Nutty Truffles

I  had a bit of a hard time coming up with a name for these little balls… they have so many tasty and healthy things in them that it was not easy to focus on just one to name them. So, I am simply calling them Nutty Truffles.  Once you read the ingredient list, you will see why.

I made up the batter and then left it in the fridge for about an hour because as gooey as it is, it is much easier to work with when it’s cold.

I used my favorite North Coast Naturals 100% ISO vanilla whey protein powder and their hemp seeds to make these little goodies. You can use your own favorite brands. I also used PB2 instead of peanut butter just to keep the calorie count down… use your favorite nut butter of course.  It’s just a template… feel free to experiment.

 

Nutty Truffles
Makes 11 truffles

for the truffle batter:

• 4 Tbs PB2
• 3 Tbs Almond Breeze, vanilla unsweetened
• 2 Tbs coconut flour
• 2 Tbs almond meal
• 1 scoop vanilla protein powder

for the coating:

• 1 Tbs hemp seeds
• 1 Tbs fine coconut, unsweetened 

1. Mix all the truffle batter ingredients together in a small bowl and refrigerate till chilled, about one hour.
2. Mix the coating ingredients together in a very small bowl and set aside.
3. To make the truffles, scoop out a portion of the batter with a small spoon, and roll into a ball with your hands.
4. Drop the ball into the coating mixture and roll it around till completely covered.
5. Set on parchment paper and repeat process 10 more times.
6. Refrigerate till ready to eat.

Per serving.
Weight Watchers P+ = 1.
Calories 46; Protein 4g; Carbohydrate 3g; Fat 2g; Fibre 1g.

Drop the rolls into the coating mixture.

Roll around till completely covered.

Set on parchment paper and put back in fridge to chill before serving.

The whole recipe N.I. is as follows so you can recalculate for each truffle if you happen to make more or fewer with your batter.

Calories 508; Protein 45g; Carbohydrate 29g; Fat 26g; Fibre 15g.

Printable Recipe

Protein Packed Creamy Hemp and Nooch Dressing or Dip

We have been having a real heat wave on the Island lately… and I am certainly not complaining about it… but we are eating a bit differently because of it.  I am not the least bit interested in heating up the kitchen by turning on the oven or the stove top to make lunch.  So, it is all about salads and dressings and dips for fresh veggies at my house these days.  This Protein Packed Creamy Hemp and Nooch Dressing, which can also be used as a dip, is the perfect lunch time condiment.

It is high in protein, low in fat, and it is tasty… also very easy to whip up quickly.  And it could easily be enjoyed on zoodles, too.  I happen to love this Organic Hemp Protein Powder by North Coast Naturals… it mixes readily and doesn’t alter the flavor of the other ingredients in the recipe…. it just provides a great nutritional punch.  And you all know I am a big nutritional yeast, or nooch, fan too.

Protein Packed Creamy Hemp and Nooch Dressing or Dip
Makes 1 serving

• 3/8 cup fat free plain Greek yogurt
• 2 Tbs nooch
• 1 Tbs hemp protein powder
• dash of lemon juice
• sprinkle of salt

1. Combine all ingredients and use as a salad topper or a dip for your favorite fresh veggies.

Per serving.
Weight Watchers P+ = 3.
Calories 128; Protein 20g; Carbohydrates 10g; Fat 2g; Fibre 6g.

Spoon it on….

and mix it in.  Enjoy!

Printable Recipe

What is your favorite quick lunch idea when the weather is sizzling?

If you like this idea, won't you please consider sharing on Pinterest or Twitter?

Hemp Protein and Banana Pancakes

These pancakes were born of combining my love for pancakes with my love for hemp protein powder. I particularly like the one from North Coast Naturals. It mixes readily with other ingredients and is flavor-neutral so never overpowers the taste of the other ingredients.

I bet you could substitute cooked pumpkin or other squash for the banana in this recipe quite easily, if you like.

You will want to have your patience cap on when you make these pancakes.  They take a wee bit longer to cook than a pancake made from a flour batter does.  Just a wee bit, but still, when you are hungry… noticeable.

Hemp Protein and Banana Pancakes
Makes 1 serving of 2 pancakes

• 1/2 ripe banana, mashed
• 3 Tbs egg white
• 1 Tbs almond milk
• 2 Tbs hemp protein powder.
• dash of cinnamon

1. Mash half of a ripe banana in a medium bowl.
2. Add the egg whites and beat with a fork to combine with the mashed banana.
3. Add the almond milk, hemp protein powder and the cinnamon and stir to combine.
4. Set a non-stick pan over MEDIUM heat on the stove and when it has warmed up, spoon half of the batter into the pan. Allow to cook until edges are set and bubbles appear throughout, about 4 or 5 minutes.
5. Flip over and cook the second side for about 3 minutes.
6. Remove to plate and cover to keep warm while cooking the second pancake in the same manner.
7. Serve with your favorite toppings.

Per serving, without toppings.
Weight Watchers P+ = 4.
Calories 190; Protein 20g; Carbohydrate 23g; Fat 3g; Fibre 9g.

Printable Recipe

Don't forget about the North Coast Naturals giveaway that is open to Canadian residents until April 3rd, 2014.  You can find the details here on this blog post.  Good Luck to you!

North Coast Naturals Fermented L-Glutamine and Raw Hemp Smoothie

I want to tell you about a couple more of the great products from North Coast Naturals that I have been trying out… Fermented L-Glutamine and Raw Hemp Smoothie.

Glutamine is the most common amino acid found in our muscles.  I decided a while back to supplement with L-Glutamine to aid in my recovery, particularly when doing longer runs and when strength training.  I did a lot of research and decided this was something that would benefit me, and my immunologist agreed.

The Fermented L-Glutamine from North Coast Naturals comes from a fermentation process of beets. Beets are fermented with probiotic cultures, which means a 100% vegan fermented L-Glutamine. North Coast Naturals Fermented L-Glutamine is absolutely pure glutamine from Ajinomoto® — the only glutamine manufacturer in the world with a master drug file number for L-Glutamine.  You can read more about it on their web site.

North Coast Naturals Fermented L-Glutamine is a fine white powder.  And when mixed with water it produces a tasteless, but cloudy drink. If you drank it with your eyes closed, you would think you were drinking plain water.  Sometimes I have it after a workout, or sometimes before bedtime.  And I have also mixed it into an after-workout smoothie.   Again, it is flavor neutral, so never adds any taste to my drink.  If you like fruit or veggie juices, you could certainly add it to them, too.

Fermented L-Glutamine in plain water produces a cloudy, flavorless drink.

I really liked the Raw Hemp Smoothie the first time I tasted it. The flavor I have is a very nice chocolate. And it is so easy to use.. just mix a couple of tablespoons of the powder with up to a cup of water, and stir or shake. Instant smoothie.  And delicious.

It is a very fine powder, quite similar to cocoa.

And mixed with plain water… silky and smooth...  no lumps or chalky taste.

The first time  I tried the Raw Hemp Smoothie, I made drinks for The Captain and I to sip after a workout.  I love chocolate and berries together so I blended some frozen mixed berries into the Raw Hemp Smoothie powder along with some almond milk and a banana. Lovely.  Quite substantial, too.

Hemp, Berry, and Banana Smoothies

Makes 2 servings

• 2 cups unsweetened almond milk
• 1 cup frozen mixed berry blend
• 1 ripe medium banana, peeled
• 4 Tbs North Coast Naturals Raw Hemp Smoothie, Chocolate flavor

1. Put all ingredients in blender and puree till smooth.
2. Pour half into each of 2 serving glasses.

Per serving.

Weight Watchers P+ = 5.

Calories 206; Protein 9g; Carbohydrate 39g; Fat 4g; Fibre 14g.

And one morning, while getting ready to do a strength workout with The Captain, I mixed a couple of tablespoons of the Raw Hemp Smoothie powder into a cup of hot coffee, and thoroughly enjoyed the Hot Hemp Mocha Smoothie that resulted.  A couple of drops of peppermint extract would be a lovely addition!

Hot Hemp Mocha Smoothie
Makes 1 serving

• 1 cup hot coffee
• 2 Tbs North Coast Naturals Raw Hemp Smoothie, Chocolate flavor

1. Stir together and enjoy!

Per serving.

Weight Watchers P+ = 2.

Calories 90; Protein 7g; Carbohydrate 18g; Fat 1g; Fibre 10g.

The Raw Hemp Smoothie also comes in a flavor called Berry Burst.  Sounds quite exotic, no?  I really like that this mix is so high in fibre and low in fat. Check out all the features and benefits on the North Coast web site.  I am sure you will be just as impressed as I was.

North Coast Naturals provided these product to me at no cost… the enthusiasm and opinions are my own.

What is your favorite smoothie these days?

Have you tried hemp protein powders or smoothie mixes?

My Latest Obsession - North Coast Naturals Organic Hemp Protein Powder

I have several friends who really like North Coast Naturals Organic Hemp Protein Powder… so when I was given the opportunity to sample it recently, I was eager.  I had no idea what to expect.  But I trust these particular foodie friends!

When I checked the North Coast Naturals web site and looked at their Organic Hemp Protein Powder, I found this information:

Who wouldn’t be interested in  all of that?

I must say I was surprised by the color, which is sort of a light dusty brown… and the texture, which is a wee bit gritty.  I can discern no real flavor or taste to it, but I do like the nutritional information.  Two (2) Tbs of this protein powder contains 15g of Protein, only 2.5g of Fat, 9g of Carbohydrate and a whopping 8g of Fibre. It is Vegan, and sodium-free.  Normally I select a protein powder with fewer Carbs, but when they are mostly Fibre, I don’t hesitate.

Since it is flavor-neutral, I have been using it in savory dishes as well as sweet and am really pleased with the results.  The only time I would not recommend using it is where the color might be an issue… it does tend to make things brown or green!

I am always in favor of adding protein to my diet.  Without powders or other supplements, I find it nearly impossible to get in my daily requirement.  And, I do find that this Hemp Protein Powder seems to keep me satisfied much longer than a whey or soy protein powder does…and I wonder if that is because there is so fibre in it.

Here are some of the recipes I have created using this NCN Organic Hemp Protein Powder.  The first 2 are sauces for my zoodles… which of course could be used with pasta if you prefer.  And then I created a grain-free hot ‘cereal’ breakfast dish, and a dip for fresh fruit, too.  Read on!

Hemp and Yogurt Sauce for Zoodles and Noodles
Makes 1 serving

• 1/4 cup fat free plain Greek yogurt
• 1 Tbs North Coast Naturals Organic Hemp Protein Powder
• 2 cloves garlic, peeled, smashed, and minced

1. Mix yogurt and hemp protein powder until well-combined.
2. Stir in garlic and then refrigerate about 15 minutes for flavors to meld.
3. Toss with zoodles or noodles to serve. 
4. Season with salt and pepper if desired.

Per serving.
Weight Watchers P+ = 2.
Calories 97; Protein 14g; Carbohydrate 8g; Fat 1g; Fibre 4g.

Printable Recipe

And, you all know how much I love my Sensational Sesame Sauce.  I decided to add some Organic Hemp Protein Powder to it to give the nutritional value a boost, and it worked just fine… no change at all to the wonderful salty, smoky sesame taste.   And yes, I licked the bowl!



Hemp and Sesame Sauce for Zoodles and Noodles
Makes 1 serving

• 2 tsp Tahini paste
• 1 Tbs North Coast Naturals Organic Hemp Protein Powder
• 1 Tbs tamari soy sauce
• 1/2 tsp dark sesame oil

1. Mix tahini paste, hemp protein powder and tamari soy sauce till well-combined.
2. Stir in the dark sesame oil.
3. Toss with zoodles or noodles to serve.

Per serving.
Weight Watchers P+ = 4.
Calories 153; Protein 11g; Carbohydrate 7g; Fat 10g; Fibre 4g.

Printable Recipe

I like to have a hot ‘cereal’ sometimes for breakfast, but because I rarely, if EVER, eat grains (I hate to declare never cause ya never know!)  So, instead of oats or quinoa, or farro, or even brown rice, or wheat berries, I like to use ground flax meal.

I dressed mine up with some Greek yogurt, a few raisins and a bit of cinnamon.

Hot Hemp and Flax ‘Cereal’
Makes 1 serving

• 1/2 small ripe banana
• 1/4 cup egg whites
• 1 Tbs ground flax meal
• 1 Tbs North Coast Naturals Organic Hemp Protein Powder
• Dash of cinnamon

1. Mash banana in a medium bowl.
2. Add the egg whites and whip with a fork till frothy.
3. Stir in flax meal, hemp protein powder, and cinnamon.
4. Lightly coat the bottom of a saucepan with non-stick spray and set over MEDIUM heat.
5. When the spray has melted, add the banana mixture to the pan.
6. Cook, stirring continuously for approximately 3 or 4 minutes.  The color will lighten considerably as the egg white cooks and it will increase in volume.
7. Remove to serving bowl and garnish as desired.

Per serving.
Weight Watchers P+ = 4.
Calories 182; Protein 16g; Carbohydrate 18g; Fat 5g; Fibre 7g

Printable Recipe

Sometimes I like to slice up apples and have then with an almond butter and yogurt dip. So I added some NCN Organic Hemp Protein Powder and a dash of cinnamon to it… and it was really good, but the addition of a couple of drops of liquid vanilla-flavored Stevia turned it into fabulous. 

Hemp and Almond Butter Dip
Makes 1 serving

• 3 Tbs fat free Greek Yogurt
• 1 Tbs North Coast Naturals Organic Hemp Protein Powder
• 2 tsp almond butter
• Dash of cinnamon
• 2 drops of liquid vanilla Stevia, or to taste

1. Mix all the ingredients together till well-combined and enjoy with fresh cut up fruit such as apples, pears, peaches or bananas.

Per serving.
Weight Watchers P+ = 3.
Calories 140; Protein 14g; Carbohydrate 8g; Fat 7g; Fibre 6g

Printable Recipe

I am so enjoying this North Coast Naturals Organic Hemp Protein Powder… and will be sure to keep coming up with additional ways to get it into my day.  Watch for more new recipes and ideas coming soon.

Have you tried a Hemp Protein Powder?  Does the color put you off at all?