Thanks Giving

Hands holding a group of eggs in a green bowl.

Over the last few months, we’ve talked a lot about the changing landscape of home life, work life, school, sports, and so on… We’ve addressed holiday options and menu planning. We’ve started a conversation about macro management and how to get more protein into our meals. And we’ve let you know how we can help. But this week, today, I’d like to depart from the egg-centric conversation a bit. That’s not to say don’t eat your eggs. In fact, I’ll leave you with a great protein shake recipe that fits perfectly into your Thanksgiving menu plan. But first, let’s pause for a moment, be still, and be grateful. Now, the last thing I want to do is sound preachy, so I’ll keep this short…

At the beginning of every yoga class we like to set our intentions. Our Yogi or instructor has us close our eyes, bring our hands to our heart center, and set an intention for our practice. A good friend of mine likes to guide those intentions with lessons and quotes she picks up from her reading. Well, this week, as I was stuck home trying to manage work and deadlines, with three children whose school suddenly closed due to COVID-19, and I was cranky because I only had 30 minutes to squeeze in a quick zoom yoga class, this friend really hit home with something from Aesop. Where our intentions are typically personal and set to help us breathe, focus, and walk through the rest of the day with purpose and a sense of peace, this one is best if shared, so here goes: Gratitude turns what we have into enough.

Let that one sink in a bit. Maybe read it aloud. As we sit and feel a little sad because the holiday isn’t going to be filled with the typical struggle to find enough space at our tables for the extra people who show up last minute for pie, we aren’t visiting as many friends and family members as years past, and our turkey trots will be run virtually… As we gear up for Black Friday and think about all we want to buy while we mourn the Christmas yet to come, let’s be that light we want to see in the world, just for a moment, and remember Gratitude. Turns. What. We. Have. Into. Enough. If we give in to it, we’ll always want more or better or different. So even if only for this moment, breathe, and allow for that gratitude to creep in and offer you a little peace. Because, friends, what we have IS enough…

So thank you - for being here with us, for supporting OvaEasy, for trying new things, for being curious about nutrition, for reading this blog. We’re grateful for each and every one of you - every effort, every question, every review, every dollar you spend. And for our Military family, friends, and partners, thank you for your service – for taking such great risk to protect what we often take for granted. May you all feel safe, cared for, cherished, and nearer to your loved ones this Thanksgiving - if not in proximity, at least at heart. Namaste. And Happy Thanksgiving!

Now, save the pumpkin pie for dessert (until Friday of course – then all bets are off), and up your breakfast game with this protein shake that’s sure to tickle your pumpkin spice fancy:

Pumpkin Pie Protein Shake

8oz milk* (I use unsweetened vanilla almond or cashew milk – oat milk and coconut milk are great too but have less protein; feel free to use dairy if it’s your fav, just adjust your macro counts)
1 serving - 2 scoops (30g) OvaEasy Vanilla Crème Brulée Egg White Protein
2/3 cup (150g) pumpkin puree(canned or fresh)
1 cup ice* (freeze pumpkin and banana if you want to skip the ice)
1 frozen banana
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
Blend and top with a dash of ground cinnamon

Options:
1/2 cup (120g) vanilla Greek yogurt* if meal replacement. Skip yogurt if not meal replacement
Go 50/50 milk/cold brewif you want a pumpkin spice frappucino
Top with your favorite whipped creme, or get festive and make your own holiday whipped creme* (vanilla + cinnamon + nutmeg + heavy whipping cream)

A little bit about our author:

Kerry is a writer, nutrition coach and consultant. She’s an active runner, skier, triathlete, CrossFitter, and a crazy busy mom of three. She dreams of being able to spend more time outside doing the things she loves with those she loves…and eggs of course, she dreams of eggs. This week, Kerry is working on gratitude, peace amidst the chaos, and her oohhhmm. If you have questions for her, let us know - she loves a good question that doesn’t start with “Mom, can I have…”