Quinoa Pancake

This week I decided to play around in the kitchen and make something for breakfast with quinoa. Quinoa has such an interesting texture to me and I thought something warm and creamy, almost like oatmeal would be delicious.
Here is how I made cinnamon/maple quinoa:

1. Put 1 cup of quinoa in a medium sized pot
2. Add 2 cups water
3. 3 tsp cinnamon
4. 1/3 cup sugar free syrup
5. Cook covered on stove until quinoa is fully cooked
6. Add 1 cup unsweetened almond milk and 2 packets stevia
7. Let simmer for 5 min

When you put the quinoa in a storage container it may absorb any leftover liquid so before reheating add desired amount of water or almond milk and heat in the microwave. Makes for a great switch up with oat meal!

This morning I decided after my run that a protein pancake would make for a great breakfast and I decided to incorporate the cinnamon/maple quinoa. Here is what I did:

1. Put 1/4 cup cin/maple quinoa into a bowl
2. Add 3 egg whites 
3. Mix together until the quinoa is thoroughly covered
4. Spray a large pan with cooking spray
5. Pour the mixture into the pan and cook on medium heat
6. Cook until you are able to flip the pancake

I topped mine with some all natural peanut butter and sprinkled some cinnamon on top. This was a really good and filling breakfast!

I hope you are all enjoying your weekend!

XOXO,

E

Protein Pancakes

Mmmm who doesn't love pancakes?! I am always begging Robbie for "brinner", you know breakfast for dinner. Seriously, I think about what I will have for breakfast right after dinner because it is my favorite meal of the day. So when I discovered protein pancakes I was in breakfast heaven! The best part is you can make them so many different ways. I am going to give you the "basic" protein pancake recipe. I feel that the proportions end up being different everytime I make them depending on how many I wish to make, how thick the batter turns out, ect. You really have to just play around with it until you get the right thickness.

Basic Ingredients:

• 1 cup oats
• 1/2 cup low-fat cottage cheese
• 2 egg whites
• Splash of unsweetened almond milk
• 1/2 tsp baking soda

Ingredients you can add to make them delicious:

• cinnamon to taste
• nutmeg
• pumpkin (1-2tbs)
• 1/2 banana
• protein powders (1 scoop)
• cocoa powder (1-2 tbs)
• stevia
• all natural peanut butter or almond butter
• blueberries (berries in general)
• pecans
• anything else healthy and delicious!

Toppings:

• berries/fruit (I love bananas or strawberries)
• jams
• sugar-free syrup
• nut butters

Directions for banana protein pancakes:
Combine into a food processor or blender:

• 1 cup oats
• 1/2 cup cottage cheese
• 1/2 a banana
• 2 tsp cinnamon
• unsweetened almond milk
• 1/2 tsp bakin soda

Blend until smooth. Spray a pan with cooking spray and put burner on medium heat. Pour the batter onto the pan. Wait until the pancake has bubbles all throughout before flipping. I topped mine with half a sliced banana and a little sugar free syrup.

Vacation

Today I start vacation! Whoo hoo...well, sort of. I have 2 finals this week and a really big paper to write. Robbie and I also want to schedule our final tasting with our caterer and I am aiming for a bigger weight loss goal this week so my vacation week is packed!

Here is what I eat for breakfast.

I eat oats every day because it is quick and easy. I usually have under 1/2 cup of oats mixed with hot water, cinnamon, and some sugar free maple syrup. Today I made them with some vanilla creme stevia, tossed some blueberries in and half a sliced banana.
I also have egg whites every day. The ones in the carton are the most convienent for me but a carton of whole eggs is much cheaper. I get mine from costco and they're a pretty good deal and last a lot longer. Egg white are super low in calories and high in protein. I like to add spinach to them or green onion.
I will post more ideas on quick and easy breakfast ideas later.

I went to the gym today and ran 2 miles! My start to my cardio goal is going well so far. I am working out again this afternoon and will do cardio again after my work out. The rest of my day will include studying and more studying for my 2 finals tomorrow.