Breakfast!!!

So, I don't know about the rest of you, but breakfast is far and away my fave meal of the day.  Savory, sweet, salty - you can mix them all together and create some magic.  Here are some of my favorite recipes and pics.

Ezekiel Bread French Toast (so simple, I'm embarrassed to post it).  Both on season and off season!
2 slices Ezekiel Bread (I use the plain, but the cinnamon raisin would probably be craaaazy good)
1 T skim milk (yes, just 1 T - trace cals!!)
2 egg whites
0.5 oz Torani sugar free vanilla syrup OR 1 t vanilla extract
pinch of cinnamon, pinch of nutmeg
splenda (optional - I usually only use 1 packet)
fresh orange zest (this MAKES this recipe - do NOT omit this.  If you don't have an orange to zest, use orange extract).

Stir all ingredients, except the bread, in a pyrex dish until combined.  Soak both sides of the bread until all the moisture is absorbed.  I sometimes leave mine in the dish for a bit while I make some coffee.  Once coated, heat a non-stick skillet over medium-high heat and get it relatively hot BEFORE you put the bread on it.  Brown on each side for a few minutes.  Top with blueberries and maple syrup (I use sugar free both on season and off).  You'll be amazed at how freaking good this tastes.  My good friend and fellow competitor, Lauren, recently made this, and her picture is at the bottom.


Chocolate banana protein pancakes: both on season and off season
1/2 a banana, mashed
1/2 scoop chocolate/banana protein powder (either flavor is fine - I actually buy the 2 flavors separately and then mix them together in a giant tub)
1t cocoa powder
1t baking powder
1/2 c oats
1-2 t sf/ff jello banana pudding mix (you could also use chocolate flavor, but I like my pancakes really banana-y with just a hint of chocolate)
1 packet of splenda
1 egg white, 2 whole eggs (you could use just egg whites if you wanted to fit your meal plan)
optional: capella flavor drops banana split flavor
pinch of salt

Combine all ingredients in a pyrex cup.  I actually put my batter in the fridge overnight to thicken up.  In the morning, I add some skim milk if it's too thick.  Heat a non-stick skillet to medium heat and add about 1/4 c - 1/2 c of the mixture at a time and spread them into circles with the back of a spoon.  When bubbles start to appear, flip over and continue to cook for another minute or 2.  Top with berries of choice and some sugar free syrup. 

You can modify this recipe in so many ways.  Amy Perez from Curls and Whey has tons of variations on this (check out her FB page - Curls and Whey) - you can sub any fruit for the banana.  I often use pumpkin and either make plain pumpkin pancakes or chocolate pumpkin pancakes.  It just depends on what I'm in the mood for in the morning!

BPs off season breakfast sammich/burrito:  off season only
1 whole wheat tortilla OR whole wheat English muffin, toasted
4 egg whites
2/3 c ground turkey sausage OR 2-3 slices turkey bacon
1 slice fat free cheese or grated fat free cheese

While the bread is toasting, I prepare the bacon and sausage per package instructions, and I also cook up my egg whites.  If making the burrito, I put about 1/2 my egg whites and 1/2 the sausage or 2 slices of turkey bacon in the middle of the wrap.  I top with a slice of ff cheese and zap it in the microwave for about 20-30 seconds.  I eat the remaining egg whites/turkey/sausage on the side.  For the English muffin, I top each 1/2 of the English muffin with eggs, bacon/sausage, and again top w/ff cheese and zap in the microwave.  It quite honestly tastes like a breakfast sandwich from McDonalds.  All of the taste, none of the guilt :)

Pancakes - nom, nom!!

Such a filling breakfast, all for only 260 cals

Just like the real thing - promise!