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! 

Elvis Oatmeal

Okay, I'm preparing you now... this bowl is CARBO-LOADED (so should probably be paired with something like cheesy eggs/Greek yogurt/etc), but was made because I wanted something a little different. Variety is the spice of life, right? Since Elvis was known for his peanut butter and banana sandwiches, I decided to call this particular combo "Elvis Oatmeal." While I wouldn't have this every morning, it is a good breakfast for every once and a while... especially when you have a sweet tooth or craving for some peanut butter going on.

ELVIS OATMEAL

Servings: 1

Nutritional Information:

WW Points Plus: 7+

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup Oatmeal
• 1/4 cup Almond Milk (can also use regular or omit)
• 1 TBSP Peanut Butter (I used omega 3... hence the high monounsaturated fat content)
• 1 small banana, chopped
• Optional: dash of cinnamon

Directions:

1. Cook oatmeal according to package instructions (using water).
2. Add milk if desired to create a creamier consistency.
3. Stir in 1 TBSP of peanut butter.
4. Top with banana slices and if you would like, sprinkle a bit of cinnamon on top.
5. That's it... you're ready to ROCK 'N ROLL!

Pumpkin Spice Oatmeal

I know pumpkin is most commonly used in the fall, but who's to say you can't enjoy it during the other three seasons? It offers a ton of vitamin A (beta-carotene) and tastes fantastic when paired with the right spices. Again, in my attempt to diversify my breakfast ideas, I present another option for eating oatmeal (which has a bit more protein than cereal). Hello, yummy!

PUMPKIN SPICE OATMEAL

Servings: 1

Nutritional Information:

WW Points Plus: 4+ for pumpkin oatmeal only, 7+ with 2 TBSP of walnuts added (included in values below)

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup Instant Oatmeal
• 1/2 cup Pumpkin
• 1/4 cup Unsweetened Almond Milk
• To taste: Pumpkin Pie Spice (or cinnamon), Stevia sweetener (I used 2 packets)
• Optional: whipped cream topping, 2 TBSP walnuts

Directions:

1. Cook oatmeal according to instructions (using water).
2. Add 1/4 cup almond milk (or regular milk) to moisten the oatmeal.
3. Stir in 1/2 cup of pumpkin and add spices to taste.
4. Top with whipped cream and walnuts, stirring them into the oatmeal if you'd like.
5. Enjoy!

Protein-Packed Strawberry Cheesecake Bowl

I've been trying to avoid the whole "pour myself a bowl of cereal" thing in the morning and trying to come up with some more creative options for breakfast-type foods. In my attempt to put some more protein into my diet, I created this wonderful dish... my protein-packed strawberry cheesecake bowl. Although it's still no dessert from Cheesecake Factory, I will say this is a pretty tasty treat and a wonderful start to the day. I usually pair my bowl with a cranberry almond protein bar to help bulk-up the meal, but that part isn't really necessary if you just want a small, filling snack. And with 24 g of protein (34 g with the protein bar) and a quarter of your daily value of calcium, who could go wrong?

PROTEIN-PACKED STRAWBERRY CHEESECAKE BOWL

Servings: 1

Nutritional Information:

WW Points Plus: 4+ (no protein bar included), 7+ (protein bar included)
* Note: Protein bar pictured above is not included in the nutrition facts below.

Ingredients:

• 1 container Dannon Light & Fit Greek strawberry yogurt
• 1/2 cup lowfat cottage cheese
• Optional: fresh strawberries, cranberry almond protein bar

Directions:

1. Combine all ingredients in a bowl and stir.
2. Enjoy!

Blueberry Banana Pancakes

REVISED POST/RECIPE NOTES to make original post DELICIOUS!:

I tried this recipe a few months ago, and it was pretty bad. I vowed that I would try this recipe again, and when I made them again this morning, they were actually good. I didn't make too many revisions, but the small ones I did make made a BIG difference...

• Use 2 eggs, not 1. It makes the WW Points Value 4+, but they taste much better.
• Do NOT add protein powder.
• DO add a few sprinkles of Pumpkin Pie spice (or cinnamon) to taste.
• Spray pan with Pam nonstick spray and cook on LOW heat.

ORIGINAL POST: 
I have made this recipe once before, as it is actually the symbol for the Cooking Cadenza Chef. I did not add any protein powder that time, but I was lacking vanilla/almond extracts, so I tried to plump up the flavor of the mixture by adding cinnamon. Since I used WAY TOO MUCH cinnamon the last time I made these, I thought I would give them another go on this snowy, Sunday morning. I added not only the extracts to the original egg/pancake batter mixture, but also went ahead and threw in a scoop of vanilla protein powder to try and off-set the carbs. I'm not sure if the protein powder was what killed this recipe or not, but I've gotta say, these things did not taste nearly as good as I thought they would. I think I was anticipating something as phenomenally delicious as my Blueberries & Cream Oatmeal recipe.

I believe in creating not only healthy recipes, but DELICIOUS ones that are good for you. This one may have received high marks in its score for health value, but I'm going to be honest, I feel as though these ingredients are better kept separate. One scrambled egg, one banana, Greek yogurt/fresh fruit, and a protein shake on the side. Much better.

Perhaps it was the protein powder that did me in... I'm not quite sure. I would at least like to give this recipe another go in the future... again just egg/banana with some blueberries (you know, keeping things simple). We'll see. That being said, as much as I love bananas, I generally try and avoid them anyways for all their sugar. Sure, they are great for potassium and as my mother says, "no one ever got fat eating a banana," but for 70% of my daily sugar value (albeit natural) and for really being pretty carb-heavy (97% carb), I generally gravitate away from them and toward different potassium-infused, lower-sugar fruits/veggies instead. Honestly, I think they should only be enjoyed more as a treat before/after a long run for added energy and to prevent muscle cramps. Otherwise, they just aren't all that worth it for me.

So my verdict on these deliciously deceivingly good for you pancakes? Just break out the real box of Hungry Jack and have a side of scrambled egg, Greek yogurt, and fruit. You're taste buds will thank you later, I promise.

* Author's Note: I will try this recipe at least one time again in the future when I can play around with some of the ingredients... there has to be a way to get these things to taste good (after all, they do have basically an entire daily value of sugar in them)!

SEE REVISIONS ABOVE to make this recipe DELICIOUS... it is possible!

BLUEBERRY BANANA PANCAKES

Servings: Yields about 6 pancakes

Nutritional Information:

WW Points Plus: 2+ (using one egg), 4+ (using two eggs)

Note: Nutritional values below are for just the blueberry banana pancake mixture and do not include any blueberry yogurt topping or protein powder added to the batter. Nutritional values assume 2 eggs used in the mixture.

Ingredients:

• 2 large eggs
• 1 medium banana
• 1/2 c blueberries (approximately)
• 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/2 tsp almond extract
• Dash of pumpkin pie spice/cinnamon
• Optional: Vanilla protein powder, oatmeal, etc
• Toppings: yogurt, honey, fruit, whipped cream, syrup, etc

Directions:

1. Break two eggs into a bowl and gently whisk until they are lightly scrambled.
2. Next using a fork, mash a banana into the egg mixture until both ingredients have been thoroughly combined.
3. Add extracts and spices until all of the mixture has been coated as well as any additional ingredients.
4. Grease a pan with either a little bit of butter or non-stick spray before spooning some of the batter onto the griddle.
5. Allow sides to slightly brown before turning pancake over to cook both sides.
6. If you choose to add blueberries, place them on the pancake before flipping it inside the pan.
7. Remove pancakes and top with flavored yogurt, jelly, honey, whipped cream, fruit, or syrup (be creative!) and... enjoy!

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...

Blueberries & Cream Oatmeal

Alright, I know I created Cooking Cadenza to post all of my delicious dinner recipes that I have been cooking for my family, but I couldn't help but share this gem of a treat I put together earlier this morning for breakfast (not only the most important meal of the day, but also my favorite). And let me tell you, this treat was basically a delicious dessert (for breakfast) in a bowl.

My trainer has been trying for the past few months to get me to alter my eating habits, and this creation was one of those (albeit small) attempts to try and follow her advice. You see, I am a carbohydrate type of girl. Love the stuff. Let me put it this way, without trying, my diet breaks down to be about 65% carbs, 15% fat, and 20% protein. But according to my trainer, this type of diet doesn't consist of the correct types of foods that I should be eating to build muscle, hold off hunger, or improve overall health. Rather, my wonderful personal trainer wants me to eat 20% carbs, 30% fat, and 50% protein. As you can see, I'm struggling.

Each day, I get closer to that 50% goal, but it's still fairly difficult. Even if I don't in fact make it to that much protein per day, I am at least making an attempt to get a little closer (right now I'm sitting on about 25-30%/day, already an improvement from where I started). But sadly, that doesn't always include having plain oatmeal on my breakfast list. You see, when oatmeal is broken down by its values, it comes out to be 70% carbs, 17% fat, and 13% protein. Not cool. I love oatmeal. It's just so filling (in the moment at least) and warm and wonderful! But I noticed that when paired with a small container of light Greek yogurt, the breakdown suddenly becomes 62% carbs, 12% fat, and 26% protein. Add some low-fat string cheese and that breakdown becomes 53% carbs, 17% fat, and 30% protein. While my trainer would still probably prefer that I choose to have a cheese omelet for breakfast instead, the alterations/additions I made to this dish do make me feel slightly less guilty for indulging in one of my favorite breakfast meals (and this dish tastes so good it's basically like me getting to splurge on a healthier-type dessert).

So here you go, my newest "accidental creation" in the kitchen... Enjoy!

BLUEBERRIES & CREAM OATMEAL

Servings: 1

Nutritional Information:

WW Points Plus: 6+

Ingredients:

• Instant Oatmeal
• Fresh/frozen blueberries
• Dannon Light and Fit Greek vanilla yogurt

Directions:

1. Cook oatmeal according to package directions.
2. If using frozen blueberries, add blueberries prior to heating.
3. Mix in one container of vanilla Greek yogurt.
4. Enjoy!