Gingerbread Man Super Shake

Who enjoyed some gingerbread cookies this season? If you’re coming down from your holiday high, this recipe has all the flavors of gingerbread goodness, but fits perfectly into your nutrition plan. This is a classic treat - let’s try it! I’m kind of picky about gingerbread because it always tastes overcooked and then you waste the calories. Amiright? if you’re going to eat it, might as well ENJOY the heck out of it. THIS is something you will enjoy for sure! Let me know if you make it.

Gingerbread Man SUper Shake

Servings: 1

Ingredients

1 cup unsweetened almond milk

1 cup ice

2 scoops vanilla Life Shake

1 tsp ground cinnamon

¾ tsp. finely chopped fresh ginger (or ¼ tsp. ground ginger)

1 tsp. pure vanilla extract

Instructions

Place almond milk, ice, Life Shake, cinnamon, ginger, and extract in a blender; cover. Blend until smooth

Chocolate Orange Ricotta Cookies

I’m sorry if I’ve overloaded you with desserts this season, but the good thing is mine have been healthy-ish. :) This recipe comes together in under 30 minutes, but has the flavors of you baking all day long! I love when I get to impress without exhausting myself! Yes, Please!!!

Chocolate Life Shake is the key — it blends perfectly with ricotta cheese to create a creamy, chocolatey foundation for these cookies, with a tablespoon of orange zest adding a bright, light flavor to each mouthful.

Chocolate Orange Ricotta Cookies

Servings: 10 Servings

Ingredients

Parchment paper 

½ cup almond flour

4 scoops chocolate Life Shake

1 tsp. baking powder

1 cup part-skim ricotta cheese

¼ cup unsweetened almond milk (or unsweetened oat milk) 

1 large egg

1 tsp. pure vanilla extract 

3 Tbsp. semi-sweet chocolate chips 

1 tsp. coconut oil

1 Tbsp. finely grated orange peel (orange zest)

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350° F. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper; set aside.

2. Add almond flour, Life Shake, and baking powder to a small mixing bowl. Stir until mixed; set aside.

3. Add ricotta, almond milk, egg, and extract to a medium mixing bowl; stir until combined.

4. Add dry mixture to wet mixture; stir until combined. Shape into 10 equal balls, approximately 2 Tbsp. each; arrange on a prepared sheet. Gently flatten each ball by pressing with the back of a spoon.

5. Bake for 12 minutes. Set aside on a baking sheet for 1 minute; transfer to a cooling rack.

6. While cookies are still hot, melt chocolate chips and oil in a small microwave-safe bowl for 30 seconds; stir. Repeat, until chocolate is melted. Drizzle chocolate evenly onto cookies. Sprinkle it with orange peel.

7. Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to four days or freeze for up to 1 month.

Split Pea Soup

For our final cozy recipe of the month, I want to share a new recipe that is total comfort food and really good for you! This Split Pea Soup is gluten-free and dairy free, and can be customized to fit your flavors. Don’t let the color deter you - this recipe is a winner!

Servings: 4

Ingredients

3 cups low-sodium organic chicken broth

1½ cups chopped low-sodium nitrite- and nitrate-free ham (approx. 6 oz.)

1 cup dry split peas

1 cup chopped onions (approx. 1 1⁄3 medium)

½ cup chopped carrot (approx. 1 medium)

½ cup chopped celery (approx. 1 medium stalk)

3 cloves garlic, finely chopped

1½ tsp. dried thyme

½ tsp. ground black pepper

¼ tsp. sea salt (or Himalayan salt)

Instructions

1. Combine broth, ham, split peas, onions, carrot, celery, garlic, thyme, pepper, and salt in a slow cooker; stir to combine.

2. Cover; cook on high for 4 to 5 hours (or on low for 7 to 8 hours), or until peas are completely soft.

Note:

• Dry split peas more than double in volume when cooked. So, be sure to track your carb servings correctly! Some of these carbohydrates are from fiber so you get added benefits there!

• If you prefer your pea soup extra-thick, you can reduce the chicken broth to 2½ cups.

Bubby’s Chicken Noodle Soup

We are officially in slow cooker season, and I am so excited to create some recipes this month that are simple to put together, but perfect to prep + freeze for weeks to come. These comfy, cozy recipes each make 4 servings, which is perfect for you for the week, but I suggest doubling up and freezing half for future use!

First up, Bubby’s Chicken Noodle Soup! Not the classic take on chicken noodle soup, but an elevated flavor palette to get more veggies and more flavor into your bowl.

Servings: 4

Ingredients

4 quarts water 

1 bunch fresh dill 

1 bunch fresh parsley 

Butcher’s twine 

1 (3 lbs.) whole raw chicken, skin removed 

1 medium onion, quartered 

1 medium kohlrabi, peeled, cut into 1-inch chunks 

1 medium celery root, peeled, cut into 1-inch chunks 

3 medium carrots, cut into 1-inch chunks 

1 green bell pepper, roughly chopped 

3 medium celery stalks, cut into 1-inch chunks 

2 medium zucchini, quartered, cut into 1-inch chunks 

1 tsp. ground ginger 

1 tsp. ground turmeric 

1 tsp. garlic powder 

1 tsp. sea salt (or Himalayan salt) 

½ tsp. ground black pepper

Instructions

1. Heat water in a large (8-quart) pot over medium-high heat.

2. Tie dill and parsley together into a bundle with butcher’s twine; set aside.

3. Add chicken to pot; boil for 1 hour. Remove chicken; let cool. Shred; set aside. Return pot (with water used to boil chicken) to heat; reduce heat to medium.

4. Add onion, kohlrabi, celery root, carrots, bell pepper, celery, and herb bundle; bring to a gentle boil. Reduce heat to medium-low; gently boil for 30 minutes.

5. Add zucchini; gently boil for an additional 30 minutes.

6. When vegetables are tender, remove herb bundle; discard.

7. Add 2 lbs. shredded chicken, ginger, turmeric, garlic powder, salt, and pepper; stir to combine. Divide soup evenly among 4 serving bowls. Enjoy.

Goulash

I didn’t know what Goulash was before I saw this recipe, but one look at the ingredients list, and I was sold! 😍 This recipe calls for an Instant Pot, but if you don’t have one on hand, you could dump the cooked meat and vegetables in a slow cooker for a delicious outcome, too.

Servings: 4

Ingredients

1 Tbsp. olive oil

1 lb. raw lean beef stew meat

1 cup chopped onion (approx. 1 1⁄3 medium)

½ cup chopped carrot (approx. 1 medium)

½ cup chopped celery (approx. 1 medium stalk)

3 cloves garlic, finely chopped

1 Tbsp. ground sweet paprika

1 tsp. ground smoked paprika

2 tsp. caraway seeds

2 Tbsp. tomato paste

2 Tbsp. apple cider vinegar

2½ cups low-sodium organic chicken or beef broth

1 tsp. finely chopped fresh thyme (or ½ tsp. dried thyme leaves)

2 bay leaves

½ tsp. sea salt (or Himalayan salt)

½ tsp. ground black pepper

2 Tbsp. cornstarch + 2 Tbsp. water (combine to make a slurry)

Instructions

1. Set instant pot to “sauté.”

2. Heat oil in pot. Add beef; cook for 5 minutes, turning to sear on all sides. Remove from pot and set aside.

3. Add onion, carrot, celery, and garlic; cook for 5 minutes, or until vegetables begin to soften.

4. Add sweet paprika, smoked paprika, and caraway seeds; toast for 30 seconds. Add tomato paste and vinegar; cook for 1 minute.

5. Add seared beef, broth, thyme, bay leaves, salt, and pepper. Seal pot and switch instant pot to “meat stew.” (If your instant pot does not have this setting, set pot to the highest pressure-cooker setting and timer for 35 minutes.)

6. Once cycle is complete, release pressure, being sure to keep clear of steam.

7. Switch pot to “sauté” and stir in cornstarch slurry. Simmer for 10 minutes, or until thickened. 

Shrimp Coconut Curry

f you’re craving a flavor-packed, protein-rich meal, but don’t have a ton of time to spend in the kitchen, this is a recipe you need to try.

This Shrimp Coconut Curry can be on your plate in 10-20 minutes - seriously! Shrimp cooks fast, so keep an eye on your cooking temperature. For the best results, cook the shrimp with the onions and peppers over high heat for only 30 seconds. Add the coconut milk mixture to cool the pan and turn the burner to low.

Chef tip: Feel free to try this recipe with chicken if you’re not feeling shrimp! Sub 4 to 6 oz. skinless chicken breast and cook chicken for a longer time (about 5 minutes or until it is not pink) before adding sauce.

Shrimp Coconut Curry

Servings: 1

Ingredients

¼ cup canned coconut milk

1 tsp. fresh lime juice

½ tsp. raw honey (or agave syrup) (optional)

½ tsp. curry powder

1 thin slice fresh ginger, peeled, finely chopped

¼ tsp. finely chopped garlic

6 oz. raw medium shrimp, peeled, deveined

¼ tsp. ground black pepper

1 tsp. extra-virgin organic coconut oil

½ medium red bell pepper, chopped

6 fresh cilantro sprigs (for garnish; optional)

Instructions

1. Combine coconut milk, lime juice, honey, curry powder, ginger, and garlic in a small bowl; mix well. Set aside. Season shrimp with pepper.

2. Heat oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add shrimp and bell pepper; cook, stirring frequently, for 30 seconds.

3. Add coconut milk mixture. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low; gently boil for 5 minutes, or until sauce is slightly thickened and shrimp is opaque and firm.

4. Garnish with cilantro and serve!

Buffalo Chicken Soup

I know I already shared a Chicken Soup recipe this month, but is there really ever too much Chicken Soup? And THIS recipe is something I’ve never seen before - Buffalo Chicken Soup 🔥 FIRE, right?!

Servings: 4

Ingredients

1 Tbsp. ghee 

1 cup finely chopped onion

½ cup chopped carrot

½ cup chopped celery

4 cups low-sodium organic chicken stock

½ cup low-fat (1%) sour cream

¼ cup crumbled blue cheese

¼ cup whipped cream cheese

¼ cup hot pepper sauce

½ tsp. garlic powder

¼ tsp. sea salt (or Himalayan salt)

1 lb. + 4 oz. raw chicken breast, skinless, boneless

3 Tbsp. cornstarch + 3 Tbsp. water (combine to make a slurry)

Instructions

1. Heat ghee in large skillet over medium-high heat; cook onion, carrot, and celery until tender, about 3 to 5 minutes. Remove from heat.

2. Place vegetable mixture in a slow cooker. Add in stock, sour cream, blue cheese, cream cheese, pepper sauce, garlic powder, and salt; mix well.

3. Add chicken to slow cooker; cover. Cook on low for 5 to 6 hours, or until chicken is fork tender.

4. Remove chicken from soup; shred the chicken using two forks. Set aside.

5. Turn the slow cooker up to high. Add cornstarch mixture. Cook, stirring frequently, on a low boil for 2 minutes, or until soup thickens. Add shredded chicken. Turn off heat.

6. Serve immediately.

Smoked Gouda Grilled Cheese

There’s something so comforting about a grilled cheese sandwich — crispy-crunchy on the outside, gooey on the inside with delicious melted cheese. AND it takes minutes to throw together! Think you can’t enjoy foods you like and stick to a nutrition program? This recipe proves that thinking wrong, right away!

This yummy grilled cheese recipe features smoked gouda, a boldly flavored cheese, so you can use less and still enjoy the cheesy goodness.

A light spreading of Dijon mustard, roasted red peppers, and peppery arugula makes this a grilled cheese sandwich you will crave again and again.

Smoked Gouda Grilled Cheese

Servings: 1

Ingredients

2 slices sprouted whole-grain bread

1 tsp. Dijon mustard

1 oz roasted red bell pepper strips

1 slice medium tomato

¼ cup fresh arugula

¼ cup shredded smoked gouda cheese (1 oz)

½ tsp. olive oil

Instructions

1. Spread mustard on one slice of bread.

2. Top with pepper strips, tomato, arugula, cheese, and a second slice of bread. Set aside.

3. Heat oil in a medium nonstick skillet over medium high heat.

4. Add sandwich; cook for 2 to 3 minutes, or until golden brown. Flip, then cook for 3 to 4 more minutes or until the cheese has melted.

Peanut Chicken with Soba Noodles

One of the most common objections I get to committing to a nutrition program is not having enough time. If you’re here, you’ve already decided your health is more important than your excuses 🙌 here is one of the fastest recipes I have on hand! Finished with a delicious, lightly sweet peanut and soy sauce, it tastes great hot or cold and is a great make-ahead recipe for low-maintenance meal prep.

Peanut Chicken with Soba Noodles

Servings: 4

Ingredients

½ cup low-sodium organic chicken broth

1 Tbsp. all-natural peanut butter

1 Tbsp. reduced-sodium soy sauce

1 Tbsp. raw honey

2 cloves garlic, finely chopped

1 thin slice fresh ginger, peeled, finely chopped

1 tsp. coconut oil

12 oz. raw chicken breast, boneless, skinless, cut into 2-inch pieces

½ medium onion, thinly sliced

2 cups fresh spinach (or chopped baby bok choy)

1 cup shelled edamame

2 cups cooked soba noodles (about 4 oz. dry noodles)

1 tsp. crushed red pepper (optional)

2 Tbsp. raw peanuts

Instructions

1. Combine broth, peanut butter, soy sauce, honey, garlic, and ginger in a medium bowl; whisk to blend. Set aside. 

2. Heat oil in a large skillet (or wok) over medium-high heat. 

3. Add chicken and onion; cook, stirring frequently, for 4 to 6 minutes, or until onion is translucent. 

4. Add spinach; cook, stirring frequently, for 2 to 3 minutes, or until spinach is wilted.

5. Add edamame, noodles, broth mixture, red pepper (if desired), and peanuts; cook, stirring frequently, for 2 to 3 minutes, or until heated through. 

Almond Milk Chai Latte

As the weather cools down, I love to add in more warm drinks, especially in the morning - this almond milk chai latte is a great source of antioxidants 😍 As far as tricks and treats, I love subbing unsweetened nut milks in my drinks! They have great flavor, and also have less fat and sugar than other milks. And a fun way to switch things up instead of your standard coffee order to go? Do it yourself!

This recipe makes 2 servings.

Ingredients

• 2 cups unsweetened vanilla almond milk (or other nut / oat milk)

• 2 black tea bags

• ¾ tsp ground cinnamon

• ¼ tsp ground ginger

• ⅛ tsp ground cloves

• 4-8 tsp honey (to taste)

Instructions

1. Heat up the almond milk in a saucepan over medium-high heat, until it begins to bubble over the edges of the pan.

2. Turn off the heat and add tea bags to the pot of hot milk. Wait 3-5 minutes for the tea to steep; then, remove the bags.

3. Add in cinnamon, ginger, cloves, and honey. Turn the heat to medium; whisk to combine, stirring regularly, until the mixture is hot.

4. Adjust any seasoning to your taste and serve immediately.
   

You can store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days in the fridge - serve chilled over ice or reheat on the stove!

Pumpkin Spice Granola Whip

It’s time for another tasty treat … can you really have too much Pumpkin Spice? 🎃 This wonder whip recipe is made for this season!

Ingredients

• 3 tbsp pumpkin puree

• 1 tsp pumpkin pie spice

• ¾ cup plain Greek yogurt

• 1 tsp honey (or sweetener of choice)

• 2 tbsp granola 

Instructions

1. Mix pumpkin puree, pumpkin pie spice, Greek yogurt, and honey together in a bowl. Top with granola and enjoy!

This recipe makes 1 serving.

Coco Caramel Delight Smake

Here’s another recipe to turn to when those sweet cravings hit! The Chocolate Caramel Delight Smoothie tastes like your favorite chocolate caramel candy, but is SO healthy you can enjoy it anytime of day, any day of the week, and still stick to your nutrition goals!

Ingredients

1 cup unsweetened almond milk

1 cup ice

1 scoop Chocolate life shake

1 tsp. pure caramel extract

2 Tbsp. shredded unsweetened coconut, toasted

Instructions

Place almond milk, ice, life shake, extract, and coconut in blender; cover and blend until smooth.

This recipe makes 1 serving.

Candy Corn Parfait

Where are my candy corn lovers at? This is a love/hate treat, but this trick puts a healthy spin on the COLORS of candy corn, without all the artificial sugar. Here’s the Candy Corn Parfait - a perfect dessert to serve up on Halloween.

Ingredients

• 1 cup coconut cream, unsweetened (chill in fridge overnight or in the freezer for 1 hour)

• 1 tbsp pure maple syrup

• 1 pinch sea salt

• ½ tsp pure vanilla extract

• 20 oz canned pineapple chunks in juice, drained

• 2 cups canned manadarin oranges, drained

• 8 pieces candy corn

Instructions

1. Remove all liquid from coconut cream.

2. Place coconut cream, maple syrup, salt, and extract in a large mixing bowl; beat with a mixer until stiff peaks form. Set aside.

3. Spoon pineapple evenly into the bottom of 8 clear glasses; then, arrange the mandarin oranges evenly on top.

4. Top each glass with a dollop of whipped coconut cream + a piece of candy corn and serve! 

This recipe makes 8 servings.

Sweet S’mores Super Shake

We love the flavor of s’mores, but sadly, the chocolate and marshmallow goodies don’t meet our clean-eating goals.

That’s where this recipe for a S’mores Shake comes in. It captures the iconic flavor — and we can drink one every day if we want!

Ingredients

1 cup unsweetened vanilla almond milk

1 cup ice

1 tsp. pure vanilla extract

1 scoop Chocolate life shake

2 tsp. ground whole-wheat graham cracker crumbs, divided use

Marshmallow fluff (optional topping)

Instructions

Place almond milk, ice, extract, life shake, and 1 tsp. graham cracker crumbs in blender; cover. Blend until smooth.

Pour into a serving glass and garnish with remaining 1 tsp. graham cracker crumbs and 1 scoop of optional fluff topping; serve immediately.

This recipe makes 1 serving.

Pumpkin Spice Latte Energy Balls

Try this delicious swap for a tasty seasonal  treat for after school snacks, sporting events, or as breakfast with a side of plain greek yogurt flavored with cinnamon and vanilla. My entire family loved these Pumpkin Spice Latte Energy Balls and I love that they’re all-natural, with none of the mystery ingredients packed into store bought pumpkin treats! That’s not good for any of us!

Ingredients

• 1 cup all-natural smooth almond butter

• ¼ cup honey

• ¾ cup dry rolled oats

• ½ packet of Cafe Latte life shake

• ½ packet of Pumpkin Spice life shake (don’t have it? Use a full scoop of Cafe Latte + 1 tsp. Pumpkin spice mix)

• ½ cup sliced almonds
  

Instructions

1. Combine almond butter, honey, oats, life shake, and almonds in a medium bowl; mix well with clean hands or a rubber spatula.

2. Shape mixture into 24 small balls; place in an airtight container. 

3. Put in the fridge for at least 1 hour before serving.

4. Eat immediately or store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.

This recipe makes 12 servings (2 energy balls per serving).

"adrenal cocktail" aka mocktail

My super simple variation of the "adrenal cocktail" aka mocktail.

Refreshing, delicious, easy to make on the go, or keep at work, and no juice needed!

Just water + Triple Defense Boost + Hydrate Lemon Lime + ice!

1. Triple Defense Boost supports the nutritional needs of your immune system with critical immune-supporting vitamins and minerals, including vitamin C, vitamin D, and zinc. It engages your immune responses with a patent/patent-pending proprietary botanical blend of yeast beta-glucan, Reishi mushroom, and Panax ginseng, and it helps stimulate natural defenses with a proprietary antioxidant blend of elderberry, quercetin, and echinacea.

The immune-boosting ingredients in Triple Defense Boost are clinically proven to play a critical role in healthy immune function and have been shown in laboratory studies to boost Natural Killer cell activity by 3x and increase the proliferation of other immune cells by 5.8x.

2. Hydrate contains more electrolytes than the leading brand and only 10 calories and 1 gram of added organic sugar to increase electrolyte absorption. Guaranteed to be safe and free of harmful ingredients, and no artificial colors, sweeteners or preservatives.

Let me know if you try this!

Pumpkin Bread

Try to look away and not drool! Pumpkin lovers, you out there?? Try this recipe!!

But first, I want to hear your guess … in the US a can of pumpkin is $1.99… in Australia guess the cost of can. **hint “what would be expensive making it not worth it to buy?”

I’ll send Shaklee samples to whoever is closest to the correct answer ;)

Ingredients:

1 15oz. can pumpkin puree

1/4 c cup coconut milk yogurt, unsweetened

1/4 cup coconut oil

2 eggs

1 cup coconut sugar

1 cup almond flour

1/2 cup GF all purpose flour

1/2 cup vanilla Life Shake

1 tsp. cinnamon

1/4 tsp. nutmeg

1 tsp. pumpkin pie spice (you can make your own if you don’t have this)

1 tsp. baking powder

1 tsp. baking soda

1/3 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips (Guittard or Ghirardelli are my favorite brands)

Directions:

1. Preheat over to 350 degrees. Line a loaf pan with parchment paper.

2. Mix wet ingredients in a small bowl.

3. Mix dry ingredients in a large bowl, then add the wet. Mix well.

4. Pour into loaf pan and top with more chocolate chips.

5. Bake for 40-45 minutes or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.

6. Let cool on a baking rack for at least 30 minutes.

Snickers smoothie

Fun sized candy are a crucial part of Halloween… but you also don’t want to be eating 20 Snickers in a single sitting… everyday! So, pencil in smoothies somedays! 

I love this Snickers smoothie recipe because it tastes seriously amazing and, of course, it has all the superfood goodness anyone could ask for!

Ingredients

• 1 scoop Chocolate life shake

• 8 oz unsweetened almond milk

• 1 tsp all-natural peanut butter

• ½ a banana

• 1 tsp caramel extract

• 1 cup of ice

Instructions

1. Add all ingredients into the blender. Cover and blend until smooth.

This recipe makes 1 serving.

Caramel Apple Super Shake

Are you a caramel apple lover? The standard, caramel and nut dipped apple treat runs at about 300 calories and over 70g of sugar! Now, I’m all about treating yourself, but you can get the caramel apple flavors you love with a whole lot healthier option! This swap runs at about 200 calories, 17g of protein and only 13g of sugar!

Ingredients

1 cup unsweetened almond milk

2 scoops Vanilla life shake

1 dash sea salt (or Himalayan salt)

1 tsp. pure caramel extract

½ cup unsweetened applesauce

1 cup ice

Instructions

Add all ingredients into the blender. Cover and blend until smooth.

This recipe makes 1 serving.

High Protein Healthy Recess’s Cup

This is my most requested recipe of August. It's no surprise when 2 of the 4 ingredients are peanut butter and chocolate. That is never wrong! These are also Gluten Free, Dairy Free (depending on the Chocolate Chips you use), and Nut Free (use Sunflower Butter if this is a requirement)! This is very allergy friendly so it's been a hit with 100% that have tried it! The original recipe is HERE.

.

But I re-vamped this to include more protein and it was just as much a hit!! TRY THIS OUT!

New ingredient list (directions are the same):

1 cup quick oats (don’t use old fashioned)

2 scoops Life Protein (adds 20g protein) can be chocolate or vanilla, but I’ve always used vanilla

2 TBSP Pumpkin Seeds (any seeds are fine)

1 cup Nut Butter of choice (I used ½ almond butter, ½ peanut butter because that’s what I had on hand)

¼ cup honey

2 TBSP pure maple syrup (NO LITE syrup here, if you don't have PURE maple syrup, use extra honey or agave instead)

½ cup Chocolate chips of choice (choose DF if that's your goal)

Enjoy and let me know if you make these! If you have any questions, post them below.

You can make these “bars” or “balls”. Now that school is back in session I am rolling balls more so I can take them to the bus stop and they can eat on the way to sport a little quicker.