Sweet potato pumpkin Hotcakes with healthy berry compote

What makes a Hotcakes different than a pancake? Southern roots. While my roots may not be Southern half of my heart is in Virginia and I just spent the weekend there so Hotcakes just sounded appropriate. 

These beauties are just how I like them: thick, hot and savory with a sweet optional sauce for the top. Most of all though they're ridiculously healthy and filling. Who doesn't want to start their day right that way? 

What you'll need for Hotcakes:

1 c oatmeal

1/2 sweet potato (peeled if possible)

1/4 c gf all purpose flour

3/4 c pumpkin purée 

3/4 c soy milk

2 tsp vanilla

2 eggs

1/2 tsp baking soda

2 tbsp melted butter (earth balance) or coconut oil

1 tsp agave syrup or maple

2 tsp pumpkin pie spice 

1 tbsp coconut

1 tbsp chia seed 

Method

1. In food processor combine sweet potato and oats

2. Add to mixing bowl with other dry ingredients (soda, flour, spice, coconut, chia) 

3. Mix well

4. Then add all other ingredients 

5. Use 1/4 measuring cup to pour batter onto hot griddle. 

6. Use cup to create round pancake at the size you want. 

7. Brown both sides & enjoy! 

What you'll need for Berry compote:

1 c mixed berries

2 tbsp agave or honey 

3 tbsp soy milk

 

Method:

Mix in a food processor or blender and add to pancakes. It tastes better cool then at room temp so I recommend keeping it in fridge or using frozen berries 

After this recipe you'll be wanting to run down to Virginia too. I mean who can resist this view? 

Light breakfast now -- chikfila later!

There are days when you know that eating out is inevitable. Your cousins birthday dinner, drinks and lunch with friends, or it's your cheat day. Either way you want to hear yourself up by eating lots of healthy nutrients that aid in the healthier choices (hopefully) you'll make later that day. I have a work training today and my teammate (who doesn't know how to cook) is in charge of lunch. I know that lunch will most likely consist of chikfila because he's mentioned it multiple times. So that means a healthier option of grilled nuggets and large fruit cup for me but also starting off my day strong. 

So what's in my breakfast bowl today? 

Blueberry morning oatmeal & kale, mushroom tofu scramble

What you'll need

For oatmeal:

1/2 c oatmeal quick oats

1/2 c blueberries

1 tsp vanilla

1/4 c almond milk 

1 tsp chia seeds

Method

I'm a microwave fan so I mix all those up, microwave and enjoy!

For tofu scramble

3-4 sliced Bella mushrooms

2 chopped leafs of kale

1 row of tofu from box

1 tsp turmeric

1 tsp old bay 

Method 

Sauté in pan with a bit of olive oil until warm, kale is a brighter green and mushrooms are translucent (in their mushroom way that is). Kale can burn pretty easily so watch it! 

I hope your day is full of fun, love and peace. See you next time! 

Vegan banana cream cheese oatmeal

Typically I am a pretty bland breakfast person. I go between almond joy and pb&j oatmeal (thanks to simply tarralynn for those!) and sometimes to spice things up with an omelet. Today though, I was scrolling through Pinterest and thought of a fantastic idea: cream cheese oatmeal! I made a batch of steel cut oats on Sunday that would last me through the week because work is crazzzzyyy. The oatmeal became really dry though and needed something to add a bit of moisture and flavor. Voila banana cream cheese oatmeal was formed. 

What you'll need:

1 C prepared oats

1 tbsp Vegan cream cheese

1 tsp vanilla 

2 tbsp unsweetened apple sauce

1 tbsp coconut (or to your liking) 

1/2 banana

Method:

Add the oats, applesauce and cream cheese to a bowl. 

Microwave for 2 mins or util cream cheese is melted and oats are warm

Stir in coconut, vanilla and bananas

Enjoy! 

I took a bit and oh myyyy let's just say I'll be having this a lot! It was so good!! 

Calories: 272   Sugar(the natural kind!): 18g   Protein: 7g

Chocolate covered fruit oatmeal

Happy St Valentine feast day! As a Catholic this day is a lot more about the person of St Valentine. Who he was, what he did for Christ and what we can take from him as a role model. So how did this guy get tagged for a day filled with I love you'd and flowers for your sweetie? St valentine died in the third century for marrying couples within the realms of Christianity and refused to call the Roman emperor a deity. He was martyred for his faith in Jesus Christ. Before his martyrdom he cured at least one person from blindness through his beloved Christ. If that isn't love...I don't know what is. 

In honor of this guy I thought sharing his real story would be helpful because that's what he wants to be known for.

That being said any day is a good day for chocolate. Chocolate in oatmeal = bliss. Here's my take on how to start your valentines day the right way. 

Chocolate covered Strawberry and pear oatmeal with walnuts, ground flax and chia seed

What you'll need:

1/3 c oats 

1/2 c water

1/3 c almond milk

6 strawberries (mine were on the small side)

1 tbsp vegan choc chips

1 tbsp ground flax

1 tbsp chia seed

1 tbsp crushed walnuts

Method:

Cook oatmeal with water and milk as directed on oatmeal box.

Add ther rest of your ingredients, stir and enjoy! 

Flax:

I grind mine in a coffee grinder. Super easy, hassle free and you always want to use fresh flax! 

Chocolate Peanut Butter Overnight Oatmeal

Pinterest had me intrigued about overnight oatmeal. I absolutely love oatmeal but I'm not much of a cook in the mornings. Especially with the transition from student to missionary my mornings are a little more filled than they used to be. Hope you enjoy this as much as I did. Overnight oatmeal is perfect and chilled for those of you who love oatmeal, even in the summer!

What you'll need
1/4 C Oats (I used whole wheat quick oats)
1/3 C Chocolate Almond Milk
1/4 C Greek Yogurt
3 Tbsp PB
1 tsp honey

Method
Combine all ingredients
Seal lid on jar and shake until combined
Stir if some ingredients aren't fully mixed
Put in fridge and chill overnight
Enjoy!