Triple Chocolate Proats

It's no secret I have a super sweet tooth!  I'm pretty much a certified chocoholic :) lol!  So, this is an absolutely delicious breakfast, or perhaps a post workout meal, that I came up with to satisfy my chocolate craving I was having this morning.

I've been doing a lot of various proat recipes lately because they are so quick and easy to prepare.  I loving how nourishing and filling proats are.  They are very versatile too; you can pair oatmeal with any flavor of protein you desire and incorporate your favorite fruits, nuts, or seeds to suit your own taste.  Personally, my favorite flavors are chocolate, cinnamon, and peanut butter, so that's what's in this particular recipe <3

Triple Chocolate Proats 
w/ Banana & Graham Cracker Topping

Ingredients:

- 1/3 cup Quick Cooking Oats

- 1/8 tsp Cinnamon

- Water (depends on how wet or dry you'd like)

- 1/2 scoop Chocolate SRO Zero Carb Whey Protein

- 1/2 tsp Chocolate PB2

- 2 oz Chocolate Protein Rush Shake (liquid)

- 1/2 Banana, sliced

- 1/4 Organic Chocolate Graham Cracker, crushed

Instructions:

- Combine oats, cinnamon, and water in a bowl.

- Cook in microwave on high for 1 minute 30 seconds.

- Mix in Chocolate SRO, Chocolate PB2, and Chocolate Protein Rush Shake.

- Top with banana slices and crushed chocolate graham cracker.

Ta da! Super easy, and VERY yummy!

Serves 1

Nutritional Information:

233 calories, 3g fat, 5g cholesterol, 107mg sodium, 246mg potassium, 31g carbohydrates (5g fiber, 8g sugar), 20g protein

Blueberry Pie Proats

I've said it once, I've said it twice, I've probably said it a million times... 

DON'T SKIP BREAKFAST!!!

For me and many other health & fitness fanatics, breakfast really is the most important meal of the day.  I have read countless studies that confirm that people who eat a healthy balanced breakfast daily have lower body fat percentages than those that pass on a morning meal.  Why?  When you do not eat breakfast, your metabolism plummets.  If you are trying to lose weight, this is the last thing you want!  Eating a healthy breakfast helps you control your impulse to eat junk food when you're bored or stressed, prevents you from snacking between meals and overeating at lunch time, and jump starts your metabolism for the day, revving up your fat burning ability for enhanced weight loss!

While a nutritious breakfast is vital, eating an unhealthy, heavy breakfast can be just the opposite.  Avoid foods high in added sugars, sodium, saturated fats and calories. Cut back on sugary breakfast cereals, high-calorie pastries, and meats like bacon and sausage that are high in saturated fat and sodium.  Make sure you eat a well balanced breakfast containing protein, complex carbohydrates, and fiber.  My favorite is egg whites (scrambled, sunny side, hard boiled, omelet, however you like!) with added vegetables (onions, spinach, peppers, zucchini, etc.) and oatmeal with cinnamon, honey, nuts, fruit, the list can go on and on!  

So, speaking of oatmeal, let me stop my rant and start with my recipe!

Which by the way is under 200 calories and packs 17 grams of protein.

Blueberry Pie Proats

Protein + Oats = PROATS!

Proats are a quick and easy way to start a healthy day :) 

Just add your favorite protein powder to your oatmeal and voila! 

Ingredients:

- 1/3 cup Quick Cooking Oats

- 1/4 tsp All Natural Ground Cinnamon

- Water

- 1/2 scoop Vanilla VPX SRO Zero Carb Whey Protein

- 1/4 cup Lifeway Blueberry Organic Kefir

- 1/3 cup Organic Blueberries

Instructions:

- Mix oats, cinnamon, and water (the amount of water depends on how dry or wet you prefer your oatmeal) in a microwave safe bowl and heat for 1 minute and 30 seconds.

- Take bowl out of the microwave (carefully, it's hot) and mix in vanilla protein powder.  

- Pour blueberry keifer over oats and stir in organic blueberries.

- Sprinkle a little cinnamon or add unsalted nuts on top if you'd like ;)

And that's it!   It's as easy as... blueberry pie!! :) lol!

Question:
What is keifer?

Answer:
"Kefir’s tart and refreshing flavor is similar to a drinking-style yogurt, but it contains beneficial yeast as well as friendly ‘probiotic’ bacteria found in yogurt.  The naturally occurring bacteria and yeast in kefir combine symbiotically to give superior health benefits when consumed regularly.  It is loaded with valuable vitamins and minerals and contains easily digestible complete proteins.  For the lactose intolerant, kefir’s abundance of beneficial yeast and bacteria provide lactase, an enzyme which consumes most of the lactose left after the culturing process." 

References:  

http://www.kefir.net/what-is-kefir/

Serves 1

Nutritional Information:

197 calories, 2g fat, 2mg cholesterol, 51mg sodium, 95mg potassium, 28g carbohydrates (4g fiber, 9g sugar) 17g protein

Enjoy!

Cinnamon Chocolate Protein Pancakes with PB & Banana Topping

If you follow me on any of the social media networks (which I suggest you should) ;) You probably know by now I'm all about pursing progress.  Personally, I feel as if there is always room for improvement when it comes to almost anything in life.  I'm striving to be the best me I can possibly be, persistently trying to better myself every day.

This is relative to my cooking as well.  I'm constantly questioning; How can I make this recipe healthier? Can I substitute any ingredients to make this meal a clean eating choice? Is it possible to reduce the calorie content? What can I do to make this recipe even more delicious?  I can go on and on, but I think you get the point! Lol!

So, in seeking to make my protein pancakes even better, I came up with this wonderful recipe!  Cinnamon Chocolate Protein Pancakes with PB & Banana Topping!

Cinnamon Chocolate Protein Pancakes with PB & Banana Topping

Ingredients:
- 1 scoop Chocolate Whey Protein (VPX SRO Zero Carb)
- 1/4 cup Quick Cooking Oatmeal
- 1/4 cup Egg Whites
- 1/8 cup Fat Free Cottage Cheese
- 1/8 cup Unsweetened Applesauce
- 1/2 tsp Cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp Vanilla Extract

Topping:
- 1 tbsp Natural Peanut Butter
- 1/2 Banana (sliced)

Instructions:
1) Blend all ingredients together (I use my Magic Bullet).
2) Cook pancakes on Low heat on a pan sprayed with non-stick cooking spray.
3) Spread half tbsp Natural PB on first pancake while warm.
4) Place second pancake on top and spread remaining Natural PB on top.
5) Top with Banana slices.

Serving Size: 2 medium sized Protein Pancakes
Nutrition (includes the topping!): 370 calories, 33g protein, 9g fat, 282.5mg sodium, 36g carbs, 6g fiber

These came out great!  They were thicker and much more moist than the original recipe.  I really like the addition of cinnamon as it boosts metabolic rate and flavor.  Also, I'm very happy I was able to reduce the calories from 467 to 370!  Tastier and healthier for the win!

 Enjoy! :)

Cloud 9 Cakes

I often get asked what brand of protein powder I use in my recipes, well, here it is!

VPX SRO Zero Carb

I love using this protein powder in my recipes because it's only 80 calories per scoop, packed with 20 grams of protein and ZERO carbs!  Also, it tastes great ;)

Now, on to some simple clean cooking!

I have been trying to figure out different ways to use the ever so fabulous PB2 and so far I haven't had much success... until now!  Woo hoo!  

If at first you don't succeed... try, try, again!  

With hints of chocolate, vanilla, peanut butter, and cinnamon, these protein pancakes were SO scrumptious.  They remind me of fluffy clouds and everyone thought they looked like a cake, hence, Cloud 9 Cakes :)  I was pleasantly surprised with the texture, they came out incredibly moist.  And as far as taste goes, I'm glad I kept trying cause these cakes are heavenly!

Cloud 9 Cakes

Ingredients:
- 1 scoop SRO Zero Carb Chocolate Protein Powder
- 1/4 cup Quick Cooking Oats
- 1/4 cup Fat Free Cottage Cheese
- 1/4 cup Egg Whites
- 1/8 cup Unsweetened Applesauce
- 1/2 tablespoon PB2 Powdered Peanut Butter
- 1/2 teaspoon Cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
- 1/2 packet Stevia Pure Via

Topping:
- 1/2 cup All Natural Fage Greek Yogurt
- 1/2 packet Stevia Pure Via
- 1/8 cup Cocoa Almonds

Instructions:
- Blend all of the ingredients together (I use my handy dandy Magic Bullet).
- Cook pancakes on Low heat on a pan sprayed with non-stick cooking spray.
- In the meantime, mix Greek Yogurt and Stevia together.
- Spread half of the topping in between cakes and the other half on top.
- Place Almonds on top.

Easy!

Enjoy!

Pumpkin Protein Bars

I stayed home from work today because I was feeling under the weather :(  If you know me personally, you know I'm not the type of gal that can just sit around and do nothing all day.  So, when I was at Publix picking up my prescription, I saw cans of pumpkin and I knew immediately that I had to make Jamie Eason's Pumpkin Protein Bars.  I have made these once before and they were absolutely delicious!

Pumpkin Protein Bars are perfect anytime of year, but they are especially wonderful during this lovely autumn season.  Get the taste of fall when you bite into one of these bad boys.  But there's no need to feel guilty, cause these babies are made with simple and healthy ingredients that produce cake like consistency treats! Enjoy one with a nice cold glass of almond milk as a sweet snack or delicious dessert :)

Ingredients:

• ½ C Splenda Brown Sugar Blend
• 1 - 4 oz. jar baby food applesauce
• 2 tsp. ground cinnamon
• 1 ½ tsp. ground ginger
• ½ tsp. ground clove
• 1 tsp. baking powder
• 1 tsp. baking soda
• ½ tsp. salt
• 2 tsp. vanilla extract
• 4 large egg whites
• 1 - 15 oz. can of raw pumpkin
• 2 C oat flour
• 2 scoops VPX SRO Vanilla Whey Protein
• ½ cup almond milk
• ½ C chopped walnuts (optional)

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350.
2. Spray a 9 X 13 Pyrex dish with non-stick spray.
3. Combine first 11 ingredients and mix well.
4. Add the final 3 ingredients (4, if adding walnuts), and mix until incorporated. Spread batter into the Pyrex dish and bake for 30 min.
5. Makes 24 squares.

Nutrition Facts:

Nutrition (without walnuts): 1 square = 47 calories,.7 g fat, 8 g carbs, 3.7 g protein

Nutrition (with walnuts): 1 square = 63 calories, 2.3g fat, 8 g carbs, 4 g protein

Enjoy!

Egg White Muffins & Cinnamon Peach Oatmeal

I saw several egg white muffin recipes on Pintrest and decided to try them this morning!  

I also spiced up my oatmeal with some diced peaches! Yum!

Ingredients: Egg White Muffins
Egg whites (I use Crystal Farms - All Whites 100% liquid egg whites)
Organic vegetables of choice (below are some great examples)
- Spinach
- Peppers
- Onions
- Garlic cloves
Seasoning
- Mrs. Dash (it contains zero sodium but lots of flavor!)
- Ground pepper

Ingredients: Cinnamon Peach Oatmeal
- Quick cooking oatmeal (I use Publix brand!)
- All natural cinnamon
- 1 ripe organic peach
- Almond milk


Instructions: Egg White Muffins
1) Preheat oven to 350 degrees
2) Spray muffin pan with non stick cooking spray
3) Chop up vegetables and fill about halfway
4) Pour egg whites over vegetables to the top
5) Season to taste by sprinkling Mrs. Dash and pepper on top
6) Bake in the oven for 20-30 minutes (mine took closer to 30)
*Make sure you remove them from the muffin pan and place them on a rack to cool*

Instructions: Cinnamon Peach Oatmeal
1) Place 1/3 cup of quick cooking oats in microwave safe bowl
2) Sprinkle cinnamon over oats
3) Pour water to cover oats and mix cinnamon in
4) Microwave on high for 1 minute and 30 seconds
5) Take bowl out of microwave and mix in diced peaches
6) Pour almond milk over oatmeal

Enjoy!

Tip: You will have left over egg white muffins, my muffin pan allots for 6 muffins, so I saved 2 muffins each in plastic bags for a quick and healthy breakfast tomorrow! Hooray for planning ahead and saving time! :)