Protein Artist

Author: proteinartist

  • Salmon with Jewish Chrein dressing

    Salmon with Jewish Chrein dressing

    Happiness is a freshly baked slice of salmon fish drowning in “chrayonnaise” – an evovled Jewish fusion food: beets, horseradish, and mayonnaise! Going, going, gone!

    What is chrein? The versatile beet condiment that is best when topping gefilte fish. The horseradish masks the fishy taste. Mixed with equal parts of mayonnaise, you have this gloriously colored dish that will help your fish go down.

    Making your own is super easy, and it freezes well for a year. Just peel and cook beets, and add raw horseradish to taste (maybe 2 Tbs to 3 lbs beets). Add vinegar or lemon juice, and honey to taste. Add some beet juice from the pot you cooked it in to make it a bit easier to chop in the food processor.  That makes the ‘chrain’ traditional beets dressing for gefilte fish. Next, It freezes nicely. I defrost a small container at a time, and mix with mayonnaise as needed. It lasts for about 2 weeks in the fridge.

  • Protein Squash Breakfast Muffin Bread Egg Sandwich

    Protein Squash Breakfast Muffin Bread Egg Sandwich

    If you have 2 minutes to put the ingredients together, this breakfast muffin will not disappoint! Scramble an egg and chop prepare a salad while the muffin is baking.

    Ingredients:

    • 2 tablespoons pumpkin puree, or mashed cooked vegetable such as butternut squash, etc.  (may be replaced with oil if desired)
    • 2 tablespoons coconut flour
    • 1 egg beaten
    • 1 tablespoon coconut milk carton or can, or milk, or milk substitute
    • 1/4 teaspoon baking powderDirections:
      Spray a a coffee cup or soup mug  with non-stick oil spray and mix all ingredients inside the mug with a fork. Make sure all the vegetable pieces are well mashed. It’s okay if your vegetable was cooked with spices for a previous dish—it will make your muffin more tasty. Microwave on HIGH about one and half minute or until toothpick placed in center comes out clean.  Turn mug upside down and muffin will pop onto plate. Serve with your favorite breakfast sandwich fillers.
  • 10 minute marinated-pickled beef flank steak in instant pot

    10 minute marinated-pickled beef flank steak in instant pot

    10 minute marinated-pickled beef flank steak in the instant pot, with video recipe  below. Now, go buy some steak! This mouthwatering medium-rare meat will taste like pickled deli that has been marinating in brine. Realistically, a few simple paleo/gluten-free, and SCD legal ingredients were used:

    1/2 onion, 1 lb premium angus flank steak, apple cider vinegar, salt, pepper, honey, 3 bay leaves.

    1. Five minutes of onion sauteed, plus ten minutes cooking time.
    2. I do not apologize for chewing in your ears!

    Nutrition Facts for Angus Beef Flank:

    Angus beef flank steak 4 oz 24 protein 0 Carbs 10 fat 200 calories

    After cooking it, I was able to divide this one pound steak into three portions. I ate 1/3 fresh, and I cut the leftovers into thin strips. I will eat the strips tomorrow as cold deli, and try some inside a lettuce wrap.

  • Eucalyptus Oil on Zits and Post-WLS Acne

    Eucalyptus Oil on Zits and Post-WLS Acne

    eucalyptusoilAfter weight loss surgery, my hormones began to fly up and down without warning. Suddenly, I began to look like a teenager again, both in size, and with the pimples on my face! I tried face washes and zinc vitamins. ultimately, I wanted something that would dry up the zits before they got to the point where I would want to pop them.

    I read online about the virtues of eucalyptus oil, and it also happens to be my absolute favorite scent. I purchased a small $3 bottle, and was really surprised. The warning says that the oil is toxic and should not be swallowed. I carefully dabbed a tiny drop of oil on a soon-to-be zit spot on my chin. I applied it two more times that day. By the next morning, the inflamation vanished. This zit will never be born!

    Hey, it’s only a $3 bottle, and it’s worth a shot, right?

  • Pineapple Meatballs with Protein Powder, 17 grams protein, 340 calories

    Pineapple Meatballs with Protein Powder, 17 grams protein, 340 calories

    IMG_3660This sweet meatball recipe with protein powder to hold the meat together instead of flour or breadcrumbs. For this recipe, I use lunch buddies cups because they are easier to find with no sugar added than the ordinary canned varieties.  I also use ground beef chuck rather than lean beef, so that I have all the fats that I need from this meal. Ground beef chuck comes from the shoulder and neck area of the cow and is usually very fatty but also has an immense amount of flavoring.  With this yummy sticky sweet sauce, you will be licking your fingers every time you sit down to this dish. Freezes very well. Perfect for lunch at the office.
    Ingredients

    • 1 lb ground beef chuck (76g,1120c
    • 1 scoop unjury protein powder chicken soup flavor, or plain unflavored (21g, 100c)
    • 2 tablespoons olive oil (120c)
    • 2 tablespoons hot water
    • 1 packet onion soup mix, about 16 tablespoons (320c)
    • ¼  cup  tomato juice (.25g, 12c)

    Sauce:

    • 1 cup tomato juice (1g, 50c)
    • 2 tablespoons cornstarch (60c)
    • ¼ Cup Granulated Splenda
    • ¼ cup white vinegar
    • 2 tablespoons soy sauce (2g,22c)
    • 1 lb pineapple tidbits, no sugar added (4 lunch buddies cups) (4g,240c)
    • Pineapple juice reserved from pineapple tidbits

    Directions:

    Preheat oven to 350.  Open the pineapple cups or can, and pour off the juice into a small saucepan.  Pour the pineapple tidbits into an oblong oven pan.

    Mix ground meatballs ingredients in a medium-sized bowl.
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    Form into tiny teaspoon-sized meatballs. Drop onto large frying pan and Cook for 4-5 minutes on each side on medium heat.
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    Place cooked meatballs into the pan with the pineapple tidbits.
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    In the saucepan, add remainder of ingredients and simmer on low heat, stirring occasionally, until thickened and bubbling, about 8 minutes.
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    When sauce is done, pour  over meatballs and pineapple tidbits.

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    Lightly mix meatballs until they are coated with the sauce. Cover pan with aluminum foil and bake in the oven for 15 minutes. Remove aluminum foil and bake for an additional 15 minutes.
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    Divide into 6 portions by separating 5-6 meatballs into each container first. Then, add the pineapples and sauce to make sure you will get your protein in first.

    Yields: 6 portions, 4 ounces each, at 17 grams protein, 340 calories.

  • Steelcut Oats Chocolate Chip Cookies, 3 grams protein, 108 calories each

    Steelcut Oats Chocolate Chip Cookies, 3 grams protein, 108 calories each

    IMG_3583You really want to grab a cookie and run to do your errands. Well, then why not? This one has protein and all the flavor you need, plus the chocolate you might crave. The oats offer a gluten-free alternative to flour and still add protein.  With the bananas, you don’t need to use eggs, making this a vegan staple. Finally, in this recipe, I used cashew butter which has the mildest nut taste, for those who are not wild about peanut butter but still want to calories and protein. Consider portion control and try to nibble only on one cookie per day, as they are very filling.  Are you bold and daring, and have added some ingredients? Cocounts? Dried fruits? Comment below and share your recipe! The spices are important, or it will taste like a ball of porridge.

    Ingredients

    • 2 ripe bananas, mashed
    • 1 ½ cups steelcut cup oats
    • ⅓ cup cashew butter, about 5 ½ tablespoons or 4 heaping tablespoons
    • ½ cup unsweetened chocolate chips, miniature chips preferred
    • ¼ teaspoon nutmeg
    • ½ teaspoon allspice

    Directions:

    Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Since I used ripe bananas that were frozen, I ran them under hot water and peeled them. Then, I added the bananas to the food processor, and mixed it with the nut butter.  I used this mashed mixture to fold in the red of the ingredients.  If using ripe bananas, simply peel and mash well and mix all ingredients in a bowl by hand.
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    Drop a heaping tablespoon of the mixture onto a parchment-lined baking sheet.
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    Bake on 350 for 15 minutes or until bottoms are golden.   Note– the shape will not change, so make sure you form them into appetizing-looking blobs.

    Yields: 20 cookies, 3 grams protein, 108 calories per cookie

  • Green Eggs and Ham, 15 grams protein, 283 calories

    Green Eggs and Ham, 15 grams protein, 283 calories

    greeneggsandhamYes, I do like them! However, I paired my deviled green eggs with turkey bacon in this photo. Three deviled eggs with three slices of bacon should fill you up and be a really delicious meal. The eggs are really easy to make.  If your cooking skills are exceptional and you are capable of burning water, then try this tip.  Place the eggs into a small saucepan and fill with water only until the eggs are covered.   Boil on high for about two minutes until the water bubbles. Lower to medium, and set a timer to 13 minutes.  When done, pour the water out into the sink, while the cold water is running to wash over the eggs. Keep the cold water running and leave the pot in the sink while you peel the eggs under the running water.

    Ingredients:

    • 6 hard boiled eggs
    • 1 ripe avocado
    • 4 tablespoons tartar sauce
    • 2 tablespoons lemon juice
    • ½ tablespoon salt
    • ½ teaspoon black pepper

    Directions:

    Slice the eggs in half, lengthwise.  Gently remove the yolks and place all except for two
    , in a small bowl.  Add in avocado and rest of ingredients. Mash with a fork or chop with a knife. Place large spoonfuls of mashed mixture into the egg white halves.  Refrigerate leftovers.

    Yields: 12 deviled eggs (3.2 grams protein, 69.5 calories each half).  Serving suggestion, 3 deviled eggs (9.6 grams protein, 208 calories) served with 3 slices turkey bacon (12 grams protein, 75 calories) brings your portion total to 15 grams protein, 283 calories.

  • Omega + C Orange Salmon Endives, 19.5 grams protein, 290 calories

    Omega + C Orange Salmon Endives, 19.5 grams protein, 290 calories

    IMG_3423The perfect winter lunch to pack in the nutrients and prevent the sniffles.  Endive is enriched with Vitamin A and ß-carotene, which have antioxidant properties. Carotenes convert to vitamin A inside the human body.  The orange delivers your vitamin C right in between the smoked salmon, which is high in omega fatty acids. All ingredients combined are sweet and moist, perfect for chewing.

    Belgian endives has creamy white, compact leaves.
    Belgian endives has creamy white, compact leaves.

    Ingredients:

    • 2 ounces skinless boneless smoked salmon
    • 4 Tablespoons Cream Cheese, with chives if possible
    • ½ naval orange
    • 4 endives slices

    Directions:

    Peel and slice orange into small bits.  Reserve half in airtight container and refrigerate. Cut or tear salmon into small pieces. Peel off four endive slices from the bunch. Spread each slice with one tablespoon cream cheese.
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    Evenly divide the orange slices onto the cream cheese. Pack the salmon tightly in between the orange slices.  This is a perfect lunch to prepare the day before and take to work.   It is worth investing in a quality orange, so that it is sweet and juicy.  My favorite brand of smoked fish is available at Costco or Sam’s Club, “Paramount Reserve”

  • Underarm odor from ketosis and rapid weight loss

    Underarm odor from ketosis and rapid weight loss

    sb10066176-005After gastric bypass surgery, the high protein diet causes a chemical imbalance in the body. As your body tries to adjust, it enters the state of ketosis. This is not dangerous, but a sign that you are burning fat. Ketosis is a normal metabolic process, something your body does to keep working. When it doesn’t have enough carbohydrates from food for your cells to burn for energy, it burns fat instead. As part of this process, it makes ketones.

    With ketosis comes a few minor annoyances like bad breath and awful underarm odor.

    I have been using vinegar under my arms since the surgery. I filled a tiny hotel shampoo bottle with vinegar and kept it in my purse. If the smell got worse during the day, I applied some more with a tissue.  I even used the same tissue for a quick dab on my privates to boost-charge the pH-balance. After a while, it no longer worked.

    I just switched to lemon and it’s working much better. I don’t use lemon juice. Buy a fresh lemon and cut it in half. Every morning, use the halves to apply like a roll on. Keep slicing off a bit until you run out of lemon.

  • Thinking of chickening out? Don’t!

    hey-you-can-do-it-265x314You will ROCK this! Today, I wore a size 10 outfit! I started at 258 lbs six months ago. Forget the people who have problems. They are the people who have problems with everything else… because they are not having brain surgery. They are only having gastric bypass, or sleeve, or the lap-band.

    If you disrespect your pouch, you will not benefit. If you commit to building a ‘relationship’ with this new tool, you will do phenomenally. I’ve never dumped, or had any ‘issues’. Just like those ladies who just don’t breathe through contractions…they end up failing at labor and delivery.  All those problems and complications they speak of? That is just like saying that vaccines cause autism (NOT!) Three of my children have autism, one was not vaccinated before her diagnosis. There.

    Inspired?  Post a comment!