Protein Pancakes (No Powder Necessary)

Forget those damn Blueberry Banana Pancakes. Those things don't even taste like actual pancakes. But THESE do! 

Did I also mention they have 29g of protein with NO protein powder used in the batter? And that they are only 7+ on WW for the ENTIRE BATCH? Oh, yes.

These were made on a whim in my kitchen one day (literally, I just grabbed ingredients that had protein in them, avoiding powder after my last mishap) and they turned out fabulous. I then made them again, adapting the recipe (see below) to alter the nutrition a bit. Enjoy!

PROTEIN PANCAKES (NO POWDER NECESSARY)

Servings: 1 batch = about 4 pancakes

Nutritional Information:

WW Points Plus: 8+ for recipe #1, 7+ for recipe #2

Note: Nutrition on the left is for recipe #1, nutrition on right reflects recipe #2 (see below)

Ingredients:

• Recipe #1: Uses real eggs / no yogurt
• 2 eggs, slightly beaten
• 1/4 c lowfat cottage cheese
• 1/4 c oatmeal
• 2 TBSP flour
• 1/2 tsp almond extract
• 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
• Dash of pumpkin pie spice
• Optional: fruit topping
• Recipe #2: Uses egg substitute / yogurt
• 6 TBSP Egg Beaters
• 1/4 c lowfat cottage cheese
• 1/4 c oatmeal
• 2 TBSP flour
• 1/2 tsp almond extract
• 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
• Dash of pumpkin pie spice
• 1/4 c vanilla Greek yogurt

Directions:

1. Combine egg, oatmeal, cottage cheese, flour, extracts, and spice in a bowl and stir.
2. Following nonstick spray, place about 2 small spoonfuls of mixture in the pan. 
3. Let cook on low until mixture begins to bubble and then flip to the other side.
4. Top with yogurt/fruit/more spice and enjoy! 

Chicken Pot Pie Muffins

Alright, I'm gonna be honest with y'all and say that these things were not nearly as delicious as the Cheesy Chicken Pastries I made last week. That being said, these things were pretty good (and surprisingly turned out better than I thought they would). You see, I tried using a specific recipe I found online, to which I discovered I was no Betty Crocker. In the end, I ended up throwing out that recipe and just decided it was time I got creative in the kitchen. This treat was the result. And boy was it a treat (once again served with my Berry Chicken Salad). And at only 2+ WW points per muffin who could go wrong? Enjoy!

CHICKEN POT PIE MUFFINS

Servings: 6-8

Nutritional Information:

WW Points Plus: Only 2+/muffin!

Ingredients:

• 2/3 c All-Purpose Baking Mix (or Bisquick)
• 1/3 c Milk
• 2 T egg substitute
• 1/2 c WW Mexican Blend Cheese
• 1/2 c mixed vegetables
• 4 oz pulled chicken

Directions:

1. Combine all purpose baking mix, milk, and egg substitute in a bowl.
2. Spoon a small amount into each baking tin.
3. Layer chicken, cheese, and veggies in each tin and cover with remaining mixture.
4. Bake at 375° F for about 20-25 minutes (or until golden brown).
5. Enjoy!

Note: Baking cups were used in the picture to the right... should I repeat this recipe in the future, I would have simply sprayed the pan with Pam and poured mixture directly into the tins.

 (button on right side of page)

Cheesy Chicken Pastries

The smell alone of this dish was fantastic... even my dog can attest to that. There's just something about that fantastic smell of buttery biscuits baking in the oven. Now I know this doesn't exactly fall under my "low carb" plan for either my mom or my body/blood type, but sometimes you just have to splurge and indulge yourself in something extra delicious just for the fun of it. And I went ahead and paired this meal with my Berry Chicken Salad (very simple, see picture below) so it wasn't too high in WW Points value, but still filling and satisfying. 

Let me put it this way... You know it's good when you start with only two rolls on your plate and just can't help yourself from going back for more (both my mom and I did... my dad was out of town, otherwise I'm positive he would have too). Enjoy!

CHEESY CHICKEN PASTRIES

Servings: 8 pastries

Nutritional Information:

WW Points Plus: 4+ per pastry

Ingredients:

• 8 Reduced Fat Crescent Rolls
• 4 TBSP Philadelphia 1/3 Less Fat Cream Cheese
• 8 oz shredded/pulled chicken

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 375° F.
2. Unwrap crescent rolls and place on a baking sheet.
3. Spread 1/2 TBSP cream cheese on each of the dough triangles and top with 1 oz of pulled chicken (see right).
4. Roll each crescent so that the point is facing up and roll the dough between your hands to make sure that the chicken/cheese is completely contained within the pastry (see image above).
5. Bake in the oven for about 11 minutes (make sure the bottoms of the rolls do not brown/burn).
6. Enjoy!

 (button on right side of page)

Cheese Omelet & PB Toast

Simple recipe and meal, I know. But I just couldn't resist... you see, yesterday morning I set out to try and make Eggs Benedict... you know, in honor of the Pope's resignation. But then I realized I didn't actually know how to make them, so I made a cheese omelette instead (much easier). Of course, seeing as breakfast is my favorite meal of the day, I also paired it with some PB toast and Greek yogurt. Just another idea if you find yourself in a rut I suppose... Enjoy!

CHEESE OMELETTE & PB TOAST

Servings: 1

Nutritional Information:

WW Points Plus: 6+

Ingredients: (in case you were overly curious as to what I used)

• 1 large EB egg
• 3 TBSP Egg substitute
• 1/3 c WW Mexican blend cheese
• 1 slice Healthy Life white bread
• 1/2 tbsp JIF Peanut Butter 

Directions: I highly doubt these are necessary...