Pumpkin Pie Protein Pancakes

The holidays may be over, but I'm having a hard time walking away from all the delicious treats I've been indulging in. I spent a total of 17 hours baking treats and goodies to share with loved ones over the holidays (during which time I used a total of four pounds of butter, licked every bowl and every spoon, and got diabetes). I am not ashamed. Everything was delicious.

Unfortunately, the time has come to move forward with my resolutions and get back into my healthy eating habits. However, I refuse to forfeit flavour.

I am also unwilling to give up pumpkin pie. I can never have enough pumpkin pie. Pumpkin pie. Pumpkin pie. Pumpkin pie.
If you grew up with a family member who made pumpkin pie for every holiday occasion, you might understand my enthusiasm. Pumpkin pie.
Ok, I think I'm done.

Unlike my beloved 4 Ingredient Banana Pancakes, my Pumpkin Pie Protein Pancakes are made with pumpkin from a can - which means you do not have to wait for it to ripen. Bonus!

These pancakes are light but filling, healthy, and filled with that great pumpkin-pie flavour. This recipe serves one person, with a whopping 30g of protein. Pumpkin is also an incredible source of nutrients: low in calories, rich in vitamin C, vitamin A for your eyesight, carotenoids for skin health, and plenty of potassium to support muscle function.
Do I have your attention?

Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup pumpkin (canned, not pumpkin pie filling)
- 1 scoop vanilla protein
- 1 egg
- 1 tbsp flax meal
- 1 tsp honey (may add more if desired)
- 1 tsp vanilla
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon
- 1/8 tsp ginger *optional*
- 1/8 tsp pumpkin spice

Directions:
1. Heat coconut oil (or oil of choice) in a pan on medium-low.
2. Mix all ingredients in a bowl.
3. Spoon mixture into the pan, making 4-5 pancakes. Spread the mixture with the back of the spoon.
4. Cook for 5-6 minutes - just until the outer edges start to stiffen. Flip and cook for an additional 3 minutes on low.
* Important tip: be patient before flipping the pancakes as they are very delicate when they are undercooked.

I eat my pancakes as-is, but these bites of holiday love would be beautiful topped with extra honey, natural peanut butter, a smear of nutella, or a dab of whipped cream!

Welcome to 2015!

If it didn't make you happy by December 31st, leave it in 2014!

I love New Years! It's a great opportunity to do some soul-searching. I like to take time to reflect on the experiences, lessons and growth over the passing year.

I think it is important to acknowledge my weaknesses, and focus on how I can actively and realistically improve in the future. I like to acknowledge trials I've overcome, and the personal growth that came with them.

Maybe I'm splitting hairs, but I don't like to think of resolutions as a journey of self-improvement. My resolutions are not about becoming an entirely different person. I feel that resolutions for the sake of self-improvement holds negative connotations- implying I'm not good enough.

While it's important to reflect on the areas I can improve upon, I think it's even more important to focus on the areas in which I am strongest. When I acknowledge my strengths, I feel powerful - my strengths are fundamental building blocks to my self-confidence. I can use my strengths as motivation to improve upon areas where I'm weaker.

Focusing on my strengths gives me the confidence to make resolutions to unlock my infinite potential.

What are my resolutions this year?
- do more of the things that make me happy
- focus on finding the positives in bad situations
- stretching regularly to get my splits and back bending
- be kinder to myself
- have more conversations in French and Spanish

Brownie Batter Protein Pancakes

My sweet tooth has been off the charts for the past couple days. I've been trying to keep it in check, but all of the christmas treats are pulling at my heart strings.

If I'm being truthful, this sugar craving has been in overdrive since I saw the PC Candy Cane Fudge Crackle Ice cream hit the shelves. By the time my cheat day came around, it was all sold out. 3 weeks later and my grocers have yet to restock my holiday fave.

With a heavy heart, I've turned to other sweet treats, and while they fail to match my beloved PC CCFC, this morning's breakfast came close.

Had these decadent, chocolatey pancakes not been born under the looming shadow of PC CCFC, my praises would be ringing out with much more enthusiasm because they're everything a chocolate lover could want in a healthy, protein-packed breakfast recipe.

Alas, dark clouds hang over my PC CCFC-less world, and I drown my sorrows in these fudgy pancakes of resentment.

Ingredients:
- 1 ripe banana
- 1 egg
- 1 scoop chocolate protein powder
- 1.5 tbsp ground flax
- 1 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- sweetener to taste (I use 1 tsp honey)

Directions:
1. Mash ingredients together
2. Cook on med-high for about 3 minutes.
3. Flip when small bubbles stay formed and cook for an additional 1-2 minutes.

I ate mine plain and they were chocolatey and delicious. If you are feeling extra indulgent, add chocolate chips to the batter, or spread some peanut butter or nutella while they're still warm. Either way, chocolate-brownie goodness will calm your soul.