.:GOO BALLS & KB'S SPICY CHICKEN BURGERS:.

I've been super strict with my diet, but I get SO bored with the monotony. The tricky part is that I'm required to eat various ratios of carbs:protein:fat each day of my carb cycle- on the positive, it becomes less about "what do i FEEL like eating?" and more "what do I NEED to eat?" I gauge my training to the amount of carbs I take in. For example, high carb day- I hit my hardest lifts of the week (Legs, back) b/c they require the most quick energy. Medium day I do bi's & tri's or I'll "cocktail" smaller muscle groups that aren't sore(shoulders/calves) I leave my low carb days for cardio & abs only. I may be sick in the head b/c it's like a little puzzle & I love making it all fit together (helloooo OCD, nice to see you again.)

Today is low carb & I couldn't bear the thought of plain egg whites & veggies again. So I get creative (this terrifies Monty.) I started with the foods I typically eat on low carb day, baked chicken, egg whites, olive oil, natural peanut butter, casein/isolate, spinach & mushrooms and start to think of ways I can combine/season them for variety. This is what I came up w/:

KB'S SPICY CHICKEN BURGERS

Ingredients:
2 T Cholula garlic hot sauce (I'm a spicy kinda girl)
1/2 t ground cumin
1/2 t dried thyme, crushed
2 t dry yellow mustard
2 t black pepper
1 T Mrs. Dash Tomato Basil
1 t salt
2 T garlic (I use the minced refrigerated kind)
1 chopped onion
2 c baby spinach (chopped in food processor)
8 large mushrooms (chopped in food processor)
3 egg whites
16 oz chicken (I bake all mine for the week so I ground the cooked chicken in a food processor)
1st Cold Pressed Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Directions:
On medium, heat 6 T oil in large skillet.
In a large bowl, combine spices, onions, spinach, mushrooms, and hot sauce. Mix until well combined. Next add the ground chicken and egg whites and mix with your hands until evenly distributed. Using 1/4 c portions, shape into thick patties (keep them small to avoid them falling apart and place in the oil) Cook until golden crust hast formed (about 2 min) and flip. Use a thin metal spatula(they broke easily using plastic)

Yields about 18
Nutrition: 1 muffin
85 calories
2 g fat
4 g carbs
12 g protein

Servings are 2 for women and 4 for men.

.:GOO BALLS:.

I heard Beverly International has a similar recipe that's delicious, so I came up with my own version :o)

Ingredients:
2 scoops Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard 100% Whey Protein: Double Rich Chocolate
2 scoops Optimum Nutrition Casein Protein Vanilla Ice Cream
4 T natural Peanut Butter
4 T honey
6 T water

Directions:
Combine ingredients in large bowl until evenly distributed. Using 1 T portions, roll into balls (it helps if your hands are slightly wet handling the protein. Chill on plate covered with wax paper. Enjoy 2-3 as a pre/post gym treat.

Yields 22
Nutrition: 1 ball
Calories: 50
Carbs: 3
Fat: 2
Protein: 6

Enjoy & let me know if you have any questions- Thanks for following. Happy training!