If I’m sleeping in my own bed, I rarely ever wake up in the middle of the night. Okay, that sounded a lot cleaner in my head. I can sleep straight through the night, no problem. It’s wonderful and I’m enjoying it while I still can. You know, before other people enter the picture. That also sounded a lot cleaner in my head.
…I was referring to babies! I digress.
The other night, I woke up at 4 AM with fierce hunger pangs. So fierce that even Ms. Tyra Banks would’ve been knocked out unconscious. So fierce that I had to crawl out of the warm cocoon that is my down comforter, walk ALL the way upstairs to the kitchen and chug a cup of kefir…straight from the bottle. My stomach growled with delight as I waddled my way back into bed.
I was not interested in repeating that last night, so I ate a midnight snack to hold me over through the night. A snack with some protein to feed my muscles and prevent them from waking me up again!
I made these Sunflower Seed Butter Oat Bites, one of my favorite recipes from last year.
I changed up the ingredients slightly based on what we had on hand.
The changes I made:
- 1 cup ground GF oats (because the GF oats from TJ’s are super tough!) instead of 1.5 cups rolled oats
- 1 cup brown rice crisps instead of 1/2 cup oat bran
- 1/2 cup chopped hazelnuts instead of sunflower seeds (all out!)
I left them unbaked because it was midnight (literally, it was a midnight snack), but I will probably pop some in the oven today because I’ve been craving cookies like it’s Christmas Eve. Take one look at my Pinterest search history and you’ll know what I mean.
They’re totally like break ‘n’ bake cookies. Bake watch ya want, when ya want ‘em. Or eat them raw. Most importantly, the protein and carbs got my stomach through the night. Hallelujah!
***
Speaking of protein, this week is the LAST week of the Soy Simple campaign. I’ve learned quite a bit from writing, reading and researching for this campaign.
- Soy makes for an excellent post-workout snack/meal because it is a complete protein (contains all the essential amino acids)
- Including soy in your diet can help you reduce cholesterol and the risk of heart disease
- Soy is great for individuals who are lactose-intolerant because it is lactose-free
- Recent research suggests that consuming soy may lower your risk of some cancers, osteoporosis and alleviate symptoms related to menopause
A look back on past Soy Simple posts:
- Soy Simple
- Tofu Scramble
- What Fuels Your Workout
- Gingerbread Scones
- Snack Away
- Pumpkin Pie Protein Smoothie
- How Not to Demolish All the Food at the Holiday Party
- Holiday Meal Makeover
- There Ain’t Nothing Like Protein
- You Know…
AND that’s a wrap!!
***
$50 Sports Authority Gift Card Giveaway
To enter this week’s Soy Simple contest, simply comment on this blog post telling me what you learned from the Soy Simple campaign by Sunday, January 22nd. A winner will be selected at random from all participants and will be notified through email.
Contest is only open to U.S. residents, 18 years of age and older. One entry, per person, per contest. Good luck!
This post is part of the Soy Simple campaign (you can read more about the campaign and my disclosure statement here).
{ 94 comments… read them below or add one }
I learned that soy is a complete protein – a great fact, since I love tofu already, and don’t eat much meat!
I learned that other people eat tempeh! I seem to be the only person in my circle who eats it.
I learned that soy protein is for everyone — not just vegans and vegetarians!
I learned that soy is a complete protein along with many other things. Thanks for informing us!
I learned soy is a complete protein! I don’t eat much soy other than in the form of soy milk but I’d be interested in trying some different products!
I’ve learned a lot more ways to use soy!
I have learned that soy is much more versatile than I thought and I am excited to try it in more recipes!
i learned about all the different products made of soy: tempeh, tofu, soy milk, and how to use them!
I learned it can lower the risk of some cancers! Love these giveaways!
from the soy simple campaign I have learned that there are many other protein options that I had never heard of before! Woohoo!
i learned about the many variations that soy comes in!
I learned that other people eat tofu!
I learned that soy is a good post-workout option! Yay, recovery!
I learned that soy is a complete protein–how cool is that?! Must’ve missed that in my classes –whoops!
I learned that soy is a better option than I previously thought, especially since I’m lactose intolerant!
I learned about different products made from soy.
i didn’t know soy was a complete protein!
i enjoyed learning about the different snack options that include soy products!
I learned that soy is a complete protein…good to know, especially for a post workout snack!
I learned that I am under-utilizing soy as a great nutrient source! Changing that ASAP!
I didn’t know that soy was a complete protein until you started writing about it. The favorite thing I learned is when you made a tofu scramble and said it was similar to eggs – I’m hoping to try that out soon!
I hadn’t realized that soy is a complete protein! Cool!
I learned that soy does not have to equal tofu!
I learned what a great protein source soy is…so I have definitely been eating more of it lately!
I was reminded that soy is a complete protein
I learned that soy is not just in tofu! That it is fairly easy to incorporate soy protein in both snacks and meals.
i learned how soy’s nutritional stats compare with other sources of protein!
I was surprised to learn how many things soy is in!
I didn’t know that soy can reduce cholesterol!
I learned so many other ways to incorporate soy into my diet that I’d never though of! Thanks for sharing the info. through this campaign!
I learned that soy is dairy free. Maybe I knew that deep down but since I mostly drink soy milk I guess my head assumed all forms of soy were a type of dairy too.
I learned that . Soy protein is a complete protein. It’s lactose-free, cholesterol-free and can help reduce the risk of heart disease wich runs in my family It can be found in a variety of products throughout the grocery store.
I learned that there are so many ways to use soy! I never would have thought of half of them!
Soy products are great source of protein
i didn’t realize tofu had so many health benefits! i also learned that there are many different ways to cook it, other then just cooking it in a stir fry like i had been doing!
soy is a good protein source
I’ve learned that there are some interesting ways to eat soy, like in scrambled “eggs”!
I learned some recipes – tofu scrambles are so great with lots of veggies and curry powder!
I learned about the diversity of soy, which was important to me especially because I am a vegetarian and am always looking for more ways to get lean vegetarian protein in my diet. Yay soy!
I learned the phytoestrogens in soy are what help potentially relieve menopause symptoms!
I learned that soy is a complete protein! They’re even better than eggs!!!
i learned about the many variations that soy comes in. Who would’ve thunk it
I learned that soy is so much more than just tofu!
I learned that soy is in virtually everything even if it is trace amounts!
I knew a lot about soy after researching it a ton when first giving up meat..but the coolest fact about it is that it’s the only plant protein that’s complete!
I learned new sources of soy protein!
I learned that soy can help with menopausal symptoms. Never knew that!
I learned how vestatille soy can be. I am going to try to make pudding with it for the extra protein!
I learned that Soy protein is a complete protein!
hi Allie! Thanks for holding this amazing giveaway! Before the campaign I had no idea soy was a complete protein and cholesterol-free – all the reason more to feast on tempeh!
I have learned how to incorporate soy into my daily diet in exciting, new ways.
P.S. those cookies look incredible.
I learned how to use soy products in a variety of recipes!
I learned how many ways you can cook/eat/use soy!
I’m so glad to learn that soy is a complete protein! I have upped my strength training and am trying to increase my protein intake to assist in building muscle and repairing it. I just found my new post workout snack- smoothie with tofu, yes please!
I learned there are a lot more ways to use it and foods it is in than I knew!
I was not aware what a great source of protein soy is. AWESOME! shall pick up some up my next trip to TJs!
thanks for sharing
Even though I eat some form of soy every day (usually tofu!), I never realized it was a complete protein. As a vegetarian, that was really good news to me =)
I learned how versatile soy is and that it is a great protein source!
I’ve heard a lot of controversy surrounding soy, but as long as it’s not highly processed, like you said, it seems a-okay! Definitely want to look for the Alive protein powder next time i’m grocery shopping!
i had no idea that soy has all the amino acids!
I didn’t know soy can reduce cholesterol- my coworker has high cholesterol and asked me which foods can help lower it, so I’ll let her know about this.
I learned how to properly fuel after a workout with protein. I really enjoyed the soy simple posts
I can’t believe How many vegetarian sources of protein there are!
I learned that tofu scrambles are delicious!
I learned that it’s delicious and a complete protein
soy is a complete protein
I’ve learned that it’s good for your health
I learned that it’s a delicious complete protein
I learned that soy is lactose-free! Very interesting!
I learned that soy is in many more things than I originally thought!
I learned how versatile soy is and how it can be used in SO MANY WAYS for any meal of the day.
Your sunflower oat bites looks good! I’ve been looking for a recipe that I can snack at without feeling guilty! I think I’ll make these tonight!
I’ve learned that there are SO many more ways to eat soy protein than just tofu & soybeans!
i learned of more ways to use soy.
i had no idea that soy could help reduce cholesterol! and how versatile it can be!
I learned that soy can lower cholesterol!
I learned of many new ways to use soy
I learned of more ways to incorporate soy into my diet, and the importance of it!
I learned that soy can help prevent the potential of certain cancers!
gina.m.maddox (at) gmail (dot) com
I learned how to incorporate soy into my diet
I learned about how many great ways soy can add protein to our diet
I learned that Greek Yogurt is a good source of protein.
I started incorporating silken tofu in smoothies for an added protein boost.
i learned that soy is a complete protein! never knew that!
I definitely eat a lot of meat..so I have learned how important it is to incorporate non-meat sources of protein into my diet. Since I have a dairy allergy…soy is a great way to go. I’ve already tried your tofu scramble..delicious
I learned that soy is lactose-free, cholesterol-free and can help reduce the risk of heart disease
i learned that soy can be very healthy and beneficial to my dietary needs
Soy is a complete protein! like quinoa!
I never knew that soy was a complete protein until now! I love anything soy related!
I found out soy is a complete protein
I learned that there are tasty recipes you can make from soy and people won’t even notice! Just last night I had the most amazing dessert ever– dark chocolate pudding with a secret ingredient… tofu!
I learned that it is a great recovery snack… must stock up!
TJ sells GF oats?!?! When did this happen? I’m super pumped! Are they marked “gluten-free” or is it on the back? If you could post a picture of the packaging, that would be helpful (that way I can easily find them in m TJ). I can’t wait to try your recipe with them. Thanks!
They’re marked “gluten-free” on the front. Here’s a link to the product image on their site. http://www.traderjoes.com/fearless-flyer/article.asp?article_id=251