Week 2 + Chocolate Soynut Butter!

Hey my Gorgeous Sugardoodles!

Thanks for all of your comments on my Homemade Soy-Nut Butter. I’ve also been having some fun with quinoa. Expect some deliciousness next week too.

Week 2 of the ThisFitChick Workout Plan! The first week I just focused on getting into the groove with the weight lifting moves, and after the first week I felt like I could step it up. By the way I felt after the exercises my first week I know I could give it more. So this week I started upping my weights. (For example, from 8-lbs each arm to 12.5-lbs each arm.) It’s also the beginning of the third week and I’m upped the weights again! The definition in my arms really shows it. I feel my legs getting stronger. I really like this program. It’s really nice having a written down workout plan and having a place where I can write down how many reps I do with what weight so I can have a goal next time – which helps me better reach my potential and find how strong I really am. By doing just the lighter weights and not pushing myself super hard, I couldn’t find out what I was made of. But upping the weights really makes a difference! And not, using heavy weights does NOT make you bulk up. Yes, it can increase muscle mass, but they are lean muscles!

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Last week I came up with a regular version of homemade soy-nut butter.

But this week — I’m here to share with you a chocolate version.

My Chocolate Soynut Butter!

Soak your soynuts in water for 7-10 minutes (just to let the nuts soften a little).

Add the soaked, dry-roasted soynuts into a food processor or blender (you don’t need anything powerful – just something to break the nuts down).

Pulse until the nuts are broken up.

Add the water …

… the coconut oil, cocoa powder, stevia (or alternative sweetener), a little agave or stevia, 1/3 cup water, and optional salt (if nuts are un-salted).

Process the mixture until it starts binding and smoothing out. Once it’s all smooth, transfer nut butter into a glass jar with a lid and store in the fridge. (Or just go grab a spoon.) Makes about 1 cup.

Chocolate Soy-Nut Butter

High-Protein, High-Fiber, Gluten-Free, Nut Butter

Ingredients

• 1 cup dry-roasted soy nuts (dry-roasted edamame works too), soaked
  
• 1/3 cup water
  
• 2-3 tbsp coconut oil (depending on taste)
  
• 1 tbsp cocoa powder
  
• Stevia, agave, or honey — to taste
  
• Optional: salt to taste (depending on if your soy-nuts are salted or not)
  

Directions

Soak your soynuts in water for 7-10 minutes (just to let the nuts soften a little). Add the soaked, dry-roasted soynuts into a food processor or blender (you don’t need anything powerful – just something to break the nuts down). Pulse until the nuts are broken up.

Add the coconut oil, cocoa powder, stevia (or alternative sweetener), a little agave or stevia, 1/3 cup water, and optional salt (if nuts are un-salted). Process the mixture until it starts binding and smoothing out. Once it’s all smooth, transfer nut butter into a glass jar with a lid and store in the fridge. (Or just go grab a spoon.) Makes about 1 cup.

Print This!

Note: Each tablespoon is 50 calories, 3.6 grams protein, 2 grams fiber, and only 2.5 grams fat.

(Aka, you can eat 1/4 cup of this for the same calories as 2 tbsp regular nut butter, but with over double the protein and fiber and half the fat.)

Regular and Chocolate versions – nom nom nom.

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Do you like to do lighter weights with more reps, or heavier weights with fewer reps?

I used to do a lot of my workouts with lighter weights and more reps, but then I realized after upping my weights (and doing fewer reps as a result) that I am capable of even more than I thought I could.

Chocolate or Vanilla?

CHOCOLATE FOR ME!!!

With lots of hugs,

What Kat Ate + ThisFitChick’s Workout Program

Hey My Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Spice Swirls!

I’m so glad that you enjoyed my grain-free cookies. I know my family and I have been enjoying them, and I love how there are so many whole ingredients in them! (I’ve also come up with Chocolate Soy-Nut Butter, so I’ll be sharing that deliciousness soon, too!)

I thought it was time to do another What Kat Ate #18– “Fall”ing into Healthful Habits Style.

Thank you so much for holding this party every week, Jenn! It is always so much fun!

BREAKFAST:

My Vegan Pumpkin Spice Milkshake, topped with Dark Chocolate Chips and chopped Pecans (both of which I added more after stirring them in – they are just so delicious that way).

LUNCH:

I had been craving some spinach for lunch, so I made myself a 10oz package of it (I get it frozen and cook it for convenience), steamed a fillet of tilapia (topped with no-salt seasoning and a little season salt), and had both along with a side of chickpeas which I like eating rinsed straight from the can. (I really need to try roasted chickpeas though – I’ve heard they’re SO good!)

SNACK:

I had a Chocolate Raspberry Fiber Luna Bar for my snack. I always love snacks (and breakfasts!) that involve chocolate. This was a little sweet for my taste, but still good.

DINNER:

I tried Two Peas in a Pod’s Vegetarian Quinoa Chili for dinner. (Thank you Pinterest!) It is SO good! I loved it so much (my family enjoyed it too, which I was SUPER excited about!). I especially love how easy it was to throw together. The recipe originally calls for it to be made in the stove, but it worked beautifully in the crock-pot. (I started it around lunch and cooked it on high until dinner time.)

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Carrie from This Fit Chick contacted me and asked me if I would like to try out one of her workout packages. (I had seen her mention them on her blog a few days previously, and I thought it would be a lot of fun!)

Each of her workout packages are only $20 – $30 at most for each, which is much more affordable than many other workout programs I have seen — and you get so much information and support from it! She has 3 workout programs right now:

• Strength and Hypertrophy Workout Program (If you are looking to increase muscle mass, gain strength and achieve a strong and muscular physique.)
  
• Slim and Sculpt Workout Package (If you are looking to turn your body into a fat burning machine and achieve a lean and sculpted look.)
  
• Customized Training Programs (If you are looking to achieve specific fitness goals and want a more individualized program.)
  

And each workout program consists of:

• A Periodized 12 Week Training Program
  
• A supplemental workout log to go along with your program
  
• A nutrition tips and guidelines sheet
  
• 12 Weeks of online consultation from me to answer any questions you have during your program.
  

She sent me the Slim and Sculpt Workout Package to try out. I’ll keep you updated with how this goes for me. (I just did my first workout this morning.) I love being able to have a workout plan set in front of me – not only does it help keep my workouts fun, but it also makes working out easier as I focus on my college classes.

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What is one healthful habit you are working on this fall?

I’m striving to get enough sleep at night. When I don’t, I can’t focus and it just inflicts extra stress on my body it doesn’t need. I also get more done throughout the day.

Favorite food pictured?

I’m really liking the quinoa chili. I will HAVE to make some more of that soon.

Do you prefer cardio or weights? Which do you enjoy more?

I really like weights. I just feel so powerful after doing them.

With lots of hugs,

Grain-Free Almond Butter Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough

Hey My Cute Cookie Dough Bites!

Thanks for all of your support throughout the past weeks. I’m really getting into the swing of things for my classes, enjoying life, and making the best of things. I haven’t had much time to journal (which is one of those things I really enjoy doing and feel is important for me), but I will sit down when I get the impression and just write down my thoughts, talk about what’s been going on, and write down my goals and dreams. One of those goals was to read the entire Bible this year. I’ve completed the New Testament, and I’m in Job now in the Old Testament (soon to be in Psalms), so I’m really glad I’ve been able to keep up and get it done. I always feel amazing after I read my scriptures. One dream I have is to get letters behind my name. Haha, I know – that sounds so silly, but I really want to go into Health and study it and learn about it in more detail – dive into it and learn as much as I can. I NEVER get tired of it, and I want to use that knowledge I obtain to help and serve others. That’s why I want to go into Health Science (with a Public Health emphasis) and minor in Nutrition and Professional Training – so I’ll be able to help others and inspire them to become their best selves. That’s my focus right now, so I’m getting really excited, since I’ve recently started some of my courses and have been LOVING it. Life is busy, but it is good. Life is good.

I know I’ve been talking about these for a while, but they’re finally here:

My Grain-Free Cookies!

Drain and rinse a can of chickpeas (or other white bean), and pour the beans into a food processor or powerful blender.

Add the almond butter, honey, and vanilla extract.

Process the ingredients to break down the beans and incorporate together the nut butter, honey, and beans. (You can also just process the chickpeas, and the mix it with the other ingredients by hand.)

Add the cinnamon and baking powder, and either process or stir them in.

It will form a grain-free cookie dough.

Spoon the dough into a bowl with a rubber spatula (metal ones will scratch the insides of the machine as it scrapes).

Add the chocolate chips and stir them in. (Mini chocolate chips are also very cute!)

Grab a spoon and dig in!

Grain Free Almond Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies

Ingredients

• 1-15oz can (1 ¾ cup) chickpeas, drained and rinsed
  
• 2/3 cup almond butter
  
• 1/3 cup honey
  
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
  
• 1 tsp baking powder
  
• Dash of cinnamon
  
• Pinch of salt
  
• 1 cup chocolate chips (dark or semi-sweet)
  

Directions

Drain and rinse a can of chickpeas (or other white bean), and pour the beans into a food processor or powerful blender. Add the almond butter, honey, and vanilla extract. Process the ingredients to break down the beans and incorporate together the nut butter, honey, and beans. (You can also just process the chickpeas, and the mix it with the other ingredients by hand.) Add the cinnamon and baking powder, and either process or stir them in. It will form a grain-free cookie dough.

Spoon the dough into a bowl with a rubber spatula (metal ones will scratch the insides of the machine as it scrapes). Add the chocolate chips and stir them in. (Mini chocolate chips are also very cute!)

Grab a spoon and dig in!

Print This!

If you want to make them into cookies, scoop them by the teaspoon (or use a small cookie scoop) onto a baking sheet lined with either wax or parchment paper. Bake at 350*F (175*C) for 8-10 minutes, until they are golden brown around the edges.

I prefer it as cookie dough, but my family prefers them as cookies. So I make both ways.

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What is your favorite cookie add-in?

I love chocolate chips, apples, flaxseeds, and nuts.

Do you have any food intollerances? Food allergies? Things you feel better if you stay away from?

I know by avoiding milk in any form helps my body feel better. It reacts to the smallest amount of it so I have to be careful with what I eat. It’s not fun, but it’s worth it.

With lots of hugs,