Breakfast, Recipe
I spent the weekend chowing down on pancakes, so I fill obligated to share my latest favorite with you. It kicks the buckwheat-zucchini pancake’s butt, although I am a fan of the depth of flavor and texture the cornmeal flour adds in those.
These spiced banana pancakes are a little more traditional, yet still gluten free and vegan. The best thing about pancakes is that it’s super easy to sub whatever ingredients you have on hand. Not gluten free? Use whole wheat or spelt flour. Don’t have a ripe banana? Use applesauce or pumpkin puree. Don’t like nuts? Try berries instead.
Every time I whip up a batch of pancakes {which let’s be honest- is frequently} I try to make a ton of extras to save for later in the week. It never really works out. I eat 4 or 5 for breakfast. Then when I walk by the ones I left to cool on the rack on top of the stove, I grab another for a fiber-filled sweet-tooth-satisfying snack. And another.
Sometimes I end up with enough for breakfast the next day, but that’s it. One day I learn to just quadruple the batter and get flipping.
by with a Side of Sneakers
- 1 ripe banana, mashed
- 1 cup almond milk or water
- 1 cup buckwheat flour {or other flour}
- 3 Tbsp flax meal
- 1/4 cup vanilla protein powder {I used Plant Fusion}
- 2 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp allspice
- 1/8 tsp ground clove
- 1/4 cup chopped walnuts or pecans
- 1/4 cup chocolate chunks {I used Enjoy Life- GF & V}
Combine dry ingredients.
Mix in thoroughly mashed banana.
Slowly stir in almond milk or water. You may need more or less liquid depending on the size of your banana.
Fold in nuts & chocolate.
Pour batter onto medium hot griddle in 4″ circles. Cook a few minutes on each side. Serve warm.
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I love the tiny bump of protein these pancakes have thanks to the addition of protein powder. It’s not a ton, but just a bit to help you get that nice filling-factor that protein provides. I’m typically a die-hard Sunwarrior Protein Powder fan, but I had a gift card compliments of Swanson Health Products {an awesome, affordable site for all things health and vitamins} and decided to try out the much raved about Plant Fusion Vanilla Bean protein powder this time around. It’s vegan, soy-free, and gluten free. The tub arrived within a day or so of ordering and I couldn’t wait to dig in.
I was highly disappointed. Highly. It was awful. Granted I was drinking it plain with water, but I couldn’t choke it down. I was almost heart broken. It’s a lot more affordable than my beloved Sunwarrior and I was hoping it could become a new favorite. But never fear- it’s perfect for baking and mixing in smoothies. So Sunwarrior wins for straight up protein powder; Plant Fusion steps in for mix-ins.
What’s your favorite protein powder?
Recipe
I seem to have a problem lately with letting bananas go bad on my kitchen counter.
Fortunately, I’ve yet to run out of ways to use them.
This morning? Banana pancakes!
Chocolate chip pancakes meet banana bread; banana bread meet chocolate chip pancakes.
Banana Muffin Pancakes
1 cup whole wheat flour
1 over ripe banana, mashed
1 tsp baking powder
1 Tbsp coconut oil
1 Tbsp honey
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1 cup almond milk
~1/4 cup each: chocolate chips, walnuts, unsweetened coconut flakes
Optional: 1 Tbsp chia seeds
Combine all ingredients. Spread into 3-4” pancakes on hot griddle. Cook a few minutes on each side. Serve!
Almost as easy as a bowl of oatmeal. Much more weekend-ish.
Breakfast, DYKT
Banana Apple Oats!!
Just my usual oat combo with banana, vanilla, and apple. To speed up cooking time, I cut up the apple & added some cinnamon and agave, then nuked it in the microwave for a minute before adding to the oats.
Guess what’s baaaaaaaaack?! DYKT!!!
Here’s some old “Did you knows” for new readers:
Thin doesn’t mean fit- the skinny fat phenomenon
Myths of carbo loading
Calories are not created equal
Weight of muscle v fat
Overweight kids & diets
Weight loss isn’t willpower
Exercise doesn’t equal weight loss
Obesity in the NFL
Did You Know Tuesday #9
Did you know that coffee isn’t necessarily dehydrating?
If your body is used to coffee (i.e. you drink it on a regular basis) you can actually count is as part of your fluid intake! However, if you only have it on occasion, coffee acts as a diuretic and can contribute to dehydration.
Coffee is one of those topics where “they” change their minds about it nearly every day, so use your best judgment!! Check to see if you’re hydrated– is your urine clear or pale yellow, or is it dark? Does your skin look dry? Are you thirsty?!
If you drink coffee before a race, make sure you practice drinking it before a training run to see how your body handles it. And be sure to include other fluids besides coffee.
Do you drink coffee before a race? I do, but stick to one cup. (Gotta make sure the plumbing’s clear if you know what I mean…;))
Breakfast, DYKT
This morning was just screaming for creamy stovetop oats. I usually make banana oats on the stove, but the banana I had was a teeny tiny wimpy one, so I ended up adding pumpkin too. I wasn’t too sure how those two flavors would mesh, but I was willing to risk it 😉 Verdict: YUM!!!
I couldn’t taste too much actual banana flavor, just a hint of sweetness coming through the pumpkin.
I also added cottage cheese and Amazing Grass powder. I went a little overboard with the grass powder and got a little worried I’d ruined my stovetop oats, but it turned out just fine! I could ever so slightly taste the Amazing Grass, but none of the bitterness.
I used rice milk instead of almond milk so I’m surprised these still turned out as creamy as they did. I didn’t notice a difference at all. (Geez I was messing with a lot of variables in one bowl ;))
Peanut butter and wheatberries only made it that much better.
Plus some Christmas Blend coffee. (I know, I’m way behind on the season- but it’s cold enough to feel like Christmas this morning.) With some So Delicious Coconut creamer and sugar free hazelnut syrup. The coconut creamer makes it a funny color, but it tastes fine!
That’s what I call breakfast 🙂
Now time for Did You Know Tuesday!
DYKT #5
Did you know…
Weight loss is not only about willpower.
This goes along with last weeks ‘fit and weight’ discussion. Having trouble dropping the last 5 pounds? Or does it seem like no matter what you eat or don’t eat, you stay the same weight? Maybe it’s time to reassess your goals. Weight loss is not about willpower. Yes, it’s a factor, but it’s also about genetics. Take a look at your extended family. How do you compare in size? Are you significantly smaller? Then the goal weight you have in mind just might not make sense for your body. Stop frustrating yourself. Evaluate your goal from a different outlook. Why do you want to be that weight? What would be different if that was your weight? Is it because that number sounds good? You think it’s the “right” weight? Would you be able to run faster or lift more? Think about the answers and what they mean to you. Maybe it’s more important for your goal to be to improve your 10K time or gain strength. Remember, thin doesn’t equal fit, and vice versa. Being fit plays the bigger role in your health 🙂
Thoughts?!
