Peanut Butter and Jelly Protein Oats

We’ve finally been experiencing weather here in NY that doesn’t warrant having oats for breakfast, but since I came back from my spring break and had NOTHING in the house, this was what I’ve had for two mornings in a row. I felt the need to share because of my love for all peanut butter and jelly flavored items.

Just wanted to give a quick shout out to Syracuse basketball. Heartbreaking loss last night. I don’t usually get upset about sports, usually I could care less and I make fun of Austin for getting emotionally involved in sports. But this one stung this morning. We had a good run though!

Back to the food. I haven’t had oats for breakfast in awhile as a result of cutting a lot of grains out of my diet. But like I said, this was all we had so I went with it.

Peanut Butter and Jelly Protein Oats

1/2 cup quick cooking oats

1/2 scoop of vanilla protein powder (I use designer whey)

2 tbsp PB 2 (or peanut butter) + 1 tbsp water to make creamy

1 tbsp your choice flavored jam

1 cup of water

peanuts for topping

**Add 1-2 packets of stevia or sweetener of choice if needed

1. Microwave the water and oats for 90 seconds.

2. Stir in protein powder and microwave for another minute. *Stir in sweetener here if adding.

3. Stir everything up and add your PB2, jelly, and peanuts.

4. Yum!!!

 

Nice little Sunday morning. You’d think it was still winter. Oh wait….I wouldn’t hold my breath that we won’t see snow again.

How’s the weather where you are? Still winter or spring?

Paleo “PB & J” Pancakes

Okay, so I know I’m not supposed to be eating pancakes buuuuut I figured since they were Paleo, it’s Sunday, and my blog is indeed called Pencils and Pancakes, that these would be an acceptable decision.

I’ll admit I was inspired by PaleOMG’s PB&J pancakes, but really my recipe looks nothing like hers. I just stole her idea. These don’t taste like regular pancakes in case you’re wondering. But if you’re trying to eat clean, on Paleo, or just want to try something different and don’t mind an eggy taste give them a shot!

Peanuts and peanut butter are NOT Paleo or allowed on Whole 30- I substituted Sunbutter- which is sunflower seeds turned into a butter. If you’ve never tried it you’re seriously missing out. Stop buying expensive nut butters and just make your own. Seriously, I spent $4 on organic sunflower seeds and made about two cups of delicious, sugar and sugar substitute free, ‘sunbutter’. Win-win. Make it now! Then makes these pancakes:

“PB &J” Paleo Pancakes

1 banana

2 eggs

1 scant tbsp coconut flour

sprinkle of cinnamon

a couple drops of organic almond extract (for flavor, optional)

For syrup:

1/2 cup strawberries

2 tbsp black cherry balsamic vinegar (plain would work fine, but of course I’ll use my fancy flavored ones)

1 tbsp water

1 tbsp sunbutter

 

1. Heat your griddle to 350 degrees. Mash the banana with a fork until you get a smooth consistency.

2. Add two eggs and whisk together.

3. Add coconut flour and whisk more.

4. Add almond extract and cinnamon and mix to combine.

5. Meanwhile, place strawberries, water and vinegar in a small saucepan on the stove and bring to a boil.

6. Pour pancakes on the griddle (keep them under 4” in diameter) and cook until bubbly on one side. Flip and finish.

7. After syrup comes to a boil, reduce the heat and simmer until thick, approx 4-5 minutes.

8. Top pancakes with sunbutter and strawberry syrup. Enjoy!

I ate mine with a side of crispy kale; random but good. If you try this recipe let me know! It’s definitely a great one! And go make sunbutter NOW.

Grilled PB&J and Chocolate Coffee Protein Shake

Happy Sunday Funday! I’m milling around on some blogs before popping my Buffalo chicken wing dip in the oven and heading over to a friend’s house for a Super Bowl party. I tend to hate football and I really don’t care about the game- I’m just looking forward to food and friends.

Oven Ready

I don’t really have any super interesting topics to blog about, besides some of the delicious food I’ve eaten this weekend. None of which are recipes I 100% made up, but worth sharing nonetheless.

Yesterday after the gym was craving a caffeinated beverage (I didn’t sleep well on Friday). I knew I should get some protein in to let my muscles recover from the hardcore intense strength training    super lame elliptical workout I have to resort to because of my back.

Here’s what I popped in the blender:

1 cup almond milk

1 scoop chocolate protein powder

1 packet of Folger’s instant coffee crystals

1/4 cup coffee (left over from the morning- it was cold!)

4-5 ice cubes

Serves 1: 130 calories!

Yum! It tasted like a mocha iced coffee.

 

Also, I have been meaning try try grilled PB&J  ever since I saw it on Clean Eating Veggie Girl a couple of weeks ago. Today was the day! So worth it! Delicious.

Just take two slices of bread and ‘butter’ them with coconut oil or butter. (You could use real butter but I thought coconut oil would give it a sweeter taste).

Put on peanut butter and jelly of choice and grill on both sides. I used my pancake griddle.

 

 

Drooooool! So creamy and delicious! Must make again soon!

 

 

Are you going to any Super Bowl parties? What are you making?

Sunshine Award & PB & J Protein Dessert

I was so excited when Leslee at Her Happy Balance nominated me for a Sunshine Award! I’ve never done one of these survey things because I didn’t think anyone actually cared that much about my personal life but……it’s definitely fun to do one once in awhile. Anyone remember those email surveys from middle school? I used to be ALL about them!

Rules:
If nominated for this award, you must include a link in your blog to the person/blog that nominated you. You must also answer some questions about yourself, nominate fellow bloggers, link their blogs in your post, and inform them that they have been nominated.

Questions:

• Who is your favorite philosopher? Ummmmm….this one?

source

What is your favorite number? I don’t really have a favorite number, but right now my favorite number is 08-02-13..my wedding day!

 

What is your favorite animal? Easy.

 

Frank.

What are your Facebook and Twitter? I don’t have a Facebook for my blog yet….it’s a current goal of mine. I think I am putting it off because I’m too embarrassed to see how many people actually won’t follow it. No confidence. Follow me on Twitter! 

What is your favorite time of day? I really like mornings. I don’t know when I established myself as a morning person but I think it’s partly because of breakfast….and coffee.

What is your favorite holiday? Christmas is always cool……presents and crap. But my absolute favorite holiday has to be the 4th of July. Summer. Sun. Friends. Family. Food. It doesn’t get any better.

 

Austin and I 4th of July 2012

What is your favorite physical activity?  Going to the gym mainly. I also go biking. We’ll see how that goes this year with my back and all. I’m mad because my Dad got me all this cool biking stuff for Christmas and I’m just hoping I get to use it by summer and my back will be all better!

 

What is your favorite non-alcoholic drink? COFFEEEEEEE. And water. I know I’m boring, but my philosophy is this: if it’s not alcoholic and it has calories, why even bother?

What is your favorite flower? Any flowers would be nice. You know that great feeling when you get flowers just because? >Hint Hint<

 

• What is your passion? Recently, with the help of the blog community I’ve become extremely passionate about food and healthy living! I love everything about the blog community and how it inspires and supports this lifestyle!

Nominees:

Eating Chalk

Running on Peanut Butter

Lessons Life Teaches Me

Fit Cupcaker

Cookie Dough Katzen

 

I also wanted to share what I have been eating for my late night snack every.single.night. this week. Yeah, it’s becoming a problem. A problem because I am going to use the last of the cottage cheese as I make this dessert AS SOON as I am done with this blog post.

It’s a spin off a dessert I posted about a couple of weeks ago, Almond Joy Protein Pudding. 

PB & J Protein Dessert

1/2 cup of fat free or low fat cottage cheese

2 tbsp PB2

1/2 packet of stevia

1/8 tsp of vanilla extract

Toppings of choice: I top mine with berries, peanuts, or sugar free jam to make a PB & J flavor!

 

Just blend everything up in a food processor and spoon the yummy-ness into a bowl with a spatula. So addicting and a good dose of protein before bed!  It is 125 calories without the toppings and it fills me up. I promise I’ll stop with the PB2….I know I’m obsessed with it. It’s just so delicious and versatile!

What snacks/foods do you get addicted to and cannot stop eating? Tell me I’m not alone!