A Few Of My Favorite Things

Rain drops on roses, whiskers on kittens....


Ok maybe those don't have anything to do with these products but it just felt right.

There are some things since having the surgery that have changed in my life.  Other than the other stuff I talk about (weight, clothes, mind set), things in my cabinet have changed.

As a bariatric patient we are required to have so many grams of protein a day.  My doctor prefers that I have 60-80 grams of protein (in liquid form) a day.  So the normal protein drinks from AdvoCare, Mona Vie, Slim Fast, are just not going to cut it.  If I were to drink those I would have to drink at least 5 a day to get at least 60 grams a day.  Now you have figure in the fact that I can't drink 30 minutes before I eat, while I eat, or for 30 minutes after I eat.  When would I have time to fit that many drinks in?  And can my stomach hold that much liquid from 5 protein drinks.  That's where my first two favorite items come into play.

The first picture is of Premier Protein drinks.  I love the fact that they are pre made (makes my hectic life easier) and they don't have that terrible chalky taste that some do.  They have 30 grams of protein in them, 160 calories, 3 grams of fat, and 1 gram of sugar.  You can not beat that!  Plus it gives you a satisfied feeling, and that's always a plus!  I usually drink one in the morning and one in the afternoon.  You have to break it up because your body can only absorb so many grams of protein at a time.
The second picture is of Isopure.  Funny story about this drink.  When I had my surgery the hospital gave me Isopure to drink (or as I called them shots because I would just sip on a little cup that looked like a little shot glass) and when I was being discharged they gave me some to take home with me.  My mom insisted that we put the Isopure in the bag that contained all of my medicines and blood thinner shots that I was taking on the airplane with me.  I didn't want to but I wasn't in a state to argue.  So in the bag they went.  We get to the airport and we are gong through security.  I had gave them the bag with all the medicines, shots, protein drinks, for them to check out.  Security could have cared less for all the narcotics I had in my bag, but this protein drink (which was in a plastic bottle) caused so many red flags.  I was escorted to the side and they wiped the bottle down, then wiped my hands down for bomb residue.  I was so upset I said "I don't even want the stupid protein drink, just throw it away!".  The security guy said "I'm sorry ma'am it's red flagged and now you are too".  I was escorted to sit down because I was turning pale considering I had just had major surgery!  A really nice woman security guard came over to chat and make sure I didn't jump up and run.  They ended up letting me take the protein drinks and leave.  It really is a funny memory but at the time I didn't find it funny but now I do.  Good times, good times.  About the drink itself though, it has 40 grams of protein, 160 calories, 0 fat, and 0 sugar.  I hadn't found any since having my surgery and wasn't about to order a bunch online, but I recently found them in Thriftway.  Yes....I said Thriftway.  They are getting more and more items that you can find at a health food store in their store.  It's amazing!  Love it!  Now don't get me wrong.  I still love my H-E-B, but if I don't have the time or energy to go over there I do not mind going to Thriftway to purchase my groceries. 

*Side note:  Protein helps you stay satisfied longer and helps burn more calories than fat in the digestive process*

Greek yogurt.  Especially raspberry, has saved my life.  I loved greek yogurt to begin with but since my surgery it's been a saving grace.  I don't always feel like eating because but I know I have to so I will just eat a greek yogurt and it totally does the job.  I have had so many people say they can't stand greek yogurt and I honestly don't understand why.  Yes, it is a thicker consistency but don't you feel more satisfied with it than regular yogurt?

Now this is something I came across in a health food store in Lubbock one day.  I only bought one to try (the peanut butter one.  I know, you're shocked it was peanut butter right? I heart peanut butter) and Drake, Felicia, and myself chomped down on it.  It was so good!  Drake (who was 3 at the time) wanted more!  Little did he know it was healthy for you!  It's a vegan/gluten free cookie.  And let me say this.  I am not a vegan or a gluten free person all the way, but if I can still enjoy sweets (and still in moderation) and they are vegan/gluten free, why not pick the better of the 2.   The only bad thing is the calories on it.  It is 230 for one serving and each cookie is 2 servings.  So if you buy this cookie plan on sharing with a friend, or 2 :)

Ok I know I just did a cookie but these are amazing!  The very first time I saw these cookies was at Thriftway (yes again :) and it was around the holidays.  They had chocolate mint (my favorite) and sugar cookie.  I got a box of each and when I tried them.....I was in love.  I'm sure those flavors were seasonal, but I found these gems the other day at Natural Food Market.  The serving size is 3 cookies (plenty to get your sweet tooth fix), around 130 calories (I'm saying around because the chocolate chip is 130 and the oatmeal is 120), around 5 grams of fat, around 12 grams of sugar, and 2 grams of protein.  The cookies were created because Dr. Lucy's daughter had many allergies and she couldn't find high quality cookies that tasted good....so she made her own :)

Now which cookie am I going to have for desert tonight?