Frosty - esque Milkshake with Dark Chocolate Pudding Packet

I've been experimenting a bit with my daily carb counts. The original impetus was that I had a number of weeks with ~1 pound losses, and for me that really wasn't cutting it. This diet is just too intense for one little pound! In any case, I have been playing with making chocolate shakes using the dark chocolate pudding packet (4 carbs) instead of the chocolate drink mix packet (7 carbs).

Does it matter?? I truly have no idea, and I haven't been able to tell one way or the other if counting carbs to this level has any impact on my week. That said, the shake I came up with using the pudding is super creamy and delicious. It reminds me of a Frosty from Wendy's (not that I've had one in years, so if you have had one recently I could be way off here!). The texture is thick and delicious, and I eat it with a spoon. It makes enough for a few small cups, so I really feel like I'm getting a big treat.

Experiment with your favorite flavor add-ins: peppermint, almond extract, cinnamon, chili pepper -- any of these would be fun!

Frosty Milkshake Using Ideal Protein Dark Chocolate Pudding  -- it made 4 cups like this one!

Frosty - esque Milkshake with Dark Chocolate Pudding Packet
1 cup water
Dash of stevia to taste
Dash of salt
Flavor add ins (try a variety): Walden Farms Chocolate Syrup, Walden Farms Marshmallow Fluff, Almond Extract, Vanilla Extract, Cinnamon, Peppermint Extract, Chili Pepper or Cayanne (goes good with the almond and/or cinnamon.
1 Ideal Protein Dark Chocolate Pudding Packet
10 ice cubes (adjust amount for taste and consistency)

Put the water, stevia, salt and flavor add ins into a blender pitcher. Add in the pudding packet. Blend on low to combine all ingredients well. Scrape down any powder from the sides to be sure everything is well incorporated.

Add in the ice. Start blender on low (I use level 3 on my Vitamix) to break up the cubes, and work up to high (level 8 or so). Blend until all of the ice is incorporated and the mixture is very creamy. It will have expanded by more than double, and the color will change from dark brown (color of the pudding) to a very light creamy brown.

Enjoy!

Good Ol' Fashioned Jello Mold -- IP Style!

I have recently discovered the raspberry jello packet, which is surprisingly good. But you know me--I had to figure out something more to do with it. I thought about adding some fruit like a traditional jello mold. Oddly enough, I'm not sure I've had jello or a jello mold more than one or two times in my entire life. My mom never made jello, let alone a doctored up version with fruit or nuts or other goodies.

Well, it's never too late! This IP version is so so good, super easy, and very filling. I use my Rhubarb Compote recipe but leave the rhubarb a little chunkier rather than cooking into mush, a little Walden Farms Marshmallow, and the jello. I hope you enjoy!

Raspberry Jello Mold -- Ideal Protein Style
1 packet Ideal Protein raspberry jelly mix
1 cup Rhubarb Compote (see note below)
1 Tbsp. Walden Farms Marshmallow Topping

If you haven't already, make your rhubarb compote using the recipe here. Note that for a more traditional jello mold style, either chop the fresh rhubarb into small pieces and cook until soft but not falling apart, or for frozen rhubarb cook until soft and break apart with a spoon but again, don't cook until it's turned to applesauce. Of course, I made it mushy and the jello mold worked great. It just depends on the texture you like.

Put 1 cup of the cooked rhubarb into a tupperware container. Add in the marshmallow topping. In a separate container, add the raspberry jelly mix to 4.5 oz. hot water and stir to dissolve the mix completely. Pour the liquid jelly mix over the rhubarb and marshmallow and stir will to evenly distribute the liquid through the other ingredients. Cover and pop into the fridge for 40 minutes or more.

Eat and savor every bite!!

Chili Pepper and Chocolate--Two Great Tastes that Taste Great Together

Chocolate and chili pepper match beautifully, and you see this match-up in specialty chocolates everywhere these days. Why should being on ideal protein mean we can't enjoy this interesting flavor combination? It's good hot or cold, as a shake or as hot cocoa. It's nice to change up the flavor profiles of the packets a bit, especially as I do tend to eat the same ones every day.

Chili Chocolate Shake (or Chili Hot Cocoa)
1 ideal protein chocolate drink mix packet
8oz water
10 ice cubes (if making as hot cocoa, use 10oz of water and no ice cubes)
1/2 tsp alcohol free almond extract (I use Frontier brand, which is 0,0,0)
A few shakes of ground cinnamon
A few shakes of ancho chili powder, to taste depending on how spicy you want to go. Note: this is not standard chili powder, which is a blend of many spices. You can also use cayenne, but I happen to like the flavor of the ancho vs cayenne which to me just tastes spicy.

Blend it up in the blender and enjoy! If you are having it hot, blend gently to avoid too much foaming, and then heat in the microwave to desired temperature.

What---A Peppermint Patty?? Hot Peppermint Cocoa, Ideal Protein Style

Since I am procrastinating in a serious way, I thought I'd take the opportunity to share a truly delicious and super easy treat. I love love love (did I mention I love?) hot cocoa. So now that fall is here, I'm so excited to sip some in the evening.

I also love flavors with chocolate, especially mint and peanut butter. I haven't figured out the whole pb situation yet on IP, but mint is another story! Last night, I quickly whipped up a fabulous peppermint hot chocolate. Such a treat, but not a restricted one. Here's what I did:

Ideal Protein Peppermint Hot Cocoa
10 oz. hot water
1/2 tsp alcohol-free peppermint extract (I use Frontier brand of organic extracts, which are 0,0,0)
1 packet Ideal Protein Chocolate Drink Mix

Mix it all together in a shaker. If you like it even warmer (which I do), pop in the micro for 30 seconds or more until you reach desired temperature.

Couldn't be much easier, and you'll feel like you are having a devilish treat from Starbucks.

Enjoy!

PS: You can do the same thing with the dark chocolate pudding for a peppermint patty pudding treat. So good!