Strawberry Cheesecake Protein Shake

First of all, let me start off by saying it is currently April 23, and it is snowing outside. 

SNOWING.

I can’t even. 5 days ago, we were sweating in shorts and t-shirts, and today it’s snowing. Shoot me now, and remind me why the heck I live in this godforsaken place.

Ok, I feel better now. On to today’s post.

So, I mentioned last week that I’m doing something called the 21 Day Fix. It’s definitely been tough, but I am only on day 12, and I have already lost three pounds and two inches off my waist! It’s crazy. Plus, I feel better and I’m excited about how much better I’ve been eating. 

Again, that is not to say that this blog is going to become a health blog. Far from it. I will always love my desserts and chips and dip. But I’m learning that if I work out regularly and watch what I eat most of the time, then I can have a splurge now and then.

I am also learning about the amazing world of protein shakes. It is so much fun to make and eat something that tastes like a total splurge but is actually really good for you! 

Like this one that I came up with yesterday. It’s a strawberry cheesecake protein shake, and it tastes absolutely ah-maze-ing. But it’s super healthy and packed with protein. I am totally making another one of these today, because I cannot get enough. And it’s a great meal replacement or snack for the 21 day fix — it counts for just 1.5 red and 1/2 purple.

You will never believe the secret ingredient: the one thing that makes it super thick, and rich, and creamy — and healthy! Brace yourself, it’s a doozy.

Are you ready?

Cottage cheese.

**Pooofff!** Mind blowing.

Seriously. This ridiculously delicious shake has COTTAGE CHEESE in it. What the whaaa??

And while I love cottage cheese, there is no way I ever thought I would be drinking it. Because, eww. But I saw a bunch of protein shakes with cottage cheese in them on Dashing Dish, and I figured I’d give them a shot.

But I swear to you: try it, and you will love it. The boys are completely obsessed with these cottage cheese shakes. They cannot get enough of them. {The Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup one is their favorite!} David has started asking for them for snacks and dessert, when his number one request used to be candy. That makes me happy.

There are two keys to the whole operation. The first is letting the shake blend for a while. Like, 5 minutes a while. I know that sounds weird, and one of the great things about smoothies is being able to make them in a hurry, but trust me on this one. I have the cookbook Now Eat This! Diet by Rocco Dispirito, and in it, he talks about a research study that was done at Penn State {woot, woot!}. In it, researchers found that people who drank a smoothie mixed to twice its initial volume ate less at lunch than people who drank a smoothie at its regular volume. That’s really just a lot of mumbo-jumbo for: there’s more of it, so you feel fuller. Plus, all that blending makes your shake unbelievably smooth and silky.

The second is mixing the protein powder and pudding mix with a little bit of water before adding it to the blender. The first couple of shakes I made were delicious, but a little gritty. This ensures that the powders are dissolved and eliminates that lovely grit. I usually just throw the protein powder and pudding mix in a little Mason jar with about 1/4 cup of water and shake it like crazy.

Please, try this. Even if you hate cottage cheese and have tried protein powder in the past and didn’t like it. It tastes like a total treat, but it is really so, so good for you.

Do you have a favorite shake or smoothie that you make at home?

Strawberry Cheesecake Protein Shake

Jennifer Young

This strawberry cheesecake is so amazingly delicious, it's hard to believe it's good for you. And, you will never guess what the secret ingredient is!!

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Prep Time 6 mins

Total Time 6 mins

Servings 1

Ingredients

  

• 1/2 cup water divided
• 1 scoop vanilla protein powder
• 1 T sugar-free fat-free cheesecake pudding mix
• 1/2 cup cottage cheese
• 3/4 cup crushed ice
• 1/2 cup sliced strawberries {fresh or frozen}

Instructions

 

• 1. In a small jar or container with a tight-fitting lid, mix together approximately 1/4 cup water, protein powder and pudding mix. Replace lid and shake vigorously until powders are completely dissolved. Mixture will be about the consistency of pancake batter.
• 2. Place cottage cheese, ice, strawberries, protein powder/pudding mixture and the rest of the water in a blender and blend for 4-5 minutes. Serve with a straw and enjoy!

Notes

21 Day Fix count: 1.5 red, 1/2 purple
If the shake is too thick, add a bit more water. If it is too thin, add more ice.