Wednesday, 11 Apr 2007

TT W14D3: New Bodyweight Interval Circuit…Or Not

Down a pound from yesterday to 140.6 lbs today. That’s my lowest scale reading of this challenge so far.

Ten more pounds to go in 11.5 weeks! :dbell:

I WAS going to try out a new lower body interval circuit that was included in this morning’s newsletter from Craig Ballantyne, but a quick assessment of the amount of DOMS I am already feeling from the single legged squats I did yesterday morning pretty much squelched that impulse. I will save it for another day when, you know, SITTING doesn’t hurt my bum.

Here it is for those of you who aren’t as temporarily squat-impaired as I am and want to take a break from the cardio floor of your gym:

Lower Body Circuit Workout
by Craig Ballantyne

* Y-squat (20 reps)
* Jumping Jacks (60 reps)
* T-Squat (20 reps)
* Siff Squat (20 reps)
* Diagonal Lunge (12 reps per leg)

Do each exercise one after the other. After one round you may choose to test yourself and do as many Pistols (1-leg squats) as you can. I hit a new record of 8 on each side, even on my bum right leg.

Then take 1-minute rest and repeat the circuit. Rest one minute after each round, and do up to 5 circuits.You’re looking at about 4 minutes per circuit…so your heart rate should be pumping high after 1 or 2 rounds, and your legs should be fatigued after only the 3rd round. 4-5 circuits are only for advanced bodyweight masters.

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TODAY’S WORKOUT
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- YF Cardio (30 minutes)
- TT Core B
- TT Bodyweight Interval Circuit (6 rounds)

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TODAY’S EATS
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1) 3 egg whites, 1 whole egg, 1/2 oz. raisins, 1/4 c. oats
2) Strawberry soy protein smoothie
3) 4 oz. chicken breast, 1 orange, 4 c. mixed salad greens, 2 T. salsa
4) 3/4 c. LF cottage cheese, 3/4 c. grapes
5) 4 oz. chicken breast, 1 c. mixed veggies, 1/2 oz. walnuts
6) 1 c. light soy milk, 1/2 scoop whey, 1/2 oz. walnuts

Supps: 1 multivitamin, 1 calcium 600+D, 6 fish oil caps, 1 serving l-glutamine

Wednesday, 11 Apr 2007

Homemade Protein Bar Recipes (A Compendium)

These recipes are all individually posted in my blog, but I figured some newer readers might have missed them the first time around.

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These are some recipes my sister and I (but mostly my sister!) came up with to make your own protein or MRP bars at home without preservatives or other iffy additives.

The stats on all of them are on target for a 40/40/20 or 40/30/30 macronutrient ratio. Unless otherwise noted, the recipes yield 10 bars each.

These are great as portable snacks, don’t contain preservatives, are no-bake, and are a great way to use up that “OMG, why did I buy this brand of icky stuff” protein powder that’s hiding away in your pantry.

- Maggie

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(Upside down) Strawberry Cheesecake Bar

Yield 10 bars

Bar:

· 8 packets splenda
· 1 cup nonfat dry milk
· 8 scoops vanilla myopro protein powder
· 8 oz 1/3 less fat cream cheese
· 3/4 cup (dried fruit mix of your choice: cranberries, cherries, strawberries etc. Just remember to chop ‘em if you use larger fruit pieces though!)
· 1/2 cup Fiber one or All-bran cereal
· 1 tsp vanilla extract
· 1/4 water (only as needed!)

Topping:

· 2 TBSP Sugar Free Strawberry preserves
· 2/3 cup Atkins almond crisp cereal, crushed up

Nutritional Stats:

236 cals, 6.7 g fat, 4.1 sat fat, 20.7 g carbs, 2.6 g fiber, 22.6 g protein

Directions:

Line 9×13 or 9×9 square baking dish or with wax paper (let the paper be over size on two opposite ends so that you can use them to pull out the bars after setting) or spray pan with cooking spray. Combine dry BAR ingredients in a large bowl and mix well. Add cream cheese and cut in thoroughly with pastry mixer, potato masher or two knives. The mixture should look like coarse meal. Add vanilla extract and small amount of water. Using a wooden spoon or rubber spatula, quickly mix until a tacky dough forms. Press into pan using a sheet of wax paper or a spatula sprayed with cooking spray. Spread 2 TBSP preserves evenly across surface of bars and sprinkle crushed Atkins cereal across the top and press down with the wax paper. Refrigerate overnight or freeze for 1 hour and cut into bars/squares. Wrap bars individually in plastic wrap. Keep frozen or refrigerated.
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Crispy Treat (2 layer bar)

Yields 10 bars

Nutritional information per bar: 200 cals, 5g fat (23%), 1.4 g fat, 20. g carb (37%), 1.8g fiber, 20.1g pro (40%)

Base Layer

· 4 scoops chocolate Myopro whey
· 1/2 oz (11 whole) almonds, chopped
· 1/4 cup Atkins Almond crisp cereal
· 1/2 cup dry nonfat milk powder
· 1 tsp cocoa powder
· 2 TBSP natural peanut butter
· 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
· 4 packets of splenda
· 1/4 cup water (less or more based on your protein powder)

Crispy Treat Layer

· 1 cups Atkins almond cereal, crushed up (or leave whole)
· 2 cups Keto Crisp Cereal (reg or cocoa flavor)
· 18 - 20 large (or 1/2 of 10 oz bag) marshmallows
· 1 TBSP butter/margarine

Line large (9 x 13 or at least a 9 x 9) baking dish of loaf pan with wax paper (let the paper be over size on two opposite ends so that you can use them to pull out the bars after setting).

BASE layer: Combine dry ingredients for BASE layer in a medium bowl and mix well. Add peanut butter and mix - the mixture will be crumbly and dry. Add water & vanilla extract. Using a wooden spoon or rubber spatula, mix everything until dough forms. The dough will be sticky. Spread dough into pan and press down using a sheet a wax paper and a spatula.

CRISPY layer: Combine cereals in bowl. Over stove in non-stick pan, melt butter over low heat. Add marshmallows and stir until melted and sticky. Remove from heat and quickly stir in cereals to coat. Press mixture into pan on top of base layer using wax paper (or spray your spatula with cooking spray) to prevent sticking. Microwave: melt butter in med bowl. Add marshmallows and stir until coated. Microwave for another 30 sec – 1 minute or until melted and stir halfway through so that it’s smooth. Quickly stir in cereal mixture and continue as above.

Refrigerate for overnight or freeze for 1 hour and cut into 10 bars. Wrap individually in plastic wrap or store in covered container between sheets of wax paper. Keep refrigerated.

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Stella bar – Protein Packed Choco/Vanilla Chip Crisp

Bar Ingredients:

· 4 tbsp natural peanut butter (chunky or smooth)
· 1/2 cup All- Bran with extra fiber, crushed up
· 1/4 cup oatmeal
· 3/4 cup TJ’s More and less cereal, crushed up (note: this cereal is 12 gs protein, 11 gs carbs per 2/3 cup so you’ll end up with an even BETTER protein – carb ratio w/ atkins since that has even more protein)
· 6 scoops Myopro whey protein
· 1.5 teaspoon almond extract or vanilla extract (and 1 tsp of cocoa if making chocolate version)
· 1 cup non-fat dry milk
· 1/2 cup water (depending on what type of protein you use, you may need to add more)
· 8 packets splenda

Topping: 1 TBSP Peanut butter, 3/4 cup of TJ’s More and Less cereal (crushed up) and 3 TBSP nestle’s mini morsels

Stats: 207 cals, 7 g fat (32%), 2g sat, 17.1g carbs (28%), 3.5g fiber, 20.5g prot (41%).

Line 9×13 baking dish of loaf pan with wax paper (let the paper be over size on two opposite ends so that you can use them to pull out the bars after setting). Combine dry BAR ingredients in a large bowl and mix well. Add peanut butter and mix - the mixture will be crumbly and dry. Add water & vanilla/almond extract. Using a wooden spoon or rubber spatula, mix everything until dough forms. The dough will be sticky. Spread dough into pan and press down using a sheet a wax paper and a spatula. Pull up paper and spread 1 TBSP of peanut butter (warmed for 10 secs in microwave) across surface. Sprinkle crushed Cereal and mini morsels across the top and press down firmly again with the wax paper. Refrigerate a few hours and cut into bars/squares. Wrap bars individually (use sandwich bags or plastic wrap) or store in covered container between sheets of wax paper. Keep refrigerated.

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Cran-Raisin Strawberry Bfast crunch bars (Re-post)

Ingredients:

· 6 tbsp natural peanut butter (chunky or smooth)
· 1.25 cup dry oats or whole grain hot cereal (uncooked)
· 5 scoops strawberry Myopro whey protein
· 1.5 teaspoon almond extract or vanilla extract
· 1 cup non-fat dry milk
· 1/2 cup water (depending on what type of protein you use, you may need to add more)
· 8 packets splenda
· 1/2 cup raisins
· 1/2 cup dried cranberries
· 1 oz (22 whole almonds) chopped or crushed

Topping: 2/3 cup of Kashi Go Lean crunch cereal (crushed up)

Nutritional info: 40% carbs, 30% protein, 30% fat

For (10 bar batch) 256 cals, 8.4g fat, 1.8g sf, 28.3g carbs, 18.6g pro, 3.2g fiber

For (9 bar batch) 284 cals, 9.33g fat, 2g sf, 31.45 carbs, 20.66g pro, 3.55g fiber

Directions:

Line 8×8 baking dish of loaf pan with wax paper (let the paper be over size on two opposite ends so that you can use them to pull out the bars after setting). Combine dry ingredients EXCEPT Kashi Go Lean in a large bowl and mix well. Add peanut butter and mix - the mixture will be crumbly and dry. Add water & vanilla/almond extract. Using a wooden spoon or rubber spatula, mix everything until dough forms. The dough will be sticky. Spread dough into pan and press down using a sheet a wax paper and a spatula. Pull up paper and sprinkle crushed Kashi across the top and press down firmly again with the wax paper. Refrigerate a few hours (or freeze for an hour) and cut into bars/squares. Wrap bars individually (use sandwich bags or plastic wrap) or store in covered container between sheets of wax paper. Keep refrigerated.

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Peanut Butter and Jelly Bar (Makes 10 bars)

(Even more) Portable versions of your favorite sandwich!
220 cals, 6.1 g fat (26%), 20.6 g carbs (34%) 2.1 g fiber, 21.2 g protein (41%)

PB Layer:

· 3 1/2 scoops Myopro vanilla
· 1/2 cup dry non-fat milk powder
· 1 TBSP butter buds
· 1/4 cup chopped peanuts
· 1 packet splenda
· 1/4 cup dry oats
· 3 tbsp natural peanut butter (chunky or smooth)
· Water as needed

Jelly Layer:

· 1/3 cup dried fruit (berry mix, craisins, apricots, etc. chop if large pieces)
· 3 1/2 scoops myopro strawberry
· 3 packets splenda
· 1/2 cup dry non-fat milk
· 1/4 cup crushed Kashi Cereal
· 3 TBSP reduced sugar preserves, flavor of your choice
· Water as needed

Topping:
· 1/2 cup oatmeal
· 1/2 cup Kashi Cereal crushed as desired

Line 11 x 7 baking dish of loaf pan with wax paper (let the paper be over size on two opposite ends so that you can use them to pull out the bars).

PB layer: Combine dry PB layer ingredients in a large bowl and mix well. Add peanut butter and mix - the mixture will be crumbly and dry. Add water as needed and using a wooden spoon or rubber spatula, mix everything until dough forms. The dough will be sticky. Spread dough into pan and press down using a sheet a wax paper and a spatula. Take half of topping mixture and press into top evenly. Using wax paper, lift out the bar layer and invert back into the pan, topping layer down.

Jelly layer: Combine dry Jelly layer ingredients in a large bowl and mix well. Add preserves and mix - the mixture will be crumbly and dry. Add water as needed and using a wooden spoon or rubber spatula, mix everything until dough forms. The dough will be sticky. Spread dough into pan, on top of PB layer and press down using a sheet a wax paper and a spatula. Take remaining half of topping mixture and press into top evenly.

Refrigerate a few hours (or freeze for 1 hour) and cut into bars/squares. Wrap bars individually (use sandwich bags or plastic wrap) or store in covered container between sheets of wax paper. Keep refrigerated.

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Kashi Crispy Treat (2 layer bar)

Yields 10 bars
Nutritional information per bar: 202 cals, 4.9 g fat (21%), 1.6 g sat fat, 21.5 g carb (35%), 3.4 g fiber, 22.5 g pro (43%)

Base Layer
· 7 scoops chocolate Myopro whey
· 1/2 cup Keto Crispy Flakes (or any flavor of Atkins Cereal)
· 1/2 cup dry nonfat milk powder
· 1 tsp cocoa powder
· 3 TBSP natural peanut butter
· 1 tsp vanilla extract
· 4 packets of splenda
· 1/3 – 1/2 cup water (less or more based on your protein powder)

Crispy Treat Layer
· 3 cups Kashi Go Lean cereal
· 9 large marshmallows
· 1/2 TBSP butter/margarine

Line large (7x 11 or 9 x 9) baking dish of loaf pan with wax paper (let the paper be over size on two opposite ends so that you can use them to pull out the bars after setting).

BASE layer: Combine dry ingredients for BASE layer in a medium bowl and mix well. Add peanut butter and mix - the mixture will be crumbly and dry. Add water & vanilla extract. Using a wooden spoon or rubber spatula, mix everything until dough forms. The dough will be sticky. Spread dough into pan and press down using a sheet a wax paper and a spatula.

CRISPY layer: Stove: Over stove in non-stick pan, melt butter over low heat. Add marshmallows and stir until melted and sticky. Remove from heat and quickly stir in cereals to coat. Microwave: Melt butter in large bowl for 15 - 30 seconds. Add marshmallows and stir to coat. Microwave for an additional 30 sec - 1 minute until melted. Stir and quickly stir in cereal to coate.

Press mixture into pan on top of base layer using wax paper (or spray your spatula with cooking spray) to prevent sticking.

Refrigerate for overnight or freeze for 1 hour and cut into 10 bars. Wrap individually in plastic wrap or store in covered container between sheets of wax paper. Keep refrigerated.

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Kellogg’s Rice Crispy Treat Protein Bars

Yields 10 bars

Nutritional information per bar: 205 cals, 4.5 g fat, 1.6 g fat, 21.8 g carb, 2.6 g fiber, 21.4 g pro

Base Layer
· 8 scoops chocolate Myopro whey
· 1/2 cup Fiber One cereal
· 1/2 cup dry nonfat milk powder
· 1 tsp cocoa powder
· 2 TBSP natural peanut butter
· 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
· 5 packets of splenda
· 1/3 – 1/2 cup water (less or more based on your protein powder)

Crispy Treat Layer
· 1 cup Atkins almond cereal, crushed up (or leave whole)
· 1 1/4 cup Rice Krispies Cereal
· 14-15 large marshmallows
· 3/4 TBSP butter/margarine

Line large (9 x 13 or at least a 9 x 9) baking dish of loaf pan with wax paper (let the paper be over size on two opposite ends so that you can use them to pull out the bars after setting).

BASE layer: Combine dry ingredients for BASE layer in a medium bowl and mix well. Add peanut butter and mix - the mixture will be crumbly and dry. Add water & vanilla extract. Using a wooden spoon or rubber spatula, mix everything until dough forms. The dough will be sticky. Spread dough into pan and press down using a sheet a wax paper and a spatula.

CRISPY layer: Combine cereals in bowl. Over stove in non-stick pan, melt butter over low heat. Add marshmallows and stir until melted and sticky. Remove from heat and quickly stir in cereals to coat. Press mixture into pan on top of base layer using wax paper (or spray your spatula with cooking spray) to prevent sticking.

Refrigerate for overnight or freeze for 1 hour and cut into 10 bars. Wrap individually in plastic wrap or store in covered container between sheets of wax paper. Keep refrigerated.

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Cran-Raisin Coconut Banana Breakfast Crunch bars

Ingredients:

· 6 tbsp natural peanut butter (chunky or smooth)
· 1.25 cup dry oats or whole grain hot cereal (uncooked)
· 5 scoops banana cream Myopro whey protein
· 1.5 teaspoon almond extract or vanilla extract
· 1/4 teaspoon coconut extract
· 1 cup non-fat dry milk
· 1/2 cup water (depending on what type of protein you use, you may need to add more)
· 8 packets splenda
· 1/2 cup raisins
· 1/2 cup dried cranberries
· 1 oz (22 whole almonds) chopped or crushed

Topping: 2/3 cup of Kashi Go Lean crunch cereal (crushed up)

Nutritional info: 40% carbs, 30% protein, 30% fat

For (10 bar batch) 256 cals, 8.4g fat, 1.8g sf, 28.3g carbs, 18.6g pro, 3.2g fiber

For (9 bar batch) 284 cals, 9.33g fat, 2g sf, 31.45 carbs, 20.66g pro, 3.55g fiber

Directions:

Line 8×8 baking dish of loaf pan with wax paper (let the paper be over size on two opposite ends so that you can use them to pull out the bars after setting). Combine dry ingredients EXCEPT Kashi Go Lean in a large bowl and mix well. Add peanut butter and mix - the mixture will be crumbly and dry. Add water & vanilla/almond/coconut extract. Using a wooden spoon or rubber spatula, mix everything until dough forms. The dough will be sticky. Spread dough into pan and press down using a sheet a wax paper and a spatula. Pull up paper and sprinkle crushed Kashi across the top and press down firmly again with the wax paper. Refrigerate a few hours (or freeze for an hour) and cut into bars/squares. Wrap bars individually (use sandwich bags or plastic wrap) or store in covered container between sheets of wax paper. Keep refrigerated.