Convention Attendance Tips

I've been to a lot of weight loss, health, fitness, nutrition conferences and conventions in my almost 10 years post weight loss surgery. I thought I would share my experiences and some tips to help you plan for and get the most out of the next one you attend.

Convention Attendance Tips

* Introduce yourself to as many people as you can. I just go up to a table or group and say "Hi, I'm Michelle." Trust me it will go well! Make a goal of meeting at least 10 new people. Find me. I want to meet everyone. This is the BEST PART of a convention for me... putting faces to names, meeting people who "get it" and are on the same road. The personal connections you make at these events are awesome and life-changing.

Traveling alone? Tell people. One of my favorite opening lines is to be really honest. I'll say, "Hey, I'm here alone, can I sit with you guys at dinner?" I've never heard no and I've made great new friends.

Also, see if the conference has any special programming like a breakfast meet-up or welcome event specifically designed for people to make new friends and connections.

* Bring "business cards" with your contact info: email, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram whatever you feel comfortable sharing. You will meet tons of people and you'll be constantly writing your info down or looking for a pen or paper. It's way easier. You can make your own using any word-processing software and some perforated paper, use a local company or check out an online service like Moo.com is where I get mine (and new customers usually get 10% off) You can put a photo or an inspirational quote. Exchanging cards with a personal photo also makes finding and tagging people on Facebook with photos you've taken easier.

* Look over the agenda the night before and highlight the sessions you are planning on attending. There's not a whole lot of time between sessions, so you want to know where you are headed and this will give you more time to run to the restroom, chat with new pals, take a picture or two or grab a drink. Mark the vendors and exhibitors booths you absolutely don't want to miss. Build in time to chill out too.

Check out the Your Weight Matters National Convention #YWM2019 Agenda 

* When you are in the sessions: take notes (jot down web addresses to read more later) and snap pictures of slides that will help you recall those great tips and information you want to take home and apply. Some conferences will email you slide presentations post-event. Want to know more: stand up and ask questions. Occasionally, a speaker may request no photos because something he/she is sharing hasn't been published yet. Always follow the conference rules.

* This is a chance to try something new. Break out of your comfort zone. You don't dance... dance at the evening mixer. Not a joiner... try a group fitness class. I wore my first dress in years at a convention. I always try at least one fitness class at Your Weight Matters events (there's always such a nice variety) I know I'm safe and in a place of respect and non-judgment. I can kick left when everyone is kicking right.

* If you are bringing a laptop or smartphone charge it at night in your room (plugs are not always available near your seat) and be sure to silence your settings. You don't want "Call Me Maybe" or the Biebster going off during a session.

* Tweet using the official convention hashtag. All social media savvy conventions will have one. Not only does it help the convention planners see what you are enjoying: "I'm loving Dr. X's session. Great tips! #YWM2019" or "Just tried a sample of  _____ at Booth #5 They are delicious! #YWM2019" but it's also a great way to find and make friends: "Heading to the coffee shop. Anyone want to join me?" #YWM2019"

* Wear comfy shoes and comfy clothing. Hotel conference rooms are notoriously chilly (even in the middle of summer) so bring a light sweater if you are sensitive to that. It was 110 degrees in Phoenix, AZ outside but in the hotel, my teeth were chattering. Trust me on this. Evening events... please don't stress about what to wear. Anything goes... some people dress up more and some are in the same clothes from the day's events. Wear what YOU feel comfortable in.

* I usually toss a healthy protein snack in my bag, nuts or protein bars are great (not too noisy or messy to eat.) I always have a bottle of water and travel packets of protein are great just in case any provided meal is not your cup of tea. Some conventions provide water (some have coffee and tea) ask the convention planners what will be available if that info is not available online.

Healthy Travel Tips

* Most conventions will give you a "swag bag" with goodies and information inside upon registration. Visit the vendors in the exhibition hall and score even more samples. Make another visit just before the exhibition hall closes. Most companies don't want to pay to ship product home so they are liberal with their samples an hour before closing up shop. Save a little room in your luggage to bring home your goodies or use the hotel business center to mail stuff home. Remember the 3 oz. liquid rule for carry-on bags so if you score a case of ready to drink protein shakes make sure you check them.

* Complete the post-conference survey. Take a few minutes to let the convention planners know about your experience, what you loved, what could have been better, the planners review those surveys so you can help mold and shape future events.

Upcoming events where I will be attending and/or speaking. Find me and say "Hi!" I can't wait to meet you!

Post Weight Loss Surgery Menus: A day in my pouch

A day in my pouch is a series of blog posts to show what a typical daily menu looks like in my post weight loss surgery world. Yesterday's healthy and delicious menu...

Breakfast: Pan toasted a piece of my No Sugar Added Breakfast Apple Loaf in a pan, wrapped it in foil and took off to the Farmer's Market.

My Farmer's Market haul: strawberries, avocado, onions, apples, red walnuts, and gorgeous tomatoes... and mid morning I grabbed a Sugar Free Vanilla Soy Latte while running errands.

More Eggface Grab & Go Breakfast Ideas

Lunch: Those gorgeous tomatoes I picked up at the Farmer's Market become a Caprese Salad. I shared for lunch with my Mum. We ate on the patio and I tried not to look at the weeds that I need to pull.

Dinner: I had a bag of Riced Cauliflower that needed using and I initially was going to make my "Riceless" Fried Rice but I felt like Italian. It actually sort of turned out to be an all Italian Day.

Shelly's Cauliflower Deep Dish Pizza-ish Pie

1 (16 oz bag) Riced Cauliflower, cooked
2 Eggs, beaten
1 cup Italian Blend Shredded Cheese (Mozzarella, Parmesan, Asiago type mix)
1 teaspoon Oregano
dash Sea Salt
a few twists of Black Pepper

Sauce: tomato, alfredo, pesto (don't overkill or it'll become soggy)
Toppings: mini pepperoni, mozzarella cheese, crumbled sausage, sauteed mushrooms, sliced olives, sauteed onions and peppers, whatever you like on your pizza.

Saute the riced cauliflower for 8-10 minutes until it turns slightly golden, sprinkle in seasonings, stir and set aside to cool slightly. When cooled a bit add egg and shredded cheese. Spray a 12" x 9" metal baking sheet pan (one with an edge) with non-stick spray. Spread evenly in pan. Bake at 450 for 20-25 minutes (watch for golden edges) Top with sauce, toppings and cheese. Place under a broiler for a minute or so till cheese is melty and gooey.

More Eggface Healthy Italian Recipes

Snacks: The above mentioned Latte in my travels and this yummy coffee flavored, protein packed dessert. This is sooooo good... like the center of a cannoli meets a cup of coffee.

Shelly's Coffee Cannoli Dip with Strawberries

1/2 cup Ricotta Cheese
2-3 Tablespoons Chike High Protein Iced Coffee, to taste
1 Tablespoon Sugar Free Torani Syrup (I used SF Vanilla)
Optional topping: Crumbled Protein Bar or Crushed Nuts

Mix till well combined. I sprinkled the top with crumbled protein bar. Dip strawberries or fruit skewers or eat as is.

More days in my pouch

If you follow me on Instagram I've got a chance to win a sample of Chike (among a few other goodies) in a little prize pack (runs till Wednesday) check it out.

Celebrate Earth Day - Recycle Projects WLS Style

Living a healthier lifestyle as a weight loss surgery post-op you probably have found you have suddenly acquired a few extra items in your recycle bin each month. I know I usually have a few plastic protein tubs and especially in the first year or so I had some used clothing that were not quite suitable for donation (ex. jeans with some thigh wear.)

Here's a couple of recycled crafts that make use of those items and help protect the environment and landfills at the same time.

You need: Protein Tubs (Fit Frappe Spiced Chai Protein Drink are my favorite tubs), Duct Tape (or contact paper or stickers), scissors
Uses: Storage for protein bars (how I use mine), pet treats, crayons, road trip toys, bird seed, Christmas bows, cotton balls, etc.

You need: Old Jeans (I loved the embroidery bottom of these), zipper, needle/thread or sewing machine. Coin Purse Instructions.

Eggface Favorite Avocado Recipes

It was the annual Fallbrook Avocado Festival yesterday. Fallbrook, California (a town over from me) is the Avocado Capital of the World. They host a food festival celebrating the green fruit (yep it's a fruit, basically a large berry) each year. We never miss it. They have avocado ice cream, cookies, fudge, oil, hand cream, all made from avocados. They have them stuffed, deep fried, smeared on burgers, topping hot dogs, you name it they put avocado on it or in it. They even have jewelry and furniture made from avocado wood. A few years back I bought an avocado wood necklace I always wear on festival day. This year, I stuck to buying a bag of fresh avocados. Hard to pass up at these prices...

It was a gorgeous day and when we got home we spent some time on the patio enjoying it. I made a batch of guacamole and I served it with my Homemade Crunchy Cheese "Crackers."

Healthy Tips: Lighten up and protein pack your favorite guacamole recipe by mixing 1/2 Greek yogurt and 1/2 guacamole. Homemade Crunchy Cheese "Crackers" are great for dipper or more low carb dippers: cooked shrimp, cucumber slices, veggie sticks (bell pepper, celery, carrots, jicama)

Here's some more of my avocado favorites...

Guacamole and with homemade Crunchy Cheese "Crackers"
Shelly's Mexican Scrambled Egg Bowl
Shelly's Tuna Caprese Stuffed Avocado
Shelly's Caprese Salad with Avocado
Shelly's Turkey, Cheese & Avocado Melted Cold Cut Rollup
Shelly's Sriracha Almond Chicken Salad Stuffed Avocado Melts
Shelly's Irish Avocado Dip
Shelly's Awesome Guacamole & Shrimp Cocktail

Drum roll...

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Weight Loss Surgery Post-Op Life: Money Saving Tips

I thought I would address something about having bariatric surgery (aka weight loss surgery) that is not talked about much...

Good Protein Food Sources
Protein Powder
Vitamins
New Wardrobe, Shoes, Jewelry Resizing
Gym Memberships, Exercise Equipment

It's expensive.

Here's some money saving tips and hints that have helped me make this journey to good health more reasonable on the pocketbook I hope they help you too...

Food:  Before weight loss surgery I'd fill up on cheap fillers like pasta, rice, and bread. Good quality protein sources cost more. I do love my Trader Joe's goodies but you can do healthy on the cheap too...

* Chicken (get whole versus boneless skinless) - roast it and divide up yourself or drop one in a crock pot all day, save & strain the broth for soups.

Favorite Weight Loss Surgery Friendly Dinner Recipes

* Ground Turkey, Chicken, Beef - watch for sales and grab a couple to freeze for another week.

* Costco/Sam's Club buy big bags of chicken, shrimp, turkey meatballs, turkey/salmon/bison burgers, fish fillets, things like that. Frozen Turkey Meatballs are a favorite of mine. Costco Rotisserie Chickens are the best and under $5.

My Costco Shopping List

* Beans (in the bulk bins: pinto, lentils, split peas, etc. in canned kidney, black beans, chickpeas, cannellini) Sign-up on the S&W website they routinely send coupons (and recipes.)

Oodles of Eggface Bean Recipes

* Hit the Bulk Bins in supermarkets for whole grains, steel cut oats, quinoa, tvp, nut/soy flours, protein powders, powder peanut butter, etc.

* Eggs - I have like 45 (almost) different "Bites" aka crustless quiche recipes that are super yummy and you can toss anything in.

More Eggface Egg Recipes

* Tuna, Salmon, Crab - packets are great and often on sale. $1 each last week so I stocked up.

* Dairy: Blocks of cheese are way cheaper than cheese sticks, buy store brand cottage cheese, milk.

* Farmer's Markets (go 1 hour before closing) freshest fruits & veggies for awesome prices, Buy what is in season. Ask the farmers for recipe ideas.

* Shop the sales and cut coupons. Flipp App (or website) lets you see all your local ads at once and make a shopping list. Hit the manufacturer websites, supermarket websites and request coupons some have downloadable ones online. Sign up for their email lists. Contact companies directly and ask for coupons or samples.

* If you have a freezer stock up when there is a great deal. Most foods freeze just fine.

* Plan menus to utilize leftovers. Today's roast chicken leftovers become tomorrow's chicken salad. I have a bunch of ideas for repurposing on the blog. Hit the search box above and type in whatever you have bumping around the fridge, I'm sure I have a few pages of recipes for it. Here's a post that explains more about repurposing.

Vitamins and protein powders are not cheap especially the tasty ones but you know I figure I'm saving all those Dr's office co-pays, lab fees and meds from all my co-morbidities that are resolved so it sort of balances out for me... and no they are not all created equal so just be sure whatever you are taking is meeting the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS) 2016 Guidelines which are designed based on long-term studies and evidence for best outcomes.

My Favorite Protein Shake Recipes

* Ask your bariatric support group leader or surgeon's office to host a protein or vitamin swap. One man's yuck is another's yum. Bring those tubs and bottles that you just aren't feeling and trade them with other post-ops for their stash.

*Is there a flavor or brand you want to try but it's $$ go in together on a tub with a friend from support group, meet before, bring a container and split it.

In Case of Emergency: Essentials for the Weight Loss Surgery Post-op

New Wardrobe, Shoes, Jewelry Resizing: Don't buy too much too soon. I swore when I got to size 18/20 that was it... it was beyond my wildest dreams from a tight 28 so I went to town a bit and bought some beautiful outfits that I was in for about 2 weeks. Seriously. Single digit jeans now.

* See if your local weight loss support group has a clothing exchange if they don't... start one.

* Craigslist, eBay, Freecycle, Thrift Stores (poppin' tags), Poshmark

* Shop the discount stores. I great big puffy heart TJ Maxx, Ross, stores like that. Macy's Clearance racks rock. I routinely get $100 jeans for $20.

* Look in those mailer coupon books or the back of the phone book or online for jewelry resizing coupons and don't do this till you are at least a year out. I went from Size 11 ring finger to 6 1/2.

Exercise: Gym Memberships are expensive and let's face it a lot of us won't go as much as we should. Here are a few free (or almost free) ways to get moving...

* Exercise DVDs - Leslie Sansone has a great set of walking tapes you could probably get off eBay for dirt cheap. Hit your local library and borrow some. This is a great way to try before you buy. Start a monthly swap with friends.

* YouTube, Fitnessblender, there are tons of free workouts online. Free Phone Apps. Here are some of my favorites...

* Go on local Facebook groups, Craigslist or Freecycle and put up a notice asking for home gym equipment. I just got rid of a gazelle machine on Freecycle I no longer wanted.

* Mall walk - some malls even have groups. If you think you might spend money leave your purse in the car trunk. When you go to the mall park the farthest away from the building you can (and still be safe.)

* Dance at home. Turn on some great tunes (Free Spotify) and get down. 3-4 songs = 10 minutes. Do this 3x a day (before breakfast, after dinner, before bed) and you'll have an extra 30-minute workout.

* Walk in your neighborhood. I do this one most of all. Meet a friend for a walk. Find a free "urban stair stepper machine"

More Resources:

Here's an article I wrote for Your Weight Matters Magazine, "Online Resources for Health, Fitness and Well-being" with lots more free ideas.

81 Awesome Mental Health Resources Many FREE

What Can SNAP Buy?  Information for those utilizing the USDA's Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)

Obesity Action Coalition Vitamin Recover Program (1-time use only)

Obesity Action Coalition Your Weight Matter Convention Scholarship Program (sign-up for e-alerts to hear when the application process opens each year)

Hope these give you a few new ideas and feel free to leave ideas you are doing to save $$$ in the comments.

Scrambled Egg Bowls

I love Scrambled Egg Bowls. Protein packed, fluffy eggs with yummy toppings for breakfast are a satisfying and healthy start to a day.

Scrambled Egg Bowls are also great for a fun DIY brunch. Make or assemble all the toppings you can the night before (shredded cheeses, sliced olives, herbs, etc.) place them in a divided serving dish and set them in the fridge. Make up a batch of scrambled eggs in the morning and your guests can make their own creations from the available assorted toppings.

Here's 4 of the Scrambled Egg Bowls I've made recently as inspiration...

Pizza: Scrambled Eggs, Shredded Mozzarella, Mini Pepperoni, Sauteed Mushrooms, Black Olives, Basil

Mexican: Scrambled Eggs, Shredded Monterrey Jack, Fresh Salsa, Sliced Avocado

Asian: Scrambled Eggs, Sauteed Mushrooms Bean Sprouts and Green Onion in a dash of Soy Sauce

Greek: Scrambled Eggs, Crumbled Feta Cheese, Black Olives, Oregano

Cook's Note: For a quick and easy week make a batch of Scrambled Egg Bowls on Sunday then reheat them in the microwave. They keep in the fridge, covered for a couple of days fine or freeze them and bring down into the fridge the night before. Microwave a minute or so to reheat (these steamers are great for reheating foods.) Perfect for breakfast or I've been known to have them for dinner.

I like making my own versus store bought because most store bought have white potatoes in them (I personally don't eat those on my weight loss journey.) Atkins makes a couple of breakfast bowls that have no potatoes though like most packaged meals the sodium is a little on the high side. Make your own if you can and control what goes in them.

More Eggface Egg Recipes
More Eggface Breakfast Recipes

Eggface and Celebrate Vitamins Bariatric Basics Giveaway

I am excited to partner with Celebrate Vitamins to share the news about some new products and give some away too.

When you sign on the dotted line for weight loss surgery it comes with some non-negotiable, lifelong rules that must be followed, one of which is taking vitamins and mineral supplementation faithfully. So many post-operative issues and complications can be avoided if we just make sure to take our vitamins every day.

One of the things I love about Celebrate Vitamins is that they are active in our community, if you attend a conference like Your Weight Matters visit their booth, chat with them, share what you love, what you'd love to see. It's through those interactions with patients, bariatric surgeons, dietitians they develop products like the new Multi-Complete formulations. These new Multi-Complete formulas contain all of the vitamins and minerals of Celebrate's original multivitamins but they offer us some great iron-taking options, reducing pill intake without sacrificing health.

Multi-Complete 36 - original multivitamin formula PLUS 36 mg of iron (Forest Berry, Mango-Peach, and Orange flavors)
Multi-Complete 45 - original multivitamin formula PLUS 45 mg of iron (Watermelon flavor)
Multi-Complete 60 - original multivitamin formula PLUS 60 mg of iron (Tropical flavor)

For gastric bypass or sleeve gastrectomy patients who require varying levels of iron supplementation we now have more options. For complete description, supplement facts, and/or product questions see: www.celebratevitamins.com

It's Giveaway Time! 6 winners... 1 Grand Prize and 5 Additional Prizes (see below)

The Prize: This Bariatric Basics Box chockful of products that will help you whether you are beginning your journey, been on this road with me for awhile or maybe life happened and you've taken a detour but want to get back on track and make your health a priority again (good for you!!)

1 - 60 count bottle of WINNER'S CHOICE of Celebrate Vitamins Multi-Complete (winner can select the formula/flavor above that meets their needs)
Plus...
1 - 90 count bag of Celebrate Vitamins Calcium Citrate Soft Chews (Chocolate)
1 - 90 count bottle of Celebrate Vitamins B-12 Sublingual Quick-Melt (Mint)
6 single serve packets of Celebrate Vitamins ENS Essential Multi 4 in 1 - Multi, Calcium, Fiber, and Protein Shakes (3 Chocolate Milk and 3 Vanilla Cake Batter)
3 Celebrate Vitamins Meal Replacement Protein Shakes (1 each Bananaberry, Chicken Soup, & Tomato Soup), single serve packets
4 Celebrate Vitamins ENS 2 in 1 Protein & Calcium Bars (1 in each flavor: Peanut Butter Crunch, Caramel Crunch, Lemon Crunch, and Crazzberry Crunch)
28 oz. Blender Bottle Shaker
Earbuds for listening to music on your walks
7 day Vitamin Organizer
Eggface Reusable Lunch Bag

and 5 additional winners will each win 1 - 60 count bottle of WINNER'S CHOICE of Celebrate Vitamins Multi-Complete.

How to Enter: LEAVE A COMMENT on this blog posting (be sure to include a name and some email address where I can contact you if you are the winner) Scroll down to # of comments/post a comment below to leave yours. That's it, easy peasy.

Example: Jane Doe jdoe@someemail.com

If you aren't already following Celebrate Vitamins on Facebook be sure to do that and tell them The World According to Eggface sent you. They have fun giveaways on their page.

Contest Period Ends: Sunday, April 17th, midnight (Pacific), sometime Monday, April 18th. I'll draw a name(s) using a random number generator and announce the winner(s) here on the blog! I will also email the winner(s) at the address provided. You'll have one week (7 days) to respond to my email or another winner will be chosen. One comment entry per person. Blog comments are moderated so there may be a slight delay (up to a few hours, especially at night if I'm sleeping Zzzz) in seeing your comment/entry post. Giveaway is open to anyone in the contiguous United States (48 contiguous, AK & HI) (sorry it's a legal issue: international laws govern giveaways and a money $ thing)

Good Luck!

P.S. Heads up... be sure to follow my Instagram account because something fun will pop-up there soon!

Post Weight Loss Surgery Menus: A day in my pouch

A day in my pouch is a series of blog posts to show what a typical daily menu looks like in my post weight loss surgery world. Yesterday's healthy and delicious menu...

Breakfast: Left the house early to run a few errands and hit the Farmer's Market. Premier Protein sent me a few of their new Bananas & Cream RTD Ready to Drink Protein Shakes so I took one with me. It's available at Sam's Club's April 5th officially but I hear people are finding some have them in stock now. Do you remember those BB bats banana taffy pops? It totally reminds me of those.

I got great stuff at the market, in fact, I've been doing some cooking today so I'll be posting a few new recipes this week. My haul: zucchini, onions, garlic, peppers, mushrooms, asparagus, apples, red walnuts, and the most gorgeous strawberries.

That's my 3 pack second on the bottom. I couldn't resist a few when I got home with some Strawberry Chia Cottage Cheese (for some protein) smeared on them.

I learned about this cottage cheese at the HUGE Expo West event I went to a few weeks ago. I promised I'd start sharing the awesome finds... this cottage cheese is soooo good. Good Culture Organic Cottage Cheese, high protein, organic and non-GMO ingredients, grass-fed milk no additives (stabilizers, thickeners, artificial preservatives) they come some really unique sweet and savory varieties that taste ahhh-mazing.

I've tried the Strawberry Chia, Kalamata Olive, and Sun-Dried Tomato so far. It's 4% milkfat, it's made with whole milk but worth every fat gram.

7 Protein Packed Grab & Go Breakfasts

Lunch: I had a spaghetti squash sitting on my kitchen window sill just calling to be turned into something. I was going to just cook it and top it with meatballs and sauce but I'm on a casserole kick lately... and since it'll be too hot for body warming comfort food soon enough in my 'hood I'm trying to get my casserole fix now while I can.

Shelly's Sausage, Spinach and Spaghetti Squash Casserole (say that one 5 times fast)

1 medium Spaghetti Squash
1 - 11 oz. package Birds Eye Lightly Sauced Creamed Spinach, cooked per package instructions
1/4 cup Shredded Mozzarella Cheese
1 Yellow Onion, diced
6-8 Mushrooms, sliced
1/2 to 1 cup Cooked Sausage, diced
1 teaspoon Oregano
Salt to taste
a few twists of Black Pepper
2 Tablespoons Parmesan
2 Tablespoon Crispy Onions

Half and deseed a spaghetti squash. Microwave it upside down on a glass Pyrex plate with 1/4 cup of water. 14 minutes or so (time will depend on size), you want a fork to insert easily. Allow to cool slightly. Use two forks to shred the flesh of the cooked squash into "spaghetti." I took a clean dish towel and squeezed the squash to remove excess water. Set aside. Microwave the spinach per instructions, set aside.

Saute the onion and mushrooms till golden. Add cooked sausage, spaghetti squash, spinach, mozzarella, seasonings. Stir to combine. Pour into a Pyrex baking dish. Optional: top with Parmesan and crispy onions (the Thanksgiving kind used on Green Bean casserole) Bake at 350 for 30 minutes.

Cook's Note: If you have leftover protein from another dish use it. I used precooked sausage crumbles, it's what I had bumping around the freezer but this would be great with ground turkey, beef, chicken... whatever. Don't worry about how much or little you have somewhere under a cup of whatever protein leftovers will be perfect.

Dinner: I did a little gardening... weeds. I HATE WEEDS. Why is it weeds get no love, no water, no food and would grow 3 feet tall if I let them but I have to nurse my basil or it'll croak. Mother Nature apparently is not a pesto lover. I had plans to make something more for dinner but my jelly arms from weed pulling resulted in this dinner...

A slice of Boar's Head Low Sodium Roast Beef, a slice of Vermont Cheddar, a few Blue Diamond Honey Roasted Chipotle Almonds (nom nom nom my favorite) and mustard... I'm a dipper. I dip everything. It's not the most blog-worthy meal but it's my reality.

5 Things to Do With Cold Cuts

Snacks: Too much coffee and at Costco one of my stops I had a sample of some Chicken Curry dish, the sample was tasty I bought it. Someday next week I'll nuke it and let you know the final verdict when I take more than a teaspoon of a bite. I was too tired for anything else. I actually fell asleep watching my DVR'd American Idol. It's the final season... are you watching? La’Porsha Renae is awesome. She's got my vote. If you haven't been watching just Google a few of her performance... Diamonds was my favorite. Chills.

More days in my pouch

Premier Protein New Flavor: Bananas & Cream

This is not an April Fools. I was excited to be asked to sample and share the news that Premier Protein is debuting a new flavor of their ready-to-drink Protein Shake: Bananas & Cream! The new Bananas & Cream shake flavor will be available starting April 5th at select Sam's Club stores.

The nutritional stats are the same as the currently available Chocolate, Vanilla, Strawberries & Cream flavors. These ready to drink shakes are a super convenient way to stick to your health goals.

11 oz.
30g of protein
160 calories
1g of sugar

For work: always keep one in your desk drawer if you ever forget lunch you can put it in the fridge and by midday you'll have a chilled, protein packed savior.

For school: I gained the majority of my weight in my college years. Late night classes where the only options were vending machines filled with fried, sugar covered snack cakes and empty calorie sugar sweetened drinks. Having a Premier Protein ready to drink Protein Shake in your backpack is an A+ smart move.

For travel: I love road trips but sometimes the fast food and convenience store options you are faced with are not the healthiest. Freeze some Premier Protein ready to drink Protein Shakes and toss them in a cooler... not only will they keep your other foods cold but as they defrost you'll have an icy cold protein shake to fuel your adventures.

If you are a banana lover well you'll go bananas over this new flavor. Drink it as is, toss it in the blender with some ice (oooh or a couple of frozen strawberries) and turn it into a frappe. I'm excited to turn it into my Premier Protein Pudding Jars. Hello?! Banana Protein Pudding. Oh yeah, that is so happening.

Want a chance to be one of the first to try the new Banana & Cream flavor? Be sure to follow my Instagram account I'll be giving away a super cool Premier Protein Prize Pack with shakes and bars and some great swag starting sometime today. Watch for it to pop-up!

This post is sponsored by Premier Protein. For the purposes of this post Premier Protein provided me with products used. Thanks for the opportunity to sample the new shake! Want to learn more about Premier Protein products LIKE their Facebook page and tell them The World According to Eggface told you about the new Bananas & Cream flavor.