Flashback Friday - Scrumptious Ways to begin your day with Chocolate!!!

WELCOME TO FLASHBACK FRIDAY!! 

Hope you'll try some of these tasty dishes to add to your menu rotation!

Can't go wrong adding some chocolate to your diet!  *-* 

Delicious to the very last bite! Such a flavorful way to dress up zucchini bread!

German Chocolate Zucchini Bread

An easy start to your day, full of protein to keep you full til lunch...

Chocolate Peanut Butter Banana Protein Smoothie

Almost like having dessert for breakfast!! MMM!

Southern Style Chocolate Gravy

This delicious and good-for-you oatmeal dish is a real winner with all ages! 

Brownie Baked Oatmeal

Blast from the Past - Great ways to start your day with Chocolate!

An easy start to your day, full of protein to keep you full til lunch...

Chocolate Peanut Butter Banana Protein Smoothie

Almost like having dessert for breakfast!! MMM!

Southern Style Chocolate Gravy

Delicious to the very last bite! Such a flavorful way to dress up zucchini bread!

German Chocolate Zucchini Bread

Frozen Banana Bites (3 Ingredients)

This is a wonderful & healthy kid-friendly treat for summertime! 

(Adults like them too). 

When I saw this fun and simple recipe at Mr. Food Test Kitchen I knew I would be making it...the same day.  I always keep frozen banana slices on hand to add to my smoothies, then I came up with the idea of adding these to smoothies.  

Instead of adding vanilla, I added a scoop of protein powder. You could also opt to add a couple tablespoons of peanut butter.  GREAT combo with the banana/choco chip mixture.

This is very simple.  If you don't have frozen banana slices on hand, this recipe tells you how to do that...then you put it in the blender or food processor...and just simply make banana 'ice cream'...freeze the mixture in mini muffin cups, sprinkle more chocolate chips on top.

Pop them in your mouth when you need to cool down.  Or add them to your smoothies and blend well.  

(hover over photo to pin) 

FROZEN BANANA BITES

3 ripe bananas, cut into 1/2" slices

1/2 c. mini chocolate chips, divided

1/2 tsp. vanilla extract, optional

(or instead, add 1 scoop vanilla protein powder)

Coat 24 mini muffin tins with cooking spray or paper liners. 

Line a baking sheet with waxed paper.  Place banana slices on paper, freezing for 1 hour, or until frozen. (I do not cover). 

Place banana slices in blender or food processor; blend until smooth and creamy.  Stir in 1/3 c. chocolate chips and vanilla (Or skip vanilla and add vanilla protein powder or even peanut butter for a boost of protein). 

Evenly divide into muffin tins and sprinkle with a few remaining chocolate chips.   Freeze for 3 - 4 hours or until frozen.

(I them removed them from the pan and placed them in a freezer bag for easy access when you want 1 or 2...and I want to use my pan for

something else =). 

"Lightened" Carmelized Brown Sugar Banana Milkshake

Chocolate Peanut Butter Banana Protein Smoothie

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Chocolate Peanut Butter Banana Protein Smoothie

This is a simple and tasty smoothie with protein...I added it to my Smoothie Pinterest Board from Cooking Classy.

I adapted it just a little, and used my unsweetened protein powder, instead of baking cocoa to make it chocolate. I always have frozen banana slices on hand for these kinds of treats. I also used fewer ice cubes. 

It's creamy, delicious and filling.  This makes 2 servings. 

Enjoy soon!

(hover over photo to pin)

CHOCOLATE PEANUT BUTTER BANANA PROTEIN SMOOTHIE

• 2 lg. overripe bananas, sliced and frozen
• 1 c. almond (or coconut) milk (or more if desired for consistency)
• 1/4 (heaping) c. (natural) creamy peanut butter
• 2 Tb. unsweetened protein powder
• (or baking cocoa)
• 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
• 4 - 5 ice cubes
• 
  

Yield: 2 servings

• 
  

• Add all ingredients to a blender and process until well pureed. Serve immediately.

Healthy Peanut Butter Cup Smoothie

Strawberry Cheesecake Smoothie

Oatmeal Cookie Smoothie (Lighter Choice)

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Chocolate Coconut Chia Smoothie (no sugar added)

An easy, rich and creamy protein shake to get your day started...

And it's DE-LISH too! 

It will help boost your energy any time of day!

CHOCOLATE COCONUT CHIA SMOOTHIE 

1 (14 ozs) Cocozia Chocolate Coconut water

1 Tb. chia seeds

1 frozen ripe banana

(peeled, sliced & frozen) 

1/2 c. ice

1/2 c. plain Greek yogurt

2 Tb. salted almond (or peanut) butter

1 Tb. flax seed meal

1 Tb. honey or agave nectar, according to taste 

Add coconut water and chia seeds to blender; allow to stand for 5 - 10 minutes so seeds will expand. (they help keep you feeling full).

Add remaining ingredients and blend until frothy. Divide between 2 small glasses; serve immediately. 

Or, if you prefer, freeze mixture into popsicles. 

*Disclosure:  This post includes my amazon affiliate links. You are not obligated to purchase, but when you do through one of my links, I will make a small percentage on the sale. Thank you for supporting my site.

Peanut Butter Protein Smoothie (no sugar added)

Healthy Oatmeal Cookie Smoothie

Lowfat Pina Colada Smoothie (no sugar added)

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Vanilla Chai Protein Breakfast Shake

I have been in love with chai....a creamy and sweet Indian tea...for many years. So anytime I see it in a recipe, I get right on it.

This recipe is so simple and so delicious. If you want to steep the tea bag...as I did..you need to think ahead so the milk can chill...otherwise, just add the spices until you get the taste you like.

I had never had cardamom before I enjoyed my first chai, but it's definitely necessary to make it taste like the 'real deal'. 

I added protein powder to this so it would hold me through the morning. 

Hope you'll enjoy it soon. 

VANILLA CHAI PROTEIN BREAKFAST SHAKE

1 very ripe frozen bananas

(I keep banana slices in the freezer on hand for recipes like this)

1 c. milk of choice 

(I used unsweetened vanilla almond milk..only 30 calories per cup!)

1/2 tsp. each cinnamon and ginger

dash of each of these; pepper, cardamom, cloves and nutmeg

(Or you can eliminate spices and steep a chai tea bag in hot steamed milk...then chill before blending everything)

1/2 tsp. vanilla extract

1 pkt. sweetener (I prefer Truvia)

whipped topping - caramel and chocolate syrups for garnish

Combine all ingredients in blender; blend for at least a minute until smooth and frothy. Serve cold or you can make this warm too if you prefer. 

Linked to Weekend Potluck

You may enjoy these other wonderful beverages...

Skinny Frozen Hot Chocolate

Healthy Peanut Butter Cup Smoothie

Homemade Starbucks Caramel Frappuccino

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Peanut Butter Protein Smoothie (No Sugar Added - WW Points)

 I love a quick and easy breakfast.  This treat is great any time of day...and I love that it has protein to keep me full!  I'm not fond of eating big portions of meat, but give me yogurt, cottage cheese or peanut butter and I LOVE it. 

And don't you just adore 'one line' instructions???  Can't get any easier....or quicker. 

This special drink recipe was found at Sugar Free Mom where Brenda shares many wonderfully tasty naturally sweetened foods.  Be sure to check her out. She shares nutritional stats for this recipe at the link above. 

If you're counting Weight Watchers Points...this one is 5 PPlus. 

PEANUT BUTTER PROTEIN SMOOTHIE (NO SUGAR ADDED)

1/2 c. 1% milk
(use unsweetened almond milk if counting WW points)

1/2 c. lowfat cottage cheese

1 Tb. natural peanut butter (no sugar added)

(I added extra=) 

1 c. crushed ice

Optional: 1 scoop whey protein

2 droppers full liquid (vanilla or english toffee) stevia

(or 3 or 4 packets..to taste)

Garnish with carob nibs
(I shaved sugar free choc over the top)

Place all ingredients in your blender and blend til smooth. 

Yield: 2 servings - about 1 c. each

Linked to Weekend Potluck
GBP Roundup - Breakfast

You might also enjoy these

Healthy Peanut Butter Cup Smoothie

Nutella/Banana/Oatmeal Smoothie

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Oatmeal Cookie Smoothie {Lighter Option}

Y'all already know...I'm a big smoothie lover.

And I LOVE trying new recipes for them all the time..it's just a drive in me to do that I guess.

Well, I also am very fond of oatmeal cookies...love them with raisins, and my hubby loves them soft.  He's always very happy to try one at McDonald's...

(psst...they have VERY good cookies!) 

Anyway, I had to give this one a try. I found it at Kristen's 

Frugal Antics of a Harried Homemaker .  She didn't have any liquid in her recipe, but I added some milk, and couldn't have imagined making it without. 
(After all, we do love milk with our cookies, right?) 
Please pop over and check out her recipe. 

I adapted it slightly and it is ever so delicious! You won't know it has oatmeal because it gets ground up to fill you up too.

A perfect and satisfying after-school or after-work treat.  

OATMEAL COOKIE SMOOTHIE 

2/3 c. plain nonfat Greek (Chobani) yogurt

1/4 tsp. cinnamon
dash of nutmeg, optional

1/2 tsp. vanilla

3 Tb. (gluten free) oatmeal, or 'regular' or old fashioned

1 Tb. pure maple syrup 
(I used sugar free...could also substitute agave nectar)
1/3 - 1/2 c. milk

1 Tb. raisins
(I had craisins on hand)
dollop of Biscoff (cookie spread), optional

3 - 4 ice cubes 

Place all ingredients in the blender and whir until it's blended well & smooth, 

about 45 seconds. Enjoy! 

Yield: 1 serving

If you're interested about what's on the plate, here's my post about
a family traditional treat...

Brown Bobbies - A Family Tradition

I have A LOT more smoothie recipes...here's just a few...

Healthy Peanut Butter Cup Smoothie

Strawberry Pina Colada Smoothie

Nutella/PB Oatmeal Smoothie

Blueberry Banana Flaxseed Smoothie



Linked to Weekend Potluck
The Yuck Stops Here
Totally Talented Tuesday

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3 Cooling & Refreshing Summertime Beverages {Blast from the Past}

Very easy to make - a nice change from everyday lemonade...
pretty too. *-*

Watermelon Lemonade (Sugar Free Option)

Make your own Healthy Refreshment!! 
M-M-M-Good!

Copycat Orange Julius (Healthy Option)





If you want to be refreshed and get some protein too 
(not to mention getting a 'chocolate fix')...this is just the drink for you! 


High Protein Chocolate Smoothie: No Sugar Added

High Protein Chocolate Smoothie: No Sugar Added

I am truly in love with the healthy recipes I find at Sugar-Free Mom. 

This recipe is NO exception...I've made it several times already. 

You'll never guess this smooth and creamy drink contains cottage cheese - nope, you can't taste it at all.  This is a thick chocolatey drink that is not only very satisfying, but is very good for you!!

The only change I made was that I used more almond milk...it is a nice thick shake and you'll want MORE! 

HIGH PROTEIN CHOCOLATE SMOOTHIE: 

NO SUGAR ADDED

1/4 c. almond milk, unsweetened

(I used 3/4 c.)

1/2 c. lowfat (2%) cottage cheese

2 Tb. cocoa powder, unsweetened

1 scoop whey protein powder, unsweetened

2 droppers liquid chocolate (or vanilla) stevia or 

1/4 tsp. plain powdered stevia

1 c. crushed ice

(I topped it with my homemade sugar-free chocolate chips - recipe here)

Add almond milk, cottage cheese and cocoa powder to your blender. Once well blended add the rest of the ingredients. Taste and adjust sweetener if needed. Enjoy immediately!

(Nutritional values:  WW Points Plus from Sugar Free Mom) 

Servings: 1* Calories: 223* Fat: 3g* Cholesterol: 5mg* Sodium: 491mg* Carbs: 10g* Fiber: 4g* Sugars: 3g* Protein: 42g* Points+: 5*

Linked to Totally Tasty Tuesday
            Thursday Treasures
              Foodie Friends Friday
               Scrumptious Sunday
            Gooseberry Patch Roundup - What U made this week
        Weekend Potluck
          Gooseberry Patch Roundup - Smoothies