Bottoms up!

Yum. Breakfast.

Then I check out Twitter this morning and apparently pistachios are now being recalled. Peanuts last month, pistachios this month. What the heck?! So if suddenly there are no blog entries you will know what took me down.

It was still yummy and hell we all have to go somehow.


Shelly's Pistachio Banana Protein Shake

1 cup Vanilla Soy Milk (you can use ANY milk or milk/water combo. I'm a soy girl)
1 Tablespoon Sugar Free Torani Syrup (I used SF Vanilla)
1 Tablespoon Sugar Free Jello Pistachio Pudding Mix, dry
1 scoop Vanilla Protein Powder
1/2 a Banana
3-4 Ice Cubes

Add liquid, then powders, then banana and ice. Blend on high. I served it with a squirt of SF Land o Lakes Whipped Cream and a few chopped pistachios.

Other Eggface Favorite Protein Shakes

Last Day - Torani 30% off SALE

Sausage & Pepper Bites

These taste just like the grilled Italian sweet sausage and peppers cooking at the street fairs and Italian festivals in the summertime.

One of my best memories of my Dad was of him taking me each summer to the Italian Festa on Long Island where I grew up. My Mum worked nights so it was just my Dad and I. I'd ride my favorite chair-o-plane a few times then we'd sit on a bench and eat sausage & peppers. There may have been some sfingi involved too (Italian fried dough covered in powdered sugar) but we won't talk about those.

Oh and always ride the chair-o-plane before the sausage & peppers.

Yeah learned that life lesson the hard way.


Shelly's Sausage & Pepper Bites

1 Yellow Onion, diced
1/2 Green Bell Pepper, diced
1/2 Red Bell Pepper, diced
1/2 lb. Mild Italian Sausage (about 2 links with casings removed)
1/2 cup Italian Blend Cheese, shredded
5 eggs
1/2 teaspoon Oregano
1/2 teaspoon Kosher Salt
a few twists of Black Pepper

Preheat oven to 350. Saute onions and peppers till golden.

Add sausage and saute till no pink is seen. Breaking it up into bite size pieces with a wooden spoon as it cooks. Set aside to cool. When cool mix all ingredients together.

Spoon into lightly greased (Pam works great) mini muffin tins. Bake for 30 minutes at 350. Makes 24.



Other Eggface "Bites" (crustless quiches):

Shelly's Beef Fiesta Bites
Shelly's Italian Crab Bites
Shelly's Breakfast Bites
Shelly's Pizza Bites
Shelly's Bacon & Swiss Bites
Shelly's Stuffed Pizza Bites
Shelly's Spamtastic Bites with Tropical Dipping Sauce
Shelly's Foo Rangoon Bites
Shelly's Ham Fiesta Bites
Shelly's Philly Cheese Steak Bites
Shelly's Lovely Lox Bites
Shelly's Corned Beef Bites
Shelly's Sausage & Pepper Bites
Shelly's Denver Bites
Shelly's Beef & Bean Bites

Shelly's Spinach & Feta Bites (vegetarian)
Shelly's Artichoke Florentine Bites (vegetarian)
Shelly's Zucchini Bites (vegetarian)
Shelly's Mushroom Bites (vegetarian)
Shelly's Bruschetta Bites (vegetarian)
Shelly's Southwest Bites (vegetarian)
Shelly's Green Chili Bites (vegetarian)
Shelly's Broccoli & Swiss Bites (vegetarian)

My Sunshine Day and Tropical Chicken Salad

I was outside in the sunshine most of today sucking up oodles of Vitamin D. I hit two Farmer's Markets this morning. My usual and then the next town over just started one too so I wanted to check it out. I'm still not sure why they would make it the same day and time as one not even 10 miles away but whatever. I support all Farmer's Markets and local farmers so I went but... that market needs some work. F-a-r-m-e-r-s Market means mostly products from F-a-r-m-s not swap meet crap. I'll stick to mine. It rocks! Full of fresh veggies, fruit and take a look at the flowers...



Oh and I got to use mine and my Mum's latest artistic creation. I sew like crap but I'm a great designer and cutter. So we teamwork.


My Official Farmer's Market Tote Bag
We get creative from time to time my Mum and I. Martha Stewart likes to demon possess her too. Here's some of our other crafty creations.

So after the markets I hit the new section of the mall. God help me there is now a Coach and Williams Sonoma within walking distance of my house. I was good though and left bag-less and gadget-less.

Then I took a super looooong walk. I've had a gnarly headache (sinus I think) for the last few days and I needed to breath some of the good stuff and soak in the warm rays. It helped.

I came home and made lunch. This yummy Tropical Chicken Salad we ate on the patio.


Shelly's Tropical Chicken Salad

2 cups Cooked Chicken (I used a Rotisserie)
1/2 cup Papaya Mango Salsa (I used Trader Joe's fresh)
1/2 a Hothouse/English Cucumber, peeled and chopped
1/4 cup Sliced Almonds
1 Tablespoon Mayonnaise (or eliminate and do all Greek Yogurt)
1 Tablespoon Fage Greek Yogurt
1 Tablespoon Cider Vinegar
1/2 teaspoon Kosher Salt
a few twists of Black Pepper

Mix all ingredients together and serve on a bed of mixed greens. You can also serve it as a wrap.


and now I'm listening to tunes and sipping my Starbuck's Banana Vivanno knock-off...


Shelly's Banana Protein Mochacchino for 2

2 cups Vanilla Soy Milk (you can use ANY milk or milk/water combo. I'm a soy girl)
1 Tablespoon Sugar Free Torani Syrup (I use Sugar Free Vanilla)
1 Banana
1 scoop Click Espresso Protein Powder
1 scoop Chocolate Protein Powder
3-4 Ice Cubes

Add liquid, then powders, then additions and blend on high. I serve it with a squirt of SF Land o Lakes Whipped Cream and a drizzle of Smucker's SF Caramel Syrup.

Slurp.

A great day. Hope yours was wonderful too and full of WOW moments. Life is a series of moments. Spend them wisely we don't know how many we have.

Listening to: "Sowing The Seeds Of Love" Tears for Fears

Nom Nom Nom Strawberry Banana

Just ate this for dessert...


Shelly's Strawberry Banana Protein Ice Cream

1 cup Vanilla Soy Milk (or Regular Milk)
2 scoops of Vanilla Protein Powder
1 Tablespoon Sugar Free Strawberry Torani Syrup
1 Banana, mashed
3-4 Fresh Strawberries, chopped

Mix together milk, protein, and syrup. I used this gadget to mix it up. It makes it airy and lump free. If you don't have one just toss it in a blender on super high. You want it fluffy almost double in size. Pour into ice cream maker. Pour in mashed banana and chopped strawberries. Follow your machine's instructions for freezing.

You can eat it right away it is soft serve-ish but I like to put it in the freezer to set for an hour.

I served it with a squirt of Land o Lakes Sugar Free Whipped Cream and a drizzle of Smucker's Sugar Free Strawberry Topping.

Strawberry & Bananas not your thing? Try my other Protein Ice Cream flavors.

Italy Meets Japan

We ate burgers for dinner the other night but before I cooked those I filled the grill with zucchini and summer squash so I would have some for a variety of dishes this week. It keeps great in the fridge for several days.

Off to work for my pal yesterday, I filled my super cool bento box with some yummy Italian goodies. A few slices of the grilled zucchini were a perfect addition to my Italy meets Japanese bento lunch.

Blue Box (top left): Grilled Zucchini and Summer Squash
Orange Box (top right): Green Grapes
Pink Box (bottom left): Turkey Meatballs in Marinara Sauce with a snowfall of Parmesan cheese
Green Box (bottom right): Marinated Mushrooms
Along side: Mozzarella Cheesestick

These bento lunches beat drive-thru any day!

My Emergency Stash

Planning is key to not making poor choices when you are out and about. I always pack a yummy post weight loss surgery friendly snack in my purse so that when hunger hits I don't grab for crap.

Here's one of my current favorites...

Shelly's Emergency Stash Trail Mix

Peanuts
Almonds
Pistachios
Gerber Fruit Puffs (Banana, Strawberry Apple, and Sweet Potato)
Kay's Protein Cereal
Special K Cereal
Just the Cheese Crunchy Cheese (Wisconsin Cheddar flavor)
Roasted Edamame
Golden Raisins
Dried Unsweetened Cranberries

Mix 2 Tablespoons of each of the above together in a bowl.

Stir to combine. Fill 4 or more snack sized Ziploc bags.

Tropical Shrimp Cocktail

It was absolutely beautiful yesterday. The most intense blue sky I have ever seen. Not a cloud in sight. A dinner outside on the patio was a given. I just wanted to enjoy every last minute of that sky.

Enjoy the little things, for one day you may look back and realize they were the big things.

Last night's dinner...

Shelly's Tropical Shrimp Cocktail

1 pound Large Cooked Shrimp (21/25 count), peeled, deveined, tails off
1 Avocado, diced
1/2 cup Papaya Mango Salsa (I used Trader Joe's fresh)
1/2 cup Mild Tomato Salsa
dash of Kosher Salt

Toss all ingredients together and spoon into margarita glasses.


Other Eggface Shrimp creations:
Shelly's Shrimp and Artichoke Casserole
Shelly's Scampi Skewers
Shelly's Shrimp Venezia Packet
Shelly's Chinese Shrimp Packet
Shelly's Mediterranean Baked Shrimp
Shelly's Fiesta Shrimp Cocktail


Listening to: "Stripped" Depeche Mode. Do you guys blip yet? I heart blip. You gotta check it out.

Heads up: Freebie

Click here for a Free Attune Bar coupon. See my review of the bars here.

Cheery Cherry Muffins

When fresh cherries are cheap in the summer I buy a ton. I wash, pit, bag them up in Ziplocs and toss them in the freezer. The pitting part used to be a big pain in the toosh but last summer I bought this simple gadget. It's amazing when you have the right tools how much easier it is. When there are no cherries to be found at the Farmer's Market and the supermarkets are charging a fortune for them I pull out some of my sweet secret stash.

I use them in my Black Cherry Protein Ice Cream and Protein Smoothies and these yummy Cherry Nut Muffins I made this weekend. They brightened the rainy day and baking them cheered me up after my weekend plans were washed out. I kept a few out, froze a few for next week (they freeze great), and gave a few to my neighbor. This morning I cut 2 in half and heated them lightly in a pan. They get all golden and toasty. I ate them with a fresh fruit salad. A super yummy start to the day.


Shelly's Cherry Nut Mini Protein Muffins

3/4 cup Spelt Flour
1/2 cup Vanilla Protein Powder
1 teaspoon Baking Powder
1 teaspoon Cinnamon
dash of Salt
1/4 cup Walnuts, chopped
2 Tablespoons (plus a little for the top) Unsweetened Shredded Coconut
2 Eggs, beaten
1 Tablespoon Canola Oil
4 Tablespoons Sugar Free Torani Syrup (I used SF Black Cherry)
1/2 teaspoon Vanilla
1 cup Frozen Cherries, chopped

Preheat oven to 350. Spray mini muffin tin with Pam and set aside. Mix all ingredients together till combined.

Spoon into muffin tin and sprinkle with a little more coconut. Bake at 350 for 12 minutes or until a tester inserted into the middle of a muffin comes out clean. Remove pans from oven.

Allow to cool in the pan for 3 minutes.

Transfer to wire cooling rack to cool completely. Store in a sealed container to keep them soft and moist.

Storm Snacks

So it just rained enough yesterday to ruin my plans. Sunny and 80's for 4 days then the day I have outdoor plans 50's and a storm. A little disappointing but whatcha gonna do?! Reschedule. It did wash the car so I guess I should be thankful. ✔ that one off my list.

When the storm clouds began to clear in the afternoon I was able to get a walk in. The walk after the rain was nice... crisp, clean air and a super cool bento box snack I shared with my Mum on a very damp park bench around the midway point.


Pink Box (top left): Fresh Strawberries
Green Box (top right): Shelly's Strawberry Greek Yogurt with Nutty Crumble Topping (recipe below) for dipping the strawberries
Blue Box (bottom left): Shelly's Orange Cranberry "Ants on a Log" (recipe below)
Orange Box (bottom right): Wee Brie Cheese Wedge and Fresh Roasted Peanuts

This is the only way I eat yogurt now... flavored at home. I love making up my own flavor combinations. Greek yogurt has so much more protein than regular, way less carbs, and no beetles. LOL Yuk.


Shelly's Strawberry Greek Yogurt with Nutty Crumble Topping

3 1/2 oz. Fage Greek Yogurt (I use 2%)
1 Tablespoon Sugar Free Strawberry Torani Syrup

Mix till combined and top with Nutty Crumble Topping. Makes a great breakfast or snack on it's own or use as a dressing for a fruit salad or dip for fruit skewers.


and yum...

Shelly's Orange Cranberry "Ants on a Log"

2 oz. Cream Cheese (or Neufatchel Cheese)
2 Tablespoons Sugar Free Orange Marmalade (I used Smucker's Simply Fruit)

Mix till combined and smear onto celery sections. Top with unsweetened dried cranberries (or raisins.) Store any remaining in the fridge for several days.


I actually had a dream the other night about this version of Ants on a Log and when I woke up at 3 AM I made a batch. Yeah, I've been having food dreams lately. WTH?! I don't get much sleep as it is and when I do I've been dreaming about food.

Couldn't I just have a nice sex dream like other people???

Nope. Not me.

Though last night's dream was pretty intense... a NY Salt Bagel toasted with gobs of butter.

Now that is HOT! ;)


Want to check out the other weight loss surgery friendly Bento boxes I have made? Type in Bento (or any other keyword) in the Search Box under my before and after picture <--- to find more.

Healthy Breakfast: Chocolate Monkey Protein Waffles

If you have made my plain chocolate protein waffles you must try the chocolate banana version I made this morning. Soooo good!

Make a batch on the weekend and freeze them. I wrap them in foil and then place them in a freezer Ziploc baggie. Then I can just pull them out and toast them like you would Eggo's or any other frozen waffle any day of the week!


Shelly's Chocolate Monkey Protein Waffles

1 cup Almond Flour/Meal
1/2 cup Chocolate Protein Powder
1/2 cup Multigrain Pancake Mix (I use this)
1 teaspoon Baking Powder
1/2 teaspoon Cinnamon
2 Tablespoons Unsweetened Cocoa
1 Banana, mashed
2 Eggs, beaten
3 Tablespoons Sugar-Free Torani Syrup (I used SF Vanilla)
1 Tablespoon Canola Oil
1/2 cup Vanilla Soy Milk
Electric Waffle Maker
Pam nonstick cooking spray.

Heat waffle maker according to manufacturer's instructions. Mix all ingredients together till well combined.


When waffle maker is heated. Spray lightly with Pam. Pour batter onto iron (amount according to your maker's instructions). Put the lid down and cook till done. My waffle stick maker has a darkness setting I set at 3 (the banana version is set lower than plain) it beeps when it's done. For those that are looking for a waffle stick maker, here's one currently available on Amazon.

My maker makes 2 and 1/4 batches from the recipe (so about 19 waffle sticks.)

Smear 'em with Peanut Butter, Almond Butter, or sweetened Ricotta Cheese for a quick breakfast on the go.

Optional Toppings:
Sugar-Free Maple Syrup
No Sugar Added Homemade Whipped Cream
Sliced Fruit (Bananas, Strawberries, Cherries)
Peanut or Almond Butter
SF Torani or Maple Syrup sweetened Ricotta Cheese
Sugar-Free Jam
Sugar-Free Caramel Syrup
and my ultimate favorite... a scoop of Protein Ice Cream.


I'm heading out to the Farmer's Market to get some fresh fruits & veggies for the week. It's California Strawberry Day (sliced strawberries would be great on these waffles BTW) so those are for sure on my list.

Hope everyone has an awesome day! Remember to enjoy the people you love. Life is too short.

Banana Bread Protein Ice Cream

It was 86° yesterday with gorgeous bright blue skies. When you are given a gift like that in March (it's technically still winter) you have to take full advantage.

I spent most of the day outside. I cleaned the patio and mowed the lawn. I heart my cordless electric mower it's actually a pleasure mowing the lawn now. It starts with a turn of a key. No more pulling that damn cord for 20 minutes which made me tired before I even started to mow or having to go fill a gas can and stink up the car with it. Well and it's better for the environment too. A good purchase.

So after all that manual labor the reward was the first BBQ of the season. I made Shrimp Scampi Skewers with a Bean Salad and for dessert...

86° = ICE CREAM!!!


Shelly's Banana Bread Protein Ice Cream

1 cup Vanilla Soy Milk (or Regular Milk)
2 scoops of Vanilla Protein Powder
1 Banana, mashed
1 Tablespoon Sugar Free Torani Syrup (I used SF Caramel)
1 teaspoon Cinnamon
dash of Nutmeg
3 Tablespoons Nuts, chopped (I used a combo of Walnuts & Pecans)

Mix together milk, protein, syrup and spices. I used this gadget to mix it up. It makes it airy and lump free. If you don't have one just toss it in a blender on super high. You want it fluffy almost double in size. Pour into ice cream maker. Pour in mashed banana. Follow your machine's instructions for freezing. 5 minutes before done add the nuts.

You can eat it right away it is soft serve-ish but I like to put it in the freezer to set for an hour.

It was to die for topped with a drizzle of Smucker's Sugar Free Caramel Sauce and a tablespoon of my Nutty Crumble Topping.


Shelly's Nutty Crumble Topping

1/3 cup Pecans
1/3 cup Steel Cut Oats
1/3 cup Sliced Almonds
1/2 teaspoon Cinnamon
2 Tablespoon Sugar Free Torani Syrup (I used SF Caramel)
2 Tablespoons Almond Butter
1 Tablespoon Cold Butter

Whiz pecans in a mini food processor till fine. Add the rest of the ingredients (except sliced almonds) and whiz again till thoroughly mixed. Pour into a bowl. Mix in sliced almonds and sprinkle clumps of the topping onto a baking sheet and bake at 350 for 30 minutes.

Allow to cool. Store in sealed container for several days. Sprinkle on top of Custards, Protein Ice Cream or Greek Yogurt.

More Eggface Protein Ice Cream Flavors

Pots o' Gold

These little pots of golden caramel custard with hidden yummy apple treasure were a perfect finish to our St. Patty's Day meal yesterday of Corned Beef Bites and Cabbage.

Shelly's Pots o' Gold

4 Apples, peeled, cored and diced
1/4 cup Golden Raisins
3 Tablespoons Walnuts, chopped
2 Tablespoons Sugar Free Torani Syrup (I used SF Caramel)
1/2 teaspoon Cinnamon
1 Tablespoon Butter
1 batch of Warm Caramel Custard (recipe below)

Combine all ingredients and cook for 8 minutes. You want the apples tender but still formed.

Fill 4 ramekins 3/4 of the way full with apple mixture.

Top with Warm Caramel Custard.

You can eat it warm or put them in the fridge to set up for 1/2 hour. I let them chill.

Shelly's Warm Caramel Custard

2 Tablespoons of Bird's Custard Powder
2 cups Milk
2 Tablespoons Sugar Free Caramel Torani Syrup

Mix powder into a smooth paste with a little of the milk. Heat the remaining milk to almost boiling and pour onto the custard mixture. Return the mix to the pan and heat till thickened (it will bubble). Remove from heat and mix Sugar Free Syrup in. You can eat this as is warm (my favorite) poured over slices of my 5 Minute Cakes, Crumbs and Protein Souffles or chill it and it will firm up like pudding.

Happy St. Patrick's Day

I wanted the traditional flavors of St. Patty's Day but didn't want to cook a big hunk of corned beef brisket that we'd have to eat for days. These were perfect and super yummy. I used deli sliced corned beef but it would be a great use for your leftover corned beef too.


Shelly's Corned Beef Bites

1 Yellow Onion, diced
3 Green Onions, diced
2 cloves Garlic, minced
1/4 lb (about 4 slices) Corned Beef, diced (deli slices or sub diced leftovers)
1/2 cup Swiss Cheese, grated
5 eggs
a few twists of Black Pepper

Preheat oven to 350. Saute onions till golden. Add garlic cook 1 minute more. Set aside to cool. When onions are cool mix all ingredients together.

Spoon into lightly greased (Pam works great) mini muffin tins.

Bake for 30 minutes at 350. Makes 24.

I served them for lunch with cabbage (boiled and then sauteed lightly)


and we're having a KILLER dessert later tonight but... I'll post that manana.

LOL. That was so Ryan Seacrest on American Idol "...and you'll find out after the break."

Our St. Patty's Day table...


May your pockets be heavy and your heart be light. May good luck pursue you each morning and night. ~an Irish blessing.

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Listening to: U2, of course, my favorite Irishmen. "Where The Streets Have No Name"

Heads up: $5 OFF

I love those Dummy Books. After you read one on a particular topic you are no longer a dummy... well... LOL.

Here's the link: $5 OFF The Dummy Books till 3/31

If you are a weight loss surgery pre-op may I suggest this one: Weight Loss Surgery For Dummies

It's a good read.

I just bought Italian for Dummies because even after 3 years of Italian in college I still can't get much further than introductions.

Buonasera!
Mi chiamo Michelle.
Tu come ti chiami?
Molto piacere.
Ciao.

Yeah that's about it.

Though I pride myself in knowing how to order a beer and ask for the bathroom in 6 different languages 'cause that kinda shit is importante.

Healthy Seafood Recipes: Shrimp & Artichoke Casserole

Well look at that and I didn't even plan it... last night's dinner and today's leftovers lunch is very appropriate considering March 16th is National Artichoke Hearts Day!

This was super yummy. I can't wait for the leftovers for lunch today.



Shelly's Shrimp and Artichoke Casserole

1 Yellow Onion, diced
4 Green Onions, diced
3 cloves Garlic, minced
1 lb. Jumbo Shrimp (21/25 count), peeled and deveined, chopped in thirds
1 (14 oz.) can Artichoke Hearts (non-marinated), drained well, chopped
1 cup cooked Spinach, chopped
1/4 cup Marinara Sauce
1/2 teaspoon Kosher Salt
a few twists of Black Pepper
1/2 teaspoon Oregano
1/2 teaspoon Basil
1/4 cup Tomato Basil Feta Cheese, crumbled
Oil/butter for sauteing

Cook spinach, chop. Set aside. Saute onions till golden. Add garlic cook 1 minute more. Add shrimp. Cook till almost pink. Add remaining ingredients (except feta.) Stir to combine. Pour into a Pyrex casserole dish.

Top with feta.

Bake for 30 minutes at 350.

Other Eggface Artichoke Heart creations:

Shelly's Italian Artichoke Mini Meatloaf
Shelly's Pesto Chicken & Veggies
Shelly's Cannellini Artichoke Soup
Shelly's Artichoke Florentine Bites
Shelly's Artichoke Heart & Ricotta Tortilla Pizza

More Eggface Healthy Seafood & Shellfish Recipes

Take a hike

I've filled up my super cool Bento box and I'm going on a hike.

If you don't hear from me by this afternoon search party my ass would ya ;)

Naaahhh, I should be golden. I'm bringing my cell phone with Global Positioning (GPS) on it and snacks this time. No repeats of past experiences needed. When I was 13 years old I was lost for 14 hours, alone in the Catskill Mountains. October. No coat, no water, and no food. Scary. But now I'll have my phone and my super cool bento box filled with goodies so no worries.


Blue Box (top left): Strawberries, Red & Green Grapes
Orange Box (top right): Turkey Roll-ups
Pink Box (bottom left): Wee Brie Cheese Wedge, Dried Fruit and Nuts
Green Box (bottom right): Baby Carrots and Pesto Yogurt Dip

Hope everyone has a great day!