The best since sliced bread

A friend of mine posted a link to her Facebook on ways to incorporate protein powder into recipes that are not smoothie based. 


This morning I tried the Cinnamazing Pancakes but they were an epic fail (see the link below for other recipes using protein powder). The batter smelled so yummy and they appeared to have cooked properly but the middle was straight up raw. Gag! The whole batch went into the trash can. 


So, I tried my hand at the All American Toast and voila! Perfetto!! (Do you like my French and Italian?!) 


Ingredients:
1 Scoop of Vanilla Complete protein powder by Juice Plus+ (substitute your favorite protein powder)
4 slices of Grandpa's Oven Cinnamon Swirl Bread (or add cinnamon to the mix for use on plain bread)
1/2 cup of egg whites
1/4 cup of milk
1 banana (sliced)
All natural maple syrup


Cook both sides about 2-3 minutes. Top with syrup (to taste) and sprinkle with sliced bananas. 


I think I've found the next best thing since sliced bread. It is truly a fabulous dessert... Oops, I mean breakfast! Seriously though, I think it could pass for a dessert. Add a dollop of fresh whipped cream (make your own, avoid the store bought kind unless free of hydrogenated oils and artificial colors or other artificial sweeteners) instead of the syrup for a dessert and top with your favorite sliced fruit - strawberries, bananas or even fresh blueberries! 


Choose, eat, and live well! =) 

PB&J Roll-ups

While on Twitter, I stumbled upon an awesome snack idea posted by EasyLunchBoxes.  I knew I had to make it for the children at the after school program I run.

One afternoon for snack, we made the PB&J roll-ups or what the children liked to call PB&J burritos. I guess it was the flour tortilla that sold them.

I had some white flour tortillas (I prefer whole wheat but I had the white flour on hand), creamy peanut butter, strawberry jam and bananas! Yes, I said bananas. This is the hidden delectable yumminess on the inside.

Seven children were in attendance that day and all of them at first thought – bananas and peanut butter with jelly? They enjoyed it though. Not a crumb left and nearly every child asked for seconds!

Tonight we arrived home late. It was one of those nights for a quick bite to eat before getting the little one ready for bed.

In my pantry, I had whole wheat flour tortillas, crunchy peanut butter and in the fridge - strawberry preserves. The bananas are on their last day so it was a great way to use some of them up. (Though I am saving 3-4 of them for creamy banana bread tomorrow!) ---> I posted a banana bread recipe on my blog last June but since then I've found an even better one. I'll post this one soon. 

I cut up the remaining banana as a side dish… you know, just in case.

I definitely prefer the crunchy peanut butter over the creamy kind – not at all one note-ish. The crunchy gave it an extra level of texture desperately needed in our PB&J burrito!

I hope you try this snack one day! Buon Appetito!

Not pictured is the crunchy peanut butter. =[

Bonbons Anyone?

These are delectable treats with all known (and safe) ingredients for your children YOU to enjoy without compromising taste or integrity of the food, i.e., artificial dyes, hydrogenated oils, or high fructose corn syrup. (But really – your children deserve the very best so make sure they get some too!)

Freeze banana coins for an hour. Melt milk chocolate (substitute with your favorite chocolate) and peanut butter together. The peanut butter will blend in nicely. Drop the coins into the chocolate covering all sides. Allow them to set on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Drizzle more chocolate to cover – DON’T say it! – on MISSIng areas! Top with your favorite topping. We used crushed almonds. The drizzle of chocolate helps the topping stick too! Win-Win situation I tell ya! =) Place in the freezer for another hour then transfer to an airtight container (or ziploc bag) to enjoy! Some say they won’t last long enough to have a “permanent” home.

Buon Appetito!

I got this idea from these two sites: 1) Recipe a Day, and 2) Never Home Maker.  Get creative and make your own! =)