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What I Ate Wednesday: Pumpkin Paleo “Oatmeal”

Posted on October 17, 2012 by kissmybroccoli

Hey guys!

So who’s ready to party?!

As always, a BIG thank you goes out to Jenn, our hostess with the mostest, for putting this shindig together each and every week! Be sure to head on over to Peas and Crayons and check out the other deliciousness linked up this week!

And speaking of deliciousness…

Well, hello there, gorgeous!

I’ll be honest, I really haven’t felt like taking pictures of my food lately…

But after fiddling around with a peanut flour-less version of my Pumpkin Cake the other day and landing myself with a bowl of thick, creamy, pumpkin-y deliciousness?

The camera was in my hand within SECONDS!

Pumpkin Paleo Oatmeal

By: Heather @ Kiss My Broccoli

Prep Time: 2 minutes

Cook Time: 2 minutes

Keywords: microwave breakfast no sugar added paleo eggs pumpkin ground flax fall

Ingredients (Serves 1)

3 egg whites (1/2 cup)
1 tablespoon ground flax
1 scoop vanilla protein powder
1/2 cup pumpkin puree
1/2 teaspoon maple extract
1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
added sweetener if desired

Instructions

1. Combine all ingredients in a microwave-safe bowl and whisk well.
2. Microwave on high for 1-2 minutes, stopping to stir every 30 seconds (so you don’t end up with scramble eggs!) or cook on the stove over medium heat for 5-6 minutes…just remember to STIR!

Not only is the flavor enough to make me swoon, but this has been the PERFECT meal for me after I get off work…low carb, FULL of protein, and with plenty of room to get crazy with the toppings…

Mmm, coconut ~~crack~~ butter!

I swear there’s “oatmeal” under there somewhere!

Weirdest thing…I dreamt the other night that I turned into a pumpkin!

Wonder where THAT came from? 😉

What’s the best thing you’ve had for breakfast this week?

Be sure to enter my giveaway for a chance to win a jar of Tropical Traditions raw honey…you only have two days left!

Posted in Breakfast, Gluten-free, Sugar-free/No Sugar Added, Vegetarian, What I Ate Wednesday | Tagged coconut butter, cranberries, eggs, flax seed, paleo, protein powder, pumpkin, walnuts | 52 Comments

A Marvelous Saturday!

Posted on October 15, 2012 by kissmybroccoli

Happy Monday, my loves!

How was your weekend? Did you do anything exciting?

I have to say, without having much of a plan going into this weekend,
Saturday was pretty great!

Be sure to head on over to Katie’s page at Healthy Diva Eats and see the other marvelous weekend recaps!

The morning started off early with my usual trip to the farmer’s market. I restocked on the veggies and also picked up a little gem, strawberry butter…can’t wait to try this on some toast or in a big bowl of warm oats!

After the market, I stopped by Starbucks for a DECAF coffee to enjoy with my
banana walnut cookie before heading off to the spa for a scheduled-at-the-last-minute massage…it was only 30 minutes, but it was EXACTLY what I needed.

After my massage, I decided to do a little exploring around town, and like I mentioned yesterday, found the cutest little antique/craft shop!

I seriously could have taken about 100 more pictures, but I didn’t want them thinking I was casing the joint! 😉

Each booth was more amazing than the previous. I especially loved the wine bottles lamps that were filled with marbles and I’m sorry, but aren’t those little stuffed owls and bats not the CUTEST ever?

And the infamous pancake inspiration…choco latte SOAP!

Of course, my version was MUCH tastier…and you don’t burp up any bubbles later! 😉

After whipping up these babies, I met my mom, sis, and little cousin Emma for a day at the zoo!

It was the perfect day for it too…clear skies, not too hot, with a faint breeze…one of the nicest days we’ve had around here in WEEKS!

We were a little disappointed to find there was no monkey exhibit, but there were plenty of other animals around to get our attention…especially the flamingos!

Random fact:
Did you know that a flamingo gets its color from the shrimp that they eat?

Up next was the aquatic center which is always one of my favorites. I can never get over the vibrant colors of all the fish and plant life!

And I’m sorry, but can we just take a minute to talk about this cute little guy?

Omg, I want one! Lol

I thought it was funny that all the lizards in the reptile exhibit seemed to be posing for me…the one at the top left scared me when he just dropped out of nowhere and was like “Woo hoo! Take my picture!!”

Before making our way to the bigger exhibits, we all took a minute to get in touch with our inner animal instincts…

I totally wanted to buy one and just wear it…
to like the movie theater or something!

Unfortunately, most of the bigger animals were shying away in the back of they’re areas and since I’m totally lacking in the zoom department with my camera, I’ll help your eyesight a bit…

Siberian tiger (my FAVE), cougar, elephant (duh), zebras, giraffe family, alligators/crocodiles (whatever…I can never remember the difference), lynx, and papa giraffe!

Of course, we all got a kick out of this guy…

Who does he think he’s fooling…
Um, I can still see you behind that tree Mr. Giraffe!

After THREE hours of walking around the zoo, we were all pretty beat…and hungry! Though NONE of us were tempted by the gift shop specialities:

I got the skeevies just by holding the boxes!

Ewwww!

Yeah, I’d say the tuna fish sandwiches we had at grandma’s house afterwards was FAR

What is your favorite zoo animal?

Posted in MIMM, Shopping | Tagged coffee, cookies, family, massage, Nashville, pancakes, zoo | 25 Comments

You Mocha Me Crazy!

Posted on October 14, 2012 by kissmybroccoli

Yesterday I did some exploring around town.

I found the cutest little shop selling antiques, crafts, and other fun thrifty items.

One of those items…handmade, mocha latte…SOAP??

I picked it up.

I took a whiff.

It smelled like pure Heaven.

I drooled.

I sat it down and walked away.

I came back.

I took another whiff…

Then, before I tried to take a bite of a BAR OF SOAP…
I turned around, headed for the door, raced home and made these:

And I about dropped my fork after my first taste.

Seriously guys, I think I’ve outdone myself!

Since I had SO much success with my Tiramisu Protein Pancakes, I based this recipe off of that one, but I just COULDN’T RESIST mixing it up a bit…

So I added a layer of pumpkin “cream”

You know, ’cause I’m still working on that natural October glow! 😉

Mochoa Latte Protein Pancakes

By: Heather @ Kiss My Broccoli

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 10-12 minutes

Keywords: fry breakfast high protein no sugar added high fiber low-sodium chocolate cocoa protein powder pumpkin puree Pancake Sunday fall

Ingredients (Serves 1)

For the Pancakes

1/3 cup rolled oats
1 scoop (30g) chocolate protein powder
1 1/2 teaspoons unsweetened cocoa powder (I used Hershey’s Special Dark)
2 Tablespoons ground flax seed
1/2 teaspoon sodium-free baking powder
1 egg white
1/4 cup strong brewed cold coffee
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon coffee extract

For the Pumpkin “Cream”

1/3 cup low-fat no-salt-added cottage cheese
1/4 cup pumpkin puree
5-7 drops liquid stevia
unsweetened cocoa powder and mini chocolate chips for garnish

Instructions

For the Pancakes

1. Heat a non-stick skillet or pancake griddle over medium heat.
2. In a small food processor or blender, grind oats into flour.
3. Combine oat flour, protein powder, cocoa powder, ground flax, and baking powder in a medium-sized bowl.
4. In a separate bowl, whisk egg white until frothy.
5. Add coffee and extracts to egg white, stir and add to dry ingredients.
6. Stir until flour is incorporated.
7. Let batter sit at least 5 minutes before continuing.
8. Spoon batter onto skillet surface, forming 3 medium-sized pancakes.
9. Cook 5-6 minutes per side, or until golden brown with crisp edges.

For the Pumpkin “Cream”

Combine cottage cheese, pumpkin puree, and stevia in a small food processor or blender and blend until smooth.

Nutritionals for pancakes and pumpkin cream only:

Drool over THAT, now, would ya? 😉

Is it just me, or are you picturing a little version of yourself diving off the side of one of those cakes into that fluffy pumpkin cream?

Total…face…plant!

Um, yeah, I’d take a plate of these over a bar of soap ANY day!

What is something you’ve smelled recently that was good enough to eat…
even know it wasn’t?
I swear Yankee Candle get’s me EVERY year with their Christmas Cookie!