Molten Chocolate Protein Donuts

October 28th: National Chocolate Day. I had no idea. I'm definitely not a chocoholic. I like it here and there. You wouldn't catch me eating a chocolate bar or chocolate ice cream. But, for some reason I woke up October 28th and made Molten Chocolate protein pancakes, THEN baked these amazing Molten Chocolate Donuts. Had no idea it was National Chocolate Day until after I made the donuts. Weird...it's like they knew.

Anyway, these donuts came out way too good. I planned on saving them for snacks, but immediately ate three out of the oven. Probably could've eaten all six.The combination of almond flour and oatmeal gave them such a perfect texture. Great as a snack, topping for a fro-yo, breakfast, or dessert. Fiber, protein, whole grains, and a little healthy fat make this one of the healthiest donuts you'll ever eat :)

I buy my flours, stevia, and chickpeas from Vitacost. Use this link for $10 off your first order!

Molten Chocolate Protein Donuts

Ingredients:

3/4 cup oatmeal
1/4 cup almond flour
1 scoop Cellucor Molten Chocolate whey protein
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 cup chickpeas, rinsed and drained
1/3 cup egg whites
1/4 unsweetened almond milk
12 stevia drops

Directions:

1. Blend all ingredients in a blender until smooth.
2. Add batter to a donut pan coated with cooking spray. Bake at 350 F for 12 minutes.

For the frosting, I just mixed together a little Cellucor Molten Chocolate whey protein and sugar-free chocolate pudding mix and drizzled it over the donuts.

For one donut (without frosting): 104 calories, 3.6 grams Fat, 9.5 grams Carbs, 8.3 grams protein

Cauliflower Sandwich Bun

I figured if you can make a pizza crust, there’s no reason you can’t use cauliflower in place of a sandwich bun. I was really happy with how these came out. This would actually be a great cheese-less pizza base if you just modify how you shape it!

Cauliflower Sandwich Bun

Ingredients:

1 cup grated cauliflower (Ninja!)

¼ cup egg beaters

1 tablespoon flaxseed

2 teaspoons coconut flour

Salt and onion powder to taste

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 450. Use a food processor to grate your cauliflower.
2. Combine the cauliflower, egg beaters, flaxseed, coconut flour and spices in a bowl. Combine well.
3. Spray a cookie sheet with non-stick spray. Form the crust ingredient two circles resembling the top and bottom of a bun. Place the cookie sheet in the oven and cook until the crust is lightly browned, 15 minutes.
4. Let buns cool on a cooking rack while you set your oven to broil. Set the cooling rack on your cookie sheet and place in the oven. Broil until a little crispy, about 2 minutes.

I melted some low-fat cheddar on the bun while it was under the broiler, then sandwiched a Boca burger inside. Incredibly bun-like!

Cinnamon Banana Pancake Rollups

Not your typical pancakes, but these were a delicious twist to the usual. I based this recipe off of Kim's recipe, but I switched up some of the flavors and ingredients. With oatmeal as the pancake base and cottage cheese as the filling, these pancakes are full of complex carbohydrates and protein- perfect start to the day.

Cinnamon Banana Pancake Rollups

Ingredients:

Pancakes:

- 1/3 cup raw oats
- 1/4 cup egg whites
- 1 T mashed banana
- 4-5 drops vanilla stevia drops (or regular stevia to taste)
- 1/2 teaspoon butter extract
- Cinnamon

Filling:

- 1/3 cup cottage cheese
- 1 tablespoon vanilla whey protein
- 1/4 teaspoon xantham gum (or 1/2 teaspoon flour)
- 3 drops vanilla stevia

Topping:

-1/2 banana
- Cinnamon
- 1 tablespoon sugar free syrup


Directions:

1. Blend together the oats, egg whites, banana, stevia, butter extract, and cinnamon.

2. Preheat a medium size, non-stick pan over medium heat. Coat with cooking spray. Pour batter into the pan. You want the batter to spread out nice and thin. Cook for about two minutes each side.

3. To make the filling blend together the cottage cheese, 1/4 teaspoon xantham gum (or flour), and the stevia. Spread the filling over the pancake and roll up. Cut roll up in half.

4. To make the topping. Slice about 1/2 banana and add to a small pan coated with cooking spray. Cook over medium heat until the banana begins to soften, add cinnamon and about 1 T sugar free syrup. Cook about 30 seconds (keep stirring). Top your pancake rollup with the banana mixture.

5.  DEVOUR.

Ingredient Note: I buy my oats, xantham gum, stevias, flours, and extracts from Vitacost. They have the best prices and deliver everything right to your door! Here's a link for a discount off your first order of $30 or more.

Salsa Chicken Burrito

I'm addicted to the lunch that I've been having this week.  I'm not 100% sure it's legal to call it a burrito, maybe its a taco. I don't know, but this is absolutely delicious and you need to try it. I used my fall apart fork tender salsa chicken recipe for this, and although you can use any chicken, I can guarantee it won't taste as amazing.

P.S. Trader Joe's has the best Lite Shredded Mozzarella I've ever tasted. It melts really well, and does not sacrifice flavor!

Salsa Chicken Burrito

1 whole wheat tortilla (I used Joseph's Flax Tortilla)
1/4 cup reduced fat mozzarella cheese (I used Trader Joe's Lite Shredded Mozzarella)
1 serving Slow Cooked Salsa Chicken
Cilantro
Dollop of Greek yogurt (great healthy substitute for sour cream!)
Raw veggies of choice (if desired)

1. Place the cheese on top of your tortilla and place the tortilla on tin foil. Cook under the broiler for a few minutes until the cheese gets melty (this happens quick- keep your eye on it!).
2. Add the chicken, fresh cilantro, and top with the Greek yogurt. Fold up and devour! 

Slow Cooked Salsa Chicken

I had always loved the idea of slow cookers, but never purchased one. So when I saw one on sale at Target for $15.99, I thought, "Why not?". I saw a few people on Instagram slow cooking chicken with salsa, so I thought it would be an easy recipe for my first slow cooking experience. The finished product was above and beyond my expectations. Not only was it incredibly easy and flavorful, but the chicken literally fell apart with my fork. Three ingredients, barely any prep, and it cooks itself. IT CANNOT BE SIMPLER!

Best chicken I've had in a LONG time. I served mine taco/burrito style, but this would also be great with brown rice and a vegetable.

Slow Cooked Salsa Chicken

4 (4 oz) chicken breasts
1/2 jar salsa (I used Newman's Own)
1/2 packet taco seasoning (I used low-sodium)

1. Season the chicken evenly with the taco seasoning. Place in your slow cooker. Add the salsa and and about 1/4 cup water.
2. Cook on HIGH for 4 hours. That's it!