This just out from my kitchen...Protein Popcorn Balls! Yummo!

Okay, I know it sounds weird.  But I am always trying to figure out new inventive ways to eat my protein...so I came up with this tonight.  The kids wanted popcorn and it was almost time for me to eat another protein something, so I thought why not have popcorn with my protein and voila! these were created.  Let me know what you think.  I loved them!  Even my picky kiddos loved them.

Protein (Sugar-free) Popcorn Balls

6 cups air-popped popcorn

2 scoops Vanilla Protein powder... I use Max Muscle Max Pro

1/4 cup sugar-free pancake syrup

1/4 tsp. salt

1 cup Splenda no calorie sweetener

Over low heat in a medium saucepan, mix protein powder, sugar-free syrup salt and splenda.  Mix well.  Pour over popcorn and toss until it is all combined.  Shape into 6 popcorn balls.  (Use Pam spray on hands to prevent from the stickiness factor.) 

Calories are 88, 9 carbs, 11 grams of protein (of course these facts change with different kinds of protein supplements you use.)

I am currently freezing mine as I made a couple of batches..I don't know if they will taste good frozen, but it's worth trying.

=)

Pretty tasty.  Tastes like carmel corn.  I only got 3 popcorn balls, so I need to make them smaller but they were very sticky!!

I know it...I love sticky and gooey, makes me feel like I'm eating something naughty! =)  Glad you thought they were tasty! =)

i get your intention, and at the risk of passing judgment....you're training for a fitness competition, while your kids are growing and needing REAL nutrition.  sugar-free syrup and splenda are products for people with diabetes or people on a diet using chemicals to replace real food.  i hope your kids can eat a diet that is more flexible and balanced than yours. 

Laura916.

I feed my children whole good for them foods.  They eat more veggies and fruits and other whole foods than any kids I know of.   They would rather have an apple with natural almond butter for a snack than go to McDonald's for french fries and ice cream.

I have taught them good and healthful eating habits from the beginning.

They TRIED a BITE of my popcorn balls, they were NOT meal replacements for them.  They do NOT eat foods filled with sugar-free substitutes.

I don't eat splenda and sugar-free syrup type foods all of the time...just once in awhile...when I'm training, you're right.  (And then, only the last couple of weeks.)  The rest of the time, I eat whole, unprocessed, natural foods with an emphasis on protein, complex and simple carbohyrdrates, fresh vegetables, and healthy fats....with an occasional treat in moderation.  I eat VERY, VERY HEALTHY.

I have studied nutrition for years.  I am a certified personal trainer and soon to be certified specialist in fitness nutrition.  I have helped countless numbers of people lose fat and become more healthy; they have turned from drive thrus and coach potatoes, to healthy cooks and after dinner activity seekers.

I doubt you eat 10% as healthy as my family and I do.  Who are you to judge?

hmm...'roid rage?

you know, i just said "i hope..." which implies i wasn't assuming anything (though i love the catchy translation of the word in your PM...did you get that from your kids?).  it sounds like you're making tremendous efforts to make sure your kids are eating super healthy just like mom....so no need to get your uni in a ruffle.  it's clear you take a ton of pride in your dedication to health and fitness.  congrats on that.  and you're right, i'm not nearly as obsessed and defensive about my relationship with nutrition as you. 

Ummmm....wow....ANYWAY I think it sounds like an inspired idea I'll give em a shot sounds good to me!

Hi Stefiann, just to remind you whey should never be heated, or the protein can be denatured. Let me know if you have other whey recipes!

Hi Sherazad!  I suppose you could just mix the ingredients without heating them through.  It would probably do the trick just fine!  =)

The recipe sounds great! And I thought your response about your children was right on target. My 6 year old daughter eats more vegetables and fruits that anyone elses child, but on occasion she does get a doughnut. I doubt the tone of your response was defending your relationship with nutrition as much as it was defending your relationship with your children, which as a Mom we hold dearest of all. What are you training for?

Thanks so much, mcheather!  After her comments, I was about to forget ever using the community boards anymore.  It's funny, you offer up ideas, and you get criticism/judgement as a response.  Oh well! =)

I agree, fruits and veggies, but an occasional treat is awesome.  I never want my girlie to feel deprived...that can only end up badly later in life.

And yes, I was defending my relationship with my kiddos.  My most important job in life is raising them the best I can...it ticks me off when someone else thinks I'm doing wrong by them.

I trained for a figure competition this past summer.  Just once.  I took second and it was a great experience, but way to strict for me to do regularly.  And not very healthy at the end.  My profile pic is me the day of competition.  Thanks for asking!  And thank you, for your awesome comment and support! =)