Welcome Summer Healthy Tips & Recipes

Summer is here! Wow, the year is flying by. I thought I'd share a few tips, reminders and recipes to help you have the best and healthiest summer ever. Click thru all the links and pics for recipes and more. While these are especially written for the bariatric surgery reader I think those that are eating low carb, keto, protein forward meals will find some favorites too.

Go Outside - Move your workout into nature, it's way more fun than a smelly gym and there is more to look at. Ride bikes, play tag with your kids, set up badminton or smaller spaces are great for corn hole games or go on a scavenger hunt in the neighborhood, make some protein granola and take a hike or a long romantic (or for the single gals like me, it's me-time) walk, do you have a pool or a neighbor with one... MARCO POLO anyone?!

Exercise early in the day, not only is it safer to exercise in the cooler hours of the AM, it will give you a good start for the day. Always wear sunscreen and bring your water with you.

Cool Eats - Visit your local farmers market, try a fruit or veggie you've never tried, ask the seller what he or she likes to do with it, get creative in the kitchen make some fun salads or create your own salad bar or have a tidbit party.

More Eggface Cool Eats

Summer is also prime bento box picnic weather. Pack lunch or dinner and take it out into nature... watch the sunset, make wishes on stars, find a beach, a lake, a park, your own backyard or balcony. My town has a bunch of free movies and concerts and of course 4th of July fireworks.

More Eggface Bento Box Lunches

Quick Eats - In the summer I am always looking for ways to cut down the cooking (heating the kitchen up) time or clean-up. These are a few of my favorites that do just that...

Foil Packets Meals
Sheet Pan Dinners
BBQ Dinners

If you are eating out (and heading home right away) ask for a box as you order and box up what you aren't eating before you start to use for creating meals the next day. I call this repurposing and it's definitely a time saver the next day.

Or cook big one day and turn the leftovers into easy meals for the rest of the week.

Sweet Treats - Fruit with protein-packed Greek yogurt or ricotta based dips are a favorite. Make Strawberry Cannoli, or my Fluff Stuff or churn a batch of Protein Ice Cream, make Protein Pudding Jars or Frozen "Cheesecake."

In the triple-digit heat we often get in my neck of the woods I am especially thankful for an afternoon protein shake made frappe-style in the blender. It's a quick way to cool me down and bonus I get some protein in too. I am careful about adding too many higher calorie items and I account for it in my eating plan for the day. You can save time by making protein shake baggies too.

Drink Plenty of Water - I have always struggled with this one but I know it's not an option so I keep trying my best each day. Drinking more water would help so many of us (helps umm constipation, clear skin, healthy hair, it's a natural appetite suppressant, etc.) but staying hydrated is especially essential for bariatric surgery post-ops (caution: one of the major reasons for readmittance to the hospital in the first 30 days post-op is dehydration, so in those post-operative release instructions when they say carry your water bottle with you at all times and "sip sip sip" they mean it!)

There are lots of ways to jazz it up and even a few products that will do double duty and give you some added vitamins too.

I always have plenty of cold water in the fridge and things like berries, cucumbers or citrus fruits on hand to add some pizazz. My latest favorite is unsweetened iced tea with a pump of Sugar-Free Torani in fruity flavors.

More tips for jazzing your H20 up

Make Memories - After cancer and the car theft, my budget won't allow for any great adventures this summer (thankful for the few trips I'm getting to go on via my work or volunteer positions) but I do live in a pretty awesome area of the country and so I've got a few local places to explore and hang out on my list.

Money Saving Tips

Do you have a summer bucket list? What’s on it? I’d love to hear about it.
Happy Summer!

Post Weight Loss Surgery Menus: A day in my pouch and Cancer Update

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. Today's protein packed delicious menu...

Breakfast: Chilly AM but I felt up to a walk and I took my breakfast with me. I love these Cottage Cheese Doubles (Knudsen/Breakstone) they have a little section of fruit goo, the goo has some sugars, so if you are super sensitive add in moderation. I get the Pineapple ones, lowest sugars of all their flavors and I have no issues with it. I took a little baggie of Protein Granola that I sprinkled in. I like the crunch.

I make a lot of different flavors of Protein Granola (Spiced Chai, Chocolate, Espresso) but this time I made it with Double Stuffed Cookie (aka Oreo) Protein and tossed a few pieces of freeze dried Banana into it after it cooled. Yum!

Shelly's Protein Granola

1/4 cup Oatmeal, dry
1/4 cup Double Stuffed Cookie Protein Powder (any whey or whey isolate protein powder works great)
1/4 cup chopped Nuts (any, I used Pecans & Almonds)
1 Tablespoon Almond Butter
1 Tablespoon Butter
1 Tablespoon Sugar-Free Vanilla Torani Syrup

Squeeze together with your hands till clumps form. You need to use your hands for this one. Place on a Pam sprayed, foil-lined cookie sheet. Bake at 350 for 20 minutes.

Let it cool. It crisps as it cools. Crumble into smaller bite-sized pieces. When completely cool, store in an airtight container. This a great snack on a hike or topping for protein ice cream, ricotta cheese, cottage cheese, protein pudding or yogurt.

More Eggface High Protein Breakfast Recipes and Ideas

For those following along... I had my Post Thyroid Cancer Surgery Check-up and the Pathology Report was great. Looks like my surgeon got it all. It was a single tumor (stage 1) encased in the center of my right thyroid and no other area was affected. Obviously I have to keep checking the area with periodic ultrasounds but for now, I am all clear. Feeling blessed. Next step is an appointment with an Endocrinologist who will be looking at blood tests (TSH, T3, T4, Calcitonin) to determine if my left thyroid is kicking in and picking up the slack. Fingers crossed, it'll mean little to no medication. I'm still a little more tired than I should be and I have had a few too many headaches lately though that could be from the stress of all the "patient responsibility" portion of the medical bills that are rolling in... oh and suddenly having a car payment again thanks to the Christmas Eve car scrooges. If any of my blog pals win the Powerball this weekend and have an extra $5000 they can spare you'll have a pal for life... I should probably play... I mean there's a 5% chance of a thyroid nodule turning out to be thyroid cancer and mine was. I figure I will either win the lottery next or umm get hit by lightning. LOL, maybe you shouldn't stand too close to me in a rainstorm that's all I'm saying ;)

Catch-up on my Thyroid Cancer journey: Part 1: Diagnosis, Part 2: Treatment Plan, Part 3: Surgery/Recovery

OK Back to the food...

Lunch: If you are jonesing for a Grilled Cheese Sandwich you should try this. I make a batch of Savory Ricotta Pancakes and use them like the "bread" by sprinkling a little cheese in the middle and warming them in a nonstick pan till the cheese is melted and gooey. Soooo good.

Shelly's Savory Ricotta Pancakes

1 Egg, beaten
1/2 cup Ricotta Cheese
3 Tablespoons Multigrain Pancake Mix
1 Tablespoon Parmesan Cheese
1/2 teaspoon Garlic Powder
1 Tablespoon Chives
1/2 teaspoon Oregano
1 Green Onion, diced fine
dash of Salt
a few twists of Black Pepper

Mix pancake ingredients together. Spray non-stick pan with Pam. Cook on low till bubbles appear, flip. Cook till done. Makes 8 pancakes (about the size of the container those BreathSavers 3 Hour Mints that I love, about 3"-ish across.) These pancakes can be made ahead and reheated.

For the Grilled Cheese "Sandwiches" Pancakes: You'll need a little sprinkle or 1/4 of a slice of some good melting cheese... I use Colby, Jack, or Muenster cheese mostly.

Cook's Note: I used whole milk ricotta if you use part skim. Drain through a mesh sieve lined with a coffee filter for several hours or overnight in the fridge. Avoid ricotta that says "creamier formula" you want regular ricotta.

More Eggface Pancakes Savory and Sweet

Dinner: I made Mini Meatloaves for dinner the other night so dinner was already done basically. I have found the trick to eating leftovers as a post-op is to keep things from drying out. I love this gadget for that. You put a couple of tablespoons of water in the base and it steam heats the food. One of the best post-op gadgets in my kitchen.

Shelly's Greek Mini Meatloaf

1 1/4 pounds Ground Beef (or Turkey)
1/4 cup Oatmeal, dry
1/4 cup Milk
1 Egg, beaten
1 Yellow Onion, diced
1/4 cup Sliced Black Olives
1/3 cup Feta Cheese, crumbled
1 teaspoon Oregano
a few twists of Black Pepper

Soak oatmeal in milk for 1 minute (you can use almond meal or bread crumbs if you do bread) Beat egg. Add egg and soaked oats to ground meat. Saute onions until slightly golden. Set aside to cool. Combine cooled onions and all remaining ingredients together. Divide into 8 equal mounds. Form into mini meatloaves or if you have this super groovy pan like me use it. Bake for 45 minutes in a 350-degree oven. These freeze well either cooked or uncooked.

I served them originally with a salad and the leftovers I served with cooked chickpea sprinkled with a little Zaatar seasoning.

More Eggface Bariatric Friendly Dinner Recipes

Snacks: Coffee, Tea (so sad Trader Joe's discontinued my favorite Rooibos & Honeybush so I'm savoring the last few bags) and I made a protein shake when I got back from my walk: Celebrate Vitamins Wildberry Protein 20 single serve packet, Almond Milk, Ice.

More Eggface Favorite Protein Shake Recipes
More Eggface Post Weight Loss Surgery Menus

Hope everyone has a great weekend. Check your thyroid.

Post Thyroid Cancer Surgery Update

Last week I had my thyroid cancer surgery. I was surprisingly not nervous. I really felt comfortable with my surgeon and our game plan. If it was as it appeared on the ultrasound contained to the right thyroid and no lymph nodes were involved he'd take just the right thyroid (lobectomy) but if it was more involved he had my OK to take it all (thyroidectomy.) Just the right side would be a big win and would mean fewer complications (parathyroid damage/calcium issues), no additional treatments (radioactive iodine I131 which is annoying and lonely sounding) and potentially little to no medication if my left thyroid continues to do its thing. I woke up in recovery and recall my surgeon saying that he, in fact, was able to just take the right side. He came in later that day and told me again. The cancer hadn't gone beyond the thyroid, no lymph nodes were involved, it was still about the same size, about a 2 cm rock. Woot Woot. I won't know about the need for thyroid medication for a while pending blood work but I am hopeful.

Catch-up on my Thyroid Cancer journey: Part 1: Diagnosis, Part 2: Treatment Plan.

I was the first surgery on the schedule so required to check-in at 5:30 AM. I live about 50 miles from the hospital and the traffic in the AM can be pretty bad so we decided to stay the night closer and head over in the AM. I wanted to give a shoutout to the Marriot La Jolla who not only had a great AAA discount but when I commented on the pretty cheese platter they posted on their Instagram account surprised me by having one in my room waiting when I arrived.

Thankfully, I was able to eat or drink until midnight so my Mum and I sat in Marriott fluffy robes and had a little cheese tidbit party which as you know from past cheese tidbit parties is our thing. I don't eat crackers as you know so my Mum scored. I missed my cucumber crackers and cold cuts I usually accompany my cheese eating but mmmm cheese.

Everyone at UCSD Thorton Hospital was great. I was thankful I brought my Mum along. I usually go it alone by choice (RNY, plastics, etc.) but I'll tell you it was so nice to have someone feed me ice chips those first few hours while I was in recovery, no one would have kept coming to do that at the rate I wanted them. I was moved to my own room at around 11 AM, better bed, closer bathroom, and TV. I highly recommend the No Sugar Added Vanilla Pudding. It was heaven on my throat. My throat was sore and pitchy for a few days but I think my talking voice is almost back, not singing just yet.

We lucked out and I had no one in the bed next to mine so Mum spent a more comfortable night. She ate my fish and steamed veggies for dinner. I tried but I was still having trouble swallowing so I just ate tomato bisque soup and of course more pudding. I didn't sleep at all... which as you know is an issue for me anyway but then add-in pain and noises and scratchy hospital gowns and vitals. Speaking of scratchy hospital gowns this is me sporting mine post-op...

I was thankful that night for the Food Network marathon of Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives but after about 20 episodes I'm OK if I never see another again in this lifetime. I ordered an omelet for breakfast and I actually ate about 1/4 of it. So I felt like that was a big improvement from the night before already. I was released before Noon on Saturday. The ride home was long and I felt every bump even with a pillow so when I got home I was glad it was time for a pain pill. I spent the day on the couch, propped up. Sunday I took my first shower and began to feel human again. The first few days were uncomfortable and I definitely needed the pain meds but I also hate how they make me feel so I axed them after a few days and have been just doing the occasional ice pack for the last day or so. Soft foods and protein shakes help...

Shelly's Valentine Protein Shake

8-10 oz. Milk (any)
1 packet Celebrate Vitamins Wildberry Protein 20
1 Tablespoon Sugar-Free Strawberry Torani Syrup
1 Tablespoon Sugar-Free Vanilla Torani Syrup
a few ice cubes

Blend on high. Top with optional No Sugar Added Homemade Whipped Cream & Nonpareils

More Eggface Protein Shakes

I also made heart-shaped pancakes for Valentine's Day. Well, technically I only made one heart-shaped because I was on drugs but they weren't THAT good...

Shelly's White Chocolate Ricotta Pancakes

1/2 cup Ricotta Cheese
1 Egg, beaten
1 Tablespoon Sugar-Free White Chocolate Jello Pudding Mix, dry
1 Tablespoon Sugar-Free Vanilla Torani Syrup
3 Tablespoons Multigrain Pancake Mix

Mix all ingredients together. I use whole milk ricotta, if you use part skim, drain first. Spray pan with non-stick spray. Spoon a dollop of the mixture into the pan and pat flat. Cook on low till golden, flip, pat flat, cook till done. Serve each pancake with a drizzle of warm Sugar-Free Maple Syrup or chopped Strawberries mixed with a little Sugar-Free Strawberry Jam that has been warmed in the microwave or they are delicious just plain. Makes 8 pancakes.

These can be frozen between slices of wax paper or kept in the fridge a day or 2 and reheated (nuke 25 seconds) for breakfast during the week. Surprising good cold too. Leftovers usually get some SF jam, almond or peanut butter smeared on them, wrapped in foil and they become a great breakfast-on-the-go.

More Eggface Pancakes

I ventured out for the first time on Tuesday to Starbucks. I went to the supermarket for a few things the next day. Yesterday I went to the Hemo Doc to get my 3rd iron infusion. So my outings are getting a little longer. No exercise yet but I am hoping to get back to my walks next week. Now is when I am thankful I work from home because I am yellow bruised from my chin to my boobs. I have steri-strips and they are still on so I haven't seen my scar yet. Ehh just add it to the many others on this body. For those who ask about it... I already have a creative story about my short-lived career in the circus as the assistant to the one-eyed, knife thrower. LOL.

Thank you for the prayers, lovely messages and I've been enjoying the beautiful flowers the Obesity Action Coalition Board and Staff sent me. My issue of Your Weight Matters Magazine came yesterday and I sat and read it cover to cover while dipping cucumber spears in plain Greek yogurt sprinkled with Everything Bagel Spice. I'll know more after next Tuesday's check-up. Fingers crossed the post-surgery pathology says they got it all.

I'm starting to cook more so I'll be back posting more recipes this week! Thanks for following along on this unexpected part of my journey.

Celebrate Chocolate Mint Recipes & Giveaway

This post is sponsored by Celebrate Vitamins. I am excited to share with you one of my favorite products their Chocolate Mint Protein 20 Protein Powder and a heads up for an opportunity to win some!

One of my favorite protein powders is Celebrate Vitamins Chocolate Mint Protein 20. If you love Andes mint chocolates or Thin Mint Girl Scout cookies you'll have to give it a try. It's great mixed with water, milk, used in a variety of recipes but my ultimate favorite recipe is this frosty, frappe-style shake with a little espresso to kick-start your day or jump start your afternoon. It's better than anything at Starbucks and better for you too!

Shelly's Chocolate Mint Espresso Protein Shake

8 oz. Milk (any)
1 packet Celebrate Vitamins Chocolate Mint Protein 20 Protein Powder
1/2 tube Instant Espresso Coffee Powder (I used Café Bustelo Instant Coffee Single Serve Packets)
a few cubes of ice

Blend on high. I topped it with a little squirt of Homemade, No Sugar Added Whipped Cream and a sprinkle more of espresso powder.

More Eggface Protein Shake and Smoothie Recipes

It makes a great protein packed, no sugar added dessert too...

Shelly's Chocolate Mint Protein Pudding

2 cups (minus 1 Tablespoon) Milk
1 scoop Celebrate Vitamins Chocolate Mint Protein 20 Protein Powder
1 - 1 oz. small package Sugar-Free Chocolate or Chocolate Fudge Instant Pudding Mix (dry)
1 Tablespoon Sugar-Free Torani Syrup (any flavor)
Optional: Homemade, No Sugar Added Whipped Cream and Nonpareils

Pour the milk, pudding mix, protein powder and syrup flavoring 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 into glasses or if you are taking them with you on a walk or to work use small mason jars with lids (don't forget to bring a spoon with you.) Optional: Before serving top with Homemade, No Sugar Added Whipped Cream and a sprinkle of nonpareils. Makes 4-6.

More Eggface Weight Loss and Bariatric Surgery Friendly Desserts

Head over to my Instagram for a chance to win a week's worth of Celebrate Vitamins Chocolate Mint Protein 20 and other great goodies to make these 2 recipes!

For the purposes of this post Celebrate Vitamins provided me with the product used to make these recipes. Thanks for the yummy protein. 

Eggface Holiday Protein Shakes and Instagram Giveaway

It's Christmas and you know what that means GIFTS! Head over to my Instagram page to enter to win this great box of Protein Shake Making Pantry Essentials. Protein shakes are my go-to on days when I just don't feel like a hearty breakfast, I'm running out the door and need an on-the-go protein source, or in my neck of the woods, the safe me in the hot summer afternoons.

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 My Favorite Protein Shake Pinterest Page which includes a couple of award winners: Candy Cane Shake, Tiramisu Shake, and Chocolate Covered Cherry Shake.

Shelly's Christmas Cookie Protein Shake

8 oz. Milk (any)
1 scoop Vanilla Protein Powder (I used Celebrate Vitamins Vanilla Bean Meal Replacement)
1 Tablespoon Sugar-Free Torani Almond Syrup
1 Tablespoon Sugar-Free Torani Vanilla Syrup
a few frozen Greek Yogurt Cubes (or Ice)

Blend on high. Optional: top with a squirt of Homemade, No Sugar Added Whipped Cream and a sprinkle of Non-Pareils

Shelly's Chocolate Candy Cane Protein Shake

8 oz. Milk (any)
1 scoop Chocolate Mint Protein Powder (I used Celebrate Vitamins Chocolate Mint Protein 20)
1 teaspoon Sugar-Free Torani Peppermint Syrup
a few Ice Cubes

Blend on high. Optional: top with a squirt of Homemade, No Sugar Added Whipped Cream and a sprinkle of crushed Sugar-Free Starlight Peppermints.

It's Giveaway Time!

The Prize: a box full of goodies perfect for my fellow Bariatric Surgery post-op pals or anyone that uses protein shakes on their health, fitness or weight loss journey...

14 single-serving travel packets of some of my favorite Protein Shakes
5 boxes of Sugar-Free Pudding Mixes
4 mini bottles of Sugar-Free Torani Syrup
Espresso Powder Packets
Sugar-Free Root Beer Powder Packets (1/3 of a packet in a Vanilla Protein Shake = Rootbeer Float)
Unsweetened Cocoa
Non-Pareils
Blender Bottle Shaker
Holiday Insulated Tumbler
and a special knitted Christmas Tree Ornament (homemade by my Mum) to hang on your tree long after all the protein shake making goodies are gone.

To Enter: U.S. Mailing Addresses Only. Head over to my Instagram post for complete rules on how to enter this giveaway. Ends 12/22/17. Don't have Instagram it's free to start an account. Good Luck! 

Merry Christmas and Thank You for sharing this giveaway, the blog and my social media pages with your support groups, friends and family...

Facebook: When you click LIKE on Facebook be sure to 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 at least once a month, sometimes more!
Pinterest: Oodles of recipes, divided into categories, food type, holidays, basically an online Eggface cookbook.
Twitter: Current events, news articles about health, weight, obesity, fitness, tips, motivation, random life commentary, monthly tweet chats, but just a warning I get a little political and talk A LOT on this one.

More Holiday Protein Shakes
More Protein Shake Recipes

Healthy Kitchen Gift Ideas with Recipes

To help Santa and his elves get through their list I'll be sharing some gift ideas that are thoughtful and would be a winner for most any person that has embraced a new healthy lifestyle. Today, I'll be focusing on Healthy Kitchen and Food Related Gifts & Stocking Stuffers

Spiralizer (aka Zoodle Maker) - Creates oodles of low carb zoodles and other spiral cuts of vegetable or fruits with a crank of the handle.

If Santa brings you a Spiralizer be sure to come back to the blog and make one of these favorite recipes:

Shelly's Chicken Zucchini Zoodle Noodle Soup
Shelly's Turkey Tetrazzini
Shelly's Greek Chicken Cucumber Noodle Salad
Shelly's Zucchini "Noodles" & Meatballs
Shelly's Chicken and Pesto "Zoodles" Zucchini Noodles (and leftovers Frittata)

Shelly's Zucchini Noodles with Ricotta Cheese

Hand Blender (aka Immersion Blender or Stick Blender)  - a handheld blender is a great gadget, especially for the Fall and Winter months. You can puree soups right in the pot, so you get the creamy, hearty soups you love without adding the extra calories, fat and carbs of adding cream or potatoes. You'd never guess this wasn't loaded baked potato soup thanks to my hand blender.

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

Shelly's Roasted Vegetable Soup with Pepperoni Chips

Shelly's Muffaletta Soup

Shelly's Black Bean Soup

Shelly's Cannellini Bean Soup

Bento Box -  I do love my bento box meals. I love that it really makes me pause and think about the nutritional balance of my meal and having a convenient way to make meals portable gets me outside in the fresh air and vitamin D more. They have bags and ice packs and lots of fun colors. You will be the envy of the office break room.

More Bento Box lunches, FAQ's and an Online Source for them
My Bento Pinterest Page (tons of lunch ideas)

Blenders - So many choices Ninja, Vitamix, Oster, KitchenAid, Nutribullet, Hamilton Beach. All different price points from super spendy $$$ to more reasonable $$ but a good blender is must have for post-bariatric surgery and those embracing a health and fitness lifestyle.

Here's a blender I was given the opportunity to test out the other day. I think anyone who gets up super early like I do to go for an early morning walk or run would love it: the Hamilton Beach Sound Shield 950. I love to bring a protein shake along on my walk but most blenders sound like a jet engine is starting in your kitchen and I'm always afraid my neighbors are going to turn me in for noise ordinance violations. This blender avoids that neighbor dispute and/or angry family members with a drop-down sound shield that keeps the noise to a minimum. You can be even more stealth by making up a few pre-made smoothie baggies (scoop of protein powder, fruit or powdered peanut butter or frozen cubes of Greek yogurt to add even more protein) and toss them in the freezer. In the morning no need to bang cabinet doors & drawers looking for ingredients just grab the pre-made bag, dump contents in the blender, add milk of choice, blend and lace up your sneakers.

More Ideas: Travel Packets of Protein Powder with a Blender Bottle Shaker, Pedometers (get one for every family member and have step competitions, weekly winner gets movie night choice), a Cool Water Bottle, Tea Infuser Mugs or Tea Assortments, Fun Mugs, Gift Card to Omaha Steaks or subscription to Sizzlefish (Lean Protein), an Air Fryer or an Instapot (both on my list.)

Tomorrow, be sure to come back when I share a few more healthy gift-giving ideas including a few fun DIY and Budget gift ideas.

Important to Note: Be careful when giving gifts that have a healthy spin, gifts of this nature should be given to those who have expressed interest in and are already addressing their health or weight. Fat-shaming or trying to force someone to make a health change is mean, rude and in fact, can have the opposite effect.

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 delicious mostly leftovers menu...

Breakfast: Hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving. I was probably still a little full from our Thanksgiving feast because I didn't really feel like a regular breakfast so I just made a protein shake. This shake is one of my favorites. Chocolate Mint with a little espresso kick to get you going. Better than anything at a coffeehouse and better for you too!

Shelly's Chocolate Mint Espresso Protein Shake

8 oz. Milk (any)
1 packet Celebrate Vitamins Chocolate Mint Protein 20 Protein Powder
1/2 tube Instant Espresso Coffee Powder (I used Café Bustelo Instant Coffee Single Serve Packets)
a few cubes of ice

Blend on high. I topped it with a little squirt of Homemade, No Sugar Added Whipped Cream and a sprinkle more of espresso powder.

More Eggface Protein Shake and Smoothie Recipes

Lunch: Another warm day in Southern California (we're breaking records in this neck of the woods, global warming is real) so I made the most of it and put a few tidbits leftover from Thanksgiving in my bento box and took off on a walk to eat lunch at the lake nearby my house. I'm still not 100% better from the creeping crud that invaded my body this month. I'll randomly go into coughing attacks still and my lungs feel like I'm not getting enough air so I was glad to sit down for a while, people watch and eat lunch before heading back home.

Pink Box (top left): Veggie and Cheese Skewers (Olives, Tomatoes, Cheesestick hunks, Pickles, Cucumbers)
Green Box (top right): Dill Pickle Cashews
Blue Box (bottom left): Hard Cooked with Everything Bagel Seasoning (Trader Joe's or Bagel Spice Online)
Orange Box (bottom right): New Quest Birthday Cake Protein Bar turned into "Cookies"

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

Dinner: I think I like leftovers better than Thanksgiving dinner... probably because most of the work is done. I actually made this at 3 AM. I'm an insomniac and the choices at 3 AM are infomercials or making casseroles. It was nice having dinner done... all I had to do is heat it up when we were ready.

Shelly's Sweet Potato topped Turkey Shepherd's Pie

2 Sweet Potatoes, cooked, peeled, mashed
1 Tablespoon Butter
dash Salt
1 Yellow Onion, diced
8-10 Mushrooms, sliced
1 cup Cooked Veggies (any)
1 cup Cooked Turkey, chopped
1/2 teaspoon Poultry Seasoning
1/4 teaspoon Thyme
1/2 to 3/4 cup Leftover Gravy (or*)

* 1/2 to 3/4 cup Chicken Broth
* 1 Tablespoon Butter
* 3 Tablespoons Spelt Flour

Cook sweet potatoes (I nuked them for 12 minutes with a few slits in them), peel and mash with dash salt and 1 Tablespoon of butter. Set aside.

Saute onion and mushrooms until golden. Add veggies, turkey, and seasoning. If you have leftover gravy add 1/2-3/4 of a cup. If not, move mixture off to the side and in one side of the pan add butter and flour and cook until melted. Add chicken broth, stir and cook until thickened. Stir to combine and coat everything with gravy. Pour into a Pyrex dish and top with mashed sweet potato. Bake at 350 for 30 minutes.

More Recipes and Ideas for Thanksgiving (or Christmas) Leftovers

Snacks: Coffee, Tea, a Cutie Mandarin, and another Birthday Cake Protein Cookie.

More Post Weight Loss Surgery Menus

P.S. A winner was announced in my latest Instagram Giveaway. Not a winner this time? No worries, December is going to be a fun month. Keep checking back!

Eggface and Celebrate Vitamins Halloween Treats Instagram Giveaway

This post is sponsored by Celebrate Vitamins. I am excited to share with you some of my favorite products including their Soft Chew Multivitamins and Caramel Calcium Citrate & D3 and an opportunity to win some!

When you choose to have Bariatric Surgery, you commit to taking vitamins for the rest of your life. It was a great trade in my opinion. Post surgery, I was off 8 prescription medications, many of which had weight gain as a side effect and in exchange, I get to take vitamins like Celebrate Vitamins Caramel Calcium & D3 Soft Chews. Have you tried them? They literally taste like a caramel candy!

Want to try Celebrate Vitamins? Check out their sample pack which will give you the opportunity to try a variety of flavors and types of vitamins and find the ones that are right for you.

Halloween is quickly approaching and we can't let the kiddos have all the fun and treats. I've got a box full of fun and healthy bariatric surgery friendly products featuring some of my favs from Celebrate Vitamins including a big bag of those Caramel Calcium Soft Chews, Peanut Butter Protein 20 and a couple of yummy recipes to make if you are the winner, are already a fan or plan on becoming one.

It's Giveaway Time! 

The Prize: 
Celebrate Vitamins Calcium Citrate & D3 Soft Chews (90 ct. Caramel)
Celebrate Vitamins Multivitamin Soft Chew (60 ct. Orange)
Celebrate Vitamins Protein 20 Peanut Butter Cookie Protein Powder (14 serving bag)
Sugar Free Torani Raspberry Syrup
Sugar Free Strawberry Topping
28 oz. Orange Blender Bottle Shaker
Sistema Breakfast to Go Container with Built-in Spoon!
The World According to Eggface Reusable Lunch Bag with Ice Pack
and 2 clip-on safety blinking lights for your evening walks (time changes soon)

To Enter: U.S. Mailing Addresses Only. Head over to my Instagram post for complete rules on how to enter this giveaway. Don't have Instagram it's free to start an account. Good Luck!

If you are the lucky winner be sure to make these 2 favorite fall recipes. Mmmm from kiddos to adults who doesn't love a PB&J Sandwich. They remind me of heading back-to-school. Here's my Protein Shake version.

Shelly's PB&J Sandwich Protein Shake

8 oz. Milk (any, I used Almond Milk)
1 scoop Celebrate Vitamins Peanut Butter Cookie Protein 20
1 Tablespoon Sugar-Free Raspberry Torani Syrup
5-6 Raspberries
a few cubes of Ice

Whiz in blender till smooth. It tastes just like Peanut Butter & Jelly Sandwich!

More Eggface Protein Shakes and Smoothies

Or try this delicious, protein-packed, breakfast. It's perfect for taking on-the-go in a little container if you don't have a groovy one with built-in spoon, don't forget a spoon, though if you do... desperate times call for desperate measures and a fork and slurping also work ;)

Shelly's PB&J Sandwich Protein Yogurt 

4 oz. Greek Yogurt, plain (vanilla or strawberry is great too, just watch those added sugars)
1-2 Tablespoons Celebrate Vitamins Peanut Butter Cookie Protein 20 Powder
1 Tablespoon Smucker's Strawberry Topping (or SF Strawberry Jam)
Optional: sprinkle of peanuts or crumbled protein bar

Mix yogurt and protein together till combined. Swirl in SF strawberry topping. I love a little crunch factor in my yogurt so sometimes I sprinkle peanuts on top or for even more protein crumbled protein bar. Celebrate's 2 in 1 Protein and Calcium Bars in Crazzberry or Peanut Butter Crunch would be yummy topping choice.

Tip: I always have a quart size bag in my fridge with crumbled protein bars. They make great yogurt, cottage cheese, or protein ice cream topping or mix-in. They are also a great base for my Faux Frozen Cheesecake Bites.

More Eggface Protein Packed Breakfast Recipes and Ideas

Hope you enjoy the recipes.