Breakfast of Champions

Before I got married, I wasn't really a breakfast person. Not because I don't love to eat, but because I love sleep more. If giving up breakfast meant I could sleep for fifteen more minutes, that was something I was willing to do. Yes, I am well aware of every single news story, blog, or comment about breakfast being the most important meal of the day. I get it. I just want sleep more.

Chris changed that about me. He insists that I eat breakfast - what a great man! He insists so much, that he will make it for me every single work morning. I am often in the bathroom, finishing getting ready, when he yells, "Breakfast is ready!" And patiently waits for me to come eat with him. It has become my favorite part of the morning - especially weekday mornings when we both have work. That five, ten, fifteen minutes of quiet time, sets my mood for the day. Especially because we always say a blessing on our food and our day.

Eating healthy is so hard. I think the hardest part is the fact that you have to do it again the next day, and the next, and the next. Didn't I get enough vegetables yesterday? What do you mean I have to start all over again?! Hard. It makes frozen dinners and packaged food really appealing. But that's not healthy.

This is what I did. [I pre-made breakfast]. Just for one day. Just to see what it would be like. Guess what? It really wasn't too bad! A lot better than having cold cereal, or not eating anything at all.

I have been only eating whole wheat bread. Not the healthiest, but also, not the worst. With it, I made french toast.
1 egg
1/4 cup almond milk
Cinnamon
Scramble, dip the bread in, and cook in a frying pan. I also made a fried egg. Protein, right? Instead of having syrup with my french toast, I had Greek Yogurt, blueberries, and strawberries. I made two pieces of french toast, and fried two eggs, and had one each one morning, and the others the next. Not bad. And so easy. I haven't tried reheating after more than one day, however, I think I may soon. I need to be creative these next couple of weeks, since we are traveling a lot. Saturdays are usually my prep days (as well as my cleaning days!).

Any tips on how to have a quick, but healthy breakfast?

Protein Pancake Win

Well, I did it! They don't look as appealing, but they sure tasted good. That's what counts, right?? I used to same batter recipe as the ones I made the other day, and had left it in the refrigerator, which made it thicker than normal pancake batter. So the recipe:

Pumpkin Protein Pancake

1 1/2 cups Oat Flour
2 tbsp Stevia
1 tbsp Baking Powder

1/2 tsp Salt

1 tbsp Cinnamon

1/4 tsp Allspice

1/4 Nutmeg

4 Egg Whites (I used 3 whole eggs)

1/2 cup raw Pumpkin

1 1/2 cups Almond Milk

As with regular pancake mix, mix the dry ingredients together, and the wet ingredients together, and then mix the two together. Cook on a griddle or skillet that is at medium heat until brown on both sides. Hopefully yours don't look as clumpy as mine did. 

I just want to say something about my choice of Greek yogurt. First of all, it's delicious. It is something that I will eat and enjoy. I really don't like the taste of plain yogurt with honey. I know that this yogurt has sugar (7g) but it also has protein (12g) that I feel helps with the sugar. I'd rather eat something that is semi healthy that I enjoy, than try and choke down something that I think is completely nasty, and hate my life. So, I buy plain Greek yogurt (Fage), and use that for smoothies, but nothing else. Mostly because I haven't found that I like it any other way. 

Happy pancakes everyone! 

Protein Pancake FAIL

Okay, so, a few weeks ago I stumbled across this amazing blog with the most inspirational writer, ever! She shares her love for pancakes, and shares recipes for healthy, protein packed pancakes. So, I figured that I would give it a try! So, while my husband was gone last Saturday, I busted out my cooking supplies, my protein powder, Greek yogurt, lots of eggs, and got cracking. Pun intended there.  I decided to try the pumpkin pancakes, because I love pumpkin everything, and I actually had that.

They smelled amazing! While the pancakes were frying in the skillet, I made the topping with Greek yogurt, cocoa powder, protein powder, and honey. When it was all done, I piled it all together with some bananas.



And then I took a bite.
Aaaaand I could not even swallow it! It was so nasty. I almost threw up. (TMI?) I am pretty sure it was the Greek yogurt topping. I had tasted a little piece of pancake before added the topping, and they were okay. By okay, I mean, not as great as real pancakes, but I could live with them. So.... My goal the next time  is to top it with some flavored Greek yogurt, and not try and make my own. Being healthy is so hard sometimes...

Does anyone have any experience with protein pancakes and them tasting good that they would like the share? Cause seriously, I am all ears... I don't want to buy the expensive protein pancake mix if I can avoid it. Being healthy is expensive, yes, but I also want/need it to be obtainable.

Southwestern Eggs

This is a twist on your typical breakfast fried egg!

For this you need :

2 eggs, fried

1/4 c black beans (or beans of your choice)

Tomatoes

Salsa and Greek yogurt for toppings.

You could also add chopped cilantro too but I didn't have any.

It's got a decent amount of protein to keep you full for awhile! Super yummy and super cheap meal right here!

Blueberry Peach Smoothie

I am a huge fan of smoothies. They are so simple to make and I hardly ever add anything but fruit and almond milk to mine. 

All I did was throw in 

1/2 c blueberries

1/2 c peaches

Juice from 1/2 lemon

1/2 to 3/4 c of unsweetened almond milk

I blended it together and it was a bit thick so I added like 1/4 c of water and it was perfect. 

 

It's a yummy treat or snack, and it's best to eat some protein with it so I fried up a couple of eggs.

 

Hot Pink Beet Juice

Beet Juice!

It sounds kind of gross. But it is actually really good! I never ate beets growing up. Not from a can, not cooked, and certainly not fresh. So when I got beets in my Bountiful Basket, I was like what the HECK am I going to do with these? How about juicing them? Yes. Do it. I peeled the outer part off, and I realized that beets are so pretty! Seriously. I should have taken pictures, but I haven't quite gotten into the habit of taking pictures of every piece of food I eat.. For reals though, Next time you have one, look at them.. I'm weird. :P

So check it out. You need a juicer for this, fortunately. Juicers are awesome! If you don't have one, well dang it. Go buy one! :) Mine is a Jack Lalanne, and works great for me! (I do hate cleaning it though. But then again, I hate doing ANY dishes for that matter!) Make sure you wash, peel any pulp from oranges or lemon, and de-seed your fruits and veggies. Some juicers don't make you do that, but mine does.

 

BEET JUICE

1 beet, peeled and cut in half

2 blood oranges, peeled/halfed (or 1 large regular)

2 carrots

1 small apple, halved

Handful of strawberries

it turns into this beautiful hot pink drink. love.

 

then, don't discard the pulp. I have a oatmeal banana beet muffin recipe that I will post soon.