National Pancake Day Roundup

Happy National Pancake Day! Y'all know pancakes are one of my favorite foods, so of course this holiday MUST be celebrated! I'm still bummed iHop doesn't have gluten free pancakes, can we please make that happen?! 

Even though I won't be celebrating at iHop I will be celebrating by making myself some gluten free pancakes. If you're trying to stay on track by eating healthier, don't worry you can still celebrate National Pancake Day! I rounded up my top 5 favorite healthy pancake recipes! 

These coconut flour pancakes are a staple in my house. I make them at least once a week because they're easy, quick, and ridiculously healthy. I love adding fruit into the batter for a sweeter pancake. My favorite toppings are of course fresh fruit and Walden Farms Zero calorie syrups.

Oreo pancakes. That's all I have to say. Now you may be doubting how healthy these pancakes are, but have no fear! An entire stack of pancakes is only 232 calories and contains 23g carbs, 5g fat, and 26g of protein. Even the Oreo "frosting" filling is healthy with only 94 calories and 8 grams of protein. These Oreos are sure to keep you full and satisfy your sweet tooth without expanding your waistline. 

Pumpkin season is all year in my house. My mom always makes a crustless pumpkin pie for Thanksgiving, so I channeled her pumpkin vibes and turned pie into pancakes! These pumpkin pie pancakes are incredibly moist and melt in your mouth like real pumpkin pie. You will definitely think you're eating a pie when you devour these delicious pancakes!

If you're looking for more of a pancake and less of a pie stack of pumpkin pancakes I've got you covered with these healthy chocolate chip pumpkin pie pancakes. These pancakes are still incredibly moist, but fluffier like pancakes. Not to mention there's chocolate chips. That always seals the deal for me. 

Blueberries and bananas are two of my favorite fruits and they come together perfectly in these gluten free blueberry banana pancakes. These pancakes have been a staple in my house for years and were one of the first gluten free pancake recipes that I made. Besides, who can resist plump, juicy blueberries?

How will you be celebrating National Pancake Day? If you make any of these pancakes take a picture, tag me on instagram, and use the hashtag #thesimplelife I'd love to see your creations! Don't forget to like my new Facebook page! 

Berry Chocolate Oatmeal

A berry happy Monday to you (pun intended)! It's supposed to be berry (I can't stop) warm here in the mitten this week and I'm berry excited (last one I promise)! It's been a long month with a LOT of snow so the warm temperatures are more than welcome to stick around. 

Yesterday I felt like eating breakfast all day, so I had breakfast for lunch. IT WAS THE BOMB Y'ALL!! It was a protein baked oatmeal topped with ALL the goods! I'm talking juicy strawberries, a guilt free cookie, cocoa coconut, and a delicious nut butter drizzle. It's sure to satisfy all your cravings and keep you full!

Berry Chocolate Oatmeal

• 1/2 cup gluten free oats
• 3 Tablespoons chocolate protein powder (Vega and BeFit are my favorite to use)
• heaping 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/3 cup unsweetened vanilla almond milk
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 Tablespoon honey or maple syrup
• 1/2 small banana, mashed
• 1/2 Tablespoon chocolate chips, optional

Toppings

• fresh strawberries, sliced
• Ginnybakes chocolate chip oatmeal bliss cookie, cut into heart shape (save the cut off parts and crumble for additional topping)
• 1/3 cocoa coconut square bar, chopped into chunks
• 1 teaspoon-1/2 Tablespoon woodstock farms almond butter

Preheat oven to 350F degrees and spray an ramekin with nonstick cook spray or coconut oil.

In ramekin combine oats, chocolate protein powder, and baking powder.

When the dry ingredients are mixed, combine almond milk, vanilla extract, maple syrup, and mashed banana. Be sure to scrap down the sides of the ramekin so no clumps of dry ingredients are left unmixed. 

Top batter with chocolate chips if using.

Bake at 350F for 23-27 minutes. I like mine slightly underbaked so I always bake it for 23 minutes, but bake time will be differ depending on your oven. The oatmeal is done with the top is firm and set. 

Allow oatmeal to cool for a few minutes before topping.  

Top oatmeal with sliced strawberries, Ginnybakes cookie, squarebar chunks, and almond butter drizzle. Allow the oatmeal to sit so the squarebar chunks get melty then devour!

If you make it take a picture, tag me on instagram, and use the hashtag #thesimplelife I'd love to see your creations! Don't forget to like my new Facebook page! 

Nutrition (makes a single serving):
MACROS: 63C/15F/27P
Carbs: 63 grams
Fat: 15 grams
Protein: 27 grams
Fiber: 8 grams
Sugar: 29 grams

The Ultimate Chocolate Covered Strawberry Oatmeal

Happiest of Fridays to ya! This week has been a bit hectic (hence lack of posts) and there's been a lot on my mind, but I have a number of posts in the works that I am really excited to share. I'm going to move right along into today's post because I've been excited about it all week! 

On Monday I posted a recipe for chocolate strawberry baked oatmeal, but while I was devouring that I had a stroke of recipe genius. Why not take that chocolate strawberry oatmeal to the next level?! With real chocolate covered strawberries! HOLY MOLY RIGHT?! I went to work and I was beyond happy with the outcome. The chocolate coating on the strawberries seeps into the oatmeal while baking and it's utterly perfect! 

Chocolate Strawberries

• 3-4 Tablespoons chocolate chips (dairy free if needed)
• 4 medium strawberries, tops cut off

In a small microwave safe bowl heat chocolate chip for one minute, stir, and heat for 20 seconds until chocolate is completely melted.

When chocolate is melted, swirl strawberries in chocolate completely covering all sides. Set strawberries on wax paper (so they don't stick to plate) and place in fridge to cool. I prepared the strawberries the day before.

Oatmeal

• 1/2 cup gluten free oatmeal
• heaping 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2-1 teaspoon cinnamon (more or less to taste)
• 3 Tablespoons liquid egg whites or 1 egg (yolk+white)
• 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup unsweetened vanilla almond milk

Preheat oven to 350F degrees and spray a ramekin with nonstick cook spray or coconut oil. 

Mix dry ingredients- oats, baking powder, and cinnamon.

When dry ingredients are combined add in wet ingredients- liquid egg whites, vanilla extract, and almond milk.

Finally, when the batter is mixed place chocolate strawberries on top of batter. 

Bake at 350F degrees for 30-35 minutes or until oatmeal is set. Allow to cool for a few minutes (if you can restrain yourself) before digging in. I drizzled a little bit of walden farms zero calorie chocolate sauce over top before digging in.