Creamy Coconut Pumpkin Smoothie

Posted on November 15, 2011 by kissmybroccoli

Hey guys!

I hope you all had a fabulous weekend and had a good start to the week today. I’m doing another round of night shifts this week and so far…yeah, not going as well as last week 🙁

One thing that did perk me up though after I rolled out of bed this morning after only 3 hours of sleep (thank you new neighborhood construction) was this bowl full of yum:

The thickest, creamiest, coconuttiest pumpkin smoothie you’ll ever see!

Although the weather in Tennessee has decided to revert back to summer over the past couple of days (hello 70 degree weather!), I’m still finding myself craving the comfort of fall-flavored foods…so I decided this morning would be the perfect time to break out a ridiculously creamy fall-esque smoothie!

Creamy Coconut Pumpkin Smoothie

By: Heather @ Kiss My Broccoli

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: N/A

Keywords: blender raw beverage snack high fiber high protein coconut milk pumpkin puree fall winter

Ingredients (Serves 1)

1 scoop vanilla protein powder
1/2 frozen banana, sliced
1/2 cup pumpkin puree
1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
1 teaspoon almond extract (coconut or maple would be great too!)
1 cup coconut milk (from a carton)
6-8 ice cubes
1/4 teaspoon xanthan gum (for thickening)
1/4 teaspoon guar gum (for added creaminess)

Instructions

1. Combine all ingredients in a blender/food processor and blend until creamy, scraping down the sides if necessary.
2. Top with unsweetened shredded coconut and/or nuts of your choice.

I knew I’d be using these pumpkin spice almonds to top my smoothie, so I decided to throw a little almond extract in the mix…such a good idea!

I really cannot even begin to tell you how incredibly thick and satisfying this smoothie was…I swear I thought I was eating pumpkin flavored ice cream!

Check out that pumpkin-lovin’ spoonful!

Mmmm!

Seriously guys, you HAVE to try this!!

What flavors do you crave the most during fall?

Anyone else experiencing a heat wave where you live?

Posted in Breakfast, Vegetarian | Tagged almonds, banana, coconut, protein powder, pumpkin, recipe, smoothie | 27 Comments

Chocolate Chip Bacon Pancakes

Posted on November 13, 2011 by kissmybroccoli

Hey hey peoples!

I hope you all had a marvelous weekend! How many of you celebrated Pancake Sunday with me this morning?

All last night, I was dreaming of pancake ideas…when you’ve made as many pancakes as I have in the last year, it’s harder to think of what to make next!

Should I focus on the “stuffing“?

Or maybe the topping?

Should I play with color?

Well, when it came down to it this morning, I decided going with a blend of two of my favorite KMB pancake recipes…

Elvis Pancakes meet Carob Chip Pancakes:

Anyone up for some chocolate chip BACON pancakes? 😉

Chocolate Chip Bacon Pancakes

By: Heather @ Kiss My Broccoli

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes

Keywords: fry breakfast bacon chocolate chips Pancake Sunday

Ingredients (Serves 2)

1 cup whole wheat pastry flour*
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons cinnamon
2 tablespoons butter, melted
1 large egg
3/4 cup + 2 tablespoons milk (I used unsweetened almond milk)
1 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 servings bacon, cooked and diced
1/4 cup semi-sweet/dark chocolate chips (I used mini chips)

Instructions

1. Heat a non-stick skillet over medium heat and coat with cooking spray.
2. In a medium-sized bowl, combine flour, baking power, salt, and cinnamon and stir with a spoon or a whisk to mix.
3. In a separate bowl, whisk together the butter, egg, milk, and vanilla.
4. Add wet ingredients to dry ingredients and stir just until combined.
5. Fold in diced bacon pieces and chocolate chips.
6. Spoon batter into skillet (makes 6 medium-sized pancakes) and cook for approximately 4-5 minutes (or until batter starts to bubble) before flipping and then 2-3 minutes before plating.
7. Plate and top with maple syrup and sliced bananas.

*If you do not have access to whole wheat pastry flour (which produces lighter baked goods and pancakes due to it’s lower gluten content), feel free to use any all purpose flour or a mixture of all purpose and whole wheat.

I just happened to spot a lonely speckled banana in the fruit basket and decided to throw a few slices on top of my cakes…

BEST decision ever!

The combination of the bacon with the chocolate and then with the maple and banana was out of this world!

Each bite was either salty…sweet…or that perfect mixture between the two!

Oh, and to all my wonderful veggie lovin’ friends out there, don’t be scared of trying this recipe out with a little fakin’ bacon! I’m sure it would be deeeeelicious!

I know I’ve probably asked this before, but what is your favorite sweet/salty combo?

Anything exciting happen this weekend? Do tell!

Posted in Breakfast, Pancake Sunday | Tagged bacon, bananas, chocolate chips, egg, maple syrup, pancakes, recipe, whole wheat pastry flour | 27 Comments

Friday By Number

Posted on November 11, 2011 by kissmybroccoli

Hey loves!

I’d like to start this post out with a BIG thank you to all our veterans out there. If it weren’t for you, we wouldn’t have the freedoms we have today!

Happy Veterans Day!

Love you Dad!

So you guys remember color by number, right?

[source]

Well, with today being “the day” for number lovers everywhere (I’m looking at you, Janetha)…

11-11-11

I thought it’d be fun to do a little Friday by number to celebrate:

3…

The number of canvases turned modern art with the help of some spray paint, masking tape, and inspiration in the form of Pinterest.

15…

The number of failed attempts at repurposing an old print.

My idea was to pull the print off the backing and mod-podge it to a couple of canvases mosaic style, but as you can see, it rebelled.

Guess it’s back to the ~~drawing board~~ canvas!

4…

The number of items on my plate yesterday for breakfast…er, lunch (when I woke up after my last night shift for the week).

Chocolate Cherry Cake Donut + Scrambled eggs + Hashbrowns + Mini Green Monster

Totally random…totally delicious!

97,834,786…

The number of times I’ve cursed the rental car when trying to pull myself out of the driver seat! I swear the thing is only 6 inches off the ground…I’d have better luck if I just rolled out of it!