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!

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!