Carrington Farms Organic Flax Paks

I love these ready-to-eat packets!  They are so convenient and portable.  Sealed, single serve packets need no refrigeration.  I always buy a big bag of ground flax and store in a glass jar in my fridge, but these are great when I am in a rush leaving back to work.  I always keep a few in my bag.  

They are great to add to your greek yogurt, cereals, salads, fruits, vegetables and or your protein shakes.  I found them at stop and shop in the organic section.  They are a must have!

Flax Seeds are a great source of fiber, lignans, protein, essential fatty acids, omega 3 & 6, vitamins and minerals.  Researchers also believe lignans to have antioxidant properties.  Flax seed has up to 8 times more lignans than other vegetables and grains!

Check out these Carrington Farms Organic Flax Paks Milled Flax Seeds they have a delicious nutty flavor you will love!

Chocolate Chip Cookie Makeover

This is a recipe that I pulled out from one of my fitness magazines this month.  I usually set my recipes aside for the weekend when I have time to try them out.  This weekend was my daughter Brittany's birthday so it was a perfect time for a special homemade treat.  

Traditional Chocolate Chips (2) are 237 calories and 12 grams of fat.  They revamped it to (2) cookies 108 calories and 5 grams of fat.  That seemed good, so I decided to try them out for myself.  I read the ingredient list and thought to myself it looked pretty good but of course I would change a few things, and I did.  They turned out awesome, I am definitely making them again! 

Chocolate Chip Cookies ReVamped

Makes 60 Cookies

3/4 cup rolled Oats

1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour (I used whole wheat)

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/4 cup extra-light olive oil (I used Coconut Oil)

3 tablespoons Butter

1/2 cup sugar (I didn't add white sugar)

1/2 cup dark brown sugar (you can use stevia, I didn't)

1 large egg

1 large egg white

1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract

1 cup mini semisweet chocolate chips

(I added 1/4 cup ground Flax Seeds)

next time I'm adding protein powder too =)

Preheat oven to 350.  Spread oats on a baking sheet; toast for 10 minutes.  Remove and turn off oven.  Meanwhile, in a medium bowl, mix flour, baking soda and salt; set aside.  In a large bowl, beat together oil and butter, and sugars with an electric mixer.  Add egg, egg white and vanilla, beating until well combined.  Fold in oats, flour mixture and chocolate chips.  Cover and refrigerate dough for 1hour.

Preheat oven to 350.  Place rounded teaspoonfuls of dough 2 inches apart onto two parchment-lined baking sheets.  Bake, rotating sheets halfway through, for 10 to 12 minutes or until cookies are set and golden brown.  Cool five minutes on sheets; transfer to wire rack and cool completely.  Check this recipe out you will love it!  

Pan Seared Scallops & Steamed Artchokes Plus Brownie Muffins

Tonight I made the best Pan Seared Scallops.  They are so delicious, easy to prepare and totally a power food. Seared Scallops are one of my favorite dishes.  I heated a sauté pan over high heat, added a little olive oil (the pan needs to be very hot) place the Scallops flat side down in the hot pan (don't overcrowd).  Once you place them in the pan don't touch them, you need them to form a nice brown crust.  Flip them in a couple of minutes and thats it!  I added a little Old Bay Seasoning tonight, but you don't have to.  Kosher Salt & Pepper is fine.

I also steamed some artichokes tonight.  I cleaned them first under running water and chopped the end leaves off.  I set them in a pot with some low sodium chicken broth and stuffed with a little fresh parsley.  Normally I would also add fresh garlic, but tonight I didn't.  I covered and simmered them for a few hours until they were tender.  They were amazing!

Ok, last but not least!  I have been dying to try this Brownie Muffin recipe I found on Pinterest.  It's not exactly a Power Meal, but I was very curious if they really tasted good.  Wow!  They were hit!  So easy;  One Box Devil's Food Cake Mix and One Can of Pumpkin!  No Oil, No Eggs Brownie Muffins = Low Calories, HIGH Fiber!  They are insane!  Great for a quick dessert or on Sunday with your cheat meal, please try these!

Bamboo Water Bottles

This is such a great product I had to share it, Bamboo Water Bottles.  If you're like me you hate drinking out of plastic water bottles or anything plastic, you're going to love this product.  Water tastes so much better out of glass, so when I found these water bottles from Open Sky I had to order a few. This one is so pretty too.

I normally use Nalgene bottles for my workouts everyday, there're great and of course BPA free.  I have a glass lavender skull bottle, but it's not safe for the gym.  I usually keep it in my car and use it at home.  

This Bamboo Water Bottle is such a good idea.  I have been looking for something like this for a while now, and I don't really like the metal canteens.  So if you're looking for a glass water bottle for the gym you might like this one, check it out!