Surprise Pancakes! What's the Surprise? Find Out...

Some days, you just need something to give you a little pep in your step. Well, for those days, I recommend this super fun recipe--- surprise pancakes! Okay, okay... I know what you're thinking, "but Melissa, what's the surprise?" The twist on my classic protein pancake recipe is that each pancake is filled with a crispy slice of turkey bacon! So with each bite of pancake, you get some crunchy bacony goodness hidden inside. And, as always, this recipe is 100% clean. Try this recipe out the next time you need a little surprise to get you going in the morning!

Surprise Pancakes

Serves 2

1/2 cup Big Traib low carb pancake/waffle mix

1 scoop vanilla whey protein powder (I used About Time in Birthday Cake)

1 tablespoon unsweetened applesauce

2 egg whites

1/2 cup water

4 slices turkey bacon

Microwave the turkey bacon on a plate for 1-2 minutes, or until crispy. Pat off the turkey bacon with a paper towel, then set aside. Whisk together the remaining ingredients. Over a very hot lightly oiled pan, spoon the pancake batter in a long oval shape. Place a slice of turkey bacon onto the pancake batter, then spoon some additional pancake batter to cover the turkey bacon slice. When the edges of the pancake become slightly browned, flip over to cook on the other side. Repeat with the remaining pancake batter and turkey bacon slices. Serve with some pure maple syrup or some vanilla yogurt sauce. Enjoy!

*** Please note that the unsweetened applesauce and the egg whites are used in this recipe as cleaner substitutions for the oil and the whole eggs the Big Train low carb pancake/waffle mix (the cleanest boxed pancake/ waffle mix I've found to date!) reccommends using.

My husband's face absolutely lit up when I served him this clean eats breakfast this morning. He had a look of pure delight overcome him as he exclaimed: "is that... bacon inside?" Needless to say his plate was cleaned in record time! His verdict? "Forget ambrosia... THIS is the food of the gods!" This is a delightfully fun yet surprisingly clean recipe that anyone is sure to enjoy! Yum!

Review of the Newly-Launched Cookies & Cream Quest Bar!

As you may or may not know, I am a huge fan of Quest bars, as they're one of the cleanest protein bars on the market. Their all natural line is the cleanest of options, while their non-natural line contains sucralose (Stevia). I'm not a fan of sucralose in general (see my Food for Thought on artificial sweeteners), but, in comparison to the other protein bars on the market (which, really, are just glorified candy bars), even the non-natural line of Quest bars are a relatively clean option (I'd consider them 99% clean!).

Quest has recently launched some scrumptiously flavored protein bars, including Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough and White Chocolate Raspberry, but the newest addition to their protein bar lineup is the Cookies & Cream bar. I eagerly picked up my pre-ordered box of bars yesterday, and I've been anxious to give them a whirl, so that I could review this new Quest bar for all of you out there--- since it might be a while until you see it on the shelves! All of my local GNC's stock of bars went towards pre-orders, and there were ZERO left to put on the shelves!

So how did this Quest bar fare? Well, in short, it's amazeballs. The bar is chock full of cookie pieces, reminiscent of Oreo bits, as well as riddled with ooey-gooey creamy pieces, literally oozing out as I ate it with a spoon. I always pop my Quest bars in the microwave for 15-20 seconds to soften and warm them up, and microwaving this one certainly enhances the experience! The creamy pieces melt when microwaved, making for a melty, creamy, delicious Quest bar! It's not obnoxiously sweet, but it will most assuredly satisfy any sweet tooth craving out there!

Nutritionally, this bar is a mere 180 calories, with a whopping 21 grams of protein and 22 grams of carbohydrates--- 17 grams of which come from fiber! The ingredients list, except for my personal qualm with sucralose, is superb--- and, even then, each bar contains less than 2% sucralose. So, again, a fantastic nutritional and ingredient lineup!

If you're looking for a clean protein bar, then I wouldn't hesitate to recommend these to anyone. I personally reserve my Quest bars for my on-the-go mornings when I just don't feel like cooking up a clean eat breaky (I know, I know... believe it or not, it DOES happen!). I have a ritual of popping mine into the microwave on a plate for 15-20 seconds, and sipping on a steaming hot mug of stevia-sweetened coffee while I enjoy my bar. And I've even been known to dip my Quest bar in my morning coffee for some added yumminess!

Try this one out guys! I'd give it an A+, but since it contains sucralose, I just can't--- but an A quality protein bar nonetheless!

Blueberry Goodness! Blueberry-Lemon Breakfast Power Quinoa!

I don't know about you, but I love blueberries! They're like nature's candy, bursting full of fresh sweetness! Yum! There are so many blueberry breakfast recipes out there--- but have you tried blueberry-lemon breakfast power quinoa yet? The combination of blueberry, lemon, vanilla, and cinnamon in the recipe makes for a sweet breakfast treat, while the antioxidant-rich blueberries and the whole grain quinoa make for a healthy way to start your day. Plus--- it's packed with added protein to give you the boost you need to power your way through your day! 

Recipe:
Blueberry-Lemon Breakfast Power Quinoa (Serves 2)

1/2 Cup quinoa
1 Cup vanilla unsweetened almond milk
1/8 Teaspoon salt
1/4 Teaspoon cinnamon
2 Packets Truvia/Stevia
Juice from 1/4 of a lemon
1 Scoop vanilla whey protein powder (I used About Time/SDC Nutrition in Birthday Cake)
1/2 Cup blueberries

In a pot, simmer quinoa in almond milk along with the salt, until most (but not all!) of the liquid has been absorbed. Remove from heat, and stir in cinnamon, stevia, lemon juice, and protein powder until thoroughly combined. Lastly, gently fold in the blueberries carefully, ensuring not to mash them as you combine. Serve and enjoy (this would be great garnished with a dollop of vanilla Greek yogurt on top!)!

Well--- I'm off to get my morning run in! No doubt, I had a peaceful R&R day yesterday, but today I'm back at it again. Of course, I'm feeling refreshed, rejuvenated, and ready--- so I'll be knocking out some miles hardcore! Check back later for an update on my February "Mile for a Like" Challenge to see how many miles I crossed off my to do list!

Carrot Cake Power Oatmeal! Not Another Boring Protein Oatmeal Recipe!

We all know that protein oatmeal is a great way to start your day off nutritionally. It's packed with good carbs and needed protein, making for a healthy way to start your day. But what to do when the same old protein oatmeal recipes get boring? Well then try something new... starting with this carrot cake overnight power oatmeal! It tastes like you're taking a big bite out of a piece of warm carrot cake fresh from the oven, and, the best part, it's an overnight crockpot recipe--- so you can just toss the ingredients in the slow cooker before heading to bed, and in the morning you'll have a sweet breakfast! It'll be so delicious that you just might be mistaken that the baking fairy didn't pay you a visit while you were sleeping!

Recipe:
Carrot Cake Overnight Power Oatmeal (Serves 1; Crockpot Recipe!)

1/2 Cup oats
1/2 Cup water
1/2 Cup unsweetened vanilla almond milk
1/2 Cup grated carrot
1/2 Cup unsweetened applesauce
1/2 Cup crushed pineapple, drained
2 Packets Truvia/Stevia
1 Teaspoon cinnamon
3/4 Teaspoon pumpkin spice (or 1/4 Teaspoon each of nutmeg, ginger, and cloves)
1 Scoop vanilla whey protein powder (I used About Time/SDC Nutrition in Birthday Cake flavor)
Optional: raisins and/or walnuts

Combine all ingredients in a crockpot, mixing thoroughly. Cook on low for 8 hours, or until the majority of the liquid has been absorbed. Garnish with raisins and/or walnuts if desired.

Even my husband, whose typical reaction to carrot cake is "what is this healthy vegetable stuff doing in my cake?," gobbled this carrot cake oatmeal down. I hope you guys enjoy this recipe!

Chocolatey, Ooey Gooey, Warm Banana-Filled Power Oatmeal! Crockpot Recipe!

Bonnie & Clyde. PB & J. Bert & Ernie. Spaghetti & Meatballs. Romeo & Juliet. Right up there with all of those power duos is one of my favorite combos--- chocolate and banana! Come on, is there anyone out there who can resist the natural sweetness of bananas enhanced with just a touch of chocolatey goodness? I know I can't! But while some choco-nana recipes can be high in calories, fat, and sugar--- this one most assuredly is not! What's the dish? Chocolate Banana Power Oatmeal!

Recipe:
Chocolate Banana Power Oatmeal (Serves 2; Crockpot Recipe!)

1/2 Cup oats
2 Bananas
1 Cup unsweetened almond milk
3/4 Cup water
2 Tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
1/2 Teaspoon vanilla
1/2 Teaspoon cinnamon
4 Packets of Truvia/Stevia
Sprinkling of salt
2 Scoops chocolate whey protein (I used About Time/SDC Nutrition)

In a bowl, mash 1 of the bananas. Place the mashed banana along with all of the other ingredients (except the 2nd banana) in a slow cooker. Cook on high for 1 hour, or until the majority of the liquid has been absorbed. Slice the remaining banana, and serve atop the chocolate banana power oatmeal as garnish!

This recipe takes only an hour in the slow cooker, so it's the perfect morning breakfast to pop in the crockpot as soon as you wake up. That way you can get ready for your day, and when you're all set to go--- you'll have a chocolatey, ooey goeey, warm bowl of banana and protein-filled oatmeal deliciousness awaiting! Enjoy this one guys--- I know I sure as heck did!