Healthy Snacks: Homemade Chocolate Protein Spread

Stop the presses, hold the phone, drop the mic. I love this spread. LOVE IT! If you were/are a fan of those Chocolate Hazelnut Spreads or Cookie Butters and would like a healthier alternative... this is it.

Shelly's Sugar Free Chocolate Protein Spread

1/4 cup Protein Powder (dry, any flavor)
2 Tablespoons Unsweetened Cocoa Powder
1/4 cup Almond Butter (I use fresh ground)
3 Tablespoons Sugar Free Torani Syrup (any flavor)

Mix till well blended. You may have to adjust based on your almond butter, I used fresh ground almond butter some jarred, store bought brands of almond butters are looser so just add a dash more protein powder to thicken or alternatively add a little more syrup if it needs thinning out. You want spreadable.

Spread on anything (apple slices, celery sticks, baby carrots, those churro ricotta pancakes that I make, protein cake slices, soy crisps, a spoon, your hand...) I love it on Honeycrisp or Pink Lady apples. This recipe makes enough for 4 huge apples-worth of liberal dipping. Store leftovers in a small jar. I put it in the fridge. In Southern California, you really have to do this, just too hot for nut butters to stay out. It won't be around long trust me. Sometimes a girl just needs some chocolate ;)

Sometimes to gild the lily even further dip chocolate spread covered apples slices into crumbled protein bar bits, just put a hunk of protein bar in a snack sized plastic baggie, seal it and give it a couple of whacks with a meat mallet or the bottom of a wine or Torani syrup bottle works great too. Great to get your aggressions out ;)

Variations: Hazelnut spreads (like Nutella) are made with hazelnuts and cocoa so if you are fan of that flavor add Sugar Free Hazelnut syrup. If you love Cookie Butter those are made with Speculoos Cookies so add Sugar Free Belgian Cookie syrup. I love adding Sugar Free Almond Roca and S'mores Syrup. Sugar Free Caramel is a delicious. Sugar Free Coconut would make a classic Almond Joy-ish flavor. One of these days I want to try Sugar Free Black Cherry and make a chocolate-covered cherry spread. Oooh mix in Sugar Free Peppermint syrup at Christmas.
Speaking of the holidays... save this recipe because this is the perfect homemade healthy hostess gift for friends and loved ones or to share with your pals at the gym... put it in a little jar and tie the recipe around it.

Drum roll...

Thank you to all who entered The World According to Eggface Special Days Giveaway featuring Celebrate Vitamins

The random generator has selected:

Nancy H.
nhoffman@xxxxx.xxx

Congratulations Nancy! You are the winner of the latest Eggface Giveaway! You win the Nike workout bag filled with some of my favorite Celebrate Vitamins protein, vitamins, bars, shakes, drinks, healthy weight loss friendly products and lots more. You have mail!

Want to learn more about any of the contents of the giveaway above: Click here for more info and sources.

Not a winner this time... no worries another Eggface Giveaway is starting very soon! Follow along on the Blog,Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram for the latest eggciting announcements! FYI: If you are on Instagram... psst one is coming VERY soon.

Best Obesity Health Blogs of the Year 2016

I am so honored that The World According to Eggface was selected by Healthline Media as one of the Best Obesity Health Blogs of the Year for the second year in a row. Blogging my weight loss journey helps me keep my head in the game and knowing you are all out there is a great comfort. I never feel alone. I've got an awesome group of people who "get it" just a few keystrokes away. Thank you for being a part of my support system.

I get so jazzed when I receive a message from a blog reader that a tip helped them or a recipe has become a family favorite. I hope the blog continues to help others in their journey, taking a little of the fear of the unknown out of life post weight loss surgery, passing along some tips for those new to this journey and OG's like me fighting the good fight, information and resources and hopefully helping to dispel some misconceptions along the way.

Please check out all of the wonderful blogs on the list (click on the badge to see complete 2016 winners list.) Some of my very favorite blogs are included. Great reads, a nice mix of education, inspiration and fun. Thank you so much Healthline for thinking the blog worthy of making the list.

P.S. I am doubly proud to say I serve on the Obesity Action Coalition (OAC) Board of Directors whose blog is also on this year's list. I hope I will get to meet some of you in person at OAC's Your Weight Matters National Convention in Washington DC this summer.

Premier Protein: News, Free Sample and Summer Recipe

This post is sponsored by Premier Protein®. I'm excited to share some Premier Protein® news, a way to get a FREE bar or shake and a fun summer recipe!

Summer is here in a BIG way, it was triple digits yesterday, hopefully you have some outdoor fun planned: a few picnics in the park, beach or lake days, maybe a road trip. The ready to drink protein shakes and bars Premier Protein® makes are perfect ways to take a protein packed meal or snack with you. Tip: Toss a shake in the freezer the night before, put it in your bag or backpack in the morning and mid-adventure you'll have a frosty protein pick-me up.

A few months back, I announced Premier Protein®'s Bananas and Cream flavor. I'm excited to share the news another NEW FLAVOR will be joining the Premier Protein® Shake line-up. Beginning in July, be on the look-out for Premier Protein® Caramel Shake! 30g of protein, 24 vitamins and minerals and just 160 calories, available at select retailers nationwide, including Walmart. I'll give you a shout and let you know when I get my hands on one to try. Mmmm Caramel.

Premier Protein®’s Share Good Energy giveaway is offering fans the opportunity to receive a FREE BAR or SHAKE. Follow this link to request your choice of bar or shake. Limit one (1) sample per person & two (2) per household. Samples are available while supplies last. Free stuff rocks!

and here's a Fun, Summer Recipe to try...

Shelly's Life's a Beach Premier Protein Pudding Jars

6 - 4 oz. jars (or clear cups)
2 Premier Protein® Bars, chopped (any, I used Premier Protein® Honey Caramel Protein and Fiber Bar)
2 cups Premier Protein® Vanilla Shake (Ready to Drink RTD)
1 - 1 oz. small package Sugar Free Vanilla Instant Pudding Mix (dry)
Optional: 1 Tablespoon Sugar Free Coconut Syrup or a few drops of Coconut Extract

Beach Sand: 1/4 cup Ground Blanched Almonds (aka Almond Flour)
Beachy Decorations: Paper Umbrellas, Sugar Free Candies (Lifesavers, Gummy Peach Rings, Gummy Bears, Gummy Fish), Dried Apple Rings, Graham Bears.

Spoon a layer of chopped protein bar on the bottom of each 4 oz. jar. Set aside while you mix up the protein pudding layer.

Pour the chilled shakes, pudding mix and syrup flavoring into a shaker bottle. If you choose to add a flavoring put one less Tablespoon of the shake.

Shake for 3 minutes or until thickened slightly and place in fridge for about 5 minutes to thicken further. Spoon the thickened protein pudding on top of the crumbled protein bar base.

Top with "Beach Sand" and beachy decorations. You can make these a day in advance, refrigerate and just don't put the toppings on till you serve them or let everyone create their own beach scene. Be sure to choose age-appropriate decorations for those you are sharing with (watch harder candies/choke hazards with little kiddos.)

I hope you enjoy them and like Premier Protein® shakes and bars they are also portable so if you want to take them to your 4th of July picnics, parades and firework celebrations, just screw the lid on and go. Don't forget a spoon!

This post is sponsored by Premier Protein® #MyOneMore For the purposes of this post Premier Protein® provided me with products used. Thanks for the yummy bars and shakes. Want to learn more about Premier Protein® products LIKE their Facebook page, Twitter and Instagram and tell them The World According to Eggface told you to stop by.

10 years: Ramblings of a weight loss surgery post-op

I think I am officially a vet now ;)

6/20/06 I gave myself the BEST GIFT EVER when I decided to take the helping hand of weight loss surgery, the weight loss (150+ pounds) and renewed health (off 8 meds, resolved my high BP, severe GERD, severe sleep apnea) allowed me to make some major lifestyle changes that are just part of my life now.

I feel like I should offer something to those just joining our ranks... so here goes the rambling (just another post ops err wisdom/2 cents take it or leave it)

Build a support team and stay connected with them (Dr, dietitian, therapists/psychiatrist/psychologist, supportive family and friends, online and real world support groups, events #YWM2016) You've heard "war on obesity" I would never go into battle alone... I want people that have my back (my special ops team) when the you know what hits the fan... because... life happens. And NEVER be afraid to say "I need help." Chronic disease = chronic treatment.

Speaking of life... work on any neck up stuff... no seriously... no more avoiding, pushing stuff under the carpet, self medicating with food, people, or anything else. The emotional journey = hardest but MOST WORTHWHILE. 9 out of 10 times IMHO you don't need a pouch test, you need a good therapist. Trust me on this.

Consider this weight loss surgery opportunity as a DO BETTER not a do over... find some healthy foods you enjoy, plan meals, set yourself up for a great week, don't just wing it. Find ways to move your body that you dare I say it look forward to, put it on a calendar. If you have a crappy day try not to look back other than to figure out how to do better... guilt, regret are pretty useless energy uses... review, adjust, action. Get rid of the diet mentality that you can suffer through something till a # on the scale appears or a clothing size is hanging in your closet (spoiler alert: there is no finish line) make changes that you can repeat FOREVER and EVER AMEN ;)

Best wishes to all on the road,

Shelly xo

Quote: Yoni Freedhoff

P.S. I've got a celebratory giveaway going.

Eggface Special Days Giveaway featuring Celebrate Vitamins

A couple of special days are happening in my world. June 20th is the anniversary of my weight loss surgery (the best gift I ever gave myself) and June 28th is my birthday (I can't complain about getting older, I feel better now than I did in my 20's) so in honor of my special days coming up I hope you will help me celebrate by entering my giveaway and maybe telling a pal about the blog.

It's Giveaway Time!

The Prize: a super cool blue Nike Gym Bag you can use to hit the gym or as a carry-on bag (hope to see you at #YWM2016 this summer) and it's jam packed with some of my post weight loss surgery bariatric favorites sponsored by Celebrate Vitamins: want to learn more about Celebrate products or ask questions about the products pictured they would love to hear from you.

Celebrate Vitamins Soft Chew Multivitamin (60 ct. Very Berry)
Celebrate Vitamins Calcium Citrate Soft Chews (60 ct. Caramel)
Celebrate Vitamins Iron + C (30 ct. Berry)
Celebrate Vitamins B12 Sublingual (90 ct. Mint)
Celebrate Vitamins Essential Multi 3 in 1 Drink Mix (60 serving tub, Wild Cherry)
Celebrate Vitamins Protein 20 Protein Powder (15 serving bag, Iced Decaf Coffee)
Celebrate Vitamins Protein & Calcium 2 in 1 Bars (7 ct. Crazzberry Crunch)
Celebrate Vitamins Protein & Calcium 2 in 1 Bars (7 ct. Peanut Butter Chocolate Crunch)
The World According to Eggface Reusable Lunch Bag
28 oz. Pink Blender Bottle Shaker

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

Want an extra chance to win: LIKE Celebrate Vitamins and The World According to Eggface Facebook pages. Let me know in your comments you liked the pages.

Example: Jane Doe jdoe@someemail.com I like both pages!

Contest Period Ends: Sunday, June 26th, midnight (Pacific), sometime Monday, June 27th. I'll draw a name using a random number generator and announce the winner here on the blog! I will also email the winner 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 and HI Only. Sorry it's a legal issue international laws govern giveaways)

Good Luck!

Enter the @Eggface Special Days #Giveaway https://t.co/co1m4a5ZUa #health #weightloss #weightlossjourney pic.twitter.com/frlQbHgjJJ

— Michelle Vicari (@Eggface) June 19, 2016

P.S. HEADS UP: You'll want to be sure to follow me on Facebook and Instagram. I'll be doing something fun to celebrate this week on those pages as well! Keep your eyes out for those.

My DIY Coffee Bar Project

I have a pretty small, older kitchen, it really needs a remodel but since that is not in the cards (until a money tree grows in the backyard or lottery win) I had an idea to free up some counter space by moving my coffee machine and related items. I was in search of a small (and cheap) buffet to turn into a "coffee bar" with little storage below for my coffee related extras. I wanted an antique because the idea of putting furniture together makes me ill... seriously just looking at a box full of pieces of wood with an allen wrench and instruction manual with diagrams and I'm queasy. I also love the idea of recycling and repurposing an antique.

The town I live in has a little touristy section that has several antique stores and last month my Mum and I had a fun morning hitting up a few of my favorites. I lucked out at the third stop of the day.

This is how I found it... dusty, in back corner of the store.

I loved the little glass cabinet knobs, turned legs and ball casters. It's maple I believe. It has some scratches but I think that gives it character. I was tempted to buy the giant unicorn sculpture sitting on top of it but resisted... kidding ;)

I got it home, cleaned and oiled it and it was looking better already. It was thirsty.

I wanted a granite top for it so I went on a local DIY Facebook page and asked if anyone knew of a place that sells remnants. I had a reply from a member of the group within minutes to check out a local (yay local) business. I called and sure enough the owner said he had several remnants and to come on down with my measurements. I found the perfect piece in the back room. Two days later (I wanted rounded edges) I had my granite top. Holy moly?! it was a workout carrying a thick piece of granite from the car to the house.

I gathered some of my coffee items from around the kitchen: my K-cup machine, K-cup carousel, Sugar Free Torani Syrup Bottle Rack.

The drawer pulls are cool. They have little troll looking creatures on them. I've Googled and can't find anything about them. They kind of remind me of the children's book "Where the Wild Things Are."

I lined the drawers with non-adhesive grip liner. I use one drawer for tea stuff, one for extra K-cups, cocoa packets, protein packets, things like that.

The cabinets below have extra bottles of Sugar Free Torani Syrup, Protein Bars and Snacks in them.

So that's my DIY project. I think it turned out great... and you guys know how much I love my coffee, it will be well used.

The before and after...

Who needs Starbucks when you can make a cup of coffee at your very own coffee bar?

Oodles of Healthy Bento Box Lunch Ideas

For those new to the blog, I work from home mostly (it has it's good & not so good points) so as long as I can get access to wifi and a phone I am good to go. The great weather lately (it's about to get triple digit HOT) has had me spending most of the afternoon outside. These have been some of the latest bento box lunches & snacks I have brought with me. Hope it gives you a few ideas and inspires you to spend more time outside whether it's lunch on the patio or a picnic with a view on the weekend.

From left to right, top to bottom:

Pink Box (top left): Strawberries tossed with a drizzle of Smuckers Sugar Free Strawberry Topping
Green Box (top right): Homegrown Cherry Tomatoes (nothing like warm from the garden)
Blue Box (bottom left): Sliced Hard Cooked Egg (sprinkled with Bagel Spice)
Orange Box (bottom right): Cheese Cubes

Pink Box (top left): Shelly's Curry Chicken Salad
Green Box (top right): Cucumber Slices
Blue Box (bottom left): Homemade Crunchy Cheese Crackers
Orange Box (bottom right): Quest Bar Protein "Cookies"

Pink Box (top left): Sliced Tomatoes and Fresh Mozzarella (sprinkle of Salt & Pepper)
Green Box (top right): Greek Yogurt Pesto Dip (plain Greek Yogurt and a dollop of store bought Pesto Sauce)
Blue Box (bottom left): Grilled Leftover Chicken and Bean Salad (storebought)
Orange Box (bottom right): Quest Bar Protein "Cookies"

Pink Box (top left): Cornichons, Cheese Stick, Almonds
Orange Box (top right): Quest Bar Protein "Cookies"
Blue Box (bottom left): Grilled Leftover Chicken
Green Box (bottom right): Parmesan Greek Yogurt Dip for Chicken (Greek Yogurt, a Tablespoon of Grated Parmesan, dash of Oregano)

Pink Box (top left): Cottage Cheese with a sprinkle of Cinnamon
Green Box (top right): Mixed Berries
Blue Box (bottom left): Shelly's Mini Apple Breakfast Loaf, pan toasted
Orange Box (bottom right): Strawberry

Pink Box (top left): Simple Chicken Salad
Green Box (top right): Cucumber Slices
Blue Box (bottom left): Caprese Skewers (First Tomatoes from the Garden, Fresh Mozzarella Balls, Basil, sprinkle of Salt, Pepper & Oregano)
Orange Box (bottom right): Sliced Mini Apple Breakfast Loaf

Pink Box (top left): Caprese Salad (Sliced Tomato, Basil and Fresh Mozzarella sprinkle of sprinkle of Salt, Pepper & Oregano)
Green Box (top right): Quest Bar Protein "Cookies"
Blue Box (bottom left): Cold Cut Ham Roll-ups with Mustard for dipping
Orange Box (bottom right): Cornichons

Pink Box (top left): Ham and Cheese Melted Cold Cut Roll-up
Green Box (top right): Cucumber Slices
Blue Box (bottom left): Sugar Snap Peas, Strawberry
Orange Box (bottom right): Greek Yogurt Pesto Dip (plain Greek Yogurt and a dollop of store bought Pesto Sauce)

More Bento Box lunches, FAQ's and an Online Source for them
My Bento Pinterest Page (Tons of Lunch Ideas)

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: First triple digit temperatures of the year. It reached 100 here and it'll be around the same temps again today. I am not ready for summer. Yesterday was National Donut Day so I had to celebrate... so despite the temperatures the oven went on. I planned to make my regular mini protein donut recipes but discovered I was out of one of the key ingredients. Grrr. Baking is a pretty exact science. If you mess with a recipe too much... it'll fail (though I always learn a little something from my fails.) I fully expected this cooking experiment to be perhaps edible but not blog worthy... but hello, yum! These are so worthy of sharing. I hope if you give them a try you enjoy them as much as I surprisingly did.

Shelly's Mini Peanut Butter Protein Donuts

1/2 cup Almond Flour (aka Almond Meal) (Trader Joe's, health food stores, online or make your own)
1/2 cup Vanilla Protein Powder
1/2 cup Coconut Flour
1/4 cup Powdered Peanut Butter (like Chike PB)
1 Egg, beaten
1/4 cup Sugar Free Torani Syrup (I used SF Vanilla)
1 Tablespoon Canola Oil
1/4 cup Water
Super Groovy Mini Donut Pan

Preheat oven to 325. Mix all ingredients till well combined. Spray Mini Donut Pans with nonstick spray. Fill 3/4 full (dough is sort of mashed potato consistency.)

Bake 12 minutes. Remove from pan and cool on wire rack. Makes 16.

Optional: Melt Sugar Free Chocolate (30 seconds or so in the microwave) and dip cooled donuts into melted chocolate and sprinkle with few nonpareils (or other toppings.)

Place in fridge to set especially if you are in a warm place like me because triple digit temperature and chocolate do not mix.

More Eggface Grab & Go Breakfast Recipes and Ideas

Lunch: I sampled Good Culture Cottage Cheese at the Expo West event I went to a few months back. They have some neat flavors Strawberry Chia, Blueberry, Acai and Chia, but I was especially jazzed about their 2 savory flavors Sun Dried Tomato (perfect for recipes, thinking my Cottage Stuffed Peppers) and the Kalamata Olive which I think is my favorite. I found a couple of the flavors locally at Sprouts, looks like they are at Whole Foods too, they have a product locator on their web site.

For lunch, I spread the Kalamata Olive one on cucumber slices (aka my "crackers") it's a great protein packed snack or lunch... and cucumbers are full of water and hydrating, in the summer heat.

More Healthy Lunch Recipes & Ideas

Dinner: I am so happy to report Trader Joe's has brought back their Chicken Asada (aka Chicken Fajitas) The packaging is different, the name has changed and now it's sliced for you, instead of coming in 2 half breast portions which is GREAT considering that's what I have always done to it. Woot, woot, for one less step when I am hot and tired.

If you have a TJ's near you. Get this. It's in the refrigerated section, near salads. It's delicious. 4 minutes in the microwave (it's precooked). Sometimes I add a can of drained cannelini beans and saute till the beans are warmed through. Tonight we just ate it as is with sliced avocado. Leftovers, if you have any, are great turned into Egg Bites (crustless quiches) with some cheese and veggies mixed in or on top of a salad.

Snacks: My standard line is too much coffee but surprisingly not a whole lot of coffee was consumed, a cup early on but it was just too hot. I did have like 4 bottles of water with either Crystal Light or Sugar Free Tang drink sticks in them. I am not a plain water fan. I had another mini donut and a protein shake.

Shelly's Toasted Coconut Mocha Coffee Frappe

8 oz. Milk (any cow, soy, almond, coconut)
1 scoop Chike High Protein Iced Coffee (Mocha flavor)
1 Tablespoon Sugar Free Coconut Torani Syrup
a few Ice Cubes

Whiz in blender on high. Top with No Sugar Added, Homemade Whipped Cream and Unsweetened Toasted Coconut.

More Eggface Protein Shakes and Smoothies
More Post Weight Loss Surgery Menus