Tuesday, March 8, 2016

I've always been like this and a super fast breakfast option for National Pancake Day!

Today's workout:
- 45 minute HIIT class
- 15 minute stretching
- 20 minute dog walk

So I'm the worst at eating breakfast.  I've always been like this.  I have always been the person that sleeps for an extra fifteen minutes and spends the next hour rushing around trying to fit in a workout and getting ready for school or work.  Breakfast has always taken a backseat...and more often than I care to admit, no seat so I'm starving by lunch, aka the worst way to stay healthy.  I grab a banana on my way to a workout simply to prevent myself from passing out during class.  

Lately, I've found myself after morning workouts being extremely hungry and needing some sort of sustenance to keep me moving.  Enter my modified Kodiak cakes.  They're my favorite.  (In the interest of full disclosure, this post is not sponsored, nor is the company even aware of this post.  I am simply a huge fan of these).  I've always been a big fan of flapjacks but find it difficult to justify consuming them, what with the lack of nutritious value.   I discovered Kodiak cakes a few months ago while browsing the aisles at Target.  What I noticed at first was the different types of pancakes they offer.  Protein packed, whole wheat, waffle, buttermilk & honey, and even gluten free!  

Over the last couple weeks, I've been modifying them a bit based on my lent choices, as well as honing my taste buds.  I only prepare and eat these after a morning workout.  I prep and make them in 10 minutes.  My favorite are the protein packed, and rather than covering them in butter and syrup, I eat them plain --- you'll see why below.  My modified recipe keeps me feeling refueled and content after a hard morning workout.

Recipe makes approx. 2, 3 inch pancakes

Fill a 1/2 cup measuring cup 3/4 of the way with Kodiak mix, then fill the remaining 1/4 with oats.
Mix with 1/2 cup water.  Toss in a tiny amount of vanilla and/or cinnamon.

Heat small pan on medium with a minimal amount of butter or non-stick cooking spray (this is why I don't use additional butter, or syrup or topping on the pancakes and the edges get nice and crispy).  Once the butter/spray is heated, pour half the mix in.  Once the top starts bubbling, flip the pancake.  Check the bottom to prevent burning.  Repeat the process with the remaining half the mix.  Serve...

Or if you're like me, eat pieces of them while running around the house as you finish getting ready.  As you race out the door to work, give the leftovers to the dog.  Shhh, don't tell my husband this.

Keep in mind that a) I only eat these after a morning workout, and b) you can modify these with whatever you have on hand.  I've been known to put a little almond butter on top, or mix in blueberries with the batter for a little extra antioxidant (and because my blueberries were going to go bad).

Stop skipping breakfast.  You'll eat far less throughout the day and feel much more energized.  :)