Eatin' Healthy: Protein Pancakes

My love for pancakes is never ending.  There is nothing quite like a stack of buttermilk pancakes topped with whipped cream and fresh fruit drowning in Vermont maple syrup (my mouth is currently watering).  Well, I have got quite the alternative for anyone trying to cut back on the mass of carbs, sugar, and fat that comes with the joy and happiness of traditional pancakes, (as you can tell by the title) they are protein pancakes.  Now,  I have tried my fair share of protein pancake recipes and this one is my favorite.  I have ground my own steel oats (in the blender), mashed up more bananas than I can count, and tried an overpriced mix from GNC that claimed to taste like birthday cake (it did not, such a disappointment).  

Lets face it, the quick and easy is the way to go (when making food that is). 

Start with the mix, if you want to play by the rules the recipe is on the side of the box...

If not, continue reading (below are the proportions for a personal serving 3 medium sized pancakes):

1/2 cup of mix

1 egg (large)

1 packet or a tablespoon of stevia (or sweetener of your choice)

- here is where I get a little crazy

 

teaspoon or cinnamon (or more)

1/2 of a ripe banana (berries work too!) 

mix that all together (and mash the banana)

add 1/4 cup of water (I like my on the thick side, you can add more to thin them out)

heat stove, cook & enjoy! Ooh and add some Walden Farms calorie free Syrup! 

- Kay

s(no)w

With warmer weather upon us I can't help but think of the days when I thought this winder would never end.  This has been the worst winter I have ever experienced.  What is worse than the snow is the lack of motivation it caused.  The choices of shoes to wear is minimal, and it is overall too cold to get out of bed, never mind put on a decent outfit.

Workout clothing is about the only thing that is warm, comfortable, and socially acceptable to wear during the cold (okay... not the only thing).  I am in love with feeling comfortable while looking put together and that's why I invest in gym items that are functional at the gym but can also be worn on "this weather is too much for me to handle" days.  

My favorite workout items are Zella.  They are a Nordstrom brand that carries a variety of leggings, tanks, sweatshirts, and other items weather your working out or not.  My favorite item of theirs are the "Live-In" leggings, they suck everything in without being too tight or see-through (saves me the embarrassment when squatting), and my new favorite sweatshirt is pictured as well (loving the cowl neck).

Well until the snow reappears this weekend I will be enjoying the sunshine. 

-Kay

Feel the Burn: Treadmill HIIT Workout

With revamping my life comes revamping my body.  I have been addicted to the gym lately. So addicted.  I love the way the gym makes me feel.  Theres something about the spending an hour or two completely alone, in the zone, blasting music that makes me feel like a professional twerker (ha!).  

When getting back into a workout routine I try to use my time wisely.  By working in HIIT workouts (high intensity interval training) into my routine I can burn optimal calories in a short amount of time without busting my knee or pulling a muscle I have never herd of.   

I do HIIT workouts on any cardio machine: the treadmill, stair master, elliptical, or cross trainer! 

Put on your favorite play list, watch an episode of your favorite show, and kill it! 

- Kay. 

just a few fitness tips!

I am proud to say that I have stepped up my fitness game and have been consistently working on eating healthier.  It's a daily struggle.  I have found that once I get into a routine that it is much easier to stay on track.  I have learned that tweking small actions increases the chances on exceeding goals.  Small changes like drinking more water, ordering less food than you think you need, and doing that extra workout may seem obvious but seem to enhance progress.
My goal is not to be skinny or hit a certain weight, it's to be the best version of myself.

Some things that work for me:
1. Constantly drink water (plain, sparkling, flavored)
2. Take photos of your progress (you look at yourself everyday, it's hard to see changes, document it for yourself)
3. Set achieveable goals (rigorous goals can be motavating but can also lead to stress)
4. Track meals (you really have no idea how bad some foods are)
5. Treat the gym as a form of therapy (don't dread the idea of a workout, embrace it)
- Kay