Golden Pancakes: with healthy surprising ingredients

I go through these phases where I think I will like cottage cheese... and I never do. Unfortunately, it takes me buying a bunch before I realize this.  While it is bearable and I don't gag while eating it, it simply isn't something I look forward to ingesting. So, when I have a recipe that calls for it I get excited knowing I will not be wasting what I have already bought. Yes, these pancakes have {COTTAGE CHEESE} in them! No, you they do not taste cheesy. If you love {FRENCH TOAST} you will love these pancakes! These are so yummy and simple to make all in one blender and let the blender do the work! 

INGREDIENTS:

1 Cup uncooked whole grain oats (blending to a flour)

6 Egg whites

1 Cup fat-free cottage cheese

1/4 tsp vanilla extract

1/4 tsp ground cinnamon

2 Packets of sugar substitute 

1/3 Cup sliced strawberries

DIRECTIONS:

1.) Lightly coat a nonstick skillet with cooking spray; place on medium heat.

2.) In a blender combine oats, egg whites, cottage cheese, vanilla, cinnamon and sugar substitute. Blend on medium speed until smooth

3.) Pour batter, about 1/4 cup at a time onto a hot skillet. Cook pancake until bubbly on top and dry around edges, about 3 minutes. Turn and cook other side until golden brown.

4.) Place on plate with desired toppings including fruit. 

Homemade Turkey Meatloaf

Homemade Turkey Meatloaf

Killer Abs

I love adding a variety to my ab workouts. I get so bored with the same old ab routines, so therefore I never have the same one! Here is yesterdays Ab work out. Repeat as many times as you can in 10 minutes with GOOD FORM the whole time. It does you no good to get through it 300 times with crap form. Keep abs tight the whole time.  

If you have any questions about any of the workouts please ask and I can demonstrate!

Pork Teriyaki

Every time I go to the grocery store I try to get a meat I have not had in a while. Usually it's a variety of fish I pick from, but this time I got Pork Loins. Pork Loins are a favorite for me because they are cheap, easy to work with, and quick to cook. This recipe is a perfect example of these things. Also, the cucumber is from a friend's impressive garden which is completely organic and she uses no pesticides. Fresh eating!

PORK TERIYAKI

Served on top Jasmine Rice and topped with pineapples!

Serves: 4

INGREDIENTS:

1 cup Jasmine Rice

Olive oil spray

4 (4-ounce) trimmed boneless pork loin chops, about 3/4 inch thick

1 tsp garlic powder

salt, to taste

black pepper, to taste

8 teaspoon honey teriyaki marinade 

4 slices canned pineapple slices in juice, drained

DIRECTION:

1.) Prepare rice according to package directions

2.)Preheat the broiler. Line a small baking sheet with aluminum foil and lightly spray with olive oil if desired

3.)Lightly mist both sides of the chops with olive oil and season with the garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Place the chops, not touching, on the prepared sheet and broil about 3 inches  away from heat for about 2 minutes.

4.) Turn the chops and brush or spread 2 teaspoons of the teriyaki marinade evenly over the top of each. Top with pineapple slices. Broil for 3 to 5 minutes longer, or until pineapple is glazed and pork is barley pink inside. 

Hope you Enjoy!

Chocolate Oatmeal Pancakes

Every once and a while I muster the strength to wake up early, take my dog on a long walk, feed her, and make a breakfast for Chris all while he still sleeps. Today was that once and a blue moon morning. I did not plan for this to be the start of my Tuesday but the lawn crew had other plans for me. They did not want me to sleep while they were inches away from my window taking care of the greens with sounds of what I think WWIII would be like. So, I woke up and got my feet on the ground to get the day started.
As I was getting out of bed I looked over at my husband and thought "wow he seems so precious and sweet while he sleeps." (it must be only because he is sleeping and not getting heated over the world cup) "I am going to make him a good hearty breakfast today he deserves it" So CHOCOLATE Oatmeal pancakes it was this morning.


INGREDIENTS:
2 1/2 Cup oat flour (about 2.5 cups oats)
2 eggs (beaten before)
1 1/2 Dark Chocolate Almond Milk (if you don't have that regular milk will do you just won't have Chocolate Pancakes)
2 Tbsp Honey
2 Tbsp Canola Oil
2 Tbsp Greek Yogurt
2 Tbsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt

DIRECTIONS:
1. If you are making from oats you must put oats in food processor until oats are smooth.
2. Beat eggs slightly in a separate bowl until whipped slightly, and then add all other ingredients.
3. Drop according to desired size on to hot pan that is sprayed. Once pancakes become bubbly and sides are no longer runny, flip. Let it cook for a bit until browned. Then remove
4. Serve hot with desired toppings. (for me that's fruit and whipped cream)

*I desired smaller pancakes, measuring  each with 1/4 cup spoon. Also since I am cooking for only two and it serves easily 4-6 I froze the remaining with cooking paper between each so they do not freeze together.

Zesty Italian Chicken

Every time I go to the grocery store I stock up in the produce section as if I were feeding 10. There are only 2 of us. I think that I am mentally more healthy if the food is simply in my cart. I have found it does not directly work that way. The problem with healthy stuff is that it will go bad {and sooner than you every expect} So I buy all of this "good" food but what good does it do me if it goes bad before I finally get to it, because like every human being I snack on the thinks I like first and then eventually get to the spinach, celery, and cottage cheese. I have found this bad habit and I am trying HARD to break it or at least not let things go bad! For me that means freezing fruit right before it goes bad {for delicious smoothies yumm}, cooking meals with ingredients that are fresh first, and eating unique plates of food.

When my husband saw tonight's dinner he said "oh wow that looks fancy". Little does he know that I just don't want my spinach to go bad and I am sick of spinach salads. Spinach is not a favorite of mine so any time I eat it I feel the need to drowned it in flavors, usually fatty salad dressing. Tonight that has changed. I enjoyed replacing some of my pasta with spinach and the marinara sauce tasted delicious on it! The best part is I didn't have to drowned  with a fatty sauce! 

This dinner was a win win win win. 1.) My spinach will not go bad 2.) I replaced the calories of the pasta with the calories of spinach 3.) I found a way I genuinely enjoy spinach with out having a gallon of dressing, and lastly 4.) My husband thinks I cooked fancy for him.

{i feel bad he thinks this looks fancy}

 my cooking must not be aesthetically pleasing at all... poor guy

Ohh and it is super EASY!

ZESTY ITALIAN CHICKEN

Servings: 2 ( perfect  for date night)

Preparation Time: 50 minutes (including 30 minute marinade time)

INGREDIENTS:

• 4 Chicken Tenderloins* (about 1/2 pound)
• 1/4 Cup Italian Dressing
• 2 Portions Pasta 
• 1 Cup Pasta Sauce
• 2 Cups Baby Spinach Leaves
• 2 Tbsp Parmesan Cheese, grated

DIRECTIONS:

1. Marinate chicken in Italian dressing for at least 30 minutes prior to cooking.
2. Preheat grill to high. Prepare pasta according to its package directions.
3. Place marinated chicken on grill and cook about 5 minutes; turn and grill for about 5 more minutes, until no longer pink in the center. 
4. In a small saucepan, warm pasta sauce over medium heat
5. Divide spinach between two plates. Layer portion of warm pasta and grilled chicken over spinach leaves.
6.  Top with pasta sauce and Parmesan.
7. Serve HOT!

**I use chicken tenderloins for a few reasons
- Cheaper to buy in bulk than chicken breast. (if looking at it pound to pound)
-Thaws faster

-Cooks faster

-Easily absorbs a lot of flavors

6 Minute Plank Challenge

Why Plank?

to have strong abs, chest, shoulders, obliques, arms, back, glutes, hamstrings, calves, quads & more!

When doing a variety of plank poses you hit a LOT of different muscle groups and finer fibers. Unfortunately planks get done with bad form! I see it EVERY day at the gym. So, I didn't just want to give you a great work out, but I wanted to help you learn to teach yourself proper form. Proper form is a must or your back with be KILLING YOU!

• align head with spine
• align shoulders with elbows
• keep back flat and strong 

FOREARM/ELBOW PLANK:

STRAIGHT ARM PLANK:

UP-DOWN PLANK:

SIDE PLANK:

For side plank with leg lift simple lift out side leg up and hold.

If at any point you feel tired retire to the position on your knees and KEEP GOING!