French Thins

After looking at someone's Instagram photo of delicious french toast I really wanted, no, I needed, some french toast for breakfast! Lol!  So, after my cardio sesh this morning I scoured my kitchen in search of a few basic ingredients to make a healthy and delicious batter.  As for the bread, I used one whole Flax & Fiber Arnold Sandwich Thin, which, if you're counting calories, is only 100 cal per roll.  Also, they are high in fiber and pack 5g of protein, score!  Any who, this batter recipe below actually makes enough for two servings, meaning, it is more than enough to dredge 2 whole sandwich thins (4 slices) in!  You can make this breakfast for you and your boo, or do what I did and prepare the other French Thins for a tasty mid-day treat!

French Thins!

Banana Cinnamon Raisin Peanut Butter Stuffed Chocolate French Thins! (say that 5 times fast) lol!

Ingredients:
- 1/3 cup Egg Whites
- 1/4 scoop VPX SRO Zero Carb Chocolate Protein Powder
- 1/8 tsp Cinnamon
- Splash of VPX Chocolate Protein Rush
- 2 Flax & Fiber Arnold Sandwich Thins

If you're not a chocoholic like me *gasp!* then you can always sub it for vanilla protein and add some pure vanilla extract to the mix ;)

Instructions:
- Whisk the first four ingredients together in a bowl.
- Spray pan with non-stick cooking spray and heat on Low.
- Soak slices in batter.
- Cook covered until golden brown (about 1-2 minutes) on each side.

As you can see from the above picture I topped mine with two of my favorite foods, banana and peanut butter!  I sliced up half of a small banana and used 1 tbsp of Peanut Butter & Co. Cinnamon Raisin spread.  Amazeballz!  I also sprinkled some sunflower seeds on top for an added *crunch* :)

You can add your own toppings/stuffings to meet your nutritional needs and suit your taste buds.  Below I listed some suggestions I may have to try myself!

Stuffing Suggestions
- Apples
- Pears
- Peaches
- Berries
- Nuts
- Greek Yogurt
- Honey/Agave
- PB2

Nutritional Info (per serving): without toppings
140.3 calories, 1.1g fat, 259.8mg sodium, 92mg potassium, 21.3g carbohydrates (5.2g fiber, 2g sugar), 13.3g protein.

With the toppings it came out to about 285 calories and 18g protein.
Caloric Breakdown:
French Thins Batter - 40 cal per serving
Flax & Fiber Arnold's Sandwich Thins - 100 cal per roll
Cinnamon Raisin Swirl Peanut Butter - 80 cal per tbsp
Banana - 45 cal for 1/2
Sunflower Seeds - 20 cal

Hope this helps :)

And as always... I hope you 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!

Chocolate Protein Pancakes with Peanut Butter & Banana Topping

This is my FAVORITE meal to make! And for numerous reasons; 

It's quick, easy, uses minimal ingredients, healthy, and of course, delicious!

You can always experiment with different ingredients and toppings ;)

Recently, I added spinach and vanilla extract to the pancake batter and it was amazeballz!

Ingredients: Chocolate Protein Pancakes
- 1/4 cup Quick Cooking Oats
- 1/4 cup Low Fat Cottage Cheese
- 1/2 cup Egg Whites
- 1 scoop VPX SRO Chocolate Whey Protein

Ingredients: Peanut Butter & Banana Topping
- 2 tbsp All Natural Peanut Butter
- 1 medium Organic Banana

Instructions:
- Blend all protein pancake ingredients in a blender (I use my Magic Bullet) until mixture is of pancake batter consistency (this should take less than 30 seconds).
- Spray pan with nonstick cooking spray.
- Pour half of the mixture into pan and cook on Low heat for about 2 minutes on each side.

*Tip* When air bubbles form on top that is a good indicator that you should flip your protein pancake!

This recipe produces 2 medium sized protein pancakes.

*Tip*
Spread 1 tbsp of peanut butter on each protein pancake when warm for a gooey syrup consistency.

Slice banana and layer half on one protein pancake and half on top.

*Note*
If you are watching your sugar and carbohydrate intake be advised that peanut butter and bananas are high in both.

Enjoy! :)