Orange Cinnamon Protein Pancakes

Fall is my favorite season. I love the crisp chill in the air, light sweaters, and the cozy feeling when you walk inside a warm house or store. Most of all, I love the flavors of fall- pumpkin, squash, apple, cinnamon, warm spices, and warm drinks (pumpkin coffee)! This morning my pancakes reminded me of fall, and I was seriously sad when they were over. The flavors of orange and cinnamon are beautiful together, and kind of make you feel all warm and cozy inside.

I made these with my brand new Sunwarrior Warrior Blend protein powder. I've been meaning to get this protein powder for months. Not sure why it took me so long. I love the fact that this protein powder is non-GMO,  allergen, soy, and dairy-free, and has a complete amino acid profile. It is easily digestible which makes it a great powder for those who have issues with whey protein. If you decide to replace whey protein with Sunwarrior in your recipes, be aware that you might have to increase the amount of liquid ingredients you use- Sunwarrior absorbs more liquid than whey protein.

If you'd like to try Sunwarrior Warrior Blend protein powder, iherb.com has the best prices! Use code ZSG766 to get money off your first order!

Orange Cinnamon Protein Pancakes

Ingredients:

3/4 scoop Vanilla Sunwarrior Warrior Blend protein powder
1/4 cup oatmeal
1/2 tablespoon psyllium husk

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/3 cup riced cauliflower
3 tablespoons egg whites
3 tablespoons unsweetened vanilla almond milk
1/2 teaspoon orange extract
15 stevia drops, or to taste
Water as needed 

Directions:

1. Microwave your cauliflower for 30 seconds (To make "rice", just place raw florets in a food processor- I used my Ninja). Set aside.
2. Place oats in a food processor and blend until it becomes oat flour. Add Sunwarrior, psyllium husk, and  baking powder, to the oat flour. Pulse until combined.
3. Add egg whites, almond milk, orange extract, and stevia to the dry ingredients. Blend until combined. You may need to add some water if it's too thick. I added about 2 tablespoons.
4. Place batter in a bowl and stir in your riced cauliflower.
5. Heat a nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add batter by the spoonful. Flip when the edges set and bubbles start to form.

I layered my pancakes with PB2 and sugar-free apricot jam- HIGHLY recommend this combo!

Macros: 2.8 g fat, 21.5 g CHO (7.1 g fiber), 20 g protein

Paleo Coconut Biscuits

After hearing how much @leahpetersfitness loved her loaf of Paleo Coconut Bread, I went to my local Gluten-free shop to pick up a loaf to try. The sales person told me he had just sold the last loaf, and that he would be getting a new delivery the next day. I had to go to Whole Foods anyway, so I figured I would buy it there. Unfortunately, my Whole Foods didn't carry it. So, I decided to make my own Paleo Coconut Bread. I wasn't sure how it would come out, so I didn't want to waste ingredients on an entire loaf of bread in case it didn't come out right. So, I made "biscuits" instead, and cooked them in a muffin tin. These little guys came out FANTASTIC. They are very similar to the macro breakdown of the Paleo Coconut Bread (1 g Fat, 6 g CHO (5 g Fiber), 5 g Protein). They are both gluten and dairy free. Oh, and about 10 times cheaper to make than buying them at the store : ) . Next time, I'm increasing the amount of ingredients and making a loaf of bread!

Paleo Coconut Biscuits

Ingredients:

1/4 cup coconut flour
2 tablespoon ground flaxseed
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon guar gum
1/4 teaspoon sea salt
1/2 cup egg whites
1/2 cup water

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350. Spray a muffin tin with nonstick spray.
2. Mix together the coconut flour, flaxseed, baking powder, guar gum, and sea salt. You don't want any clumps of flour!
3. In a separate bowel, whisk the egg whites until frothy. Add the water, whisk again. Gradually add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients. Stir until well combined.
4. Divide batter evenly in the muffin tin. Bake for about 13 minutes, or until knife comes out clean.

Makes 6 muffins (Make larger ones if you like, just note that the macros will change)

Macros: 1.4 g Fat, 4.6 g CHO (3.6 Fiber), 4.1 protein

Lemon Cake PrOATein Bars

These came out SUPER moist and cake-like. Fresh lemon zest and lemon juice make these bars burst with clean, delicious, lemon flavor. Perfect to take on-the-go or to add to your protein fro-yo :)

Lemon Cake PrOATein Bars

Ingredients:

1 scoop vanilla whey protein powder
1 tablespoon coconut flour
1/4 cup oatmeal
3 tablespoons powdered stevia (or to taste)
1 tablespoon sugar-free lemon pudding mix
Zest of one medium lemon
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
1/2 cup egg whites
1/4 cup Greek yogurt
1/4 cup cottage cheese

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350.
2. Blend all ingredients together in a blender.
3. Pour batter into a loaf pan coated with cooking spray.
4. Bake for about 20 minutes, or until knife comes out clean.
5. Let cool, then cut into four pieces.

If you'd like to add "frosting", just mix together 1 tablespoon greek yogurt with 1 tablespoon vanilla whey. If you want to get real fancy, throw some more zest on top.

Macros: 1 g Fat, 6.8 g CHO, 11.3 g Protein

*Macros will vary depending on the the protein powder you choose. I used MRM Vanilla for this recipe. 

Peanut-Thai Turkey Meatballs

These are SO simple to make- only five ingredients! These are just straight up protein- no breadcrumb or oatmeal. Still moist and packed with flavor!

Peanut-Thai Turkey Meatballs

Ingredients:

1 package 93/7 Lean Ground Turkey Breast
1/4 cup egg whites
1/4 cup PB2 or peanut flour
2 tablespoons Bragg's Liquid Aminos (or soy sauce)
2 tablespoons lime juice
1/3 cup chopped fresh cilantro

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350.
2. Mix all ingredients together until thoroughly combined.
3. Roll into meatballs (I made about 25- feel free to make them bigger or smaller). Place on a baking pan lined with parchment paper (or spray the pan).
4. Baked about 25 minutes, or until the tops begin to turn golden brown.

Makes about 4 servings.

Sweet Cinnamon Chicken Stir-fry

   This recipe has been a go-to for me all week- I can't get enough! This power-packed meal is so easy to make and it tastes delicious! I've used acorn and kabocha squash in place of the sweet potato too, so use whatever you have on hand. If you're in a rush and don't have any sweet potatoes already prepared, you can cook it quickly in the microwave. My microwave actually has a setting for "baked potato" so that's what I use, but they usually cook between 5-7 minutes. Just make sure you let it rest for a minute or two (it continues to cook when it's out of the microwave). My broccoli is usually from a steamer bag and I cook that in the microwave as well.
    I used Beyond Meat Chicken (read about it here), but cooked chicken is great as well. I top my stir-fry with some almond butter to add some healthy fat to my meal. Definitely recommend it, but do what works for you!

Sweet Cinnamon Chicken Stir-fry

Ingredients:

4 oz cooked chicken (or Beyond Meat Chicken Strips), diced
1 cup cooked broccoli, chopped
4-5 ounces cooked sweet potato (one medium size), diced OR 1 1/2 cups cooked winter squash
Cinnamon to taste (I like a lot!)
Few splashes of sugar-free maple syrup, or regular syrup (I usually do 4-5 quick splashes)

Directions:

1. Heat a non-stick skillet over medium-high heat. Heat the chicken, sweet potato, and broccoli. I like to mash my sweet potato with my spatula.
2. Add cinnamon and sugar-free syrup. Allow to cook for another few minutes, stirring to combine.
3. Transfer to a bowl and top with almond butter, if desired (SO YUM).

Kabocha Squash Mugcake with Peanut Butter Frosting

     This is hands down one of the BEST mugcakes I have ever made! Basically, heaven in my mouth. After months of hearing about kabocha squash on Instagram, I FINALLY found one at Whole Foods this week. I roasted it as soon as I got home, because I obviously had to taste it ASAP.
    I cut the squash in half and simply roasted it in the oven for about 45 minutes. When it came out, I immediately dived in- it was all it was made out to be and more! I'm seriously in love and cannot imagine continuing my life without it. Kind of like how I feel about nut butter :)
    Kabocha squash is also known as Japanese Pumpkin. Just like others have described, kabocha squash is like butternut squash, but sweeter and creamier. It has a forest green skin and a deep orange flesh, and it its texture reminds me of a butternut squash and sweet potato combined. Three ounces of kabocha squash contains about 38 calories, and 10 g of complex carbohydrates. 

I've used my squash in stir-fries, sweet wraps, and in this insanely delicious mugcake!

Here's what  kabocha squash looks like:

Kabocha Squash Mugcake with Peanut Butter Frosting

Ingredients:

1/3 cup oatmeal
2 ounces kabocha squash
2 tablespoons egg whites
2 tablespoons unsweetened almond milk
2 tablespoons Greek yogurt
1/2 teaspoon butter extract (optional)
8-10 vanilla stevia drops (or original flavor)

For the Frosting:

1 tablespoon Greek yogurt
1 tablespoon PB2
Stevia to taste

Directions:

1. Using a food processor or blender, grind oats into a flour.
2. Add remaining ingredients through the vanilla stevia drops and blend until smooth.
3. Place in a mug sprayed with cooking spray. Cook 1:15-1:30 minutes (varies depending on your microwave- just keep checking that it doesn't overcook).
4. Combine frosting ingredients in a small bowl. Add a little water if necessary.
5. Place mugcake on a plate and top with frosting.

Note: If you put the mugcake in the fridge, the frosting will harden a little- and it tastes wonderful!

Tropical Cauliflower Pancakes with Banana Protein Syrup

It's summer. It's hot outside. I was feeling . . . "tropical". If you haven't tried any of my cauliflower pancake recipes- seriously make them. They are SO moist, and make for thick, cake-like pancakes.

Tropical Cauliflower Pancakes with Banana Protein Syrup

Ingredients:

1/3 cup riced cauliflower (I pulsed some cauliflower florets in my Ninja)
3 tablespoons egg whites
2 ounces fresh pineapple
10 drops stevia (or to taste)
1/4 teaspoon orange extract (coconut would be good here too!)
2 tablespoons vanilla whey protein
2 tablespoons coconut flour
1/2 tablespoon psyllium husk
1 tablespoon reduced-fat coconut flakes

Directions:

1. Cook the cauliflower in the microwave for 30 seconds.
2. Using a food processor/blender, blend together the egg whites, pineapple, orange extract, stevia, and the pineapple.
3. In a separate bowl, mix together the coconut flour, protein powder, psyllium husk, and the coconut flakes.
4. Mix together the dry ingredients, wet ingredients, and the cauliflower.
5. Heat a non-stick skillet over medium heat. Add the pancake batter by the spoonful. BE PATIENT. These are thick and take longer to cook.
6. Once the edges are set (about 5-7 minutes), flip and cook on the the other side until golden brown.

For the Syrup:

Mix together 1 tablespoon banana whey protein with some water and sugar-free maple syrup. You want it to be a sauce-like consistency.

Top with more coconut flakes, nut butter, fruit- whatever you like!

Macros for the pancakes: 4 g Fat, 25 g CHO (12 g Fiber), 17 g Protein

Pumpkin Flax Pancakes with PB2 Cream

These came out super moist! Adding ground flaxseed to baked goods and pancakes gives them a great texture and a host of health benefits. Ground flaxseeds are rich in omega-3's, fiber, and is one of the best sources of lignans. Omega-3 fatty acids are essential, meaning that our body cannot make them. Just one tablespoon of ground flaxseed provides 1.8 grams of omega-3's- which is greater than the AI for both men and women (1.6 and 1.1 grams, respectively). Fiber helps us feel full and helps to regulate digestion, while lignans have antioxidant qualities. Try these pancakes not only because they are delicious, but they also do your body right!

Pumpkin Flax Pancakes with PB2 Cream

Ingredients:

2 tablespoons vanilla protein powder
2 tablespoons ground flaxseed
1 tablespoon coconut flour
Stevia to taste
1/4 cup egg whites
1/4 cup unsweetened almond milk
1/4 cup canned pumpkin

For the Cream:

1 teaspoon sugar-free vanilla pudding mix
1/2 tablespoon PB2

Directions:

1. Blend all ingredients together (I used my Ninja).
2. Cook pancakes over medium heat on a non-stick pan coated with cooking spray.
3. Add batter to the pan by the spoonful. When the pancakes set and bubbles start to form, flip and cook on the other side.
4. To make the cream, mix the pudding mix and PB2 with a little water to form a sauce-like consistency.
5. Layer pancakes with cream and eat!

Nutrition Facts: 223 Calories, 7 g Fat, 19 g CHO, 11 g Fiber, 21 g Protein

Creamy Peanut Butter Banana Overnight Oats

Who doesn't love peanut butter and bananas together? Classic combination. These oats were creamy and bursting with stick-to-your-guts peanut butter flavor. Perfect for a busy morning!

Creamy Peanut Butter Banana Overnight Oats

1/3 cup oatmeal
1/2 banana
1/4 cup Cellucor Peanut Butter Marshmallow protein powder
1 tablespoon peanut butter (or almond butter)
1/3 cup unsweetened vanilla almond milk
2 tablespoons Greek yogurt
5-6 liquid stevia drops (or to taste)

1. Mash the banana. Add oats, 2 tablespoons of the protein powder, peanut butter, milk, yogurt, and stevia. Mix well. Let sit overnight in the fridge.
2. In the morning, mix together the remaining 2 tablespoons of protein powder with a little water until it has a "sauce-like" consistency. Pour over oats.
3. DEVOUR!

Nutrition Info: 331 calories, 11 g Fat, 29 g CHO, 5 g Fiber, 29 g Protein