Chocolate Chip Protein Pancakes

 

Disclaimer: No animals were harmed in the making of these pancakes. Unless you count the part where I screamed, "GET AWAY FROM THE PANCAKES" and the cat jumped five feet in the air and took a tumble off the desk. But I'd like to think that was less of my fault and more of the cat being crazy.

That's my story and I'm sticking to it.

Anywho, this past week hasn't been the easiest one for me, admittedly. Getting back into the routine of working 5am shifts after indulging in the act of sleeping in for 2 weeks is not as easy as it seems, especially if you are an old lady like me. Don't let my looks deceive you. Underneath this young, 21 year old body is a 86 year old woman looking down upon all these youngsters with their 1:00 am bedtimes and fancy apple gadgets and strange hipster internet language. I'm showered and in bed by the latest 10pm, I take my multi-vitamins with my water, I believe in conspiracies, I tell kids to eat their veggies (and then I give them chocolate cake when their parents aren't looking), I'm always complaining about how sore I am and I even own a cat so, I mean, that pretty much seals the deal right there. Everything else you can get away with but as soon as you add "cat" into the equation it's all downhill from there. In fact, I think the only thing keeping me from becoming a complete grandma is the fact that I play videogames and I don't drink goats milk.

It's a scary thing, man. Being old ain't easy.

Unfortunately, since I am still technically 21 years old, I am subjected to raging hormones which have made this past weekend about 50x harder to get through. Besides being tired and cranky, I also managed to ruin an entire cake, nearly damage my hamstring from working out, and once again became the Queen of Procrastination (I didn't even finish my Sims 3 dreamhouse this weekend!). Thankfully, however, there is such a thing as grace, a patient boyfriend and an even more patient and loving God. So the week ended on a good note, despite it's many shortcomings, and I am eternally thankful for the "days of learning" (as my boyfriend calls it) no matter how much they make me want to hulksmash something.

 That's why these pancakes were almost a necessity, and I'll explain to you why in 10 reasons:

1: you can eat them and it doesn't count as a cheat meal.

2: you can eat them with syrup.

3. and strawberries.

4: and chocolate chips.

5: they are exploding with enough protein so that after you eat them you can go wrestle an alligator.

6: which makes these a good option for superbowl sunday.

7: they are 100% healthy for you (I used dark chocolate so shut up, it counts)

8: they actually are healthy and don't taste all weird.

9: did I mention you can eat them?

10: and it doesn't count as a cheat meal?

11: *explodes*

Alright, so the 11th reason wasn't completely necessary but after you eat these you are going to be so satisfied and happy you're going to literally want to frolic. Not dance or jump with joy. Frolic. I kid you not, these are some seriously good pancakes. They aren't as fluffy as the kind you'd get from, say, a bisquick box, but they are equally as delicious and honestly for pancakes that are suppose to be good for you I was pretty impressed. Not only that but these make about 4 pancakes which stack beautifully. You don't have to add the strawberries and chocolate chips in the batter like I did, but it sure does help, especially if you're feeling a bit hormonal. For those of you who are trying to watch what you eat, these clock in under 300cal which is pretty impressive for four very filling pancakes. If you want them to be a bit fluffier, I recommend whipping up the egg-whites by themselves a minute or two before adding all the ingredients together and maybe upping the oats to 1/2cup instead of 1/4. This will change your nutritional count, of course, but definitely not in a bad way.

So if you've had a bad week, or you just really need some pancakes in your life but don't wanna go overboard with the sugary, buttery stuff... these are a great replacement and will make all right with the world. Trust me.

 

 "Blessed is the man that endures trial: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord has promised to them that love him." - James 1:12

 

 

 Chocolate Chip Protein Pancakes

SERVING SIZE: 1    PREP TIME: 3-5 MINUTES     COOK TIME: 8 MINUTES

 

INGREDIENTS:

1/4 cup rolled oats (do not use quick oats here)

1/2 cup low-fat or fat free small curd cottage cheese

4 egg whites

1/2 scoop of vanilla flavored protein powder

1 teaspoon lemon zest  

1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract

2-3 packets truvia, stevia, splenda or raw sugar

1/8 teaspoon almond extract (optional)

1/4 teaspoon cinnamon (optional)

3 small strawberries (optional)

1-2tbsp dark chocolate or semi-sweet chips (optional)  

INSTRUCTIONS: 

1. In a blender or food processor, add all ingredients except chocolate chips or strawberries (I blended my strawberries in with the batter) together and blend until just combined. You should see bubbles and a little foam. That's okay.

2. Heat up a small or medium sized skillet to low-medium heat and spray with nonstick cooking spray or oil pan with coconut oil/grapeseed oil. Pour 1/3 cup (a little more than 1/4th of a cup) of pancake batter onto the skillet. If using chocolate chips and strawberries, sprinkle a little bit ontop of each pancake while the batter is still wet. Wait until the pancake begins to bubble and edges are browned before flipping over. Be careful not to over-heat the pan and put the burners on low if pancakes begin to burn.

3. Stack up pancakes nice and pretty on a plate. At this point you can either slather them with natural maple syrup, agave syrup, whip cream, more chocolate chips, sliced strawberries, light whipcream or whatever your heart desires. Then, when all is good in life, take a big forkfull and stuff your face silly.