Inside HBC

Peanut Butter and Banana Shake

If you’re dieting to lose weight, the reasons to add a protein shake to your daily diet may be obvious—it’s a meal replacement, reducing how much bulk you take in without compromising the nutrients you need to get through your day.  The reasons to lose weight? How about improved health with more energy, less joint pain, less fatigue and more mental focus?

There are other health reasons to add a protein shake to your daily diet, either replacing a meal or replacing snacks, even if you aren’t dieting to lose weight.  Lactoferrin, pure whey protein without additives, fillers or flavors, has been proven to increase the strength of your immune system, fight cancer cells, prevent osteoporosis and nourish the nervous system.

Our brand of Whey Protein is PURE—this means it has NO additives, fillers, natural or artificial flavors (all the things that compromise your health). Look on the ingredient label of protein drinks and count the number of ingredients.  Our Whey Protein has ONE INGREDIENT: whey protein. To order, send us a note.

TIPS: Blend all ingredients before adding stevia. You can add more than one flavoring. For example, make a frappacino-like shake by adding cocoa powder, vanilla extract, espresso, stevia and ice. Blend well. Top with whipped cream and a sprinkle of cocoa powder.  Here’s a recipe for one of our most popular shakes:

Peanut Butter and Banana Shake

• 2/3 C. Coconut milk (sweet)
• 1 C. heavy cream (sweet)
• 1 C. water
• 3 Tbsp. crunchy peanut butter (sweet)
• 1 Tbsp. vanilla extract (sweet)
• 1 Tsp. banana extract (sweet)
• 1 Tbsp. cinnamon (pungent, bitter)
• 1 C. protein powder (sweet)
• 40 drops of stevia (sweet)
• 1/4 C. shredded unsweetened coconut (sweet)
• 1/4 C. flax seed
• 10 ice cubes

Blend ingredients together until smooth. This makes 4-6 servings.

Pulmonologist update: lung status May 2010

Tuesday, May 25th we had our routine pulmonologist appointment. Val is fighting a cold or flu and perhaps a lung infection? The nurse did a throat swap/throat culture and we are awaiting the results. In the meantime his new medication routine is as follows:

nasal spray (1 in each nostril daily)- to handle the constant runny nose.

antibiotics- 2 week round of antibiotics

Albuterol via MDI (metered dose inhaler)- 2 puffs every 3 to 4 hours as needed. Once his cough subsides we can cut back on that. It is far easier than 10 minutes of nebulizer every 3-4 hours. Holding a mask over a 16month old for 10 minutes of nebulizer has become almost impossible.

We will get the results of the throat culture and blood work back next week and will post the results then.

Blueberry Muffins

My Grandmother had several blueberry bushes in her backyard, along with mulberries, rhubarb, strawberries, and a huge vegetable garden with corn, beans, lettuce, tomatoes, carrots and everything else you can imagine. When we would visit, she would send us out with big bowls and tell us to fill them up. My favorite was the blueberries. Grandma would make blueberry pancakes, muffins and pies and we would go home with blue lips and a belly full of goodness.

• 2 cups of baking mix (sweet, salty)
• 2 eggs (sweet)
• 1 cup plain yogurt (sour)
• 1/2 cup melted butter, cooled; or light oil (sweet)
• 1 cup fresh or frozen blueberries (sour)
• Whipping Cream (optional) (sweet)

1. Heat oven to 375 degrees. Beat egg gently in large bowl. Add yogurt and combine. While stirring, slowly add melted butter. Mix well.
2. Add 2 cups of baking mix, stirring just until combined. Fold in berries.
3. Fill lightly oiled or papered cupcake tins with batter.  Place in oven for 25-30 minutes, or until the center of a muffin springs back when touched lightly.
4. Cool in tins for 5 minutes, then remove to cooling rack.
5. If desired, serve with whipped cream, sweetened with stevia and/or vanilla.