One of my new favorite breakfasts
protein-rich buttermilk pancakes
Folks, we did it. We made it a third of the way through January. This usually feels like a never ending month but this morning I realized just how far we are into it. I wonder if it has anything to do with the Christmas tree still standing tall in my living room? Have I broken the time-space continuum by not taking it down? That task was supposed to happen last weekend. The first major winter storm had other plans for me, including shoveling a foot of snow from the driveway.
I’ve told myself the tree will come down this weekend, setting aside Saturday to do it. I may not follow through 100%. I’m thinking instead all of the Christmas decorations will go away, and I’ll definitely take the ornaments off the tree. But maybe, just maybe, I’ll leave the lights on and enjoy the warm, cheerful glow a bit more. It certainly brightens the dreary days of January.
While some people made resolutions at the start of the new year, I’ve been sticking to goals I set for myself last November. I made it through the holiday season enjoying favorite foods and drinks, while also getting closer to my weight-loss and overall fitness goals.
I follow some macro bloggers on Instagram but admittedly don’t find a lot of inspiration from them. Losing weight is a major goal for me to feel better in my body but I’m not willing to sacrifice when it comes to the quality of ingredients.
I’ve been a vigilant label reader for 20 years now. I’m not a fan of artificial sweeteners, additives and fillers. It took a bit of trying to find a protein powder I like, let alone love, and highly recommend Truvani’s vanilla. They make other brands but I’ve not tasted them. My thinking is vanilla is a great base flavor that you can customize with your own spices, fresh fruits and cocoa, if you want a chocolate version.
On the subject of protein powders, you’ll see a lot of recipes out there with them beyond making a smoothie. I’ve tried a few of them, and more often than not have wondered why people would choose to torture themselves with something that tastes so—well, awful. It’s common to find it hidden in French toast. Blech. I tried one recipe, with the nagging feeling it wouldn’t taste good, and still proceeded to waste an entire loaf of homemade challah along with all the other ingredients.
I’ve added it to coffee to try and boost my protein intake. WHY? Why did I ruin my morning coffee experience this way? Perhaps if you’re a latte or milk in your coffee person, you’d like this. Although, I do enjoy afternoon lattes, and still not convinced protein powder belongs in coffee. I suppose to each their own, right? At this point I forget what else I’ve put protein powder in. It’s probably a self-defense mechanism.
There are some recipes, though, where I found protein powder to work rather nicely, and these pancakes are one of them (I’ve made granola and double chocolate muffins, too, that I love). I’ve never been one for carb-laden breakfasts, knowing they don’t sustain me until lunch. Substituting some of the flour with protein powder, and using some plain Greek yogurt in the batter, are two easy ways to boost the protein so I can enjoy pancakes without the crash & burn effect of a typically carb-heavy breakfast.
I top my pancakes with fresh fruit, and Greek yogurt whipped with some maple syrup and vanilla extract for more added protein. I also love using these pancakes to make breakfast tacos with scrambled eggs. I’ve included notes below for making them without the protein powder for anyone who wants to enjoy them that way, too.
Hope the week is going well for everyone, and the weekend ahead is filled with moments of calm.
—xo, j.