The Protein Pancake

With the new workout regiment comes a new eating regiment. I've never really done things halfway and tend to jump in full force.

This recipe comes from an amazing friend, who like me, has no idea of what slowly easing into something means and goes straight away for the top (eh hem, CMG).

My breakfast consists of a serving of protein, a complex carb and a simple carb, along with copious amounts of coffee. This pancake, topping and a cup of coffee do the job marvelously.

The best part is the kids love it and I couldn't be happier with that.

Ingredients:
4 egg whites (can reduce to 2 or you can use egg whites in carton)
1 whole egg
1/2 cup uncooked oats
1/2 banana
1/2 to 1 scoop of protein powder of choice. I use vanilla or pumpkin protein powder for this
Cinnamon - as much as you like, I use a ton (optional)
Capful of Vanilla

Variation: you can sprinkle in pumpkin pie spice for a pumpkin pancake, add some pumpkin too.

Waffle option: I make these into waffles over weekend, store in fridge and pop into toaster during the week.

Topping:
Mash up other half of banana or eat plain.

Use a small amount of coconut oil to grease your pan. Blend all ingredients together (or whisk) and pour into heated greased pan. Let pancake cook, cut into fourths and flip each section. Top with banana, yogurt, or enjoy plain!


Fine print: The actual pancake does not look as beautiful and tempting as the one pictured but come on, the one picture would have you doing cardio for two hours to burn off and no one really likes two hours of cardio.

Changing Direction (but no pivoting and cutting)

I blew out my ACL on July 4th and tore my medial and lateral menisci. Had the reconstruction on the 18th and began recovery. It wasn't pretty. I don't take well to resting and recovery. I wasn't able to workout. It was depressing.

When I finally stopped feeling sorry for myself, I resolved to the fact that throughout the next six months I'd have to find a new way of working out. Under strict orders from my PT and surgeon I could not cut or pivot, jump or run. 

I decided to go back to my roots and weight train. Found a great trainer, a routine, a new eating plan (and new obsessive goals). Ohhh do I feel better. 

It took one week, one workout back at the gym to feel better. I honestly don't understand how people do not move their bodies in exercise (medical limitations excluded, I do get that). How can you not want to feel better than your current state - whatever that current state is? I am so much of a better person, better mother, better partner, better employee and just a better version of me when I work out. I sleep better, eat better, fit into my clothes better. I honestly think it's the only hour in my day that my mind isn't doing ten twenty fifty things.

I've never once worked out and thought, "Wow, that was a waste of time".

So, why do you workout? Maybe a better question for yourself - why are you not?

Vanilla Chai Shake

My Vitamix has me in a whirl this weekend. So far I've made; hummus, chocolate avocado pudding and pops, almond milk, green smoothies (this one needs work), orange sorbet and this amazingly delish shake.

This shake really is incredible, the perfect blend of chai spices to sweetness. I drank mine in about two minutes. Didn't have ground cardamon so I crushed a pod and threw it in. Added a bit of honey, which made it a bit too sweet for me, next time I'll omit.

A must make for anyone that loves chai! I'll for sure work this recipe into an ice cream.

http://chocolatecoveredkatie.com/2012/04/27/vanilla-chai-breakfast-shakes/

Summer Melt and Coolin Down - Orange Sorbet

I thought that my ice cream, sorbet, cold stuff addiction was due to being prego's over the summer with both kids. What I've come to realize is, I just love cold, fresh, simple ingredient stuff when it's hot.

Today's cool down of choice was a two ingredient orange sorbet using my  (drum role and angel chorus please),  VITAMIX! I'll have to write a separate post of how in love I am with this thing and keep a running list of stuff I've whipped out. Today was avocado fudge pops, sorbet, hummus and a green smoothie.

Any high powered blender I'm sure will work, if it can crush ice, you'll be okay.

2 oranges, peeled, halved, seeded
2 Tablespoons sugar - I used evaporate cain juice
4 cups ice cubes

1. Place all ingredients into Vitamix / Blender in the order listed and secure lid
2. Blend and serve immediately

Nutrition: per 1/2 cup serving: Calories: 37, Total Fat: 0g, Saturated Fat: 0g, Protein: 0g, Fiber 1g, Carbohydrates: 9g

Summertime Glide - Edamame Hummus

I love summertime foods. Fruit, hummus, salads, fresh veggies, farmer's markets, CSAs, gardens - all of it is perfect; and we've seemed to glide right into the summer love.

Tonight I'm filling you in on Edamame Hummus. I doubled the batch and my kids plowed through this in less than ten minutes, next time I'll triple it. Really, just one batch of this is certainly not enough.

This hummus has a fluffly texture which kind of reminds me of whipped cream cheese. I honestly don't think I changed anything about the recipe, it's excellent as is and nice change from the usual standard.

Recipe here

Make sure to buy GMO free soybeans, there are far too many reasons as to why for me to get into so I'll leave you with this click here.

Cookie Dough Dip all Healthy Schmealthy

I'm not sure where to start with this one so I'll just say it. 

This is a post for a recipe, for a cookie dough dip that tastes really, really good and it's made with chickpeas, it's also healthy. Enough said.

Saw the idea on Pinterest among many, many other ideas that I can only pin and dream of getting to and ended up on this blog. It's a huge score for me, finally someone that doesn't use white flour, sugar etc and can still land on a pretty decent dessert and sometimes down right awesome.

I've made her voluminous oats for breakfast every morning this week, with cocoa powder and a few other things.. will post that too - it's like eating chocolate pudding. 

Recipe here

My mods:

Heat the chickpeas for the smoothest consistency. Once you get them hot, rinse in hot water and drain. Add to processor and mix as directed.

I'm not a fan of stevia at all and have tried to be.. used maple syrup the first time and evaporated cain the second. I measured out the sweenter and added slowly to taste. I added extra vanilla b/c I like it. Used homemade almond butter, peanut butter makes it taste like peanut butter cookie dough (which really isn't a terrible thing). I also added cocoa powder to the first batch and it was ridiculous good, tasted like brownie batter. Used pretzels to dip into that one. I chill it in the fridge for a few hours before eating and it's much better than when it's warm. I also added the oats.

This cookie dough recipe is great with graham crackers too. Enjoy!

Healthy Cookies (that are really really really great!)

There are not many healthy dessert recipes that I love and think are amazing, this might be the first on the list. I've tried so many times in the past to replace this with that, sub out blah for blah and settled on the fact that dessert should be full on, savored in small bites and eaten like you're living in France - whatever that means.

I however, do not have the discipline for eating like a Frenchy and have resolved myself to not make (or purchase) anything over the top decadent. If I do, you'll find me stalking the kitchen for any random item as an excuse to grab a bite here and there.

Made these tonight and they are excellent not to mention, they are butter-less, flour-less, egg-less and just about sugar-less.

Stalk my kitchen I shall, but this booty will still be able to button my jeans the next day.

Bon appetite!

http://www.101cookbooks.com/archives/nikkis-healthy-cookies-recipe.html