles for a little extra fun.

Just melt your chocolate, spread it out on parchment paper, top with candy, and freeze!

Make as much or as little as you want.

When it has set, just break it into whatever size pieces you like.

Don’t like white chocolate? Use milk or dark!

Don’t like candy corn?! Use M&Ms, nuts, or dried fruit!

The possibilities are endless!

Once set, you can store it in the fridge or set it out at room temperature.  

It will keep in the fridge forever, but pretty sure you won’t need to worry about that!

Is this a healthy snack?! Ha, no! But we all deserve some good old candy and sugar. Especially around Halloween!

White Chocolate Candy Corn Bark

2015-10-31 10:40:08

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Ingredients

1. White chocolate
2. Candy corn
3. Sprinkles

Instructions

1. Melt chocolate
2. Spread melted chocolate on parchment paper
3. Top with candy
4. Freeze
5. When set, break into pieces
6. Enjoy

Notes

1. Try milk or dark chocolate! Add all sorts of things on top - nuts, raisins, M&Ms...

By Kim Hoeltje

Kim Hoeltje http://www.kimhoeltje.com/

Carrot Cake is one of my favorite desserts! Even though I strongly believe in always making room for dessert, Carrot Cake is probably not something you want to eat for breakfast on the daily…

These Carrot Spice Muffins on the other hand…they are perfect for breakfast any day! 

 At only 330 calories for 6 muffins you can eat them for breakfast everyday!

Minimal ingredients needed:

MTS Cinnagraham whey, oats (ground to flour), egg substitute, milk of choice, carrots, baking powder, vanilla, cinnamon, and sweetener of choice.

I love baking with MTS whey!

The Cinnagraham is great in this recipe but you can easily sub some of their other flavors like vanilla, caramel sutra, or pumpkin pie!

**Order MTS Whey:
Tiger Fitness 
Use code KIM to save 5% on all MTS products (must spend $49)

MTS Nutrition 
Use code KH30 to save 30% on your total order!

Peel and grate carrots as fine as possible.

If you are super lazy, you can also just mash up some canned carrots! Not quite as good, but does the trick in a pinch!

A little mixing and a little baking later…

Six glorious Carrot Spice Muffins! And you get to enjoy them all!

Packed with 33 grams of protein, these are great before or after your workout.

I love the texture from the grated carrot! The Cinnagraham whey gives them such a great, sweet, cinnamon flavor.

If you really want that Carrot Cake feel, just shmear a little cream cheese on top!

Honestly, they don’t even need it! They are fabulous as just a simple muffin.

Carrot Spice Muffins

2015-11-06 12:25:14

Yields 6

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Ingredients

1. 1 scoop MTS Cinnagraham whey (30g)
2. 1/4 cup oats ground to flour (40g) (5 T flour)
3. 3 T egg substitute (46g)
4. 1/2 cup unsweetened almond milk (120ml)
5. 1 cup finely grated carrot (80g)
6. 1/2 t baking powder
7. 1/2 t vanilla
8. 1 t cinnamon
9. sweetener to taste (3 packets)

Instructions

1. Peel and grate carrot as fine as possible
2. Mix together everything except the carrot
3. Stir in carrot
4. Pour batter into muffin pan (use liners if possible)
5. Bake at 350 for 28-30 minutes

Notes

1. Feel free to try other flavors of protein (vanilla, caramel, peanut butter...)
2. If using another brand of protein you may need more or less liquid

By Kim Hoeltje

Kim Hoeltje http://www.kimhoeltje.com/

6 muffins – 330 calories
6F 38C 33P 

I recently got to try some Green Tea Matcha powder from Wild Foods and I am in love!! It is great as a drink, but even better in pancakes!

I can’t wait to make these during the Holidays! Top that green stack with some raspberries or strawberry jam! 

So festive!

You will need:

Quest Vanilla Milkshake protein powder, Green Tea Matcha powder, coconut flour, egg substitute, unsweetened almond milk, vanilla powder, and baking powder.

*You can sub vanilla extract if you don’t have vanilla powder*

Get your Quest Protein here! If you try a different brand you will need to make adjustments.

Easy peasy…just mix all ingredients in one bowl and cook like boring regular pancakes. 

Great as is but even better with a drizzle of sugar free syrup.

They are sweet, fluffy, and basically a superfood!!

Matcha powder has all sorts of health benefits that I won’t bore you with now…just take my word for it! The stuff is good for you!!

But most importantly, it adds an amazing flavor to these protein pancakes.  

Not to mention a gorgeous color!

The entire stack is only 252 calories!
8F 16C 31P

You can order the Matcha Green Tea powder and Vanilla Powder from Wild Foods!
Not to mention all the other fun baking stuff they have.
Use “WildKim” and save 10% off your entire Wild Foods order. PLUS a free bonus!!

Matcha Green Tea Pancakes

2015-11-09 13:03:46

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Ingredients

1. 1 scoop Quest Vanilla Milkshake protein (28g)
2. 1 t Matcha Green Tea Powder
3. 2 T coconut flour (16g)
4. 3 T egg substitute (46g)
5. 1/4-1/2 cup unsweetened almond milk (60-120ml)
6. 1/2 t baking powder
7. 1/2 t vanilla powder (can sub extract)

Instructions

1. Mix together everything but the milk
2. Add milk slowly til you get desired pancake batter consistency (I used 1/2 cup milk with Quest protein)
3. Cook like regular pancakes on medium to low heat
4. Great plain! Better with syrup!!

By Kim Hoeltje

Kim Hoeltje http://www.kimhoeltje.com/

A super sweet, extremely buff, and very beautiful social media @PonyTailPower recently reached out to me to see if I wanted to try some protein bars from Yup Brands.  You don’t need to ask me twice!! Yes!

 Yup Brands carries two types of bars: Bup Bars and BJammin Bars

They do not use corn fiber or sucralose like a lot of other bars! This gives them that wonderful soft, slightly chewy texture and zero icky after taste! They are also all gluten free.

I broke the Bup Bars into two categories:

Peanut Buttery Fun

Peanut Butter, Vanilla Peanut Butter, and PB&J

Each bar has 210 – 220 calories 9-11F 23-24C 20P

Then you have your Classic Bup Bars:

Cinnamon Roll, Chocolate Mint, Sugar Cookie, and the newest addition, Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough.

170 – 190 calories 2-7F 25-28C 20P

Let’s taste them all!!!

Vanilla Peanut Butter – Not overly sweet.  I love the slight hint of vanilla.  There are also these fabulous little peanut buttery nuggets that add some nice texture and flavor.

 Peanut Butter – Honestly, how can you go wrong?! Great peanut butter flavor! Again, not sickly sweet like some bars tend to be.

I decided to have a little fun with this one…

Cut into 4 pieces and bake at 350 for about 5 minutes. Cover with peanut butter!! This was a fabulous guilt free treat for any peanut butter lover!

Last member of the PB family was the wonderful PB&J

I just felt like a kid eating this bar! I love the two layers and the pretty pink color! 

Now for the “Classic” flavors.

Chocolate Mint – Full of chocolate chunks!!! This was probably my least favorite, but I just generally don’t love the chocolate mint combo.  If you do, you will probably really enjoy this one!! The mint flavor isn’t too strong and you gotta love the huge chunks!

Sugar Cookie!!

This one seemed a lot softer than the others.  Almost like a melt-in-your-mouth taffy.

What do you do with a Sugar Cookie bar?!

Bake it into teeny tiny sugar cookies! I just chopped up the bar into little pieces and baked at 350 for about 4 minutes.

I had a little fun with the Cinnamon Roll bar too!

Just mix a little MTS Vanilla whey with enough water to thin. Microwave the bar for 8-10 seconds and drizzle with “icing” So good!! A warm, gooey, cinnamon treat! 

My favorite of all the bars was the Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough!

The texture is just so fabulous! Like a soft, slightly chewy, a little gooey, marshmallow-ish goodness!

And again with the chocolate chunks! I love this one chopped into tiny pieces and frozen.

Sounds a little weird, but it makes the bar last longer! This is the perfect Netflix snack.

We can’t forget about the BJammin Bars!!

These are an all natural energy bar with real fruit filling! A little higher in carbs and no added sugar.

I can’t wait to let Annabelle try these!! I feel like these would be really fun for kids.

Apple Pie A La Mode

So good warmed up for a few seconds! The fruit filling is nice and sweet and the bar is soft and chewy.

Loved the PB&J one!

With the gooey fruit filling it’s like a real PB&J with jam! 

Last but not least was the Vanilla Cherry Pie

So much filling! This was probably the sweetest of the three.  

The only teeny tiny problem with these bars is that they are a little sticky.  Might not be the best to give your kid in the backseat of the car, but a super great snack as long as you have a wet one ready to go!! Messy food is fun anyways right?!

I would highly recommend these bars! They are great right out of the wrapper, and you can also do so much with them!! Check out Yup Brand online for more information and to order some for yourself! A box of 12 is $32.99. Plus you get free shipping no matter how much or little you spend!

Follow Yup Brand all over social media! You can see all the other creative ways people enjoy these bars! They do lots of giveaways too!
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I will be the first to admit that I was very, very skeptical of “Skinny Teas” and “Detox Teas”
Just hear me out on this one!

I recently got the chance to try the 30 Day Detox by Teami Tea.  Like I said, I was skeptical…but I decided to give it a try.  Let me also say that I am by no means trying to lose weight with this tea! I was told these teas also aid in digestion, naturally boost energy levels, reduce bloating, improve skin completion, and calm muscle spasms.  

These are all things I struggle with so I figured it was worth a shot!

The 30 Day Detox Pack comes with 15 Colon Tea bags and a 30 day supply of loose leaf Skinny Tea. I also got a super cute tea infuser.

I took the Skinny Tea every day and the Colon tea every other.  

The Colon Tea wasn’t the most delicious tea I ever had but it works!!!! I don’t think I need to go into much detail, but let’s just say it did what it was supposed to do!

I recommend taking it in the evening.  That way it can do it’s magic overnight.  You would just have to find out when the best time is for you to have it. 

I would have it around 5ish with a snack.  Nothing like some Chocolate Mint Truffles and tea! 

I took the Skinny Tea every morning either before eating or with my breakfast.

Cookies for breakfast anyone?! I used my Simply Chocolate Chip Cookie recipe and just added sprinkles instead of chocolate chips.

I really liked the taste of the Skinny Tea.  Kinda of like an Early Gary mixed with Green Tea…I dunno exactly how to explain it but I liked it!

Went great with my Green Tea Matcha breakfast bowl! Just some MTS Vanilla protein powder, Wild Foods matcha powder, a little sugar free pudding mix, milk to thin, and all the fun toppings!
Side note – Am I the only one completely obsessed with Matcha powder lately?! I get mine from Wild Foods (use WildKim for 10% off any Wild Foods Order + a free bonus!)

Now for some fun little details:

Teami Tea is all natural and vegan. 
The Teami Detox Tea is completely GMO Free, Gluten Free, Dairy Free and Sugar Free. 

Teami also makes Alive, Profit, Energy, and Relax Tea.  I am gonna have to try the Relax Tea soon!

The 30 Day Detox Plan is $49.99 but you can save 20% by using KIMH20 when you checkout! Code good til Thanksgiving night on all products so stock up now! 

Is this going to be the key to your weight loss?! I wouldn’t necessarily say that…

I can say that it will make your tummy feel good, get rid of bloating, give you a little natural caffeine energy boost, and taste good!

Follow Teami Tea everywhere:
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Christmas shopping can be tough! I feel like there is always that one person that I have no idea what to buy. Of course, Christmas isn’t all about presents, but it is a very nice part of the day!

Here a couple ideas that might help!

For the Baker:

As a baker myself, I would love this gift basket! Start with a super cute apron (or super manly apron…), throw in some silicone baking cups, some fancy oven mitts, some nice little spatulas, and a bag of Christmas candy for all those cookies!

I swear by these baking cups. Nothing sticks!! Great for muffins, cupcakes, and little baked oatmeal cups. Very affordable from Amazon.

The Triumphant Chef makes some great oven mitts.  Again, very affordable on Amazon.com.

You could also throw some sprinkles and baking mixes.  

 For the Runner:

Running belt, matching socks, and a few different protein bars to try.  I am sure any runner or walker would appreciate these gifts.

I personally tested and approved this running belt from Ultimate Pro Sports. Best part is that they are under $15! Might even work for that Secret Santa gift you need to find.

Snuggly holds your phone and has a little pouch for your keys, ID, or anything else you might want.  Comes with headphones so you can listen to your favorite tunes while you run! Comes in pink, blue, and black. 

Toss in some bars you know they love or a few of your favorites so they can try something new! Quest, Yup Brands, and Detour are a few of my favs.

For the Lazy Butt: Ok, they don’t have be a completely lazy butt…but this is a perfect gift for pretty much anyone!!

Who wouldn’t love some cozy things, movies, and candy! Perfect for a lazy day.

Can’t go wrong with two of my favorite Christmas movies! And you can’t watch those movies without snacks!

Make sure you get a super comfy blanket and extra fuzzy slippers!

With a couple adjustments, this is perfect for any guy or gal! 

For the Fashionista:

Who doesn’t love a new watch!? I am in love with Daniel Wellington watches!

I prefer the more casual, somewhat sporty bands, but they also have some fancier ones to choose from.

You don’t even have to worry about wrapping. These come beautifully packaged! 

They carry both men’s and women’s watches and range from $135-$299.

A little bit more of a pricey gift, but you can use code “kimhoeltje” and save %15!! 

I love the simple face with the sparkles!

Check them out on Instagram #DanielWellington to see more!

For the Coffee Lover:

Maybe I am mistaken, but isn’t everyone a coffee lover!? I was always a fan of the Keurig, but ever since trying a French Coffee Press, I am addicted.  It really does make a better cup of coffee.

Add a nice mug and some candy and you have the prefect gift for any coffee connoisseur. 

You can also mix this one up a little and include some loose leaf tea instead of the coffee. The French Press is great because you use it to make coffee or tea! Under $30 from the wonderful Amazon.

Hopefully these ideas can help with at least one person on your Christmas list!!

**What is the best gift you ever received?**

Time for Christmas Cookies!!!

Christmas is the best time for baking! Everything is just so festive and fun.  I love the colors, the smells, and the tastes!

While I always promote balance and “everything in moderation” it is always nice to find a couple recipes that you can enjoy everyday with no guilt!

These Green Tea Cookies will satisfy your sweet tooth and won’t make you feel bad if you eat the entire batch!

The key is a good Green Tea Matcha Powder.

I love Wild Matcha from Wild Foods. 
Use the code WildKim for 10% off any Wild Foods Order + a free bonus!

The Matcha adds all sorts of health benefits, tastes good, and gives your cookies that gorgeous Christmas green color!

Add some sprinkles for more fun!

Want to know how to make them even better?!

Stuff them with some fat free cream cheese and add more sprinkles!

If that doesn’t say “Merry Christmas” I don’t know what does!

Entire batch minus the cream cheese is only 288 calories 9F 27C 29P. I get 8 or 9 small cookies.

Green Tea Cookies

2015-12-02 08:25:44

Yields 8

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Ingredients

1. 1 scoop MTS Vanilla whey (30g)
2. 3 T coconut flour (24g)
3. 1 T egg substitute (15g)
4. 1/4 cup unsweetened almond milk (60ml)
5. 1 t green tea matcha powder
6. 1/2 t baking powder
7. 1 sweetener (optional)
8. sprinkles!

Instructions

1. Mix all ingredients except milk and sprinkles
2. Add milk slowly - may need more or less depending on protein used
3. Drop batter on cookie sheet - recommend a baking mat or parchment paper
4. Top with sprinkles
5. Bake at 350 for 10-12 minutes (adjust for bigger cookies)

By Kim Hoeltje

Kim Hoeltje http://www.kimhoeltje.com/

We are going to keep this post short and sweet.  Literally, very sweet!!

I used my basic cookie recipe, added a little Holiday fun, and came up with some Red Velvet Christmas Cookies!

The key is using Creamy Red Velvet Cake protein powder from MTS Nutrition.

**Order MTS Whey:
Tiger Fitness 
Use code KIM to save 5% on all MTS products (must spend $49)

Oh, and you cannot forget the Christmas sprinkles! 

As always, this entire plate is one serving!! Of course you are more than welcome to share, but why?!

10 small cookies – 255 calories 
8F 23C 25P

Leave a plate of these out for Santa and I am sure he will thank you! So will his waistline! 

Red Velvet Christmas Cookies

2015-12-04 06:12:48

Yields 10

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Ingredients

1. 1 scoop MTS Red Velvet whey (30g)
2. 3 T coconut flour (24g)
3. 1 T egg substitute (15g)
4. 1/4 cup unsweetened almond milk (60ml)
5. 1/4 cup canned pumpkin (60g)
6. 1/2 t baking powder
7. 1 sweetener (optional)
8. sprinkles!

Instructions

1. Mix all ingredients except milk and sprinkles
2. Add milk slowly - may need more or less depending on protein used
3. Drop batter on cookie sheet (recommend baking mat or parchment paper)
4. Top with sprinkles!
5. Bake at 350 for 15 minutes (adjust for bigger cookies)

Notes

1. Don't have red velvet protein?! Use any flavor!!!

By Kim Hoeltje

Kim Hoeltje http://www.kimhoeltje.com/

There are not many things I love more than baking…except eating baked goods!

Over the past month, I got to try some amazing products from Collin Street Bakery.

Let me just say they have this baking thing figured out! They have been around since 1896 and are based outside of Dallas Texas.  They are family owned and operated and are best known for their delicious fruitcake!

Fruitcake seems to be somewhat of a joke around the Holidays, but this was amazing! I will admit, I never thought I would want to eat fruitcake, but I loved it! It wasn’t overly sweet like I was expecting.  More of a dense cake, packed with nuts and fruit.  

Microwave for 20 seconds and you have yourself breakfast on the go!

Along with the fruitcake, Jim and I also got to try their Pecan Pie. 

Believe it or not, neither of us had ever had Pecan Pie so we didn’t really know what to except.  

It was gooey on the inside, but had a crunchy top layer.  Best warmed up.  

Again, I was pleasantly surprised that it wasn’t overly sweet.  I don’t usually love pecans, but this was great!! 

Jim and I hosted our first Thanksgiving this year and I was excited to serve some Cookies & Cream Cheesecake and Cinnamon Pecan Coffee Cake.

Let’s start with the cheesecake.

Just take a minute to admire how thick that crust is! You would think a crust that thick would be really hard, but it was soft with just the right amount of crumble.

The cheesecake part was so creamy and it had huge cookie chunks throughout.  Hands down the best piece of cheesecake I ever had! Everyone at dinner loved it!

The Coffee Cake was a great second dessert! Second dessert?! Yea, that’s a thing…

The icing came separate so you could drizzle it on how ever you like. 

I love cinnamon and this did not disappoint.  I loved how much filling it had! Cinnamon crumble with chopped pecans and that sweet icing on top.  We had this for breakfast for the next few days! Great with a cup of coffee!

Collin Street Bakery also sent over some stuff for our little Tree Decorating Party.  We went with more snacky desserts this time.

You can’t go wrong with a cookie platter. 

Chocolate Chip. Peanut Butter, Sugar, and Cherry Icebox.

The Chocolate Chip had a great flavor.  Slightly crunchy, but still soft on the inside.  Jim and I both agreed the Cherry Icebox was the best! Very soft and very good!!

A stack of Peanut Butter cookies for the win!

And you can’t go wrong with a classic Sugar Cookie. 

Last but not least, we got to try the Chocolate Covered Strawberry Petities.

I have never had anything like this before. 

Kinda like a chocolate covered strawberry, but better!

Full of nuts and a delicious, gooey strawberry filling.  Covered in chocolate! These were addicting!!

Collin Street Bakery also has so much more to offer too! Check out their site to see all the goodies.  

I think anything they bake would make a great gift or the perfect dessert for your Holiday Party! And if you have never tried Fruit Cake, now is your chance – Use 51KH10 for 10% off any DeLuxe Fruitcake.

Follow Collin Street Bakery on social media to see all the goodness:

Facebook
Twitter
Instagram

Pancakes are great anytime of the day and anytime of the year!

While this particular plate is a little Fall-ish, that doesn’t mean you can’t have Butternut Squash Pancakes in December, June, or August!

Butternut squash, protein powder, egg substitute, baking powder, cinnamon, and a splash of vanilla – That’s it!!

I love MTS Caramel Sutra whey in this recipe but vanilla, cinnamon, or even peanut butter works great too.

**Order MTS Whey:
Tiger Fitness
Use code KIM to save 5% on all MTS products (must spend $49)

MTS Nutrition
Use code KH30 to save 30% on your total order!

I use frozen squash puree for three reasons… It’s easy! It’s cheap! It’s available all year!

Feel free to use fresh squash.  Just steam and puree it first.

Whether you eat them in a stack…

Or spread on a plate…

Just don’t forget the maple syrup!

These low carb, low fat, high protein. gluten free pancakes are a great way to eat your veggies! 

Whole Stack – 218 calories
2F 25C 22P

Butternut Squash Pancakes

2015-12-11 06:40:53

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Ingredients

1. 1 cup butternut squash puree (I use frozen) (230g)
2. 1 scoop MTS Caramel Sutra Whey (30g)
3. 1 T egg substitute (15g)
4. 1/2 t vanilla
5. 1/2 t baking powder
6. 1/2 t cinnamon
7. sweetener if desired (1-2 packets)

Instructions

1. Cook the frozen squash according to package (I prefer to cook it on the stove top)
2. If using fresh squash, just chop it up, steam, and puree
3. Mix together all the ingredients
4. Cook on medium to low heat
5. Use nonstick spray and don’t flip too soon!!

Notes

1. Feel free to use other flavors of protein! Vanilla, peanut butter, cinnamon...try adding some pecans or walnuts to the batter!

By Kim Hoeltje

Kim Hoeltje http://www.kimhoeltje.com/

Looking for an easy, customizable, versatile, delicious muffin recipe?!

I got you covered!! 

These Simple Protein Muffins are, as the name suggests, very easy to make! The best part is that you just use the basic recipe, but then jazz them up however you see fit.

Ingredients:

MTS Vanilla whey, coconut flour, unsweetened applesauce, unsweetened almond milk, egg substitute, baking powder, vanilla, and sweetener if you like.

You absolutely do not need to use vanilla protein! This is where you can start customizing…try chocolate, peanut butter, cookies & cream, or even something fruity!

I highly recommend MTS Whey for this recipe. I can’t guarantee the same results with another brand.

**Order MTS Whey:
Tiger Fitness 
Use code KIM to save 5% on all MTS products (must spend $49)

Mix up your batter and then add whatever your little heart desires.

Try chocolate chips, sprinkles, peanut butter, cinnamon, jelly, or butterscotch chips.  Just a few of the many possible add-ins.

That peanut butter filling might be my favorite!! And just think of all the different flavors of peanut butter you can experiment with.  I used White Chocolate Pumpkin for this beauty.

Who doesn’t love a muffin full of chocolate?!

Another favorite!

Maybe you want them topped with peanut butter cream cheese frosting?! And sprinkles!

Or filled and frosted!!

Of course you can also just eat them plain.

6 base muffins – 337 calories
11F 29C 34P

But this is way more fun!

Simple Protein Muffins

2015-12-14 06:09:31

Yields 6

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Ingredients

1. 1 scoop MTS Vanilla whey (30g)
2. 4 T coconut flour (32g)
3. 3 T egg substitute (46g)
4. 1/2 cup unsweetened almond milk (120ml)
5. 1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce (56g)
6. 1/2 t baking powder
7. 1/2 t vanilla
8. sweetener to taste (2 packets)

Instructions

1. Mix all ingredients til smooth
2. You may need a little more or less milk depending on protein used
3. Toss in any fun add-ins (chocolate chips, cinnamon, sprinkles...)
4. Bake at 350 for 25 minutes

Notes

1. You can use any flavor of MTS whey (chocolate, cookies & cream, key lime...)

By Kim Hoeltje

Kim Hoeltje http://www.kimhoeltje.com/

This recipe needs no introduction…

Peppermint & Chocolate during the Holidays is like Peanut Butter & Jelly on a normal day!

You just can’t beat it!!

I used my Chocolate Brownie recipe and just jazzed these up with some crushed, sugar free peppermint candies!

Candy canes would work too!

Or some crushed Andes Mints!!!

This is one of those “crazy” recipes where I use beans and protein powder! 

That’s right! Healthy Peppermint Brownies!

If you never tried baking with beans before, don’t be scared…they make baked goods so soft, moist, and fudgy!

Not to mention the added protein and fiber.

All 6 brownies come in at only 285 calories 4F 30C 35P

That means no sharing!

Happy Healthy Holiday Baking!!

Peppermint Brownies

2015-12-19 10:27:44

Yields 6

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Ingredients

1. 1 scoop MTS Chocolate whey (30g)
2. 1/2 cup canned white beans (130g)
3. 1/4 cup canned pumpkin (60g)
4. 3 T egg substitute (46g)
5. 3 T unsweetened almond milk (46ml)
6. 1/2 T unsweetened cocoa powder
7. 1 t vanilla
8. 1/2 t baking powder
9. sugar free peppermint candies
10. sweetener to taste (4 packets)

Instructions

1. Drain and rinse beans
2. Puree beans, pumpkin, milk, egg, and vanilla
3. Stir in dry ingredients
4. Coat 5 x 7 baking dish with nonstick spray (double recipe for bigger dish)
5. Bake at 350 for 20-25 minutes
6. Crush Peppermint candies
7. Top brownies with crushed candies right when they come out of the oven
8. Let cool, cut into bars, and enjoy!

By Kim Hoeltje

Kim Hoeltje http://www.kimhoeltje.com/

Chocolatey, red velvet protein truffles! The perfect, guilt free treat that anyone can appreciate! 

These are very customizable too. I used MTS Creamy Red Velvet whey, but you can use your favorite flavor. Just about anything will work.  Chocolate, peanut butter, vanilla, cookies & cream…

The recipe is based off of my Double Chocolate Balls with just a few minor tweaks.

The key ingredient is the cocoa powder used to coat these tasty bites.

I am obsessed with Wild Chocolate from Wild Foods! The rich, chocolate flavor is on point! Really makes a world of difference! Use the code WildKim for 10% off any Wild Foods Order + a free bonus!

These are so good, you can never just eat one!

And you don’t have to!! The entire batch is under 200 calories!

Soft on the inside, a slight crunch, and that dark chocolatey cocoa powder makes for one amazing bite!

Give them a try!!

I am sure you will fall in love!

Entire bowl -190 calories 5F 24C 16P

Protein Truffles

2015-12-29 09:58:32

Yields 1

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Ingredients

1. 2 T coconut flour (16g)
2. 1/2 scoop MTS Red Velvet whey (15g)
3. 1/2 cup canned pumpkin (120g)
4. 1 t egg substitute (15g)
5. 1/2 t baking powder
6. 1 t wild chocolate powder (3g)
7. sweetener to taste (2 packets)
8. additional cocoa powder for coating

Instructions

1. Mix all ingredients together
2. Refrigerate dough to firm it up a bit
3. Roll into balls - dough will be wet
4. Bake at 350 for 20 minutes
5. Let cool and coat in cocoa powder
6. Enjoy! (store leftovers in fridge - as if you will have any!!)

Notes

1. Try with different flavors of protein! Chocolate, peanut butter, cookies & cream...

By Kim Hoeltje

Kim Hoeltje http://www.kimhoeltje.com/

So…Quest just came out with a new protein powder…Cookies & Cream!!

And then this happened…

Chunky, delicious, Cookies & Cream cookies!

Kim tested, husband approved!

They key is the chopped up Cookies & Cream Quest bar.  

The recipe makes 6 big cookies and feel free to go ahead and eat them all yourself.

330 calories and 41 grams of protein make these a great breakfast!

The cookie is soft, the protein bar pieces are chewy and crunchy, and I am in love!

Don’t have cookies & cream protein?! Make this recipe with any flavor!! Try a different kind of Quest bar or add in some chocolate chips, sprinkles, nuts, or leave them plain. 

You can order Quest protein, bars, and chips right here! 

What flavor combination will you try!?

I am thinking a Salted Caramel Cookie with Cinnamon Roll chunks…

Peanut Butter Cookie with Double Chocolate chunks…

And Vanilla Cookie with White Chocolate Raspberry chunks!

6 big cookies – 330 calories
10F 31C 41P

Cookies & Cream Cookies

2016-01-07 13:11:01

Yields 6

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Ingredients

1. 1 scoop Quest Cookies & Cream protein (28g)
2. 2 T coconut flour (16g)
3. 3 T egg substitute (46g)
4. 1/4 cup unsweetened almond milk (60ml)
5. 1/2 T unsweetened cocoa powder
6. 1/2 t baking powder
7. sweetener to taste (2 packets)
8. 1/2 Cookies & Cream Quest Bar

Instructions

1. Mix all ingredients except Quest Bar
2. If using a different protein powder, you may need more/less milk
3. Chop up half of the protein bar
4. Stir in protein bar
5. Bake at 350 for 15-18 minutes

By Kim Hoeltje

Kim Hoeltje http://www.kimhoeltje.com/