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Keto Brownies with Whey Protein and Cottage Cheese

I love a good “internet recipe,” but I really love taking a bunch of online ideas and turning them into something that fits my keto goals. In this video, I went full freestyle and made a batch of keto brownies using a blend of ingredients I’ve seen across a bunch of recipes—then added my own twists for texture and flavor.

No test run. No backup plan. Just a food processor, a bowl of melted sugar-free chocolate chips, and a very real curiosity about whether whey protein + cottage cheese could deliver that brownie vibe without flour.

Watch the Video

The Concept

I wanted a brownie that was:

  • Keto-friendly (low net carbs)
  • High-protein without being chalky
  • Rich and chocolatey
  • Interesting texture (not just one uniform cake block)

The big experiment was using whey protein as a key dry ingredient and cottage cheese for body and moisture—then folding in melted sugar-free chocolate chips to create a “ribbon” effect inside the brownie.

Ingredients (My Freestyle Keto Brownie Formula)

  • 4 large eggs
  • 1 cup whey protein (unflavored or chocolate—your call)
  • 2 tbsp cacao (or unsweetened cocoa powder)
  • 2 tbsp allulose brown sweetener
  • 1 cup cottage cheese
  • 1/2 cup sugar-free chocolate chips (melted, then folded in gently)
  • Optional topping: a handful of sugar-free chocolate chips
  • Optional topping: flaky sea salt

How I Made Them (Quick Steps)

  1. Blend the base: Add eggs, whey protein, cacao, allulose, and cottage cheese to a food processor. Blend until smooth.
  2. Melt the chips: Melt 1/2 cup sugar-free chocolate chips (microwave in short bursts, stirring between).
  3. Fold for the “ribbon”: Pour the melted chocolate into the batter and fold gently—don’t fully mix. The goal is swirls and pockets.
  4. Pan + top: Pour into your baking dish. Sprinkle extra chips and finish with flaky sea salt.
  5. Bake: I cover bake time/temperature in the video since I adjusted on the fly. (Add your final bake specs here if you want.)

Macros (Estimated)

Since brands vary a lot (especially whey, cottage cheese, and sugar-free chips), these are reasonable estimates based on typical nutrition labels.

Whole Batch (Estimated)

  • Calories: ~1,050–1,250
  • Protein: ~140–165g
  • Fat: ~45–65g
  • Total Carbs: ~25–45g
  • Fiber: ~10–20g
  • Net Carbs: ~12–28g

Per Serving (Estimated)

These depend on how you slice it:

  • If you cut 8 brownies:
    ~130–155 calories | ~18–21g protein | ~2–5g net carbs
  • If you cut 12 brownies:
    ~90–105 calories | ~12–14g protein | ~1–3g net carbs

Tip: If you want exact macros, plug your specific brands into a tracker (Cronometer is great) and divide by your final number of slices.

What I Learned (Keto Baking Notes)

  • Whey protein is powerful—but it can shift texture fast. Too much can go “firm” or “spongy” if you overbake.
  • Cottage cheese is a cheat code for moisture and structure—especially when blended smooth.
  • The ribbon fold matters: fully mixing the melted chips makes the whole thing more uniform. Folding keeps variety.
  • Salt on top is non-negotiable for me now. It makes the chocolate pop and keeps it from tasting “protein-y.”

How I’d Tweak It Next Time

  • Try a small amount of baking powder for lift (optional)
  • Experiment with a touch of butter or coconut oil for a richer “fudge” feel
  • Add espresso powder to deepen the chocolate flavor
  • Test chocolate whey vs. unflavored whey for taste balance

If You Try This…

Let me know how yours turns out—especially your bake time and texture notes. Keto baking is half science, half chaos, and I’m here for it.

👍 If you enjoyed the experiment, consider subscribing for more keto-friendly recipes, tests, and “let’s see what happens” kitchen projects.

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Savory Keto Cottage Cheese Bake (Viral Recipe Remix)

Every once in a while a “viral” recipe shows up on my feed and I can’t help myself. This time it was a yogurt cake that looked wildly simple… and also wildly not keto once I saw the ingredient list. So I did what any reasonable low-carb human would do:

  • Swapped Greek yogurt for cottage cheese
  • Swapped corn starch (…how is that keto?!) for unflavored whey protein
  • Kept the 5 eggs (because eggs are doing the heavy lifting here)
  • And turned the whole thing savory instead of “mysteriously sweet but not actually sweet”

The result? A surprisingly delicious, keto-friendly bake that’s easy to slice, easy to meal prep, and honestly… dangerously snackable.

Why I Modified the Viral Yogurt Cake Recipe

The original recipe seemed like it wanted to be dessert… but notice what it didn’t include: anything sweet. Meanwhile it did include corn starch. So rather than forcing it into a “fake cake” lane, I leaned into what the base actually does well:

  • High-protein structure
  • Neutral flavor that can go savory easily
  • Keto-friendly macros when you ditch the starch

Then I went full savory mode with garlic, onion, herbs, and parmesan. No regrets.

Ingredients (My Keto Savory Version)

  • 5 eggs
  • 2 cups Cottage cheese (in place of Greek yogurt)
  • 1/2 cup Unflavored whey protein (in place of corn starch)
  • Salt
  • Garlic powder
  • Onion powder
  • Italian seasoning
  • Everything Bagel seasoning
  • 1/2 cup shredded parmesan cheese

Note: I’m keeping measurements flexible here since this post is meant to match the video format. If you want me to turn this into a fully measured, printable recipe card version, I can do that too.

How It Turned Out

I was genuinely surprised by how good this came out. The texture lands somewhere between a fluffy savory bake and a cheesy breakfast loaf. It’s great on its own, but it also works as a base for:

  • Breakfast sandwiches
  • Soup side bread substitute (yes, really)
  • Mini “toast” slices topped with butter, garlic, or cream cheese
  • A meal-prep snack when you need protein and don’t want another salad

And because it’s high protein and low carb, a slice or two fits nicely into keto macros without feeling like you’re eating diet sadness.

Video: Keto-Friendly Viral Yogurt Cake (Savory Remix)

If you want to see the full process (and my reaction as this thing actually works), watch the video here:

▶️ Watch on YouTube:

Tips & Easy Variations

  • Want it cheesier? Add shredded mozzarella or cheddar.
  • Want it spicy? Add crushed red pepper, jalapeños, or hot sauce.
  • Want it more “pizza vibes”? Add oregano + extra parmesan and dip in warm marinara.
  • Want it more breakfast? Add cooked bacon bits or sausage crumbles (and maybe chives).

Your Turn

Have you tried the original viral yogurt cake? Did it make sense? Or did you also stare at the corn starch like it owed you money?

Drop a comment on the video and tell me what flavors you’d try next. I’m already thinking: jalapeño cheddar or rosemary + asiago.

Thanks for watching and hanging out—see you in the next one.

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Big Win for my Friends: Zulip Enabled Mobile Push Notifications

I’m celebrating a small-but-mighty milestone for my open source technology projects: Zulip has classified it as a Community project — which means we can use the official mobile push notifications service and actually get alerts on iOS/Android like a “real” team chat.

Why this matters (more than it should)

Our community chat isn’t just “a place to talk” — it’s where ideas get captured, plans get made, and inside jokes become lore. The problem with many self-hosted setups is that mobile notifications can be tricky: Apple and Google’s push notification systems aren’t designed for every independent server in the world to send pushes directly to the same app. Zulip solves this with its Mobile Push Notification Service (sometimes called the push notification “bouncer”), which securely forwards notifications to the Zulip mobile apps.

In plain terms: friends and family can actually stay in the loop without needing to keep the app open, and without missing messages that matter.

What we’re using: Zulip (and why I love it)

Zulip is built for organized communication — not just an endless scroll. Topics + threads make it ridiculously easy to follow multiple conversations without losing context. It’s the rare chat tool that works equally well for real-time chatter and async, “catch up later” communication.

Also: Zulip is 100% open-source, actively developed, and it’s very clear the team cares about building something sustainable and community-aligned. I haven’t been a fan of all of the drama with discord and as a parent, I am being more intentional about where my child is spending their time digitally.

A quick shoutout to Zulip for supporting community projects

Getting recognized as a Community project is a big deal for small groups. It’s Zulip putting its money where its mouth is supporting worthy communities and helping self-hosters get a first-class experience.

If you’re building an open-source community, a volunteer group, a research collaboration, or even just a well-run community space that needs structure: it’s worth checking out what Zulip offers and what you might qualify for.

Acknowledgement (per Zulip’s guidelines)

Zulip asks sponsored organizations (and anyone expressing appreciation) to help others discover Zulip by linking to their website. I’m happy to do that — because Zulip is a great tool and the staff have been so nice!



Zulip logo

Zulip

Zulip is an organized team chat app designed for efficient communication.

If you’re curious: how mobile push works for self-hosted Zulip (high level)

For self-hosted servers, enabling push notifications generally involves registering your server with Zulip’s Mobile Push Notification Service and ensuring your organization is on the right plan (paid or eligible free Community).

Once it’s enabled, users may need to log out and back into the mobile app to start receiving pushes.

Closing thoughts

I’m genuinely excited about this. Push notifications seem like a small feature, but they’re the difference between “a cool chat server” and “a living community space that people actually stay connected to.”

Big thanks to the Zulip team and community — and if you’re building something that needs structured communication, give Zulip a look.

https://zulip.com

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Replica AEW International Championship Belt Review

Introduction

Here is a review of the AEW International Championship Belt that I purchased from Great Custom Belts.

Rather than jumping straight into belt nerdery, I spend time on the belt’s origins. The International Championship has one of those “beautiful design / confusing booking” situations that breaks my heart.

Why the AEW International Championship Was Created

The AEW International Championship was a title that represented a broader world of wrestling. A belt that feels bigger than a single promotion. The concept was rooted in the idea of an international, traveling championship—one that could move between wrestlers and even promotions.

It wasn’t just another belt to fill TV time. It was designed to symbolize the excitement of wrestling that crosses borders.

The bigger question I explore:

Has the AEW International Championship actually become a true “traveling belt”??

There have been moments where the title feels like it’s living that mission with high-profile matches and a “workhorse championship” vibe. But there are also stretches where the belt’s identity can feel less clear than it should for something with such strong symbolism built into the design.

My Thoughts on the Belt Design

This belt is simply gorgeous. The international theme is obvious the moment you see it.

  • Global symbolism: the flags and international styling give it a unique identity
  • Visual balance: it looks detailed without feeling cluttered
  • Presence: it has that “main event trophy” energy even as a secondary title

Why I Purchased This Belt (It’s Not Just a Collectible)

I usually buy belts as trophies for personal achievements. Many of the belts in my collection are tied to milestones—especially health and weight goals.

This belt represents something different: travel. For me, this AEW International Championship belt is a celebration of all the places I’ve been—and all the travel I hope to do in the near future.

That personal meaning is what makes this purchase feel special. It’s not just “another belt.” It’s a trophy for experiences—past and future.

Final Thoughts

At the end of the day, the AEW International Championship is a beautiful title design with a sometimes complicated TV history. But the concept behind it—global, traveling, open-world wrestling energy—is something I genuinely love.

This replica captures the look and feel of that concept, and Great Custom Belts did solid work bringing it to life.

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Easy Low-Carb Keto Flax and Chia Seed Bread

Why I Love This Keto Seed Bread

If you’re looking for a simple, reliable low-carb, keto-friendly bread that doesn’t involve complicated flour substitutions, this chia and flax seed bread is a great place to start.

The recipe is easy to follow, it came out genuinely delicious, and it’s an awesome way to get more fiber and omega-3 fats into your diet. The texture is hearty and filling—more “dense seed bread” than “white sandwich loaf”—which is exactly what I want when I’m trying to stay low-carb.

Bonus: if you omit the sunflower seeds, this bread becomes extremely low carb—roughly ~4 net carbs for the entire loaf (depending on the ingredients you use and how you slice it).

Ingredients

  • 2 tbsp chia seeds + 4 tbsp water
  • 150 g flax seeds
  • 50 g sunflower seeds (toasted)
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • A pinch of salt
  • 200 ml water
  • 1 tsp apple cider vinegar
  • Everything Bagel Seasoning (for topping)

Optional low-carb tweak: Skip the sunflower seeds to reduce carbs even further.

Directions

  1. Make the chia gel: Mix 2 tbsp chia seeds with 4 tbsp water and let it sit until it thickens.
  2. Mix dry ingredients: Combine flax seeds, toasted sunflower seeds, baking powder, and a pinch of salt.
  3. Add liquids: Stir in 200 ml water
  4. Combine: Add the chia gel and mix until everything is evenly incorporated.
  5. Flavorize: Form loaf into a ball shape, rub 1 tsp apple cider vinegar all over. Top with bagel seasoning
  6. Shape and top: Transfer to your baking pan or shape into a loaf, then sprinkle sesame seeds on top.
  7. Bake: Bake until set and firm throughout (oven times vary by pan size and thickness).
  8. Cool before slicing: Let it cool completely so it firms up and slices cleanly.

Tips for Best Results

  • Toast the sunflower seeds for better flavor and crunch.
  • Let it cool fully before slicing—this makes a huge difference in texture.
  • Slice thin and toast it if you want a more “bread-like” bite.
  • Store it properly: Keep it refrigerated to maintain freshness, or freeze sliced pieces for quick use.

Why This Bread is Great for Keto

  • Very low net carbs (especially if you omit sunflower seeds)
  • High fiber which helps with fullness and digestion
  • Healthy fats from flax and chia, including omega-3s
  • No flour, no sugar, and a simple ingredient list

A Great “Base Recipe” You Can Build On

One of the best things about this chia + flax bread is that it’s a solid foundation for experimentation. You can easily build on it with different keto-friendly add-ins like:

  • Garlic powder, onion powder, or Italian seasoning
  • Rosemary and sea salt
  • Parmesan or shredded cheddar (if your diet allows)
  • Chopped jalapeños or red pepper flakes for heat

If you try a variation, I’d love to hear what you added and how it turned out.

Final Thoughts

This is one of the easiest low-carb “bread” recipes I’ve made, and it’s a great option if you want something filling without blowing your carbs for the day. It’s hearty, nutrient-dense, and surprisingly tasty—especially toasted.

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WWE “Big Eagle” Championship Belt Review

What is the “Big Eagle” Belt?

I’m reviewing a replica WWE/WWF “Big Eagle” Championship belt—one of the most iconic title designs from the late 1990s and a defining symbol of the Attitude Era.

Even if you’re not a hardcore belt collector, there’s a good chance you’ve seen this design a thousand times. It’s the championship belt that feels instantly connected to a specific moment in WWE history—big stars, big crowds, and an era that still gets referenced constantly.

A Quick History: From the Winged Eagle to the Big Eagle

The “Big Eagle” championship belt was introduced after Stone Cold Steve Austin defeated Shawn Michaels (HBK) at WrestleMania. The previous championship design—the classic Winged Eagle—was retired the following night, and Austin was presented with the updated belt featuring the blue strap.

First Impressions: Bigger and Heavier Than I Expected

One thing that surprised me immediately is how different this belt feels in person compared to photos. This replica is bigger and heavier than I expected, and the scale of the plates really stands out when it’s in your hands.

In the video, I do a close-up look at the belt and talk through the details that pop in real life—especially the way the main plate presents itself. Whether you’re a collector or just a fan who appreciates classic designs, it’s the kind of belt that looks “important” the moment you see it.

What I Like About This Replica

Overall, I’m impressed with how this replica captures the feel of the era. A few highlights:

  • Presence: the belt has a big, bold look that photographs don’t fully capture
  • Weight: it feels substantial and “premium” in hand
  • Details: there are interesting elements on the plates that become more noticeable up close

Design Questions (And a Lion Mystery)

One of the fun parts of this video is comparing the “Big Eagle” design to modern WWE belts and asking some collector-type questions about design decisions.

For example: why is there a lion on so many WWE championship belts?

Once you start noticing it, it feels like lions show up everywhere across different title generations. Is it symbolism? A design tradition? Just something WWE’s designers love? I dig into this a bit and compare the older belt aesthetic to today’s more logo-forward designs.

Why I Bought It (Timing Was Too Perfect)

A major reason I finally pulled the trigger was the timing. WWE Shop ran a massive holiday sale right around the same time my son started talking about how cool the “Big Eagle” belt is—literally just a few days before.

It was weirdly perfect timing. Between the sale, the nostalgia, and my son’s excitement, it felt like I had to go for it.

Final Thoughts

If you’re a fan of the Attitude Era, a belt collector, or someone who appreciates classic WWE/WWF championship designs, the “Big Eagle” belt is still one of the best-looking titles they’ve ever produced. This replica has real presence, feels substantial, and makes for a great display piece—especially if you grew up watching that era.