Sunday, May 17, 2009

Recipes Galore And A Giveaway

Hi blog friends! Thanks for coming back tonight! I had a busy weekend and it was nice to finally relax a little today. I've got a couple things to catch you up on, so I'll get right to it. First up, remember these guys...


They are the Chocolate Banana Cupcakes with Peanut Butter Glaze that I came up with for the BSI challenge this week. Lara over at Thinspired is hosting this week's challenge and since it was my first time entering, I wasn't sure if I should post the recipe first, but Lara says it's A-OK. So here's the recipe for those....(by the way, little daughter LOVES these!)...



Chocolate Banana Cupcakes with Peanut Butter Glaze

3 egg whites
1 large banana, mashed
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup skim milk
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 tablespoon canola oil
1 cup whole wheat pastry flour
1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt

For the glaze
3/4 cup powdered sugar
2 tablespoons skim milk, room temp
2 teaspoons peanut butter, melted


Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
In a large bowl, beat egg whites, banana and sugar. Add milk, vanilla and oil and beat for 2 minutes on low speed. In a separate bowl, combine flour, cocoa, baking soda and salt. Gradually add flour mixture to wet ingredients until fully combined. The batter will be very thin.

Using a 1/4 cup measuring cup, scoop batter and pour into 12 cup muffin tin lined with paper liners until all are filled. If not using liners, spray tin well with cooking spray.

Bake cupcakes for 12 minutes. Do not overbake! Let cool on wire rack.
After cupcakes are completely cool, prepare glaze. Place 2 teaspoons of peanut butter in a small microwave bowl and microwave for about 20-30 seconds until melted into liquid. Combine powdered sugar, milk and melted peanut butter and whisk until smooth. Top each cupcake with 1 tablespoon of glaze.

Makes 12 cupcakes.
Each cupcake with glaze comes to 137 calories with 2 grams of fat and 2 grams of fiber. (Nutritional data calculated using calorieking.com)






I didn't get a chance to exercise yesterday, so I was really itching to run this morning. I was about to head out, but it was raining so I was banished to the treadmill. It turned out to be a great 40 minute run while watching mindless tv shows -love it!

I wasn't too hungry for breakfast after that, so I decided on a liquid breakfast. No, not that kind ;) I was dying to try the "milkshake" that the brilliant Becca came up with, so I got the blender going. I used 1/2 c. unsweetened vanilla Almond Breeze, 2 tbsp. sugar-free, fat-free vanilla pudding mix, 4 large sliced strawberries and about 6 ice cubes. OMG!!! It was terrific! A really sweet Strawberry Milkshake for 2 POINTS (really less - I think it's 1 POINT with the almond breeze)...


Surprisingly, the milkshake kept me full until lunch, but then I got hungry all at one time. That's been happening a lot lately...hmmm. Anyway, I put together a sammie with 1/4 cup Spinach Artichoke Hummus, slice of turkey and lettuce on an Arnold Sandwich Thin. I went with some leftover sweet potato fries and carrots for a side. A tasty 5 POINT lunch...


Later in the afternoon, we went for a family hike in the woods. We huffed it through the trail and up a huge hill at a pretty good pace. Not as good as our dog, Rocky, though. We were amazed at how he runs at top speed for the entire 40 minutes!
When we got back, I set to work on dinner. I had prepared some dough earlier to make naan. Naan is an east Indian flatbread that is similar to a pita, but has a more chewy, doughy texture. I believe it is traditionally made with white flour, but I decided to try it using whole wheat. Click Here for the recipe that I used (put through WW Recipe Builder for your POINTS convenience :)
And the end result...


I also made some honey barbeque chicken thighs on the grill and sauteed zucchini with garlic and parmesan...

My plate for 8 POINTS...

and I couldn't help taking another half of naan. It's so good!
For dessert, I went with my standard for 2 POINTS...


But, there's a twist! Instead of using my usual PB2, I tried a new (to me) similar product called FitNutz. It is a low calorie, low fat powdered peanut butter that you reconstitute with water. It is a great bargain at only 1 POINT, like the PB2. I do have to say that I did notice a difference in taste between this product and PB2. I didn't feel that FitNutz had as prominent a peanut flavor as the PB2. It's odd because it is just peanuts, sugar and salt. Maybe my tastebuds were off today! So, with that said, I'll let YOU be the judge! I have 3 individual serving packets to give away! This product is available in regular, chunky and pro (which contains more essential fatty acids) and I'm giving away one of each to ONE lucky winner...

All you need to do is leave me a comment! And since I'm shipping, ANYONE can enter this time - whooo hooo Canada/overseas friends! I'll choose a winner (using random.org) on Tuesday, May 19.
Thanks for reading and hope you all had a wonderful weekend!

36 comments:

Anonymous said...

Wow, count me in! I haven't been able to find PB2 anywhere, so this sounds like a great chance to try something similar. :)

P.S. The chocolate banana cupcakes and the whole wheat naan are definitely on my "to try" list now!

Sunny said...

the dinner you made looks wonderful... grilled chicken and naan, yum! thanks for the recipe for the cupcakes!!

Jessica said...

I would love to try FitNutz!! I am a huge PB2 lover, so I'd be happy to give you a second opinion on the comparison!!

And, seriously, OMG, those cupcakes look amazing!

Meg said...

I have been looking everywhere for pb2 or fitnutz and I cannot find them! I have been hoping I could score a sample before I bite the bullet and order some online :)

superbecca said...

Hi Marisa,

I'm glad you liked your "milkshake" :) I'd love to win your contest because neither PB2 or FitNutz are available here.

Anonymous said...

Cupcakes look so yummy! Will definitely try!! Count me in on the contest.

Jen, a priorfatgirl said...

ok, i am still drooling over your cupcakes! I have only tried FitNutz and not PB2. SIGN ME UP TO WIN!!

Lindsay C said...

That stuff looks absolutely amazing and as I cant seem to find the pb2 anywhere... I would really like to try this stuff... I hope I can win!! :)

Natalie's Journey said...

Yes, count me in I would love to try the Fitnutz !

Danica's Daily said...

Yeah - you posted the recipe! I am so saving that one - thanks!

Great eats all day long! I am glad you had a fun weekend and had time to relax too.

Oh and count me in on the giveaway - fun! I like PB2 so it could be fun to try this too!

Andrea@WellnessNotes said...

I love to run while watching mindless TV shows... The milkshake sounds great!

I've read so much about PB2 but have never tried it. A lower calorie peanut butter sounds great... :o)

Bre said...

OK - I'm am totally making those little cupcakes!

Anonymous said...

Fitnutz is awesome. I like to use it in my oatmeal!!

Sharon said...

Mmmmm, everything looks so good! =D

American Homemaker said...

That recipe looks delish :) Just like all your food!

Lauren said...

I live in Korea. I want to enter, they only have regular peanut butter here.

Connie B said...

Oh please tell me I'm not too late?!?! I have been sitting on the fence about trying a powdered PB and just haven't made up my mind, but with a sample.....it would help greatly! Please enter me too!

Reen said...

Hey, Marisa! How was the recital?

PB2, funny, I just had my breakfast before checking blogs, and it was -- PB2, banana and sandwich thin. I don't know if it will take me to lunchtime though. I might need a shot of protein in a few hours, but I am definitely a powdered peanut butter gal!

Jessica said...

FitNutz looks so fun and I can't wait to make those cupcakes!!

Anonymous said...

I really would like to try FitzNutz. I went to the Hungry Girl book signing and this product was discussed. She likes both. I cannot find it anywhere in my area. I am definitely going to try the recipe for the bread. Please pick me!

csader@hirshorn.com

Jill said...

Thanks for being a daily inspiration! And for exposing us to new food products!

A Daunting Tale of Scale Warfare said...

The Naan looks amazing, being a huge fan, I am going to have to try the recipe! It will likely be a trigger for me though :D

Beadie @ What I Ate Yesterday said...

Those cupcakes look awesome!

Amanda said...

Great! Enter me in the drawing please!

I'm going to try those cupcakes. Sounds great.

Kelly the Happy Texan said...

Oh do count me in for the giveaway.

So many recipes to try! You give me so many great ideas. :) I want that milkshake NOW! And nann bread and the cupcakes...it all looks so good. Excellent and delicious post. :)

Anonymous said...

YAY! I want this one! I buy PB2 but it's an hour away and am almost empty and can't find it anywhere else, so this would be awesome to win!

Looking forward to trying the banana cupcakes!

lori l said...

that looks great. Could you use the powedered pb to make the frosting?

♥ Dee ♥ said...

I'd love to try the regular, to see how it compares to my beloved PB2!

Sassle said...

I would like to be counted in your giveaway please :)

All your food look so delicious, I found you from Get Fit AFTER 40's blog, you have a nice blog and delicious looking food... I'll be coming back!

janetha said...

i tried fit nutz actually before i tried PB2. you are right, there is a slight difference in taste, but i like both. i went for the sample pack of the fit nutz just because it was so cheap.. and the sample pack of PB2 and ended up buying the PB2 jars over the fit nutz.

i wish we had arnold thins here! their stats are great, it is too bad nowhere carries them.

have a great day!! xo

M and A said...

ooooh! me! me!

i need to try the PB2. i read about it online everywhere!

Thinspired said...

YOU WON the BSI contest with these babies! I can't wait to try them...the husband is already whipping out the cocoa powder! Send me your address so I can send over your prize :) Thank you for sharing your wonderful recipe creation!

Melissa @ For the Love of Health said...

Excellent Giveaway!! Yay for expanding to Canada too! :-)

All your food looks so very good! I really want some sweet potato fries now! Haha

Have a great night!

Stacey said...

Your chicken and zucchini looks delicious!

LK- Healthy Delicious said...

those cupcakes look sooo good! as does that pita bread. yummy!

Hottest & cutest said...

So I am the biggest peanut butter fan on earth and it really is the one spot on WW that I struggle with - I would love to try an alternative- I will love to "do" a post on it too... I can not find this anywhere- where did u get it?