Five Reasons to Love Greek Yogurt

On April 1, 2019 By The Golden Graham GirlIn High-protein, Random, UncategorizedLeave a comment

“Oh, Greek yogurt, how I love thee! Let me count the ways!” Yes, seriously, an ode (or blog post) devoted to the delights of Greek (or another other strained, high-protein variety, like Icelandic) yogurt. It might seem crazy to write an entire article on Greek yogurt, but I’m really that much of a fan. I’m “Greeking out” over here! (Ba-doom-ching!)

Hopefully by now you’ve heard from me and others how important protein intake is to build and maintain shapely lean muscles and to keep you feeling full and your metabolism humming along (and if my puns aren’t worthy of applause, this SHOULD be).

When you just can’t handle another chicken breast, unsweetened plain Greek yogurt (or Icelandic) makes for a great creamy, cool high protein option. Full-fat Greek yogurt can really add to the fullness factor, or you can opt for fat-free, depending on your overall needs.

If you’re not sure about how to include it more often, and especially if you’re not sure about the flavour on its own, here are five simple swaps you can make this week:

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Five Go-To Low-Carb Meals

On February 4, 2019February 4, 2019 By The Golden Graham GirlIn Dinners, Fitness Foods (Meals), Gluten-free, Grain-free, High-protein, low carb, Meals under 350 Calories, Random, Specialty Diets, UncategorizedLeave a comment

Alright, my low-carb lovers and lifestylers! Where are you? This round up of recipes is for YOU. Seems to be the “trendy” thing to do these days. But just because it’s trendy, does it mean it’s right for you? That’s a twist on the classic “if all your friends jumped off a bridge, would you do it, too?” A dose of healthy skepticism is needed any time a trendy new eating fad rears its head. Here’s an intriguing read: “Carb Controversy: Why Low-Carb Diets Have Got It All Wrong” from my very own nutrition coaching certifying body, Precision Nutrition.

It’s not as though low-carb diets are actually new. Each macronutrient (carb, protein or fat) has gone in and out of vogue over the decades. Restricting any one or combination of macro-nutrients to take energy intake below energy expenditure is going to create weight loss. Those are the fundamental laws of thermodynamics. But the question is, what approach is going to work the best for YOU and make you feel, look and perform YOUR best?

Now, if you’ve done your homework and perhaps even consulted with a qualified nutrition coach (like me!), and you want to increase your repertoire of low-carb meals and snacks, who am I to deny you? One of the best ways to determine if a particular eating approach is going to work for you is to “play scientist” and try it out. Even if you just want to include these selections from time to time to create a more moderate intake of carbohydrates in your overall eating approach, you’re going to find these useful.

I think it’s safe to say that in my total repertoire of recipes, I have ideas for meals and snacks that suit just about any and every style of eating (except maybe macrobiotic raw veganism). And of course, as a busy professional working mother myself, these recipes are generally all kid- and husband-tested and approved, like my round up of family-friendly healthy recipes from just a few short months ago. I even went the extra step of going live every time I ate over the course of a “low-carb day” – you can check out my Facebook feed for that.

Now, if you want a single place to easily reference ALL of the recipes, be sure to bookmark this page.

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Homemade Better-for-you Holiday Sweets

On December 9, 2018 By The Golden Graham GirlIn Cookies, Gluten-free, Grain-free, High-protein, Low-fat, Paleo, Pies, Tarts & Turnovers, Random, Special Occasion Desserts, Specialty Diets, Truffles, Bites & Balls, Uncategorized, Vegan, VegetarianLeave a comment

I know this tme of year gets even busier for busy professional working moms (just like me). I was so busy that in last week’s post about Smart Strategies for Holiday Eating, I completely forgot to point out that you can also MAKE your own foods to BRING to the events. When you’ve got better-for-you recipes like the ones I’m about to share, you can be confident in your food choices because you know exactly what is in them and just how delicious they are! It’s so disappointing to “waste” calories on a sub-par goodie, isn’t it? I’ve been known to (discreetly) spit out crappy chocolates and dry cookies. If I’m eating it, it had better be DELICIOUS!

So, I assure you that all of the recipes that follow fit the bill for both better-for-you than their traditional counterparts AND delicious – AS delicious-tasting as the originals, if not MORE SO! Some of the recipes are vegan, some are keto- and/or paleo-friendly and ALL of the recipes lack refined/processed sugar. I actually filmed full-length LIVE demos for FIVE of the recipes on Facebook and I shared those same five recipes as my weekly Instagram video series.

Forgot about a class party? Need to bring a dish to a potluck (as I suggested above)? Just want to hide in the basement with some snacks until it’s all over? I’ve got you covered! For all of my recipes and MORE of my top picks from my favourite food bloggers, read on!

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Five Family-Friendly Healthy Recipes

On October 29, 2018 By The Golden Graham GirlIn Dinners, Fitness Foods (Meals), High-protein, Random, Uncategorized2 Comments

Are you ready for the hands-on portion of the class? I write about a lot of theory, and I decided it was time to get back to my roots (and I don’t mean my hair) – if you didn’t know, this blog actually started mainly with recipes for meals and snacks! Since I am committed to helping busy professional working mothers to lose fat (and all other comers are welcome, too!), I thought it would be practical to share some of my latest and greatest delicious and nutritious recipes. These are all kid- and husband-tested and approved.

I’ve taken some of the Golden Graham family favourites – a lot of these are updated, more healthful versions of perennial favourite foods like pizza or burgers. They are delicious AND nutritious, and I especially love them because they can be on the table in 20-30 minutes (or faster, if you do some make-ahead prep – my top prep tips are here). You’ll definitely want to pin or bookmark this page for easy reference for these recipes to keep you winning the weeknight dinner wars!

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High Protein Molten Chocolate Lava Cake (Gluten-free, Grain-free, Refined sugar-free)

On September 3, 2018 By The Golden Graham GirlIn Breads (Quick), Cakes & Loaves, Gluten-free, Grain-free, High-protein, Nut-free, Nutritious Noshes (Snacks), Special Occasion Desserts, Specialty Diets1 Comment

More than a mouthful…let’s just read that title again: High Protein Molten Chocolate Lava Cake. It sounds too good to be true, doesn’t it? Especially when you consider that it contains NO gluten, NO grains and NO refined sugar. But I’m here to tell you that it’s real and it’s more than good. Oh yes, this recipe is downright divine. It’s got a perfectly soft and moist cake around the edges, and a soft, luscious, melt-y chocolate center. Just like any perfectly respectable lava cake should. I hope the photos speak for themselves. But don’t just take my word for it – make it for yourself!

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(High Protein) Healthful Cream Cheese Frosting (or Glaze)

On August 27, 2018August 27, 2018 By The Golden Graham GirlIn Condiments, Sauces, Spreads & Toppings, Gluten-free, Grain-free, High-protein, Low-fat, Nut-free, Nutritious Noshes (Snacks), Specialty DietsLeave a comment

It’s the little things…how many times have you heard that phrase? But it’s true on so many levels and in so many contexts. It’s the little rituals that you have with your loved ones that have the most meaning and hold the most space in your heart. It’s the little adjustments in training and nutrition that set the gold medallists apart from the silver medallists. And when it comes to food, it’s the little touches of flavour and presentation that can take a meal from merely mediocre to masterful.

I like to think that this healthful cream cheese frosting or glaze is one of those little things. It’s the perfect little something extra that can be added to enhance just about any dessert, including protein muffins, carrot cake, cinnamon buns, apple pie…oh my! Heck, it’s so good for you, you could even put it on your oatmeal. No judgment!

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Coconut Lime Yogurt Delight

On April 17, 2018April 26, 2018 By The Golden Graham GirlIn Custards, Mousses & Puddings, Gluten-free, Grain-free, High-protein, Low-fat, Nut-free, Nutritious Noshes (Snacks)Leave a comment

Is it time for a taste of the tropics? I tell you, this is the LONGEST winter I have ever seen in Calgary. Sure, sure, we’re the Great White North, but this is getting a little bit ridiculous! We had a snowfall warning today for up to 20 cm (that’s the better part of a foot, Imperialists!) and it’s the middle of April. I mean I know that we have a reputation for dog-sledding ten months out of the year, but that’s just a stereotype, not reality. Although I do like the joke about Canada’s four seasons: almost winter, winter, still winter and road construction (ba-doop-ching!). Perhaps the travel agent business is actually the business to be in, catering to cabin-fever-crazed Canucks looking to get away from our perpetually white landscape (and generally pasty skin for the Caucasian part of our medley mosaic). In any event, I am in the business of delicious, healthful treats to keep your mind off of the weather and keep you from hibernating in a parka spooning with a tub of Ben and Jerry’s. Without further ado, I bring you: Coconut Lime Yogurt Delight!

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(High-Protein) Power Potato Salad (Gluten-free, Grain-free, Paleo-friendly)

On December 8, 2015 By The Golden Graham GirlIn Dinners, Fitness Foods (Meals), High-protein, Low-fat, Lunches, Meals under 350 Calories, Paleo, Whole30 Compliant1 Comment

You might think of potato salad as strictly a summer food, the stuff of cookouts and backyard barbecues. Well, it’s time to think again! Between Thanksgiving and Christmas, it’s entirely likely that you’ll have leftover boiled potatoes on hand. Keep yourself fueled up for the busy-ness of the season with this high-protein option (and save the recipe for next summer, too!). You can also make a version that is Paleo-friendly (and yes, it can be Whole30-compliant).

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Whipped Chocolate Protein Frosting

On October 22, 2015October 21, 2015 By The Golden Graham GirlIn Condiments, Sauces, Spreads & Toppings, Gluten-free, Grain-free, High-protein, Low-fat, Nut-free, Nutritious Noshes (Snacks)1 Comment

A thick, rich and creamy chocolate frosting that is delicious? Easy. But what about one that is HEALTHY, HIGH IN PROTEIN, and FREE OF REFINED SUGAR and this-can’t-be-good-for-me-but-it-really-is? Yes, oh yes. This is the perfect topping for any of my cakes, and especially my latest and greatest Healthy Single-Serving Mocha Microwave Mug Cake. But of course, no one would be the wiser if you just wanted to eat it straight off of the spoon. And I certainly wouldn’t blame you.

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Cinnamon Roll Cheesecake Protein Muffins (Gluten-free, Grain-free, Refined sugar-free)

On September 30, 2015 By The Golden Graham GirlIn Cheesecakes, Gluten-free, Grain-free, High-protein, Muffins & Cupcakes, Nutritious Noshes (Snacks)1 Comment

If you thought you hit the jackpot with my Double Chocolate Cheesecake Protein Muffins, just wait until you sink your teeth into the warm, soft sweetness of my latest creation: Cinnamon Roll Cheesecake Protein Muffins! Yet again, this is a muffin that is high in protein, low in carbohydrates, AND free of gluten, grains and refined sugar. This time, the star of the show is a Quest Nutrition Cinnamon Roll Protein Bar*. Let these muffins steal your heart.