3 Fun Protein Packed Recipes for Halloween

Here's 3 Protein Packed Recipes for Halloween so you can enjoy the fun and still maintain your health, weight loss and fitness goals.

Shelly's Spooky Mexican Shrimp Cocktail

1/2 pound Large Cooked Shrimp, peeled, deveined, tails off (12 or so)
1 Avocado, diced
1/4 cup Pico de Gallo or Fresh Salsa (refrigerated section)
1/4 cup Cocktail Sauce
sprinkle of Sea Salt
Optional: Food Picks (99 cent store) and Spanish Olive "eyes"

Toss all ingredients together. Spoon into margarita glasses or for this Halloween version I spooned it into plastic cup. I poked a hole in the cup and poked the food pick through with skewered spanish olive eyes.

Starbuck's is bringing back it's limited edition Halloween Frappula Frappuccino but with 54 grams of sugar in a Grande I will pass and make my knock-off Strawberry Spooktacular Protein Shake instead...

Shelly's Strawberry Spooktacular Protein Shake

8 oz. Almond or Soy Milk (any milk will do)
1 scoop Vanilla Protein Powder
1 Tablespoon Sugar Free Torani Syrup (SF Raspberry, Vanilla, Almond, White Chocolate, whatever you love)
a few Ice Cubes
Sugar Free Strawberry Topping (Smuckers)

Blend milk, protein, and ice cubes on high till well combined. Drizzle strawberry sauce up the sides of the glass. If you can't find Sugar Free Strawberry Sauce (Ice Cream toppings section) you could use or SF Strawberry Jam, just nuke it a bit first. Pour shake in glass. I topped it with No Sugar Added, Homemade Whipped Cream and another drizzle of Sugar Free Strawberry Sauce.

Look out John Carpenter. My Halloween Horror filmmaking debut...

When everyone is eating those fun sized candy bars by the not-so-fun sized handfuls try one of these protein pudding "candy bar" jars...

Shelly's Premier Protein Pudding Candy Bar Jars

6 - 4 oz. jars (or clear cups)
2 Premier Protein Bars, chopped
2 cups Premier Protein Shake Ready to Drink RTD (any flavor)
1 - 1 oz. small package Sugar Free Instant Pudding Mix (dry, any flavor)
Optional toppings: more crumbled protein bar, nuts, SF caramel sauce, peanut butter, SF chocolate sprinkles, cinnamon, toasted unsweetened coconut, etc.

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 and pudding mix into a shaker bottle.

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 any of the optional toppings to create your "candy bar." You can make these a day in advance, refrigerate and just don't put the toppings on till you serve them.

Halloween tradition at my house is eating some spooky creations and watching the ultimate 80's cult zombie movie... Night of the Comet while waiting for the whippersnappers to ring the bell.

More Halloween and Day of the Dead Recipes and Ideas
Healthy Halloween Tips and Recipes including a great list of Non-Candy Treats

Healthy Snacks: Apple Pie Protein Balls

Need an afternoon protein packed, pick-me-up to make it through the day or a sweet-tooth satisfying, weight loss surgery friendly treat when running errands?

Try these: Shelly's Apple Pie Protein Balls.

I was messing around in the kitchen last week and this recipe was the result. I love them and all the non-ops I've shared them with love them too. In fact, word of caution, you might want to hide your portion of balls in the fridge behind an old jar of sauerkraut or pickled beets or something because they will get gobbled up. They taste like Fall.

Shelly's Apple Pie Protein Balls 

1/2 cup Dehydrated Apples (you want the crunchy dehydrated type, not dried)
3 Dates, whole, pitted
1/4 cup Protein Powder (any flavor)
1/4 cup Oatmeal, dry
1/4 cup Coconut Flour
1 Tablespoon Apple Pie Spice
1/4 cup Sugar Free Torani Syrup (any flavor, I used SF Caramel)
2 Tablespoons Almond Butter

Whiz everything in a mini food processor till mixture comes together like a soft dough. Roll into quarter sized balls. Makes 16-18.

You can store balls in a container in the fridge for about 2 weeks (they won't last that long)  You can also freeze them and pull one out 1/2 hour or so before you want to eat it. Toss a frozen ball in a snack-sized baggie when you are headed out and about and by the time you need it it'll be defrosted.

I made a batch for my neighbor and put them in those Chinese food take out containers.

More Eggface Weight Loss Surgery Friendly Snacks (Sweet & Savory)
More Eggface Weight Loss Surgery Friendly Fall Recipes

Drum roll...

Thank you to all who entered The World According to Eggface Protein Shake Pantry Essentials Giveaway I loved all the ideas you shared for how you jazz up your protein shakes, I have a few new ones I will be trying for sure. Thank you!

The random generator has selected:
Haley
haley_greenway@*****.com

Congratulations Haley! You are the winner of the latest Eggface Giveaway! You win the BIG BOX of AWESOME filled with some of my favorite weight loss surgery friendly protein shake making products and supplies. 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 will begin VERY soon! Hint, hint ;) Follow along on the Blog, Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram for the latest eggciting announcements and pop-up giveaways!

Need some protein shake making inspiration check out My Protein Shakes and Smoothies Pinterest Page! New recipes are added all the time!

10 Favorite Cauliflower Recipes

I love cauliflower. It's so versatile and is often part of my post weight loss surgery menu as a rice or potato replacement in a recipe. Many of these recipes call for "riced" cauliflower. You can buy it whole, break it up into florets and give them a whirl in a food processor or look for the pre-riced bags that are becoming more and more popular, they come in both fresh and frozen. Oh Cauliflower, how do I love thee? Let me count the ways...

Here's 10 Favorite Eggface Cauliflower Recipes:

Shelly's Cauliflower Fritters

Shelly's Mac-less Macaroni and Cheese Casserole

Shelly's Cauliflower Fully Loaded Soup

Shelly's Cauliflower Fully Loaded Soup (aka Mock Loaded Baked Potato Soup)

1 head of Cauliflower, cut into florets and parboiled
1 Yellow Onion, diced
1/4 cup Carrot, shredded
2 cups Chicken Broth
1 cup Milk (2%)
1/2 teaspoon Salt
a few twists of Black Pepper to taste
Optional Toppings: Shredded Cheese, Plain Greek Yogurt, Crumbled Cooked Bacon, Diced Green Onions

Boil cauliflower in salted water till fork tender but not falling apart. Drain and set aside. Saute onion till golden. Add remaining ingredients. Whiz with immersion blender or in batches in a regular blender.

Cover and simmer for 30 minutes on low, stirring occasionally. Spoon into bowls and add desired toppings. Leftovers are delicious reheated.

Shelly's Cauliflower Mushroom Risotto

2 cups Cauliflower, riced
8-10 Crimini Mushrooms, sliced
drizzle of Olive Oil
1 cup Chicken or Beef Broth
1 Tablespoon Salted Butter
1/4 cup Parmesan Cheese
a few twists of Black Pepper to taste

Break up the uncooked cauliflower into small florets. Pulse the florets in a food processor until reduced to the size of rice grains (about 2 cups worth after whizzing) or use 2 cups of the pre-riced cauliflower (fresh or frozen.) Set aside. Saute mushrooms till just golden. Add riced cauliflower and a drizzle of olive oil and cook for 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally, the cauliflower will become slightly golden when it's done. Add 1 cup of broth in 1/4 cup increments, adding the next increment when absorbed. You can add more if you like more it more saucy. Heat through. Remove from heat and add 1 Tablespoon of butter, black pepper and 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese.

Shelly's Cauliflower Pie

Shelly's Roasted Cauliflower with Buffalo Yogurt Dip

Shelly's Spanish Style Cauliflower Rice

Shelly's Cauliflower Fried "Rice"

Shelly's Cheesy Broccoli No Rice "Riced Cauliflower" Casserole

Shelly's Deconstructed Cauliflower Riceless Sicilian "Rice Balls"

Eggface Protein Shake Pantry Essentials Giveaway

Getting enough protein in the first few weeks post weight loss surgery is pretty difficult without protein shake supplementation and some of us continue to use them on our weight loss journey on those days we just don't feel like a hearty breakfast, when you are running out the door and need an on-the-go protein source, to fuel your fitness workouts, in the summer heat as an afternoon way to cool down, or just need a boost in the day.

I love to add low calorie additions to my protein shakes to change them up. I've gathered together some of my favorites additions into this Protein Shake Making Pantry Essentials Box. If you are the winner of this box of goodies you'll be able to create many of the shake recipes on the blog and those featured on My Favorite Protein Shake and Smoothies Pinterest Page.

It's Giveaway Time!

The Prize: Some of my favorite post weight loss surgery protein shake pantry essentials...

10 Different Single Serve Travel Packets of Protein Powder (some of my favorites from Celebrate Vitamins: Deep Chocolate, Vanilla Bean, Cinnamon Roll, Decaf Coffee Protein and Chike Nutrition: Strawberry Burst, Orange Creme, High Protein Iced Coffee in Original & Mocha and more)
5 Premier Protein Ready-to-drink RTD Protein Shakes (Chocolate, Vanilla, Strawberries and Cream, Bananas and Cream, and Caramel) you must make pudding jars!
1 Mini Sampler Set of Sugar Free Torani Syrups (4 - 150 ml mini bottles in SF Caramel, SF Raspberry, SF Vanilla, and SF Hazelnut)
1 jar of Chike Nutrition Chike PB Chocolate Powdered Peanut Butter (add the taste of peanut butter & chocolate with only a fraction of the calories, fat and sugar)
Sugar Free Pudding Mixes (SF Pistachio, SF Butterscotch, SF Banana Cream, SF Cheesecake, SF Lemon)
28 oz. Blender Bottle Shaker
The World According to Eggface Reusable Lunch Bag with a Slim Ice Pack

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 
For fun (optional): Tell me something you love to add to your protein shakes

Here's some of my latest protein shake creations. Feel free to Pin it for reference.

Thanks for sharing this giveaway, the blog and social media pages with friends and family...

Facebook: When you click LIKE on Facebook select see first in news feed or get notifications otherwise you only see about 20% of what any Facebook page posts.
Instagram: I do pop-up random giveaways on Instagram. Don't miss them. 
Pinterest: Oodles of recipes, divided into categories, basically an online Eggface cookbook.
Twitter: Current events, news articles about health, weight, obesity, fitness, tips, motivation, random life commentary.

Contest Period Ends: Sunday, October 23 (11:59 PM pacific time). I will announce the winner here on the blog, Monday, October 24th! 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!

Holidays and Celebrations: Tips for Staying on Track

This was the handout from my Your Weight Matters Lunch with the Experts talk: Holidays and Celebrations: Tips for Staying on Track. 

1. Plan your meals including any special holiday food items. Is there something you serve or your family serves that if it wasn't on the table it wouldn't be Christmas or Thanksgiving? Do you enjoy it? or is it just tradition? Can you adapt it or make some subtle change? (cooking method, small swap, 1/2 or 1/4 the recipe) Do you know what the nutritional breakdown of whatever the item is (sometimes after looking at the stats in B&W it's not as appealing) Still want to indulge put it in your plan but make it special (we need to make special treats, special again.)

2. Eat protein dense meals and don't skip the basics: drink your water and take your vitamins. It’s hard to snack when you are full from a protein dense meal.

3.  If possible bring a healthy dish to a party that way you are assured of something you can eat. You'd be surprised at how popular healthier options on a buffet are and how fun & festive they can be. Remember even healthier goodies can be over indulged in so stick to your plan for the day and proper portions.

For New Weight Loss Surgery Post-op this is especially important: Party foods unless you are in control of cooking them can have lots of hidden things in them... sauces high in sugars, fatty cooking methods, and could be a ticket to dump city or feeling crummy. If the holiday get-together is not a potluck, then consider eating before the party or be sure to eat something you have eaten before. You don't want to try something new at a party, have it not agree with you and end up feeling sick instead of enjoying your friends and family.

4. Learn to say "No Thank You" when offered items that don't work in your health plan. "Oh Aunt Suzie thank you those look so good but I'm saving room for some of that *insert food you can eat* (Ideas: delicious turkey, cheese, veggie...)" and don't feel guilty about saying No. It's not your job to make everyone happy and certainly not at your health's expense.

5. Parties, visitors, phone calls, kid’s concerts will mess with your schedule. Treat exercise like a VERY IMPORTANT appointment put it on your calendar. Don't break the appointment. Move every chance you get... take a neighborhood night walk to look at holiday lights. If your weather is not cooperating turn on some music and dance. Stocking stuffer idea: Buy everyone in your family pedometers or if you already wear an activity tracker, every night chart how many steps each person walked. Give a non-food prize to the highest step taker each month (movie tickets, choice of game on game night, day trip of their choice, etc.)

6. Don't drink your calories: 80-150 calories per glass wine, 140-200 calories per beer, 150-200 calories each shot, 300-800 calories per mixed drink and that doesn't include any poor eating choices made while feeling a buzz.

7. Stress and eating. If you dread the holidays you probably need to rethink them. They shouldn't put you into debt, make you feel awful or anxious, or be something you are forced to do out of obligation. IT'S OK TO SAY NO to activities and extras that might stress you out. The world won't come to an end if you don't go to that holiday party or event.

8. Take the emphasis off food, booze, material things and onto reconnecting with those you love. Meet family for something active: sledding, skating, walking the neighborhood looking at lights, snowball battle in the park. Watch holiday movies with healthy snacks and play board games. Make new traditions.

9. Wrap up leftovers, freeze for use in other meals (ham cubes for crustless quiches or soups) or give them away (have some to-go containers from the dollar store ready to send people home with leftovers. Remember it’s a holi-DAY not holi-MONTH. Proximity: The biggest risk factor for overeating is simply being around food. Making your house a safe zone from not so great choices. Remember it truly is the thought that counts so regifting gift baskets, cookies, candies. Ask your local senior center if there is someone who might enjoy them, many are on a limited income and holiday treats are not in the budget.

10. One especially for weight loss surgery post-ops: Eating (in the first few weeks especially) is not something to be done on the fly. Picture this scenario...

You pop a shrimp in your mouth (great protein) and start to chew chew chew as directed by your bariatric team but Auntie Suzie comes over and starts oohing and ahhing about your weight loss, asking questions, so.... gulp. Down goes a big hunk of shrimp. You start to thank her and talk but soon realize that hunk of shrimp is sitting like a rubber ball and not moving. Aunt Suzie is still jabbering away and you try and smile but you are in pain, sweating, nauseous... you excuse yourself and make your way to the bathroom and you spend the next few hours praying to the porcelain Gods and swearing you will never eat another shrimp (it wasn't the shrimp's fault.) This is a hard lesson to learn. Trust me.

Remember Why You Started.

What inspires you to be healthy? __________________________

x

Weight Loss Surgery Friendly Desserts

In the mood for a treat but want to keep your health goals intact. Satisfy your sweet tooth with any of these delicious, weight loss surgery friendly, low carb, protein packed, no sugar added dessert recipes.

Shelly's Pistachio Protein Mini Muffins
Shelly's Chocolate Microwave Protein Cake
Shelly's Protein Ice Cream
Shelly's Fruit Crumb
Shelly's Peanut Butter Protein Donuts or Chocolate Protein Donuts
Shelly's Fluff Stuff
Shelly's Chocolate Protein Spread
Shelly's Mini Apple Breakfast Loaf
Shelly's Protein Ice Cream Cake
Shelly's Pretty in Pink Strawberry Protein Cake
Shelly's Protein Bar Cookies

More Eggface Dessert Recipes

Pumpkin Spice Recipes - Sugar Free Low Carb Protein Packed

Every year it seems a new pumpkin spice product is introduced but along with the yummy fall flavors of pumpkin, cinnamon and nutmeg those creations usually come with a lot of sugar too. Here are some of my favorite weight loss surgery-friendly (sugar-free, low carb, and protein-packed) ways to get in on all the pumpkin spice fun and still keep your health and fitness goals.

Shelly's Pumpkin Ricotta Pancakes

Shelly's 5 Minute Pumpkin Spice Protein Cake

Shelly's Pumpkin Protein Mini Muffins

Shelly's Pumpkin Protein Shake with Pumpkin Spice Whipped Cream

Shelly's Pumpkin Praline Ricotta Bake

Shelly's Protein Packed Pumpkin Greek Yogurt Dip

Shelly's Pumpkin Spice Protein Ice Cream

Shelly's Pumpkin Banana Protein Shake

Shelly's Pumpkin Protein Souffle

Shelly's Pumpkin Protein Shake with Pumpkin Spice Whipped Cream

8 oz. Vanilla Soy Milk (any milk will do)

1 scoop Vanilla Protein (any you love)

2 Tablespoons Pumpkin Puree (not pie filling)

1 Tablespoon Sugar Free Vanilla (or SF Pumpkin Spice) Torani Syrup

dash of Pumpkin Pie Spice

3-4 Ice Cubes

Blend on high. Top with Homemade No Sugar Added Whipped Cream. You can flavor this whipped cream any way you like. This time I made pumpkin flavored whipped cream...

Shelly's Homemade No Sugar Added Whipped Cream

1 cup Whipping Cream

1 Tablespoon Sugar Free Torani Syrup (any flavor will do) 

Whisk till well combined. Every batch I make a new flavor: Sugar-Free Vanilla, Sugar-Free Coconut, Sugar-Free Almond, if you want pink cream add Sugar-Free Raspberry. Fill whipping cream to the fill line of the whipper. Screw on the top. Insert the CO2 cartridge till it empties, unscrew that. Put the nozzle on, shake a few times and squirt away. It makes a ton, store it in the fridge for up to 10 days just give it another few shakes before squirting. Great on berries, protein shakes and smoothies, crepes, pancakes, protein cake. 

To make Chocolate Whipped Cream: add 2 Tablespoons of Unsweetened Cocoa Powder to the recipe above before pouring into the whipper.

To make Pumpkin Spice Whipped Cream: add 2 Tablespoons Pumpkin Puree (not pie filling) and 1/2 teaspoon Pumpkin Pie Spice to recipe above before pouring into the whipper.

More Eggface Protein Shakes and Smoothies

Pin me for later: Great Halloween night desserts!

More Eggface Halloween and Fall Recipes and Ideas 

Weight Loss Surgery Friendly Low Carb Pasta Alternatives

If you have read the blog for awhile you know I chose to ax a few foods from my post weight loss surgery life. It was a personal choice but there were a couple of foods that I just felt it was best for me if they weren't added back into the mix. One of those foods was pasta. I'm 1/2 Sicilian so you know it was a big part of my life but it was also a food that I easily over-indulged in. It's my theory that if you want something different, you have to do something different. Eliminating some foods that were difficult for me to control seemed like my no-brainer "different" and that's what works for me. We all need to find our own "different."

What is pasta anyway?! It's just a carrier for yummy toppings and sauces, so I replace it with a veggie that adds flavor and more nutritional bang for the buck. I make Manicotti and Lasagna with grilled zucchini or eggplant slices. Spaghetti can be onions or bean sprouts or spaghetti squash. I even make a "Mac & Cheese" with cauliflower.

Yesterday was National Noodle Day so I made a batch of zucchini noodles with sauteed onion. I topped them with a dollop of ricotta cheese that I added some seasonings to. The heat from the "noodles" turns the ricotta into a gooey, cheesy sauce. So good. I invested in a groovy Paderno spiralizer (the best, put it on your Christmas list, the 3 blade version is mine) but for years I have used just a simple julienne peeler and it did a great job too. If you own a Kitchen Aid there is an attachment.

Shelly's Zucchini Noodles with Ricotta Cheese

3 Medium Zucchini
1/2 Yellow Onion
2 cloves Garlic, diced fine
1/2 cup Ricotta Cheese
1/4 cup Shredded Italian Blend Cheese
1 teaspoon Oregano
a few twists of Black Pepper

Made my "noodles" and even sent the onion through the spiralizer.

Saute the onion in a little olive oil till golden. Add the zucchini and garlic and cook till desired tenderness. I put a lid on the pan to help the zucchini along and stir a few times in the cooking time. About 5 minutes.

While the veggie noodles are cooking I mix together the topping. Put a dollop on top of each serving the heat of the veggies will warm the cheese and create a sort of sauce. Sprinkle with a little more shredded cheese.

They are awfully pretty with the spiralizer but I made this the other day and only a knife is needed. Just slice some summer squash, saute it with some onions and topped it with meatballs, sauce and of course some Parmesan cheese.

or there's always good old Spaghetti Squash I made that the other night with just some store bought Shrimp Scampi on top.

Not a squash lover try Bean Sprouts... great with Teriyaki Meatballs.

So many different fun pasta alternatives... you might find like me you're not missing a thing.