Food Fun

Mr. Prevention’s work had a Ohio State “tailgate” yesterday and they served buckeyes for dessert. If you’ve never had a buckeye, you’re missing out. That is, the chocolate and peanut butter delight, not the actual poisonous nut. Because you probably know by now my palpable distaste for all things Ohio State and buckeye-related…unless we’re talking about the chocolatey, peanut buttery goodness.

So Mr. Prevention comes home from work with 3 buckeyes in a baggie (the yummy kind, I’m speaking of). He pops one in his mouth and offers one to me. Gone! One remained, and I certainly had my eye on it for after dinner. In my mind, it was mine…

We go out to dinner and as we’re pulling in the driveway Mr. P asked if I finished the 3rd and last buckeye. I responded with, “Not yet!” and as he threw the car in park we were SCRAMBLING to get out of the car, up the 2 garage steps, and to the island in the kitchen faster than the other. I kid you not, a full-out sprint with elbows flying and all.

Well, I lost. Dang it.

Mr. Prevention grabbed the beloved last buckeye and I rolled my lower lip into a sad face and tried to guilt him into sharing. ::eye-lash flutter::

“I’ll share with you IF you make more buckeyes tomorrow!,” he bargained.

“YES! Fine! Okay!,” I responded without hesitation.

I got half, and today I believe I will be making buckeyes.

College Game Day is covering MY Illini and I am making buckeyes. Oh the irony!

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This is the recipe from my protein waffle taste test at work.

Perfect Protein Pancakes (or Waffles) adapted from here and Foodologie

¼ cup all-purpose flour
1 scoop (~30 grams) vanilla whey protein powder
½ tsp baking powder
pinch of salt
¼ cup applesauce
¼ cup whole milk
1 egg white
½ tsp vanilla extract (or almond extract)
1 Tbsp sugar
2 Tbsp unsalted butter, melted
Cooking spray

Directions:

Combine all the dry ingredients in a bowl.  Add the applesauce, milk, butter, and vanilla and stir together until just combined.  In a small bowl whip up the egg white until it’s frothy.  Add it to the rest of the batter.  Bake in a heated waffle iron or cook on a griddle/pan for tasty protein filled breakfast goodies. Yield: 1 serving (1 large waffle or 3 small pancakes).

Nutrition Information: 513 calories; 26 g. fat; 69 mg. cholesterol; 381 mg. sodium; 44 g. carbohydrate; 1 g. fiber; 27 g. protein

Result: The patients and staffed loved these protein waffles! I would like to make note that these waffles are “healthy” for a dialysis patient — a patient with end-stage kidney disease. The use of whole milk, butter, and sugar is more-or-less in an effort to add calories (and tastiness!) as most of my patients require 2200-3000 calories daily. There are protein powders with MORE protein than the one I used, however I had to choose one with low sodium, phosphorus, and potassium values. I also subbed in all-purpose flour for whole wheat because wheat is too high in phosphorus — my patients are on a very strict phosphorus restriction and whole wheat/whole grain anything is too high. Milk is also high in phosphorus, but it is recommended for renal patients to get 1/2 cup of milk daily. I tried subbing in rice milk (low in phosphorus), but it did not work as well. The original recipe also calls for banana, which I subbed in applesauce for as bananas are very high in potassium. The waffles/pancakes are filling because of the fat and protein content, but I was SHOCKED at the number of people who ate a whole Belgium-sized waffle and 27 grams of protein. And while many of my patients reside in extended care facilities, those at home felt the recipe was very doable and said they planned to make these at home. While my Tuesday-Thursday-Saturday group were dainty eaters (I believe I made 20 waffles for 48 patients), the Monday-Wednesday-Friday group had me make 40 waffles for 48 patients! They gobbled them right up! Such a fun activity for me and my patients. With protein requirements of 75-100 grams a day, a protein pancake/waffle can help break the monotony of meat and eggs for these people (note: dairy, nuts, and nut butters are too high in phosphorus to be used as a protein source).

Important note: This is a good recipe for end-stage kidney disease patients (those on dialysis). I over-heard many people grabbing for the recipe saying they would give it to so-and-so with “stage 3 or 4 kidney failure”. Those with chronic kidney disease (CKD stages 1-4) should be on a very LOW protein diet.

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Last story. I opened up my email yesterday afternoon to an email from my mom:

We have a little friction at work over sweet vs. mashed so I throw the question to my guests.

Thinking of you and your group:

A sweet potato casserole or version of sweets OR

A cheesy hash brown casserole type deal

Vote now!

I voted sweet potato casserole well knowing Mr. Prevention would prefer the cheesy hash brown casserole. Maybe karma bit me in the butt with that buckeye ordeal.

Question: Which would you choose — sweet potato casserole or cheesy hash brown casserole?

Last chili contest entry is today!!!

Go Illini,