Quest Protein Bar Review - AND - recipe for Quest Pumpkin Rolls!

Quest Bar Review

I have honestly never been so in love with a protein bar before! Quest bars are soft, chewy and taste amazing. Their flavors come in a great variety and have proved to calm my cravings for candy bars. They are also extremely versatile! You can cut them up, heat ‘em up and make cookies, brownies, cinnamon rolls, and more! 

Sample Recipe:

Quest Bar Pumpkin Rolls:

Take a cinnamon roll quest bar, heat in the microwave for about 20-30 seconds. Take out and roll as flat as possible.  Spread Pumpkin Cream cheese (homemade or store bought) all over the flattened quest bar and roll up. Cut into pieces and devour!

I truly love all the flavors, but my top 5 would have to be:

Banana Nut Muffin – so soft and has chunks of real nuts. I usually heat this in the microwave for a few seconds and enjoy this before a morning workout.

Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough – Do I really need to explain why? LOL No, seriously… these bars are chewy, soft and a perfect dessert or afternoon snack. The texture is spot on and the chocolate chunks are sweet-tooth satisfiers!

White Chocolate Raspberry – This is the newest flavor I have tried. This bar is sweet and full of white chocolate chunks.

PB Crave Cups – These are my boyfriend’s absolute favorite Quest products since he is an ultimate Reese’s PB Cup fan. Quest Peanut Butter Cups taste like the real deal! I especially love to break them into pieces and top off mug cakes, greek yogurt and oatmeal.

So, if I haven’t already convinced you to try Quest Bars – the macros on these bars are unbeatable! They have 170-200 calories, approx. 25g carbs, 17g fiber and 20g protein. Mind BLOWN. ;-) 

You can also check out tons of quest bar featured recipes on their website – www.questproteinbar.com

Pumpkin Spice Peanut Butter Blossoms

Ingredients:

1 cup White Chocolate Wonderful Peanut Butter
1 cup Sugar
1 egg, beaten
1/2 tsp Pumpkin Pie Spice
1/4 tsp Cinnamon
1/2 tsp Vanilla Extract
18 Pumpkin Spice Hershey Kisses

 

 

 

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
2. Combine sugar, peanut butter, spices, vanilla and egg - beat in a mixer until fluffy.
3. Shape into 1 inch balls and place on ungreased cookie sheet. NOTE: If dough is too sticky, refrigerate 1/2 hour or until easy to handle.
4. Bake for 10 minutes or until slightly cracked on top, careful not to burn on the bottom. Remove cookies from oven. Press a Pumpkin Spice kiss into the center of each warm cookie.
5. Let cool completely before eating. 

Lemon Blueberry Poppy Seed Pancakes

Lemon Blueberry Poppy Seed Pancakes

These are BY FAR the best pancakes I ever made! Maybe I have a thing for lemon and poppy seed, but WOW. They lasted about 30 seconds on my plate.. and I practically shed a tear after I took my last bite. :-P

These are healthy, filling and a perfect summer breakfast!











Ingredients:
1 cup spelt flour*
1 T stevia
1tsp baking powder
1 tablespoon poppy seeds
Zest of one lemon + squirt of lemon juice
1 extra large egg
4 oz plain non-fat greek yogurt
¼ cup unsweetened almond milk
¼ - ½ cup water
½ cup blueberries

Mix all dry ingredients together first, then mix wet and then combine. Add water as needed to thin out the batter to your liking. Fold in blueberries. Cook on griddle and chow down!! I topped mine with a few blueberries and sugar free maple syrup. These are amazing!

Makes 2 servings
Macros: per serving – 369 cals, 31g carbs, 8g fat, 19g protein and 10g fiber

*You could sub oat flour if you don't have spelt flour. Brown rice flour or whole wheat would work as well! :) 

ENJOY!!! :-D

Chicken Parmesean and Gnocchi Casserole

I adapated this recipe for mysteryloverskitchen.com. I made a few tweaks and added some whole wheat gnocchi pasta to the mix! This is my boyfriend's favorite dinner!! Hope you all enjoy! :-)

 

Ingredients:

*5-ouncepackage of garlic croutons
*2 tablespoons olive oil
*2 cloves garlic (minced)
*½ teaspoon dried oregano
*Salt and pepper
*2 pounds chicken tenders (or breasts cut into strips)
*5-6 fresh basil leaves
*1 jar of tomato sauce
*2 cups shredded part skim mozzarella cheese
*I package shredded Parmesan cheese (2.5 cups)

*1package whole wheat gnocchi



DIRECTIONS:

Preheat your oven to 350° F. Place garlic croutons in a plastic bag and beatwith a meat hammer or heavy object until they’ve been crushed into smallerpieces. Do not beat into breadcrumbs. But do break down any large, chunkypieces into smaller bits. Set aside.

In a 9 x 13-inch glass baking dish, drizzle the olive oil. Add the chickentenders, garlic, oregano, salt, and pepper, and stir well to coat the chickenpieces with the oil and spices. Spread the fresh basil on top of the chicken.

Pour ¾ of the jar of the tomato sauce on top of the chicken,distributing evenly. Slide into a pre-heated 350º F. oven for 30 minutes.Remove. Do not turn off oven!

**Boil Gnocchi while chicken is pre-baking. Gnocchi only takes afew minutes to cook. As soon as they float to the top, take them out and rununder cool water to stop them from cooking.

Pour gnocchi on top of chicken. Spread half of the mozzarella andParmesan evenly over the sauce. Next sprinkle all of the crushed croutons ontothe sauce. Finish with the remainder of the two cheeses.

Return the pan to your 350 degree F. oven for another 25 to 30minutes. Casserole is done when all of the cheese is well melted.

Popcorn Chicken & Cinnamon Sugar Sweet Potato Fries

Don't get stuck eating the same, boring meals every day. Don't be afraid to try new recipes & ideas! ;)

Ingredients:

For the chicken -
1lb chicken breast tenderloins
1 egg
1/2 cup old fashioned oats (blended into oat flour)
2 tablespoons flaxseed meal
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp onion powder
1 tsp parsley flakes
1/4 tsp sea salt
1 tsp black pepper
1/2 tsp red pepper
1/2 tsp cumin

For the fries -
1 large sweet potato (cut into fry shapes)
1 tablespoon coconut oil (melted)
4 tsp stevia
2 tsp cinnamon

Directions:
Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Beat egg in a bowl and coat chicken pieces in the egg wash. Put chicken, oat flour, flaxseed meal & spices in a ziplock bag and shake well until chicken is evenly coated.

Next, put the fries in a ziplock bag with the coconut oil, cinnamon & stevia and shake well and make sure fries are coated well.

Put fries & chicken on separate foil lined baking sheets. Put them both in the oven and bake for about 30-45 minutes or until chicken is crispy and fries are done.

ENJOY! :-)

Banana Hulk Protein Pancakes

Ever since I got my NutriBullet for Christmas, I have been creating many different spinach protein pancakes! Here is one of my simplest recipes. Although they contain over a cup of greens, they do not have a spinach taste at all. :)

Ingredients:
1.5 cups raw spinach leaves
1 scoop vanilla protein powder
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 tsp baking powder
2 tsp stevia
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 banana
1/2 cup old fashioned rolled
1/4 cup egg whites
1/8 cup unsweetened almond milk

Preheat a skillet or griddle and coat with non-stick cooking spray. Blend all ingredients together in a blender (or Nutribullet!). Cook like you would normally cook pancakes. I top this pancake with sugar free maple syrup or plain greek yogurt and cooked blackberries.

Makes 1 serving.
Nutrition Facts: approximately 366 cals, 49g carbs, 4g fat, 37g protein

ENJOY! :-)

Double Chocolate Casein Mug Cake topped with Melted Peanut Butter & Chocolate Casein Frosting

Keep in mind that this cake was made for a hungry, chocolate-crazed bulking girl!! ;-)

This is a perfect night time treat! Casein is a slow digesting protein which is perfect to have before you enter a fasted 6-8 hour state while sleeping. It helps with muscle repair and growth. Also, this cake is full of healthy fats! Don't fear the fat! You gotta eat it to lose it! ;-)

Ingredients:
For the Cake:
1/4 scoop chocolate casein protein (I used ON chocolate cake batter)
1 tsp truvia
1/4 cup almond meal/flour
1.5 tablespoons dark chocolate cocoa powder (I used Hershey's Special Dark)
1/4 egg whites
1 tsp coconut oil
splash of unsweetened almond milk

For the Topping:
1 heaping tablespoon of Natural Peanut Butter, melted
1/2 scoop chocolate casein protein
1/4 cup almond milk(approximate, may be less)

Directions:
For the Cake:
Spray a coffee mug with non-stick cooking spray. Mix all the ingredients for the cake inside of the mug. Microwave for approx. 2 minutes. Be careful to not overcook the cake.

For the Topping:
While the cake is in the microwave: Mix approx. 1/4 cup (cold) almond milk slowly with 1/2 scoop casein protein powder until it becomes a "mousse" texture.

When Cake is finished cooking, flip the mug onto a plate to let the cake fall out. Top with melted PB and the casein frosting. Sprinkle with cocoa powder for garnish.

ENJOY!!

Nutrition Facts:
1 cake: 433 calories, 28g fat, 18g carbs, 36g protein.

Pumpkin Protein Balls

Quick and simple recipe! Great for a pre-workout snack. :-)

Ingredients:
1/4 cup pure pumpkin
1 scoop vanilla or cinnamon protein powder
2 tablespoons oat flour
1-2 tablespoons coconut flour
1 tablespoons flaxseed meal
1/2 tsp cinnamon, and extra cinnamon for coating
1/2 tsp truvia
1/4 cup crushed walnuts

Directions:
Mix all ingredients in a bowl. Add a 1-2 tablespoons water (SLOWLY!) until the mix becomes pasty enough to roll into ball. Roll mixture into balls (size is your choice). Then, roll the balls in the crushed walnuts AND/OR cinnamon!I put mine in the freezer for about 1-2 hours. You can also keep in the fridge overnight.


Nutrition Facts for the whole mixture:
approximately: 358 cals, 32g carbs, 14g fat, 33g protein



ENJOY!! :)

Spicy {Pepper Jack Cheese Stuffed} Chicken Muffins

Here is a new and healthy way to enjoy ground chicken! I served this with brown rice seasoned with garlic, cumin and mexican saffron. :-)

Ingredients:
1lb ground chicken breast
1/2 cup flaxseed meal
1/4 cup egg whites
1 8oz can of natural, no salt added tomato sauce
1 small can chopped green chilis
2 tsp Mrs. Dash Extra Spicy seasoning
3/4 small yellow onion - chopped
1/4 tsp Sea Salt
1/4 tsp Black Pepper
1/3 block (10oz block) of pepper jack cheese

Directions:
Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Spray a muffin tin with non-stick cooking spray. Cut the cheese (ha ha) into 12 even blocks. Combine everything in a bowl except cheese. Fill each muffin cup halfway with chicken mixture. Add a block of cheese in each cup. Add rest of the mixture on top of each each muffin cup. Bake for about 30 minutes or until golden brown on top.

Makes 12 servings.

Nutrition Facts:
1 muffin - 123 calories, 5g carbs, 7g fat, 11g protein

Banana Coconut Cream Oatmeal

I got this recipe from FitnessRX Magazine (one of my favorites!!). I only tweaked it slightly. :-)

Ingredients:
1/2 cup old fashioned rolled oats
1 cup unsweetened vanilla or regular almond milk
1/2 scoop vanilla protein powder
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp stevia
1 small banana (puree half and cut the other half in slices)
2 tablespoons unsweetened shredded coconut (separated)

Directions:
Bring 1 cup almond milk to a boil. Add oats and reduce heat. While oats are cooking, add cinnamon and truvia. Once the oats are cooked until creamy, add the protein powder, 1 T coconut and pureed banana. Pour into bowl and top with banana slices and the rest of the shredded coconut.

Makes 1 serving:

Nutrition Facts:
(approximate) 346 calories, 61g carbs, 9g fat, 20g protein

Savory Oatmeal & Egg Breakfast

This breakfast is delicious, satisfying and healthy! It has carbs, protein and healthy fat and is the perfect way to start your day! ;-)

Ingredients:
1/2 cup old fashioned rolled oats
1 cup water
1/4 tsp sea salt
1/4 tsp black pepper
1/8 tsp red pepper
1 chopped scallion (leave a tsp for garnish)
2-3 grape tomatoes (or 2 tablespoons chopped of any tomato)
1 oz reduced fat cheddar cheese
1/2 tablespoon flax seed meal
1 piece turkey bacon
1 large egg

Directions:
In a small pot, bring one cup of water to a boil. Add oats, salt, black pepper, red pepper, onion & tomatoes. Meanwhile, spray a frying pan with cooking spray and start cooking the egg and slice of turkey bacon. You can make a dippy egg or sunny side up egg for this recipe. Once oatmeal is done cooking, add the flax seed meal. Pour into bowl. Cut turkey bacon into pieces and add to oats. Add the egg on top and sprinkle on the cheddar cheese. Add rest of green onion for garnish.

Makes 1 serving.

Nutrition Facts:
1 serving: 359 calories, 32g carbs, 18g fat, 22g protein

ENJOY! :-)

Turkey Pumpkin White Bean Chili

This is the most perfect fall dinner! The Pumpkin adds a slight nutty flavor while giving the chili an extra nutritional boost of vitamin A. :-)

What's even better? This is a super easy slow cooker recipe. This will cook all day long and be ready to eat by the time you get home from work. I would seriously love to thank who ever invented the crock pot.. It's a MUST-HAVE!! 

This recipe is adapted from the wonderful "Skinny Taste" website. She has even more amazing fall recipes! Check out her site - www.skinnytaste.com  :-)

Ingredients: 

• cooking spray 
• 2 lb 99% lean ground turkey
• 1/2 tsp olive oil
• 1 small onion, chopped
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 tsp chili powder, to taste
• 2 bay leaves
• 2 tsp cumin
• 1 tsp oregano
• 2 (15 oz cans) of white northern or navy beans, rinsed and drained
• 15 oz can pumpkin puree (not pumpkin pie filling)
• 4.5 oz canned chopped green chile
• 2 cups organic, low sodium, fat free chicken broth
• Dallop of Greek Yogurt (for topping)
• shredded reduced fat cheddar cheese (for topping)
• salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

Heat a large heavy saute pan over high heat and lightly spray with oil. Add meat and cook, breaking it up until white, about 5 minutes.  Add to crock pot.

Add oil to the saute pan, then onions, garlic, sauté about 3 - 4 minutes; add cumin and sauté another minute. Add to crock pot.

Add beans, pumpkin puree, green chilis, broth, chili powder, oregano, and bay leaves. Cover and cook on high for 4 hours or low for 8 hours.

Remove bay leaves and adjust seasoning to taste before serving.

Makes 8-9 servings.

Nutritional Facts:'
(without the yogurt & cheese topping)
1 cup: 182.6 calories, 2.3g fat, 10.9g carbs, 23.3g protein


ENJOY! :-)

Oatmeal Raisin Protein Bread

Ingredients:
2 scoops vanilla protein powder
1 cup of oat flour
1/2 cup old fashioned rolled oats
1/2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp salt
2 tablespoons stevia
1/4 cup + 1 tablespoon non-fat, plain greek yogurt
1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1/4 cup egg whites
1 tablespoon pure honey or agave
1/4 cup raisins

Directions:
Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Mix dry ingredients together (except for 1/2 tablespoon rolled oats), then mix wet and combine. Pour batter into a bread loaf pan, sprinkle the 1/2 T rolled oats on top, and bake until golden brown and toothpick inserted into center comes out clean. 35-50 minutes depending on your oven.

Wait for bread to cool before slicing.

Makes 8 servings.

Nutrition Facts:
1 slice: 149 calories, 25g carbs, 1.75g fat, 11.25g protein

ENJOY! :-)

Apple Cinnamon Protein Pancakes

Another great Fall-inspired pancake recipe!! These are very simple, light, and delicious! Apples are a great source of fiber, so these will keep you full all morning long. :-)

Ingredients:
1/2 small apple (chopped)
1/4 cup oat flour
1/4 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp truvia
1/4 cup egg whites
1 scoop vanilla protein powder
1/4 cup unsweetened almond milk

Directions:
Mix all ingredients well. Grease a griddle or frying pan with non-stick cooking spray or coconut oil. Cook as you would a normal pancake. I topped mine with sugar-free maple syrup! :-)

Makes 1 serving.

Nutrition Facts:
317 calories, 39g carbs, 4g fat, 35g protein 

ENJOY! :-)

Banana Cake Protein Pancakes

These pancakes are healthy, delicious and taste like actual CAKE! I made them for my boyfriend and I for our pre-workout meal. I was told that "these were the best pancakes I've ever had." :-) LOL

Ingredients:

Pancakes-
Dry:
1/2 cup oat flour
2 scoops cake batter protein powder
1/2 tsp baking powder
2 tsp stevia

Wet:
2oz plain non-fat greek yogurt
1 ripe banana (mashed)
1/2 cup liquid egg whites
splash of unsweetened vanilla almond milk

"Cake" Frosting-
2oz plain non-fat greek yogurt
1-2 tablespoons unsweetened vanilla almond milk
1/4 scoop vanilla protein powder
1tsp stevia

Directions:
Mix dry pancake ingredients, then mix wet, then mix both of them together well. Grease a skillet or griddle with cooking spray or coconut oil. Cook like you would a normal pancake. :-) Mix all frosting ingredients well and heat in microwave until warm. Pour over hot pancakes. I also put banana slices on top of my pancakes and a little sugar-free, no calorie pancake syrup.

Makes 2 servings.

Nutrition Facts:
Pancakes - 1 serving: 334 calories, 40g carbs, 4g fat, 39g protein
Frosting - 1 serving: 34 calories, 3.5g carbs, 0g fat, 6g protein

ENJOY! :-)

Purple Protein Pancakes

Not only is purple my favorite color, but adding dark berries to your diet is very beneficial! Blackberries are one of the top 10 foods containing antioxidants. They are also packed with polyphenols helping to prevent cancer and heart disease.


Ingredients:
1/3 cup oat bran
1 scoop vanilla protein powder
1 tsp baking powder
3/4 tsp stevia
1/2 cup egg whites
1-2T unsweetened vanilla almond milk
1/4 cup raspberries
1/4 cup blackberries
1/4 cup blueberries

Directions: 
Grease a griddle or frying pan with coconut oil or non-stick cooking spray. Mix all ingredients, except for 3/4 of the berries. Cook like you would a normal pancake. I microwaved the rest of the berries and topped my pancakes with them. I also used Walden Farm's sugar-free, no-calorie pancake syrup. DELICIOUS! :-)

Makes 1 serving.

Nutrition Facts:
365 calories, 45g carbs, 4g fat, 44g protein

ENJOY! :-)

Pumpkin Protein Muffins

I told you there would be another Pumpkin Recipe on this blog! And more to come I am sure! ;-) 'Tis the season for pumpkin, apples, hoodies & chilly nights!

These muffins are super moist, light & full of protein. I hope you enjoy these as much as I do! :-)

Ingredients:
Dry-
1 cup oat flour
2 scoops vanilla or cinnamon protein powder
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp pumpkin pie spice
2 tsp cinnamon
3.5 T stevia

Wet-
1cup pure Pumpkin
1/2cup unsweetened vanilla almond milk
1/2 cup egg whites
1/4 cup plain non-fat greek yogurt
1/2 cup apple sauce (unsweetened)

Directions: Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Grease a muffin tin with coconut oil or non-stick cooking pray. Mix dry ingredients, then mix wet & then combine both very well. Pour into muffin tins. Bake for about 25 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean.

Makes 12 muffins.

Nutrition Facts:
1 muffin: 83 calories, 14.4 carbs, 1g fat, 7.3g protein

ENJOY!!

High Protein French Toast

French Toast is my all-time FAVORITE breakfast food. I have been avoiding french toast since it is not the healthiest breakfast choice.. until now! :-) I made this french toast with cinnamon raisin Ezekiel Bread. (Food for Life brand).

Ezekiel Bread is made from sprouted grains.One study found that eating sprouted grain breads (not Ezekiel, but similar to it) reduced the blood sugar response and increases the glucagon response when compared to eating unsprouted breads; 11-grain, 12-grain, white, or sourdough.




Ingredients:
2 slices of cinnamon raisin Ezekiel Bread
1 egg
1/4 cup egg whites
1/2 scoop vanilla protein powder
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1T unsweetened vanilla almond milk
1/2 tsp cinnamon

Directions:
Grease a griddle with non-stick cooking spray or coconut oil and set on medium-high heat.
Whisk all ingredients together well and dip each slice of break in the mixture, soak up as much as possible.
Put slices of battered bread onto griddle. Pour the rest of the left-over batter on top of the bread. Cook on each side until done.

I served mine with half of a banana and Walden Farm's sugar-free, no-cal pancake syrup.

AMAZING! :-)

Makes 1 serving.

Nutritional Facts:
(without the banana/syrup) 332 calories, 42g carbs, 7g fat, 30g protein.

ENJOY! :-)

Chocolate Protein Waffles

How can you say no to Chocolate Waffles for breakfast?! I know I can't!! These are very easy to put together and will keep you full for hours. :-)

Ingredients:
1 cup oat flour
1 scoop chocolate protein powder
2 T unsweetened cocoa powder
2 tsp stevia
1 tsp baking powder
3/4 cup egg whites
1/4 cup plain, non-fat greek yogurt
1/4 cup unsweetened almond milk

Heat Waffle iron on medium-high. Spray with non-stick cooking spray.

Mix all ingredients well and pour batter onto waffle maker. The amount of waffles this makes will depend on what size waffle maker you have. :-)

Makes 3 servings

Nutritional Information:
1 serving: 299 calories, 36g carbs, 4g fat, 31g protein

Tuna Pasta Salad

This is a healthy dish that is great for a post-workout meal! It is packed with healthy carbs and protein which will help maximize your results from a hard workout. :-)

Ingredients:
1/2 cup whole grain, sprouted, or whole wheat elbow noodles
5oz can tuna
1T reduced fat mayo with olive oil
3T Plain non-fat Greek Yogurt
1 scallion (Green onion)
1/4 cup sliced radishes
1/4 cup chopped broccoli
1/4tsp garlic powder
1/4tsp black pepper
1/4tsp sea salt
1/4tsp paprika 

Directions: Mix well and keep in refridgerator for at least 2 hours before eating.
Makes 1 serving

The Nutritional Facts are based on what ingredients I used. They may vary.
1 serving: 455 calories, 44g carbs, 9g fat, 54g protein

ENJOY! :-)