Carrot Cake Protein Pancakes

Dear Body Buds,

I had a coaching call with a client today who told me that carrot cake protein pancakes sounded amazing . . . she ended up texting me a link to an existing recipe by some foodie online, and I turned up my nose in disgust at the combination of nutrients. I have a big-time problem with so many "foodies" out there who have every good intention of posting healthy, delicious meal ideas and recipes--but the problem is that these recipes, while being "healthy," are not geared toward fat loss! The every-day person does not know this, then becomes frustrated when they cannot achieve the look or weight they want--even thought they are eating "healthy" foods!

Grrrrrrrrr . . . and that is why I urge you, my Body Bud, to learn the Power Foods Lifestyle backwards and forwards. The education of macronutrient peak ranges, combinations, and portion sizes will be powerful tools in your hands as you wage war on the obesity epidemic and the food industry of our modern-day society.

Anyway, I promise my rant is over.

Deep breath.

So there, I was, looking at this close-but-no-cigar-carrot-cake-protein-pancake-recipe, and as fate would have it, determined that I would create a PFL version. After training a few clients in the evening, I drove to the grocery store, picked up a few items as I just got back into town after a week traveling, and then began preparing this recipe as I always do--throwing things in, jotting down notes, praying it works out, then giggling like a school-girl when it DOES work out! :)

So, here you go. I hope you enjoy them as much as I did.

Carrot Cake Protein Pancakes

Pancake Ingredients:

3 scoops vanilla protein powder (3/4 c.)*

4 large egg whites

1/4 c. almond milk (unsweetened)

1/2 c. grated carrots

1 tsp. cinnamon

1/2 tsp. nutmeg

1/2 tsp. ginger

1/8 tsp. vanilla

Syrup Ingredients:

2 Tbsp. cream cheese (NO--do not get fat free!)**

2 Tbsp. plain Greek yogurt (2%)--I love Fage!

2 Tbsp. almond milk (unsweetened)

1 tsp. cinnamon

2 tsp. raw honey

*I use Dymatize whey protein to bake. You can get a good deal on it through my products portal--just click here.

** Let's talk about this for 2.5 seconds. Is cream cheese a Power Food? No, not technically. But let's break it down by nutrients so you can understand how it's used, and how you can use it in the foods you eat while following the PFL. First and foremost, fat free and reduced fat ANYTHING is a joke! It's such a minute difference in nutrients, PLUS you get the garbage chemical fillers and additives to make up for the lack of fat!

In the PFL, we understand that the body needs fat, and we are going to do our best to get our best types--polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fat--the majority of the time. Even saturated fat, in moderation, is not bad at all. But we need to remember to keep to our peak ranges (8-12 g per PVF meal), and seek not to be eating cream cheese at every PVF meal. Make sense? Again, the PFL is about moderation in all things :)

And yes--this is a PVF -- our lovely carrots tip us over the edge on getting our veggies in there. YAY! :)

Directions:

1. In a medium-sized mixing bowl, beat the egg whites and almond milk for 1-2 minutes. They should be very frothy.

2. Stir in the spices.

3. Gently mix in the protein powder and carots (I used baby carrots but that took FOR-EV-ER (name that movie ;)). I recommend grating the big ol' carrots you get in a bag. The final texture of the pancake batter should be just that--pancake batter. If it's to runny, add more protein. If it's too stiff, add a bit more almond milk.

4. Make pancakes--you know how! Use a 1/4 c. measuring cup for each pancake. I use an olive-oil based cooking spray for everything on which I need non-stick spray.

5. Use a hand beater (I love my Braun) to whip the cream cheese, yogurt, and almond milk until it's nice and whipped. Gently mix in the cinnamon and honey.

6. Top the panckaes with the syprup--be sure you realize this recipe is for TWO servings, if not THREE.

Serving Size: 3 pancakes

Recipe Yield: 6 pancakes

Protein: 45 g

Carbs: 21 g

Fats: 6 g

Calories: 320

#pvfmeal #snacks #powerfoodslifestyle #recipes