The Official Aminogen Blog

Egg Protein and Weight Loss

The high quality in eggs may help you lose weight, according to researcher Donald Layman.  Presenting his findings at a recent conference, Layman highlighted the importance of amino acids, and described how they might improve the body's metabolism.

While National Egg Nutrition Month has passed (check out last year's post on egg nutrition), there are aalways plenty of ways to benefit from the protein goodness found in eggs. Take a look at the nutrition content of eggs and you'll agree they are all they are cracked up to be.  Then, make your own high quality protein meal.  The American Egg Board provides an impressive collection of egg recipes.

And of course, remember that Aminogen helps your body to make the most of your dietary protein for optimal weight loss and improved body composition.

 

No Weekend Plans?

Don't worry.

Saturday is the last day of National Pancake Week, and there is no end to the pancake-related activities. 

Citizens in Olney, England, for instance, hold a friendly competition each year in honor of National Pancake Week.  The town of Liberal, Kansas does the same. You can watch the final moments of last year's race here.

Pancakes are a favorite among bodybuilders.  They are a great way to pack in extra protein, since whey powder can easily be incorporated into the mix.

Below are two high-protein pancake recipes.  Give them a try and sit back for some fine pancake entertainment.

High Protein Pancakes

1/2 cup oats
1/2 cup cottage cheese
1 Whole Egg
4 Egg Whites
Dash of Vanilla Extract
Dash of Cinnamon

Incorporate all ingredients and cook in a skillet over medium heat.  Makes three pancakes.

Or, try this basic protein powder recipe and add your own flavor. For example, use vanilla or banana flavored powder and serve with fruit. And of course, protein is always served best with Aminogen!

Protein Powder Pancakes

2 eggs
1/2 cup oatmeal
1 scoop of whey
2 tablespoons of buttermilk or peanut butter

Oh, and have a good weekend!

Orange Popsicle Protein Smoothie

This is a great protein smoothie to kickstart the morning or to enjoy on a warm summer afternoon.

Mix these ingredients in a blender:

1/2 cup soy milk

1/2 cup vanilla yogurt

1/2 cup orange juice

1 scoop vanilla protein powder

Then, add crushed ice or 1/4 can frozen orange juice, blend again. 

Weekend Reading: Summer Protein Recipe

  This Weekend Reading Eating comes just in time.  It's those last few lazy hazy weeks of summer, and sweating over a hot stove is just not appealing. 

Over the next few weeks I will be posting summer recipes that are high in protein and low on kitchen time.

Tomato-Chickpea Salad

1 15 oz can chickpeas, drained and rinsed

1/2 cup sund-dried or canned tomatoes, drained and sliced

1 cup feta cheese, crumbled

1 small red onion, chopped

1 garlic clove, chopped

1 tablespoon chopped cilantro

2 tablespoons olive oil

1 tablespoon lemon juice

2 teaspoons salt      

Combine all ingredients in a bowl, refridgerate for 1-3 hours, and get out of the kitchen.                  

Boost Your Protein Drink

Men’ s Health lists some smart ways to give your protein drink a nutritional boost.  Check out their suggestions here.  I have added a few suggestions of my own below.

Pineapple and Crushed Ice

Stir in with plain or vanilla protein powder and chill for a refreshing twist.  Pineapple is a natural source of enzymes and vitamin C. 

Raspberries, Blueberries, Strawberries

Berries are high in antioxidants.  Since your body accrues oxidative stress during exercise, berries make a great addition to any post-workout protein drink.

Aminogen

… of course!  Like the enzymes in pineapple, the enzymes in Aminogen are natural and plant-based.  The benefit is that Aminogen is formulated and proven to break down the whey protein in your drink. And while some brands of protein powder contain generic enzymes, Aminogen is the only designer enzyme system patented and clinically shown to significantly increase absorption of amino acids and branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) from dietary protein. 

Low Fat, High Protein Egg Salad

National Egg month isn’t until May, but with Easter just a few days away, many of you are in search of a good egg salad recipe! 

Eggs are an excellent source of protein, containing all 9 essential amino acids.  Essential amino acids are important since they cannot be produced by the body and must be obtained from food (or supplements).

At around 70 calories, one large egg contains 6 grams of protein plus vitamin D, vitamin E, folate, riboflavin, lutein and choline.

More information on eggs to come in May. I am collecting all of your best egg recipes and will be posting them then, so don’t forget to send yours in!

In the meantime, here are two recipes you can try this weekend; both use yogurt instead of mayonnaise, which cuts down on cholesterol and adds protein:

Light and Lean

Low-Fat, High Protein Egg Salad

8 hard-boiled eggs, yokes removed, chopped

½ to 1 cup plain, fat-free yogurt*

1 teaspoon celery seed

¼ cup green onions, chopped

Salt and pepper to taste

*You can also make this recipe with 2 ½ teaspoons of extra-virgin olive oil instead of yogurt.  I like to add in 1 or 2 small chopped tomatoes when making it this way.  The combination of the olive oil and tomatoes gives a sophisticated twist to traditional egg salad.

Curried Egg Salad

5 hard-boiled eggs, with yokes, chopped

½ small apple, chopped or 1/4 cup dried currants

½ small onion, chopped

¼ cup minced chives

4 tablespoons plain yogurt

1-2 teaspoons curry powder

Salt and pepper to taste

Coconut Blizzard Protein Smoothie

8 oz. pinapple juice

1 scoop vanilla protein powder

1/2 tsp. coconut extract

1 oz. shredded coconut

3 ice cubes

Delicious High Protein Granola

This recipe does not contain protein powder, but it is high in protein and great for holiday parties.

High Protein Granola

6-7 C. rolled oats

1-2 C. rye flakes

2 C. salted peanuts

1/2 C. chopped almonds

1 C. sunflower seeds

1 1/2 C. powdered milk

1 C. unsweetened shredded coconut

1 C. wheat germ

1/2 C. TVP (textured vegetable protein)

1/2 C. soy nuts

1 2/3 C. natural peanut butter

3/4 C. corn oil

1 C. honey

1-2 Tb. maple syrup (to taste)

2 Tb. vanilla

1/2 C. water

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Oil large roasting pan and mix all dry ingredients in it. 

Over medium heat, mix peanut butter, oil, honey, vanilla, and water until smooth.

Pour liquid mixture over dry ingredients and mix thoroughly until everything is just moistened. 

Bake until golden brown, stirring every 5 to 10 minutes.  Allow to cool.  Mixture will form small chunks as it cools and dries.

Orange-Cranberry Muffins

2 C. soy flour

1 C. dry powdered milk

1 tsp. salt

1tsp. baking powder

1 C. frozen cranberries, chopped

1 C. chopped nuts

3 slightly beaten eggs

3 Tb. melted butter

1 orange rind, grated

1/4 tsp. grated lemon rind

3/4 C. orange juice

3 Tb. honey

Combine dry ingredients.  Add cranberries, and then mix remaining ingredients into dry ingredients until just moist.  Bake for 20-25 minutes at 350 degrees.

Banana Split Protein Smoothie

8 oz. milk

1 scoop vanilla protein powder

1/2 banana

1/4 C. chopped pineapple

2 strawberries (fresh or frozen)

3 ice cubes

Blend and serve!