Yesterday I gave you a primer on types of proteins. Today, I am following up with a little more info so you can decipher how much protein you need.

According to the Harvard School of Public Health, millions of people around the world don’t get enough protein each day. Protein deficiency leads to a condition called kwashiorkor, which is characterized by tissue breakdown, failure to grow, immune deficiency, and respiratory and heart problems. If that’s not enough reason to get your daily intake of protein, I don’t know what is!

How much protein should you eat?
This does depend somewhat on how you eat. There are a lot of great resources about protein consumption for both men and women on the internet to help you learn what is right for your eating habits. For instance, this is a good read if you are on a low carb diet. The gist? The more protein you eat, the more calcium you need to counteract calcium loss. To figure out generally what is right for you, based on height, body frame and age, try this calculator.

Virgin Pina Colada Protein Shake
serves 1

1/2 cup pineapple juice
1/2 cup light coconut milk
1 cup ice
1 serving protein powder mix (1 scoop for mine)

Combine all ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth. Drink immediately.

Sometimes we all need a moment of relaxation. (How coincidental that one of those moments is RIGHT NOW for me, thanks to Blogger.) In times like that, we might turn to cookies or some other comfort food. Or maybe it’s a hot bubble bath and a glass of wine that relaxes you.

Well here’s something new. Now, I will preface this by saying that this drink has 230 calories and 9 grams of fat in a small (not to mention the 37 grams of carbs). Click here for more nutritional info.

Let me also say that, generally, I am unimpressed with Dunkin’ Donuts. On average, I find their coffee mediocre and their donuts not fresh enough.

But this Dunkin’ Donuts White Hot Chocolate drink defies all odds. As my husband said when describing it to me, it’s like “a white chocolate bar melted in a cup.” He’s totally right and it’s totally delish. Hey, it’s good enough for me to rave about it on here.

After a long, stressful, hard day a White Hot Chocolate is a great way to unwind (while sitting in maddening bumper to bumper traffic).

But then again, there are other great ways to unwind. Like this:

And that doesn’t pack 230 calories.

There is nothing like a good cup of tea. Not too sweet, flavored just right, just smooth and warm sip after sip. It’s a calming moment in a hard day, or a warming interlude on a chilly morning.

I like my tea brewed from loose leaves with a little honey, no milk or cream. After letting the tea seep for at least 10 minutes, I let it sit and cool to a lukewarm temperature. Just the scent is relaxing for me.

How do you take your tea?

What’s morning up? Morning up is what you need when you’re alarm has jolted you from sleep, leaving you eyes half shut and your lids unyielding. It’s what you need when your limbs just don’t want to pull away from the warm, cushioned comfort of your bed. It’s what you need when you’ve been up more times then you can count over the course of a night to tend to your child.

Sometimes we all need a morning up. Today, I did for sure. I traded in my usual coffee or smoothie for an iced blueberry latte.

Iced Blueberry Latte
serves 1

1 cup fresh blueberries
1 cup skim milk
1 cup ice
2 tsp sugar
1 cup brewed coffee (I used a delicious, smooth French Vanilla blend)
additional ice

Combine blueberries and milk in a blend and mix until well blended. Add in ice and sugar and again, mix until well combined. Pour in coffee and blend again.

Serve over ice in a cute glass.

I’ve heard it a million times. “I don’t like the taste of water.” And with that comment off the person goes to grab a soda, juice or whatever taste it is they do like. Of course, they’re abandoning the possibility that water could be made tasty with a few minor adjustments. But let’s face it, those people aren’t so much anti-water as they are pro-drink favorites.

See also Organic Hot Chocolate.

Nonetheless, this morning I was sitting here lamenting my late discovery of the food blogging event Sugar High Friday when I started cooking up ideas. Since this month’s theme was aphrodisiacs, I researched a bit on the subject and found out that there are many foods that fall into that category – chocolate, honey, ginger, etc. I romanced the idea of a late submission of my own special Aphrodite’s Ultimate Brownie, but ultimately decided to hold off and surprise my husband with those on Valentine’s Day.

Still, I was intrigued about what could be created using these mythical ingredients. Then it came to me: what about liquid desire, or rather a concoction of ingredients with aphrodisiac properties. So here it is, and it’s yummy.

1 cup brewed green tea
1 tbsp honey
1/2 tbsp cocoa powder (unsweetened)
1/4 tsp ground ginger
1 cup ice

- Combine all ingredients in a blender
- Blend on high for 45 seconds
- Drink

Now why is this so special? Well it combines the antioxidant properties of green tea, which are thought to be helpful in preventing diseases like cancer and heart disease, with the aphrodisiacs honey, cocoa (also has antioxidants) and ginger (a stimulant).

Just consider it liquid lovin’.

Low and behold, after purchasing two tins of hot cocoa from Williams-Sonoma – peppermint and chocolate – I discovered chocolate, real chocolate, inside. And you heat it in milk and stir, stir, stir. So I guess my instinct was pretty good on more than one level.

Easter Bunny Hot Chocolate
serves two

2 cups milk
the ears of a jumbo hollow Easter bunny

Heat milk on stove set at medium-low until warm, but not boiling.

Break bunny ears into pieces and sprinkle into milk.

Stir constantly for 5-10 minutes until chocolate and milk are completely blended.