Almond Joy Protein Smoothie

Happy Halloween Week!! 

I love Halloween! It is such a fun excuse to have a themed party and eat candy! My favorite candy growing up was always Almond Joys. I would trade anything in my bag for a few Almond Joys. 

The sad and unfortunate truth about Almond Joy is that one Fun Size Almond Joy has 80 calories and 4.5g of fat. Well, I have absolutely no self control when it comes to Almond Joy and I don't know about you but I would definitely eat more than just one. 

This morning I decided to treat myself to an Almond Joy Protein Smoothie. Chocolate candy for breakfast! Except that this chocolate candy has 17g of protein and kept me going without a sugar crash.

Ingredients:

1/2 cup unsweetened Almond Milk

1/2 Medium Banana

1/2 Scoop Whey Protein Chocolate 

1 Tbsp Coconut

1/2 Tbsp Ground Flax Seeds 

1 Tbsp Chocolate PB2 

1/2 tsp Almond Extract

1 Heaping Handful of Ice

Optional Add-ins: Coconut oil, Chia seeds, and/or Spinach.

Like with all smoothie recipes just dump everything into the blender. Then blend until really smooth.

Top it off with a couple almonds and an extra tsp of shredded coconut. It tastes EXACTLY like an Almond Joy and it was the perfect treat for a healthy Halloween treat.

What's your favorite Halloween candy? Do you think it would make a good smoothie?

Nutrition Facts

Serving Size (recipe makes one serving)

Amount Per Serving

Calories 221 Calories from Fat 59

% Daily Value*

Total Fat 6.6g 10%

Saturated Fat 3.2g 16%

Trans Fat 0.0g

Cholesterol 35mg 12%

Sodium 226mg 9%

Total Carbohydrates 23.8g 8%

Dietary Fiber 4.0g 16%

Sugars 13.5g

Protein 17.4g

Vitamin A 6% • Vitamin C 9% Calcium 31% • Iron 6%

Nutrition Grade C

* Based on a 2000 calorie diet

Chocolate Coconut Oil Candies

As you all know from my Whipped Coconut Oil post a few weeks back, I love Coconut Oil. I'm convinced it is the greatest thing to happen to my life. Okay, so maybe I'm overreacting but it is really awesome.

I am aware that I am really late posting this. But it doesn't have to be Valentine's Day to enjoy amazing chocolate, does it? When I say amazing I really mean it. I think it actually tastes like Almond Joy fudge. So good. And quick. So whenever I'm having a killer chocolate craving this will be my new go-to. The only issue I have with it is that it's pretty high in calories. I mean about 100 calories a piece. I'm working on finding a way to make it just as delicious and about half the calories. When that happens I'll let you know.

You will need:

1 Cup Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips

2 Tbsp Coconut Oil (I've started using Trader Joe's Coconut Oil because it has a subtle coconut flavor)

2 Tbsp PB2 or regular peanut butter

You'll also need a silicon candy or ice cube mold.

throw both the chocolate chips and the coconut oil in a bowl.

microwave for 30 seconds intervals, stirring until smooth.

once it's smooth add the PB2 and stir until well incorporated. 

Spoon the mixture into the silicon mold and place the mold in the freezer for about 15 minutes until they are fully hardened. 

Once they are ready to go you can pop them out and enjoy. 

To keep them from melting I kept them in the fridge. 

Nutrition Facts Per Candy:

Calculated on CalorieCounter.com

Nutrition Facts

Serving Size 19 g

Amount Per Serving

Calories 100 Calories from Fat 60

% Daily Value*

Total Fat 6.6g 10%

Saturated Fat 5.1g 26%

Trans Fat 0.0g

Cholesterol 0mg 0%

Sodium 7mg 0%

Total Carbohydrates 10.6g 4%

Sugars 9.3g

Protein 1.5g

Vitamin A 0% • Vitamin C 0% Calcium 0% • Iron 2%

Nutrition Grade D-

* Based on a 2000 calorie diet