Protein Banana Bread

MmMmMmMmmm how I LOVE BANANA BREAD!  I doubled this recipe and made 2 loaves; one with basic bananas, and the other I added walnuts and raisins.  Both are made with all natural, organic, almond flour so they are gluten free and Paleo friendly.  Additionaly, my high protein banana bread packs 15g of protein per slice! WOAH!  This recipe is incredibly easy and delicious.  Simple and sweet!  Great for breakfast, as a snack, pre-workout, post-workout, with dinner or as dessert!  You really can't go wrong :)  Enjoy my friends!

Protein Banana Bread

Ingredients:
- 2 cups Organic Almond Flour
- 2 Ripe Bananas, mashed

- 2 large Free Range Organic Eggs

- 1/4 cup VPX Sports Zero Carb SRO Whey Protein Powder - Graham Cracker
- 1/4 cup Unsweetened Applesauce
- 1/2 tbsp Organic Cinnamon
- 1 tsp Vanilla Extract
- 1 tsp Baking Powder
- 1/2 tsp Baking Soda
- 1/4 tsp Salt
- Optional: Chopped nuts, raisins, berries, chocolate chips, etc!

Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 350F.  
- Spray glass bread pan with non stick cooking spray.  
- Mix all of the ingredients together in a large bowl.  
- Pour mixture into glass bread pan.  
- Bake for about 45 minutes or until loaf is golden brown and toothpick comes out clean.

Nutritional Information:

Per slice (cut into 8 THICK slices)

235 calories, 15g fat, 200mg sodium, 138g potassium

13g carbohydrates (4g fiber, 5g sugar), 15g protein.

If you'd like to purchase
VPX Sports Zero Carb SRO 100% Whey Protein Isolate
you can do so online at www.vpxsports.com 
and use the discount code CANDY20 
to receive 20% off your order!

What Are The Benefits Of Almond Flour?

Most breads, desserts and processed foods that use flour use bleached or unbleached wheat flour. While wheat flour is both nutritious and familiar, an alternative to common wheat flour is almond flour. If you are following a gluten-free diet, using almond flour in recipes calling for wheat flour allows you to enjoy baked products without consuming any gluten.

Easy Availability

Unlike some more uncommon flours, you can often find almond flour in your local grocery store but it can be quite expensive. An alternative to purchasing almond flour is to prepare it yourself using a food processor and raw almonds. Simply place almonds into the machine and grind for several seconds. Next, sift the ground almonds. Store the almond flour in the refrigerator because almond flour deteriorates more quickly than wheat flour.

 Health Benefits

Almond flour, because it is simply ground almonds, offers the same health benefits as eating whole almonds. Eating nuts regularly can help with your cholesterol.  When you have lower total cholesterol, you may reduce your risk of heart disease or stroke.

Beneficial Nutrients

Almond flour contains 160 calories in 1/4 cup. In contrast, whole-wheat flour has 102 calories in 1/4 cup. Almond flour is high in fat, with 1/4 cup containing 14g of total fat, 1g of saturated fat and no trans fat. The fat in almond flour comes mainly from monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats. You get about 35 percent of your vitamin E requirement for the day, 20 percent of your magnesium needs and 6 percent of your daily requirement for both iron and calcium. Your body uses vitamin E for the health of your red blood cells, and magnesium for your muscle function, bone strength and energy needs. Almond flour also gives you 6g of protein and 3g of fiber per 1/4 cup, which is about 12 percent of your fiber requirements, if you aim for consuming 25g a day.

Uses

Using almond flour in place of wheat flour allows you to make healthy and nutritious gluten-free bread and other fit foods!

Read more:  

http://www.livestrong.com/article/462065-what-are-the-benefits-of-almond-flour/#ixzz2VpJ86i1g 

Apple Almond Flour Protein Bread (Paleo)

This is the second loaf of Almond Flour Protein Bread my mother and I baked!  Although they both were amazeballz, I think I may have liked this one better... Probably due to the hint of chocolate peanut butter flavor from the PB2 I added, YUM!!!

Apple Almond Flour Protein Bread 
(Paleo)

Ingredients:

- 2 cups Organic All-Natural Almond Flour

- 1/2 cup SRO Zero Carb Protein Powder, Graham Cracker

- 3 large Free Range Eggs

- 1/4 cup Chocolate PB2 (Powdered Peanut Butter)

- 1/4 cup Applesauce

- 2 tbsp Honey

- 1 tbsp Apple Cider Vinegar

- 1/2 tbsp Vanilla Extract

- 1/2 tbsp Cinnamon

- 1 tsp Baking Soda

- 1/2 tsp Nutmeg

- 1 Red Apple, cored & diced

Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 350F.
- Spray glass bread pan with no stick cooking spray.
- Mix all of the ingredients together in a large bowl and then fold in diced apples.
- Pour mixture into glass bread pan.
- Bake for about 30-35 minutes or until loaf is golden brown and toothpick comes out clean.

Prepare for your house to be filled with the mouth-watering aroma of apples and cinnamon! 

*Tips*
- Let cool before slicing and serving.
- Cover loaf with plastic wrap and save slices for a grab and go snack like I did!  It is actually delicious cold!

If you'd like to purchase

VPX Sports Zero Carb SRO 100% Whey Protein Isolate

you can do so online at www.vpxsports.com 

and use the discount code CANDY20 to receive 20% off your order! 

Blueberry Almond Flour Protein Bread (Paleo)

I spent this past weekend with my mom coming up with some awesometastic Paleo approved protein bread recipes using all natural almond flour and my favorite protein powder; 

VPX Sports Zero Carb SRO 100% Whey Protein Isolate!  

Which, if you'd like to purchase you can do so online at www.vpxsports.com 

and use the discount code CANDY20 to receive 20% off your order!  

This one was the first!  Hope you enjoy the recipe as much as myself and my family did :)

Blueberry Almond Flour Protein Bread (Paleo)

Ingredients:

- 2 cups All-Natural Almond Flour (Homemade in the VitaMix)

- 1/2 cup VPX Sports Zero Carb SRO Protein Powder, Graham Cracker

- 3 large Free Range Eggs

- 1/4 cup Applesauce

- 2 tbsp Honey

- 1 tbsp Apple Cider Vinegar

- 1/2 tbsp Vanilla Extract

- 1/2 tbsp Cinnamon

- 1 tsp Baking Soda

- 1 cup Blueberries (mine were frozen but you could use fresh)

Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 350F.
- Spray glass bread pan with no stick cooking spray.
- Mix all of the ingredients together in a large bowl and then fold in blueberries.
- Pour mixture into glass bread pan.
- Bake for about 30-35 minutes or until loaf is golden brown and toothpick comes out clean.

Prepare for your house to be filled with the mouth-watering aroma of blueberries and cinnamon! 

*Tips*
- Let cool before slicing and serving.
- Cover loaf with plastic wrap and save slices for a grab and go snack like I did!  It is actually delicious cold!

Nutritional Information:

Per slice (Yields 10 slices)

197 calories, 12g fat, 159mg sodium, 50mg potassium

11.6g carbohydrates (4.1g fiber, 5.4g sugar) 12.6g protein

Not only are blueberries delicious, they have wonderful health benefits as well!

1) Blueberries are extremely high in antioxidants which boost your immune system and help prevent infections.  In fact, blueberries contain the highest antioxidant capacity among all fresh fruits.
2) The anthocyanin, the selenium, the vitamins A, B-complex, C and E, the zinc, sodium, potassium, copper, magnesium, phosphorus, manganese etc., among others, can prevent and heal neural (brain) disorders.  It is amazing that these berries can also cure serious problems like Alzheimer’s disease to a great extent. They even heal damaged brain cells and neuron tissues and keep your memory sharp.  Researchers found that diets rich in blueberries significantly improved both the learning capacity and motor skills of aging animals, making them mentally equivalent to much younger ones.
3) Blueberry extract, high in compounds called anthocyanosides, has been found in clinical studies to slow down visual loss. They can prevent or delay all age related ocular problems like macular degeneration, cataract, dryness and infections.
4)  The high fiber content (which promotes healthy digestion), the abundant antioxidants, and the ability to dissolve the ‘bad cholesterol’ make blueberries an ideal dietary supplement to cure many heart diseases.
5) A new University of Michigan Cardiovascular Center study suggests that blueberries may help reduce belly fat and risk factors for cardiovascular disease and metabolic syndrome. 
*Tip* Choose blueberries that are firm and have a vibrant color. Shake the container; if the blueberries do not move freely, this may indicate that they are soft and damaged or moldy.  The deeper the color of the blueberries, the more they are rich in antioxidants and other medicinal values.

References: http://www.womenfitness.net/blueberries.htm

 

Cinnamon & Nutmeg Spiced Plantain Slices (Paleo)

Yum, yum, yum!  Just made some delicious cinnamon & nutmeg spiced plantains!  I picked up a ripe organic plantain at this amazing whole foods store in Pembroke Pines, FL called Nutrition S'mart.  Let me just say I think I have found a new favorite grocery store!  I really love discovering new healthy supermarkets and eating a variety of fit foods.  I love bananas so I figured I'd pick up a plantain and try cooking it.  I cooked the plantain slices in a pan on the stove top using organic coconut oil.  This was one whole plantain and made 3 servings!

Cinnamon & Nutmeg Spiced

Plantain Slices (Paleo)

Ingredients:
- 1 Organic Plantain, ripe
- 1 tsp Organic Coconut Oil
- Organic Cinnamon
- Nutmeg

Instructions:
- Cut plantain into slices (I think diagonally looks pretty).
- Sprinkle cinnamon and nutmeg spices evenly over plantain slices.
- Heat coconut oil in a pan on Medium heat.
- Gently place plantain slices into pan.
- Cook for about 5 minutes on each side or until golden brown.

Easy as that! Enjoy the sweet taste of plantains :)

Nutritional Facts About Plantains

100 g plantain consists of 122 calories.

It contains 2.3 g of dietary fiber per 100 g. Adequate amount of dietary-fiber in the food helps normal bowel movements, thereby reducing constipation problems.

Fresh plátanos have more vitamin C than bananas. 100 g provide 18.4 mg or 31% of daily required levels of this vitamin. Consumption of foods rich in vitamin-C helps the body develop resistance against infectious agents and scavenge harmful oxygen-free radicals.

Plantains have more vitamin A than bananas. In addition to being a powerful antioxidant, vitamin A plays a vital role in the visual cycle, maintaining healthy mucus membranes, and enhancing skin complexion.

As in bananas, they too are rich sources of B-complex vitamins, particularly high in vitamin-B6 (pyridoxine). Pyridoxine is an important B-complex vitamin that has a beneficial role in the treatment of neuritis, anemia, and to decrease homocystine (one of the causative factors for coronary artery disease (CHD) and stroke episodes) levels in the body. In addition, the fruit contains moderate levels of folates, niacin, riboflavin and thiamin.

They also provide adequate levels of minerals such as iron, magnesium, and phosphorous. Magnesium is essential for bone strengthening and has a cardiac-protective role as well.

Fresh plantains have more potassium than bananas. 100 g fruit provides 499 mg of potassium (358 mg per 100 g for bananas). Potassium is an important component of cell and body fluids that helps control heart rate and blood pressure, countering negative effects of sodium.