Pumpkin Cinnamon Swirl Protein Pancakes

Good morning, everyone! Lately, I have been in the mood for pancakes. Fall has been slowly creeping into Arizona (finally!), and I have been all about pumpkin. Particularly, these pumpkin cinnamon swirl protein pancakes. I’ve been whipping up a batch of them pretty much after every workout.

When I took my first ever bite of these, I kid you not, my first thought was “These are the best pancakes I have ever had!” Yes, they were even better than the original buttermilk pancakes I grew up with as a child. I haven’t gotten around to adding chocolate chips to the batter, but when I get the chance, I know that it will make this recipe even better!

I’m a sucker for texture. These pancakes are moist and fluffy in all the right ways. To kick up the fall notch even higher, I top the pancakes with maple syrup and apple chunks. For that crunch factor, I have been adding cereal. It’s a flavor and texture party in my mouth!

Ingredients:

-1/3 cup oat flour

-1 scoop Cellucor Cinnamon Swirl protein powder

-1 tsp baking powder

-3/4 cup pumpkin puree

-3 large egg whites

-water (varies based on consistency of choice)

-a diced apple (optional)

-cereal (optional)

-syrup

Directions:

1. Mix together dry ingredients.

2. Gradually mix in pumpkin.

3. Mix in egg whites.

4. Pour.

5. Make pancakes.

6. Stack.

7. Put on toppings.

8. Drizzle with syrup.

9. Bask in its delicious appearance

10. Enjoy. 😉

Have a fantastic day. ❤

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Instagram -> @lovenataliemarie

Twitter -> @xolovenatalie

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E-mail -> lovenataliemarie@gmail.com

Oatmeal Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies

It’s been quite some time since I have posted a recipe. The last one I think I posted was either an oatmeal recipe or a healthy chicken alfredo recipe.. Man, that takes me back to a few months ago. A few days ago, my mom asked me if I would whip up some of the special cookies I usually make around the fall and winter time. Que the oatmeal pumpkin chocolate chip cookie goodness.

 

Full of flavor, all healthy ingredients, made with a lot of love, and enjoyed by all.. These cookies are just a must to be made. They’re good fresh and frozen. They are the right amount of fluffy. They are the right amount of goodness. The batch does make quite a few, so there will be plenty to share ( If you don’t eat them all yourself. 😉 ).

 

It took me some time to perfect this recipe, but with trial and error comes learning. It’s not over whelming with a pumpkin flavor. It’s a sweet treat that you will enjoy. Plus, the chocolate chips join all the flavors together. Chocolate does that, ya know? You can enjoy it as a snack, dessert, with milk, with coffee, pretty much with anything.

 

Ingredients

• 2 cups old-fashioned oats
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 2 tsps cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp pumpkin pie spice
• 1 1/3 cup pumpkin purée
• 1 large eggs
• 11/2 tsps vanilla extract
• 1/3 cup unsweetened applesauce
• 2 cups chocolate chips

 

Directions

1. Mix together the oats, baking soda, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, and pumpkin pie spice.

2. In another bowl, mix together the pumpkin puree, egg, and vanilla extract.

3. Mix together the dry and wet ingredients.

4. Fold in the chocolate chips.

5. Bake in the over at 350 F for 15 minutes.

6. Cool and enjoy. 😉

 

-What’s your favorite type of cookie?

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My Favorite Smoothie

The temperatures have been rising lately, and my craving for a smoothie has sky rocketed. I am a sucker for a thick, creamy, delicious smoothie. I mean, who isn’t? All smoothies are so versatile which makes them one of my favorite foods! With the temperatures reaching over 100 already here in Arizona, a cold drink is pretty much a must have. I have adopted a pretty similar base to Amanda’s smoothies, but I made it my own (in a way). 😀

 

 

I don’t really have a name for it, so I will just call it my favorite smoothie. 🙂

-1/2 cup almond milk

-1/2 scoop of protein powder (I chose Chocolate Peanut Butter)

-1/2 frozen banana

-1 TBSP peanut butter

-1 big handful of spinach

-a few handfuls of ice

 

I hope you make it and enjoy! Have a fantastic day and stay cool. ❤

 

-What’s your favorite smoothie?

-What do you crave in the warmer weather?

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Instagram -> @myhealthlyjourney

Twitter -> @xolovenatalie

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E-mail -> lovenataliemarie@gmail.com

PB & J Melted Banana Oatmeal

Sweetness from the strawberry jam and melted banana. Creaminess from the melting peanut butter. A bit of a crunch from the chia seeds. Protein packed. Full of volume. A childhood classic.

Peanut Butter & Jelly Melted Banana Oatmeal

When I think back to my childhood, I always remember my mom packing a peanut butter and jelly sandwich everyday with a banana on the side. My mom always cut my sandwiches up into four squares and remove the crust (I used to never be a fan). Today, it always takes me back when I have the combination of pb & j. Ahh, the good ‘ol days.

This oatmeal is full of volume, protein, and flavor. Every bite will not disappoint. I find it comforting eating this in the morning with a side of coffee. Always thinking back to the cartoons I watched while eating a sandwich, the play dates where pb & j was the main course of the tea party, and how I always could count on my mom for putting the right amount of each ingredient to satisfy my hunger.

 

PB & J Melted Banana Oatmeal

Ingredients:

2/3 cup oats

4/3 cup water

6 tbsp egg whites (optional)

1/4 cup cottage cheese (optional)

1 tbsp chia seeds

1-2 tbsp strawberry jelly

1/2 (or whole) FROZEN banana (sliced)

1-2 tbsp peanut butter (or almond butter)

Blueberries (optional)

Directions:

1. Measure out oats and place in bowl. Top with water.

2. Microwave for 2 minutes.

3. Add in egg whites. Microwave in 30 second increments. Stir each time, so they don’t overflow.

4. Once at consistency you like, add in the banana slices and mix in. Microwave in 20 second increments. Stir in between rounds.

5. Remove from the microwave and mix in the cottage cheese. After mixed in thoroughly, add the chia seeds.

6. Top with blueberries, strawberry jam, and peanut butter.

7. Enjoy. 😀

*Ingredients optional but recommended. 😉

*Banana must be frozen.

I hope you have an amazing day. ❤

-What food makes you think of your childhood?

-What’s your favorite classic combo?

-What recipes do you like that includes these ingredients?

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 Connect with me!

Instagram -> @myhealthlyjourney

Twitter -> @xolovenatalie

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E-mail -> lovenataliemarie@gmail.com

Warm Apple Pie Oats

Hey there and happy Tuesday! You know what Tuesdays call for? A new recipe! 😀

I don’t know about you, but every morning I have to have my oatmeal (with a side of coffee). I love waking up, gathering all of the ingredients, and creating my concoction. I for one go to bed excited to wake up to eat my oatmeal. If that isn’t a major foodies lover ordeal, then I don’t know what is.

Don’t you just love enjoying a big warm breakfast a cool, crisp morning? Fumbling around in your robe (stomach making noises that don’t even seem human) and then finally being able to sit down with a big bowl of warm oatmeal right in front of you. In the oatmeal, you know there is a combination of freshly diced cool apple chunks contrasting with the warm egg white filled oats. Mixed with the creaminess of the almond milk and melting cottage cheese. Flavored with a dash of cinnamon and topped with an ever so gracious spoonful of creamy succulent peanut butter. Mouthwatering.

I admit, I play favorites when it comes to oatmeal combinations, but when you taste this, you’ll know exactly why.

Warm Apple Pie Eggy Oats

Ingredients:

• 2/3 cup Oats
• 4/3 cup Water
• 6 tbsp Liquid Egg Whites
• Cinnamon (to taste)
• 1/4 cup Cottage Cheese
• 1 tbsp Almond Milk
• 1 Apple
• 1 spoonful of Peanut Butter

*Measurements can be altered.

Directions:

1. Place oats and water into a bowl.

2. Microwave for 2 minutes. While the oats are in the microwave, dice up the apple into small chunks.

3. When the microwave goes off, take out the oats and stir in the egg whites. Place back in the microwave and microwave in 30 second intervals, stirring in between each set, until your desired texture.

4. Mix the oats once more, top with the cinnamon, almond milk, and cottage cheese. Mix that all together.

5. Add in the apple chunks and mix once again.

6. Top with the spoonful of peanut butter (Mixing in is optional).

7. Enjoy. 😉

You’re welcome.

I hope everyone has/is having an amazing day. ❤

-What are your morning staples?

-What do you like to top your oatmeal with?

-Do you drink coffee every morning?

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Connect with me!

Instagram -> @myhealthlyjourney

Twitter -> @xolovenatalie

Pinterest -> @xolovenatalie

E-mail -> lovenataliemarie@gmail.com

Healthy Broccoli Chicken Alfredo

Hey there and happy Tuesday! I don’t know about you, but Tuesday are usually pretty slow for me. I guess because it’s such an awkward day of the week. Well, to get through this awkward day, I have a recipe to share! 😀

*Side note: I know I keep saying this, and I probably sound like a broken record, but I cannot put into words how much all of your kind words about my accident mean too me. Every time I read a new comment, I can’t help but tear up with pure happiness and gratefulness. You are helping this process become so much more bearable. I cannot put into words how thankful I am, and thank you cannot even begin the describe what I want to say to you (that’s for another post 🙂 ), but for now, just know that you’re all honestly amazing and I treasure each and every one of your kind words. ❤

I remember growing up, I was a girl who loved her pasta. When I say love, that is an understatement. I mean full on grab a huge plate and pile up the noodles and go back for more! I can see why my mom made such large amounts. How could you resist the noodles cooked to perfection, the creaminess of the sauce melted in perfectly to the noodles, and topped with either lean ground beef or all the melted cheese. Oh my gosh.. I got my own mouth watering.

Well, we all know that pasta comes in with a lot of carbs. Don’t get me wrong, I am one who loves carbs, but you can go a bit overboard sometimes without realizing it! Well, I made a recipe that is just as satisfying and filling that is healthy and easy on the nutrition info. It gives you a good sized portion, so you won’t be left hungry.

I give you the recipe of Broccoli Chicken Alfredo. Yum. 😀

*This recipe is for one person!

Ingredients:

• 1/2 a spaghetti squash
• 1/2 cup of broccoli
• 1 heaping cup of cauliflower
• 3 tbsp cottage cheese
• 3-4 oz cooked chicken breast (cut into strips)
• Pepper (optional)

Directions:

1. Cook the spaghetti squash in the oven. (However you prefer)

2. While that is cooking, steam the broccoli and cauliflower.

3. In a food processor, blend the cauliflower + cottage cheese + pepper until creamy consistency.

4. Take the spaghetti squash, and fill with the creamy sauce, broccoli, and chicken strips. (It may over flow, so you can put some on the side. )

Nutritional info: 334 calories, 4 grams fat, 39 grams carbs, 9 grams fiber, 48 grams protein.

I hope you enjoy! 😀

-What is your favorite pasta dish?

-What is your favorite pasta toppings?

-What dishes do you love to indulge in?