Alpha-Pink-Omega

Sunday, March 17, 2013

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Blessings to you Always...

XoXo

Song Saturday~I Hope You Dance~ Lee Ann Womack

I Hope You Dance
I hope you never lose your sense of wonder
You get your fill to eat but always keep that hunger
May you never take one single breath for granted
God forbid love ever leave you empty handed
I hope you still feel small when you stand beside the ocean
Whenever one door closes I hope one more opens
Promise me that you'll give faith a fighting chance
And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance

I hope you dance
I hope you dance

I hope you never fear those mountains in the distance
Never settle for the path of least resistance
Livin' might mean takin' chances, but they're worth takin'
Lovin' might be a mistake, but it's worth makin'
Don't let some Hellbent heart leave you bitter
When you come close to sellin' out, reconsider
Give the heavens above more than just a passing glance
And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance

I hope you dance
I hope you dance

(Time is a wheel in constant motion always rolling us along)
I hope you dance
I hope you dance
(Tell me who wants to look back on their years and wonder,
where those years have gone?)

I hope you still feel small when you stand beside the ocean
Whenever one door closes I hope one more opens
Promise me that you'll give faith a fighting chance
And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance

Dance
(Time is a wheel in constant motion always rolling us along)
I hope you dance
I hope you dance
(Tell me who wants to look back on their years and wonder,
where those years have gone?)

Friday, March 15, 2013

Fantastic Foodie Friday~ Protein Pancake

Want to try a Paleo-inspired Protein Pancake Recipe?

This one has been passed around my CrossFit gym and is a real winner.

I first tried this protein pancake recipe during my gym’s Paleo diet challenge. I made them today after a bike ride and thought I should share with all of you.

Nutritionally, what I like about these is that they use an egg and nut butter to provide more protein compared to traditional wheat-based pancakes. And the carbohydrates come from mashed real fruit (banana, pumpkin or sweet potato) rather than a refined grain that lacks fiber and the antioxidants and vitamins and minerals of fruit.

I calculated the nutritionals to be about 350 calories (depends upon how much mashed fruit and nut butter you use and what you top them with) but with about 15+ grams protein and 4+ grams of filling fiber. Unlike wheat pancakes that “scream” for maple syrup and butter, these are great topped with fresh berries.

They’re delicious, super easy to make and will keep you full for hours. Promise.

Ingredients

1 small ripe (overripe is perfect) banana

2 eggs or 4 egg whites

1 Tbsp peanut or almond butter

Pinch of cinnamon, if desired.

Drop of vanilla or almond extract, if desired

Instructions:

1. Mash the banana, add the egg and mix well. Stir in nut butter and any spices or extract.

2. Heat a nonstick skillet on medium heat and use some oil or nonstick cooking spray to ensure the pancakes don’t stick. Pour a large spoonful of batter into hot pan and cook until browned on one side (3 minutes or more) flip and brown the other.

Allow pancake to set and brown before flipping

(Use patience when cooking these as you need to let the batter really set and firm up before you try to flip them; lower eat for longer works best.)

Makes 2 medium or 3 small pancakes.

Enjoy them plain or with fresh fruit on top, a drizzle of honey or Greek yogurt. You can also substitute the banana for pureed pumpkin or sweet potato.