High Protein Pancakes by Kathy Smart

The alarm goes off in the morning and you press the snooze button just one more time! You rush to get up and out of bed, throw your clothes on and end up putting your lipstick and mascara on in the car on your way to work by using the rear-view mirror at stop lights. Sound familiar? “How could I possibly make time for breakfast?” you ask.

Breakfast is the most important meal of the day. The studies show it, the media prints it, the commercials entice us. Breakfast is the most important meal of the day because it will stabilize your blood sugar to give you steady energy throughout your day, help to regulate your hormones and increase your metabolism and fat burning ability for the entire day!!! However, many of us grab what is easy and quick to eat between driving the kids to school, applying mascara in the rear-view mirror, talking on the cell phone and trying to chew! Typically these fast grabs are simple carbohydrates and sugars which only satisfy your hunger momentarily. The simple carbs do nothing to increase your energy long-term and causes your body to crave even more sugar, putting your day into a blood sugar rollercoaster which only adds to your fatigue and weight gain around the middle.

The solution? Well, my friends it is in a simple little addition called protein. Protein helps to increase your metabolism, stabilize your blood sugar levels and encourages fat burning by helping your body build that ever so metabolically active muscle tissue. You will feel better, have more energy, think clearer and not be starving 1 hour after you eat.

Protein in the morning can take the form of cottage cheese, almonds, unsweetened peanut butter, protein smoothies or your favourite nuts and seeds. Combine your protein with a complex carbohydrate and your energy levels will soar, your metabolism burn high and you will find that with time your belly fat will start to decrease. Below you will find a great recipe to help you eat more protein in the morning! This recipe can be made ahead of time and can be frozen. Top these high protein pancakes off with your favourite unsweetened nut butter, honey or naturally sweetened jam and you are good to go! Hey, you can even eat this while applying that mascara in the car!

Remember, Have fun and Stay Healthy!

Kathy Smart

High Protein Pancakes
Adapted from the SmartKitchen

Serves: 1-2
Comment: Protein first thing in the morning helps to stabilize blood sugar levels and increases metabolism. These are a great way to start the day or make a perfect before and after workout snack!

Ingredients:
1/2 cup of quick cooking oatmeal
1/2 cup cottage cheese (1% or 2%)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract and 1/4 teaspoon of cinnamon and ground cardamom
4 egg whites (or 2 whole eggs)

Directions:
1. Blend all ingredients in a blender.
2. Spray skillet with cooking spray and cook pancakes, a few small ones at a time.
3. Top with your favourite pancake topping!

If you liked this recipe, you can find more recipes in the SmartKitchen Cookbook which is available by clicking here.

Health Statistics
Easy to Make Wheat free Low in fat

Low Glycemic No Added Refined Sugars Vegetarian

Kathy Smart is a Registered Nutritional Consultant with the
Canadian Examining Board of Health Care Practitioners, a Holistic Teaching Chef with the Holistic Cooking Academy of Canada and a Certified Personal Fitness Trainer with the Canadian Fitness Professionals of Canada.

www.LivetheSmartway.com