Protein Chocolate Banana Pancakes (Low-Carb)

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You know I think Breakfast is the meal of the champions... right? Well, I'd gotten into a bit of a rut with it. I suppose I just wasn't much of a champion for a while, there. I mean, I was eating breakfast, but... I'd sacrificed flavor and excitement in favor of protein and numbers. I began having two hard boiled egg whites and two pieces of toast with fiber jelly. Healthy? Absolutely. Delicious? Not so much...

And then I stumbled across Tone It Up's Protein Pancakes. I've seen a few recipes for what is supposedly the same pancake... and ended up deciding to try the version they created for St. Patty's Day... minus the spinach, of course (which wouldn't change the flavor but sure does make your pancakes green!).

Why is this special? It has 31.5 grams of protein (that is pretty insane) and only 17 carbs. Talk about a great ratio of carbs to protein, my friends. If you're already on some kind of workout plan, these pancakes will take it to the next level and get you sleek and toned for summer! Take a bite!

The Tone It Up recipe calls for brown rice protein powder... well, not only do I not own that, but I'm also too lazy to run to the store and spend money when I have perfectly good food in sight. So I turned to my trusty old Double Rich Chocolate Protein (get it here for almost half off)... Justin and I picked up a FIVE pound jug of it a few weeks ago and it is just begging to be used.

The recipe also called for blending all ingredients in a blender to make it smooth... but, until I read that step, I'd been envisioning small, golden, delicious pieces of mashed bananas showing up in my pancakes... and I wasn't willing to give that up! So I opted to just mash the banana and mix with the other ingredients.

Protein Chocolate Banana Pancakes

Servings: 1
Calories: 205
WW Points (Old): 4
WW Points Plus: 5
Cook Time: 10 Minutes
Adapted From: This Recipe

Ingredients:

• 1/2 tbsp Stevia (Truvia)
• 1/2 Banana, mashed
• 3 egg Whites
• 1/2 tbsp Almond Milk (or skim milk)
• 1 scoop Chocolate Protein Powder
• Optional: 1/2 tbsp Flax Meal

Directions:

1. Mash banana
2. Add remaining ingredients and mix well
3. Pour pancake batter 3-4 inches wide (It's best to make these pancakes on the smaller side). Cook until each side is slightly brown.
4. Garnish with strawberries and blueberries and optional small amount of honey

While you're sitting around today, here's my "song of the day" (which is funny because I don't do that...). A great reminded that all of these beautiful things (food, music, sunrises, sunsets, the color of your partner's eyes) are made beautiful by the ultimate creator... God! :)

Chia Muesli Breakfast Pudding with Greek Yogurt, Berries, and PB2

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I recently discovered Chia seeds... and they're my new favorite thing. Truly. Want to know why? Okay, I'll tell you. Just because you asked. ;-)

• They taste like whatever you cook them in - that means you don't have to deal with a funky flavor in order to get healthy food into your body!
• When exposed to liquids, the seeds form a gel-like substance. This causes it to increase in size and makes you feel fuller -- without adding additional calories (as the gel is mostly water).
• They help your body use energy more efficiently, so that you can burn calories steadily instead of all at once and then slumping.
• They contain more Omega 3 Fatty Acids than Salmon! 
• More calcium by weight than whole milk! That means you can enhance your calcium intake, which is good for your bones and also allows you to get your daily calcium needs without consuming other calcium sources, which are often high in fat.
• More fiber than flax!
• They're filled with complete protein, meaning that, unlike peanut butter or bean-derived protein, you don't need to combine it with other foods to get the full effect!
• You can bake with them (get excited for some Chia recipes on Creatlive over the next few weeks)! The gel derived from soaked chia seeds can be substituted for butter and other fatty baking ingredients in most recipes! To do this, use half of the amount of butter/oil you would need (ex: 1 cup butter = 1/2 cup Chia gel)
• Antioxidants prevent free radical damage in your body. That helps protect you against diseases and cancers.

What do you put them in?
Chia seeds do not add or remove from any flavors in your food. That means you can use them just about any way you'd like!

• Baked goods
• Salad dressings
• Puddings
• Smoothies

For today, we're putting it in breakfast. Muesli, to be exact. For those of you who aren't familiar with Muesli, it's a traditional Swiss and German breakfast or light dinner food that consists of various types of rolled oats along with small pieces of nuts and fruits. Muesli is, essentially, an even more antioxidant-rich and healthy version of Oatmeal.

When combined with Chia seeds and soaked overnight in skim milk, you wake up to a DELICIOUS and remarkably healthy breakfast. I know I cook healthy a lot... but this is the healthiest of the healthy. This stuff might make you turn into a superhuman. It's just that good for you!

For 211 calories per serving, you're getting 11.4 grams of protein (wow) and 4.5 grams of dietary fiber. From those of you who read my post yesterday on why you need more fiber in your diet... can I get an amen?

Chia Muesli Breakfast Pudding
Prep Time (Night Before): 2 minutes
Prep Time (Morning Of): 2 minutes
Calories Per Serving: 211
WW Points (Previous): 0

WW Points Plus: 6

Ingredients (Makes 4 servings):

• 2 cups Milk, Nonfat, Fluid
• 3/4 cup Muesli-Old Country Style
• 4oz Yogurt
• 1/4 cup Dried Cranberries (Craisins will also work)
• 4 oz Chia Seeds
• 1/4 cup raw Blueberries
• 1/4 cup Strawberries (cut)
• 1 tbsp dry PB2 (combined with 1/2 tbsp water and stirred to make Peanut Butter... or just use another organic or natural peanut butter that you have on hand, though the PB2 option is much lower in calories)
• 1/8 cup Finely Diced Walnuts

Directions:

1. Combine Muesli, Chia seeds, and Milk and soak overnight.
2. Heat over stove or microwave. 
3. Add other toppings on top and serve!

Credits:
Top 10 Benefits of Chia Seeds