Chocolate Peanut Butter Cookies

I recently received a very generous and wonderful package of peanut butter from 

Peanut Butter & Co.  

I did a full review on their fantastic peanut butter that you can check out here. Since I had enough peanut butter to feed a small village, I decided to try baking some cookies with it! 

Chocolate Peanut Butter Cookies!! 

All you will need is...

Dark Chocolate Dreams peanut butter, canned pumpkin, chocolate protein powder, quick oats, vanilla, baking powder, and sweetener if you want. 

*You can use any flavor of peanut butter and protein! Get creative!!*

Mix together all your ingredients in one bowl.  

Super simple!

I usually don't even measure the peanut butter...one BIG spoonful!!

Heaven on a spoon!

 The batter will be kinda sticky.  Just make drop cookies on your baking sheet.  I highly recommend a silicone baking mat or parchment paper.  

I got ten nice sized cookies.  Into the oven which is preheated at 350 for 15-18 minutes.  Of course you can make them bigger or smaller and just adjust the baking time.  

Get ready... Your house is going to smell absolutely amazing!!

Is there anything better than chocolate peanut butter cookies?!

What if I told you that the entire batch is only 300 calories?!

True story!!! You can eat all ten cookies with no guilt! 

I love having these for breakfast after a tough workout.  

They are also packed with 20 grams of protein! I don't know about you, but I love cookies for breakfast!

 With all the different kinds of peanut butter and protein out there, the flavor possibilities are really endless! 

Smooth PB and Vanilla Protein

White Chocolate Wonderful PB and Peanut Butter Fluff Protein 

Crunchy PB and Cookies & Cream Protein

Mighty Maple PB and Caramel Sutra Protein

I could go on...and on...and on...

If you want to buy some tasty peanut butter, check out Peanut Butter & Co. 

And if you want some fun flavors of protein powder to go with it, check out MTS Nutrition.  You can use coupon code KH30 and save %30.

Then go make some awesome cookies!!

Always taste test your peanut butter before baking...

Check out the recipe video too!

Chocolate Peanut Butter Cookies

• 1 T dark chocolate dream peanut butter (16g)
• 1/2 scoop chocolate whey (15g)
• 1/4 cup quick oats (20g)
• 3/4 cup canned pumpkin (180g)
• 1/2 t vanilla
• 1/2 t baking powder

1. Mix everything together in a bowl
2. Bake at 350 for 15-18 minutes

Entire Batch - 300 calories

10g Fat

38g Carb

20g Protein

Quest Creation - Strawberry Cheesecake Jello Bars

I think it is time I come clean...I am...a Quest Bar addict...There, I said it! I am not ashamed either! These bars taste amazing, are super healthy, and you can turn them into crazy creations! For example, how about some Strawberry Cheesecake Jello Bars?!

This dessert is fantastic! It is a great way to satisfy that sweet tooth.  Plus, it is packed full of protein and very low in fat.  

Don't worry, it is very easy to make! You only need four ingredients.

Vanilla protein powder, unsweetened vanilla almond milk, sugar free fat free strawberry jello mix, and that wonderful Strawberry Cheesecake Quest Bar. 

Unwrap the bar, place on microwave safe plate, and warm it up.  

It only needs 8-10 seconds in the microwave.  Just enough to make it soft enough to mold. 

Place the bar between some parchment paper and roll it nice and thin.  

I am using a small 5x7 baking dish, so I made it to fit.  You could use any shape and size dish.  If your dish is much bigger, you may want to use two bars.  

Coat the dish generously with some non stick spray and just lay the flattened bar in there.  It doesn't have to be a perfect fit because the bar will expand some as we bake it.  Into the oven at 350 for 10-12 minutes.  

Ta-Da! 

Now we have a beautiful and tasty crust for our bars. Stick this in the fridge while we mix up the jello part. 

Add the whole package of jello mix to one cup of boiling water.  If you want, you can add a sweetener to two.  I used one little Splenda. 

Make sure all the powder is dissolved and stick this in the freezer, just to take the chill off.  

In a shaker cup, add 1/2 scoop of vanilla protein powder and 1/2 cup milk.  Shake it up real good!

If you don't have a shaker cup, you can just use a whisk or spoon.  I find the shaker works really well though! 

Now add the jello mix.  It's ok if it a little warm, you just don't want to add boiling hot liquid to milk...Mix it up some more!

Really work those arm muscles! 

Now you should have a very pretty pink mixture.  Don't worry, we are almost done!!

Stick this back in the fridge or freezer for a bit.  You want to make sure your Quest Bar crust, and jello mixture are completely cool before we do the next step!!

Once you are sure everything it cooled, slowly pour the jello mixture over the crust.  If the jello mix is even a little bit warm, it will start to melt and break apart the crust.  

Stick the in the fridge for about an hour or until the jello has set.  I know...waiting is the worst part!!

 It is so worth it though!! As you can see, I was a little impatient and forgot to take a finished product picture...I couldn't wait to eat a piece!!

 I got six nice sized bars from this recipe.  Let's be honest though, I ate the whole dish by myself...And why shouldn't I?! The whole dish is only 260 calories! That is much less than any teeny tiny piece of cheesecake you might get at a restaurant.  

 That bite is pure perfection! 

The jello is cold and creamy, the crust is sweet and crunchy, and together it is simply amazing!

Yum!!!

 The whole dish also has a whopping 36 grams of protein! I really look forward to this treat after a tough workout!

If you're only excuse for not making this is that you don't have any Quest Bars, then let me stop you right there!!! Go here and buy some now! I promise you will be glad you did :)

Strawberry Cheesecake Jello Bars

• 1 Strawberry Cheesecake Quest Bar
• 1/2 cup unsweetened almond milk (120ml)
• 1 package sugar free fat free strawberry jello mix
• 1/2 scoop MTS vanilla whey (15g)
• 1 cup water
• sweetener if desired

1. Microwave Quest Bar for 10 seconds.
2. With a rolling pin, flatten the bar between parchment paper. Make is fit whatever size dish you are using. 
3. Coat dish with nonstick spray and place flattened bar on bottom.
4. Bake at 350 for 10-12 minutes
5. Let cool completely.
6. Mix together entire package of jello and 1 cup boiling water.  Let cool.
7. In a shaker cup, mix milk and protein powder.  Add jello mixture once it is cool. 
8. Once crust and jello mixture are both completely cooled, slowly pour jello over the crust.
9. Place in fridge for 1-2 hours or until jello is set.
10. Enjoy!!

Makes 6 Bars

Whole Dish - 260 calories

7g Fat

29g Carb

36g Protein 

Eat Smart Precision Pro Kitchen Scale

Some people may find it strange or odd...but I weight and measure just about all of my food.  I don't do it to diet, I actually do it to make sure I am getting enough of everything I need on a daily basis.  Unlike a lot of people, I tend to underestimate portions.  I love using a kitchen scale because that way I know I am getting the amount I need or want!  

I have been using a food scale for over three years now and really do love it.  At first it was a bit of a hassle, but now it is just how I eat.  

The scale I had was acting up so I was in search of a new one.  I have a bathroom scale from Eat Smart which I love, so I looked into their kitchen scales.  

I was very excited when the company agreed to send me one in exchange for a review! Batteries are included and you also get a Calorie Factor Guidebook. 

This scale is very easy to use.  Weighing and measuring your food can be a bit complicated at times, so you don't want to make it harder on yourself with a complex scale.  

Turn it on and off with the touch of a button. 

Use that same button to tare or "zero" the scale. 

 This scale measures in grams, ounces, pounds, and kilograms. It has a max weight of 11 lbs / 5 kg.  I have never needed to weight anything heavier than that!

Of course you will use the unit button to change between measurements.  I mostly stick to using grams and ounces, but it is good to have the other options.  

While I don't always weight my fruit and veggies, you can see how easy it is to do.

Make sure scale is zeroed, place apple on, and then you can record it if you track your food.  I love using MyFitnessPal! It is a great food diary app that you can use on your phone.  You can also use the website on your computer.  

I especially love this scale for weighing my snacks! I don't want to be shorted on my favorite pretzels! 

Each serving of pretzels is 30 grams.  Just place the bowl on the scale, hit the tare button, and start weighing your snack.  I wanted to two servings, so stopped when I got to 60.  

If you do struggle with portion control, this is a great tool for you.  If you are anything like my wonderful husband, you can easily eat five or six servings of peanuts in an single sitting!

That is all you get for one serving of peanuts! My husband was shocked, and a little sad, when he realized how small one portion was.  That doesn't stop him from occasionaly eating five or six servings...he just makes sure to keep track of it now.  

One of my favorite things to do with my new scale is make homemade trail mix! It is great because I can just add all the good stuff! Notice how I left out the raisins...

I love making single servings of trail mix to toss in my lunch box.  This way I know exactly what is in each portion so I can properly track it.  Plus, homemade trail mix is much cheaper than the store bought kind. 

Even if you don't weight your food, you will love this scale for baking!!

One bowl, one spoon, and one scale! Just tare the scale after each ingredient. You know you are getting exactly the right amount of everything.  

This scale is way more accurate than any measuring cups or spoons.  Say goodbye to all of these!

You can also say goodbye to washing all those cups and spoons :)

So whether you want to weigh all your food, just use it on certain snacks for portion control, or be more accurate with baking, this scale will certainly serve you well!

I am very pleased with it! 

 You can order this scale on Amazon.  They come in five different colors so you can even match it to the rest of your kitchen appliances. 

Check out the Eat Smart Precision Digital Bathroom Scale while you are there! I have tried a lot of different scales and it is hands down the most accurate one I have used.  You even save a little if you buy them together :)

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NuGo

Who loves protein bars?! This girl! I have challenged myself to try all the different flavors and brands that are out there! This is not an easy task.  There must be hundreds of different bars on the market today.  I sure have been having fun with the protein bar tasting parties though.  

I have heard a lot about the company NuGo.  I actually had one of their bars before and it was amazing! It was a Sea Salt Pretzel bar from their Dark line of bars.  They have seven different kinds of bars.  Dark, Organic, Free, Slim, Stronger, Family, and Smarte Carb.  No matter what your dietary needs, NuGo has a bar for you! They are also the only company to coat their bars in REAL dark chocolate.  Other companies substitute palm oil for natural cocoa butter which can add a waxy texture. 

I contacted the company and they suggested I try some bars from the Slim line.  It was really fun because they sent me coupons so that I could go pick them out for myself.  Plus, we didn't have to worry about the chocolatey goodness melting in the back of a hot UPS truck!!

The Slim bars come in five different flavors.  Rasberry Truffle, Brownie Crunch, Roasted Peanut, Espresso, and Crunchy Peanut Butter.  The NuGo Slim bars have 15-17g of protein, 7g of fiber, and only 2-3g of sugar with no malitol. The line is gluten free and features two vegan flavors! (Espresso and Crunchy Peanut Butter) 

I decided to try the Espresso bar first.  I couldn't think of a better way to enjoy this bar other than with a cup of coffee!

Completely covered in real dark chocolate! In case you were wondering, I am a very big fan of dark chocolate.  

This bar had a great coffee flavor, but it wasn't too overwhelming.  Nice and smooth.

Little crispy pieces all throughout the bar gave it the perfect crunch.  This was a great start to my day!

Snack time.  

Since I was trying the Rasberry Truffle bar, I figured it would go great with some more fruit! 

I am not gonna lie, I am usually not a big fan of the fruit/chocolate combo...I was a little worried...

NuGo did good with this one! I could definitely taste the raspberry flavor, but it was not too strong.  I still got to enjoy the wonderful dark chocolate.  

Chocolate break time! I knew the Brownie Crunch bar was going to be extra chocolatey! 

I was right! 

This was so good, especially if you are a chocolate lover.  There were little crunchy bits and chocolate chips all covered in that amazing smooth dark chocolate.

I really love how these bars are chocolatey, but they are not overly sweet.  Simply perfect!

I was saving the two I was most excited about for last.  

I am not at all ashamed of my peanut butter addiction! 

 Crunchy Peanut Butter was up. 

I decided to munch on some actual crunchy peanuts while taking pictures.  It just seemed fitting :)

Oh goodness! This bar still had the crunchy pieces inside, but the rest was a little bit softer.  

Something about chocolate and peanut butter...such an amazing combo!  This was hands down my favorite one so far!

 I don't know...can the Roasted Peanut beat the Crunchy Peanut Butter bar?!

Ah, I just can't choose! I loved the texture of this one.  Even softer inside which I really enjoyed.  The perfect little crunch and all that dark chocolate.  I am gonna have to call it a tie!! Peanut Butter bars for the win!

These will absolutely be a new part of my diet.  I never go anywhere without at least one protein bar just in case hunger strikes.

I think these will be making a frequent appearance in my bag!

 Did I mention these are a great snack to toss in your gym bag too?!

With 15-17 grams of protein, they are great pre or post workout!

 I would absolutely recommend you give these bars a try! I am so glad I got the chance to try all five flavors from the Slim line.  I am looking forward to trying more flavors in the very near future!

NuGo bars are sold all over the US and Canada in many local grocery stores. You can also find them at Whole Foods and specialty stores like GNC and Vitamin Shoppe. Use their store locater to find NuGo bars near you! 

 Even Satchmo the cat enjoys NuGo Slim bars!

Ok...so maybe she just enjoys the sound and feel of the wrapper...either way...

 Follow NuGo on all your favorite social media sites!!

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Read and sign the petition by NuGo Nutrition to create a FDA standard for dark chocolate.