Tuesday, June 25, 2019

banana chocolate protein toast

Ya'll.  I have been obsessing over this toast for almost a month now.
I had great intentions to tell you about it two weeks ago, but here we are, somehow at the end of June (WHAT?!) and I'm just now getting to it.
Please forgive me, because once you try it you'll certainly be upset with me for waiting so long to share.

I've been doing this challenge at my barre studio - what up Pure Barre Cumming! - and part of it has been about nutrition.
I am always on the hunt for new and exciting ways to eat healthy food.
Personally, I love the taste of healthy food.
But I'm also the type of person that needs variety, so I get in food ruts quickly and often.
Thankfully, it's like my studio can read my mind sometimes, so for the month of June I've been participating in a challenge that isn't just about hitting a certain class count, but also about the nutrition piece of wellness!
The coach of my challenge team has been sharing recipes and ideas with us weekly, and I'll tell you - it's been worth it for this one recipe in particular.

Actually, her recipe for this is a bit different...I've just kind of built on what I prefer, but the idea of mixing protein powder in peanut butter is completely new to me and promptly changed my life once I realized how delicious it can be.
(Thanks for that, Terah!)

So let's discuss.

First off - I did this with Ezekial 4:9 bread and Dave's Killer Bread, the 21 whole grains one.  Use whatever you like!  I prefer Dave's Killer Bread, and my Costco carries it.

Second - I feel like people have a strong preference about protein powder.  I don't see any reason why you couldn't do this with whatever brand is your favorite.  I love Vega brand protein powder, and this chocolate one is bringing me life lately.


Lastly - peanut butters.  Listen, I know some are better for you than others, and there's a whole debate on chunky vs. creamy.  For the purposes of this toast, go for creamy.
In our house, I have an all-natural crunchy peanut butter and the good ol' classic, creamy JIF (#becausekids).  The natural one is a bit better for you calorie-wise, but it's also harder to mix into the protein and not as easily spread because it's refrigerated.
So, to make my own life easier, I used creamy JIF for this and I have zero regrets.
Worth every calorie.
And let's be honest, when you're working out 4-5x per week and eating generally clean, are a couple of tablespoons of JIF really going to kill you?
Just do it and let your inner child be free.


Ingredients:

  • 2 slices of Dave's Killer Bread, toasted
  • 2-3 tbsp creamy peanut butter
  • 1/2 scoop chocolate protein powder
  • 1 medium banana, sliced

Directions:

  1. Place your bread of choice in the toaster.
  2. While bread is toasting, add protein powder and peanut butter to a small bowl and carefully mix.  I find it easiest to use the back of a spoon and sort of mash the peanut butter over and over until it starts absorbing the powder.  It takes a minute for it all to come together, but trust me, it will and it will be amazing.
  3. Spread mixture over each slice of toast, and top with sliced banana.
  4. Enjoy!

I keep telling everyone at work that this toast tastes like Reese's.  The chocolate protein/peanut butter mixture is just so smart, and I don't know the exact number, but think of how much protein you're getting with this!
Dave's Killer Bread has protein, peanut butter has protein, and the powder itself has protein.
I've been eating this on the way to work everyday, and it keeps me full until lunchtime.  
THAT is a miracle in itself, my friends.

Also, if you aren't a banana-lover (hi Kayla 👋), I've used sliced strawberries before as well.
I imagine it would also be really good with fresh raspberries!

Thank you for letting me share a recipe for toast with you.
I mean, it's a little more involved than the recipe for scrambled eggs I shared, so I guess I'm upping my game a tiny bit.
😄