Fall is here, which means so is #PSL season! According to Starbucks' website, a grande pumpkin spice latte with 2 percent milk and whipped cream is 380 calories. This includes 14 grams of fat, 52 gram of carbs, and 50 grams of sugar. Don't get me wrong, we all love a good pumpkin spice latte, but they are not the best option when you are trying to keep your calories (and sugar) down.

Let's cut the calories, fats, AND sugars down a bit... and then up the protein content, shall we? 

Here is what you'll need:

Ingredients

• ¼ Cup Canned pumpkin puree
• ½ Medium banana sliced (preferably frozen)
• ½ Cup Vanilla Greek yogurt
• ¼ Teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
• ½ Scoop Level-1 Protein Pumpkin Spice Latte
• ¼ Cup Almond milk
• optional garnish: light whipped cream and pumpkin pie spice

Instructions

1. Place the pumpkin puree, banana, Greek yogurt, pumpkin pie spice, protein powder, and almond milk in a blender.
2. Blend until smooth.
3. Pour into a...

Who doesn't love a healthy pancake recipe?? When wanting to follow a healthier diet, we tend to miss out on some of our favorites foods. However, if you can get a little creative you can still enjoy the things we may think we shouldn't indulge in, but healthier!

This is on of my favorite recipes I have been using over the last 5 years — AND it is quick and easy.  I remember sitting and looking at my eggs and protein powder, wondering how I could make something other than just eggs and shake... and with a little leg work, i figured out how to do exactly that.

If you’re looking for a way to make your breakfast more enjoyable this can easily be made to hit the spot, and stop those pancake fantasies, lol. 

I use walden farms sugar free syrup or any sugar free syrup (in moderation) with some nut butter! Great way to stick to healthier eating while also enjoying what you put your mouth. 

This recipe is a single-serving pancake mix with only ...

Looking for a delicious recipe that is quick and easy? This is a great recipe for a lazy baker lol. Also, a great morning muffin to grab on the go!

Equipment Needed

• 12-cup muffin tin
• Muffin cups
• Mixing bowl
• Oven

Ingredients

1. 3 bananas
2. 3 eggs
3. 1 tbsp honey
4. 1 tsp vanilla extract
5. 1 3/4 cup almond flour
6. 1 tsp baking soda
7. 1/2 tsp baking powder
8. Pinch salt
9. 1/2 tsp cinnamon
10. 2 scoops of protein powder (I use 1stPhorm Level-1)
11. 1/3 cup nut butter
12. Chocolate chips (Chocolate chips are a good option, for healthier muffins leave them out)

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees, and place muffin cups in a muffin tin (I sprayed them with Pam to be sure they didn’t stick).
2. In a large bowl, mash bananas until no big chunks are left, mix in honey, eggs, and vanilla. Whisk well.
3. Add in almond flour, baking soda, baking powder, protein powder, and cinnamon. Mix well.
4. Fold in chocolate chips + almond butter, once mixed you’re ready to bake!!
5. Fill muffin cups 3/4 full, bake for 15-20...

This is one of my FAV treats — quick and easy. If you’re looking for a way to make your oatmeal more enjoyable this can be used as a treat or a meal replacement (maybe without all the chocolate lol)

This recipe makes 10 bars, depending on the pan you use, each with only 275 calories! The best part? They also have nearly 15 grams of protein per bar! 

Bar Ingredients

• 3 cups quick oats
• 1 cup peanut butter
• 1/2 cup honey
• 1 scoop protein (I like to use 1stPhorm Level-1)

Frosting Ingredients (optional)

• 1/2 cup semi-sweet morsels

Instructions

1. Mix oats and protein powder.
2. Add peanut butter and honey.
3. Mix until all ingredients are blended.

Frosting Instructions

1. Melt semi-sweet morsels.
2. Add melted morsels on top of the mixture.
3. Refrigerate until chocolate is hard.
4. Enjoy!

Macros

Serving size: 1 bar | makes 10 total 

Macros without morsels: 275 calories per bar
14 fat | 31 carbs | 12 protein

Macros with morsels: 314 calories per bar
16f |...

Protein: The G.O.A.T.

We've all been there, looking for a quick fix to drop 10 pounds, or searching for a one-step tip for success. Unfortunately, this is not usually possible. We know that exercise is important in creating a caloric deficit and body recomposition... but diet and proper nutrition is the main driver for fat loss. We also know that everybody is different and will require a different strategy to achieve the goal of fat loss. That being said, we are here to tell you, with a high degree of confidence (backed by science), that protein is one of the main keys for every individual to successfully drop body fat (the right way).

Here's why:

#1 Helps you feel fuller, longer.

One of the biggest reasons people fail when starting a new meal plan or macro goal is due to feeling excessively hungry. When someone is hungry, they are much more likely to stray from their goals and overeat. This is where protein comes into play. Protein is the most satiating macro, compared to...

Graduations

Weddings

BBQs

Boating

Birthdays

Bonfires

The list goes on...

Summer is a time for activities, celebrations, and countless social gatherings. While we greatly enjoy being actively part of our social groups, it can be quite challenging to maintain your waistline with all the delicious temptations that come with many social gatherings. So how do we enjoy these outings without the anxiety of the pressures we put on ourselves around food? First off, we need to remember that we eat to live, not live to eat. When we look at it from that perspective, we are then in a better mental space going into social gatherings. 

With any goal, there will be times where sacrifices/changes need to be made in order to reach said goal. However, there can be situations that allow exceptions to that rule. In general, we recommend finding a balance somewhere between complete restriction and overindulgence. We call this controlled enjoyment. 

Controlled enjoyment: how it works?

The...

Immune System 101

The immune system is an intricate network of cells, tissues, and organs that work together as your body's natural defense system. It gets a lot of attention during the winter months (aka cold and flu season), but it is working year-round to protect you from a flu/virus or an infection that could happen at any time.

According to WebMD, "A healthy immune system protects us by first creating a barrier that stops those invaders, or antigens, from entering the body. And if one slips by the barrier, the immune system produces white blood cells and other chemicals and proteins that attack and destroy these foreign substances. They try to find the antigen and get rid of it before it can reproduce. Failing that, the immune system revs up, even more, to destroy the invaders as they multiply."

If you are somebody who tends to get sick the second someone around you coughs, maybe you need to think about strengthening your immune system. Below are five of the most...