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5 tasty ways to take your protein powder

5 tasty ways to take your protein powder
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Jovan Abernathy is an international marathoner and owner of Houston Tourism Gym. To claim your free tour, contact her at info@tourismgymhtx.com. Follow her on Twitter @jovanabernathy. Instagram @TourismGymHtx. Facebook @TourismGymHtx

It is the last day of January. If you are like me, you started your new way of living 31 days ago. You have seen some progress (6 pounds), but you are starting to wane. If you read my last couple of articles, you would have already started on a program of supplements complete with a protein shake taken daily.

Usually a month later, you are really sick of the shake. By this time, they start getting chalky and start to taste really boring. I'm right there with you man. So, I decided to look up some different ways to take your daily protein. After scouring the internet, I found some great recipes. The best thing is....they are all dessert recipes. Just what we needed. Here they are.

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Chocolate Peanut Butter Smoothie.

This smoothie makes for a tasty morning shake or a quick treat after a hard workout. You not only get your protein, but you get your fiber and antioxidants as well. To enjoy this smoothie, Make sure you have these items on hand:

  • 2 tbsp flaxseed
  • 1 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 1 tbsp peanut butter
  • 1 scoop chocolate whey protein powder.

Read the rest of the recipe and 21 others here.

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Coconut Protein Balls.

This protein snack is no bake and quick to make. You will spend no more than 20 minutes to prepare these amaze- protein-balls that everyone is sure to love. I have made them myself many times and they are always there at the right time. To enjoy these balls (see what I did there) , you will need these items

  • 3 cups Medjool dates, pitted
  • 1 1/2 cups almonds
  • 1/2 cups water
  • 2 tbsp cacao powder
  • 4 scoops whey protein powder unsweetened
  • 1/4 cup dark chocolate chips
  • 1/2 coconut flakes unsweetened

Read the rest of this recipe here.

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Chocolate Protein Brownies.

There is nothing like the chewy, chocolatey brownie after a workout, Enjoy this other amazing protein snack if you are a runner, a dancer, or a cyclylist. Make sure that you have these items on hand:

  • Chocolate protein powder
  • cocoa powder
  • applesauce or smashed bananas
  • your choice of nut butter
  • pinch of salt.
Read the rest of instructions here to curb your chocolate addiction.

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Tiramisu Pancakes.

At first look, these pancakes that are packed with 46 grams of protein looked to be stacked with loads of whipped cream. Take a closer look and you will find that it is whipped cottage cheese. You can also substitute greek yogurt or tofu for the cottage cheese. To enjoy this breakfast delight, make sure that you are stocked up on:

  • 1/3 cup rolled oats
  • 1 scoop of vanilla protein powder
  • 2 tablespoons of ground flax seed
  • 1/2 tablespoon baking powder
  • 1 egg white
  • 1/4 cup of strong brewed coffee
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/4 teaspoon coffee extract
Find the rest of the ingredients and the directions to caffeine bliss here.

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Chocolate Chip Protein Cookie Dough.

Then, there is some of us that cannot wait for the cookies to bake. If you are a muncher like me, this recipe is great for you because it taste great and it is no less than the favorite recipe that we grew up on. To enjoy this high protein confection, just keep these staples in your kitchen:

  • 2 scoops of chocolate chip protein powder
  • 1 can of chickpeas
  • 75g dark chocolate chips
  • 125g Peanut butter
  • 1/2 tablespoon vanilla extract
  • 20g of instant oats
  • 250 ml unsweetened almond milk
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 40 ml agave nectar
To make this snack a reality, follow the recipe here.

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Houston's pitching is leading the way. Composite Getty Image.

A month into the 2025 season, the Houston Astros have emerged as one of MLB’s most confounding teams. Their offense ranks near the bottom of nearly every key category, yet they remain competitive thanks to a pitching staff that has quietly become one of the most formidable in baseball.

Despite winning back-to-back games just once this season, Houston’s pitching has kept them afloat. The Astros boast a top-10 team ERA, rank seventh in WHIP, and sit top-eight in opponent batting average—a testament to both their rotation depth and bullpen resilience. It’s a group that has consistently given them a chance to win, even when the bats have failed to show up.

Josh Hader has been the bullpen anchor. After a rocky 2024 campaign, the closer has reinvented himself, leaning more heavily on his slider and becoming less predictable. The result has been electric: a veteran who’s adapting and thriving under pressure.

Reinforcements are also on the horizon. Kaleb Ort and Forrest Whitley are expected to bolster a bullpen that’s been great but occasionally spotty—Taylor Scott’s 5.63 ERA stands out as a weak link. Lance McCullers Jr. missed his last rehab outing due to illness but is expected back soon, possibly pairing with Ryan Gusto in a piggyback setup that could stretch games and preserve bullpen arms.

And the timing couldn’t be better, because the Astros' offense remains stuck in neutral. With an offense ranked 26th in OPS, 27th in slugging, dead last in doubles, and just 24th in runs scored, it's clear the Astros have a major issue producing consistent offense. For all their talent, they are a minus-two in run differential and have looked out of sync at the plate.

One bright spot has been rookie Cam Smith. The right fielder has displayed remarkable poise, plate discipline, and a polished approach rarely seen in rookies. It’s fair to ask why Smith, with only five Double-A games under his belt before this season, is showing more patience than veterans like Jose Altuve. Altuve, among others, has been chasing too many pitches outside the zone and hardly walking—a troubling trend across the lineup.

Before the season began, the Astros made it a point to improve their pitch selection and plate discipline. So far, that stated goal hasn’t materialized. Many of the players who are showing solid discipline—like Isaac Paredes or Christian Walker—were already doing that on other teams before joining Houston. It raises the question: are the Astros’ hitting coaches being held accountable?

The offensive woes are hard to ignore. Catcher Yainer Diaz currently owns the second-worst OPS in baseball, while Walker ranks 15th from the bottom. Even a star like Yordan Alvarez has yet to find his groove. The hope is that Diaz and Walker will follow Alvarez's lead and trend upward with time.

With so many offensive questions and few clear answers, a trade for a left-handed bat—whether in the outfield or second base—would be ideal. But with the front office laser-focused on staying below the tax threshold, don’t count on it.

For now, Houston's path forward depends on whether the bats can catch up to the arms. Until they do, the Astros will remain a team that looks good on paper but still can’t string wins together in reality.

We have so much more to get to. Don't miss the video below as we examine the topics above and much, much more!

The MLB season is finally upon us! Join Brandon Strange, Josh Jordan, and Charlie Pallilo for the Stone Cold ‘Stros podcast which drops each Monday afternoon, with an additional episode now on Thursday!

*ChatGPT assisted.

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