POWER CAKES

Okay so hi. I love Kodiak Cakes. Like... more than life. They taste pretty much EXACTLY like McDonald's pancakes but are full of good for you stuff like whole wheat and fibre! And they DON'T have the yuckies like added sugar and trans fat....

Buuuuut for a long time I could only get them in 'Murica. Which was okay... it just meant we had to pretty much buy Target out every trip down to Utah (while simultaneously buying all the diet mt dew....)

So yeah.... then they came out with freaking Power Cakes. All the yummies of Kodiak Cakes PLUS added protein? Ah duh. Sign me up. But oh wait... 'Murica....

Then one day I was scrolling through insta and.. THEY CAME. TO CANADA. TO COSTCO. TO CANADIAN COSTCOS. Ask me how happy I was. Go on, ask.

Naturally I wanted to bump that up a couple more notches... so what's a girl to do? Add protein powder of course!

I super love whey isolates. They are fantastic in smoothies, in yogurt, pancakes, muffins, or just shaken with milk. They come in TONS of great flavours too... and my favourite brand Cellucor is super low in carbs! So basically just a scoopful of pure high quality protein to make your breakfast bangin ;)

Look at that stack of yumminess. It doesn't even FIT on the freaking fork!!!

Get your prots people!

Protein Power Cakes For Yo FACE
Serves: 1

1/3 cup Power Cakes
1 scoop protein powder of choice (I like Cellucor!)
1 Tsp Vanilla
1 Tsp baking powder (for extra fluffiness!)
1/2 TBSP coconut flour
Milk or water (add until you get your desired consistency... thinner batter, thinner pancakes. Thicker batter, thicker pancakes!)

Preheat your griddle to 300 degrees. Mix all ingredients together, then pour into 4-5 small pancakes OR 2-3 large pancakes. Let sizzle for a minute our so, then flip! Let the pancakes cook for another 30 seconds (careful not to overcook!). Remove from heat, smother in toppings, and serve!

I like mine with peanut butter protein mousse and a big spoonful of toffee crunch peanut butter. AND syrup. Always syrup.

Nutritional Info: Calories: 272 Fat: 2.8 Carbs: 25 Protein: 34.8

 ***

 So confession... The first stack was a touch overcooked. So I made them again today. The batter was thinner (I added more water I think), but I also had adjusted the temp (to 300, like in the recipe!) and watched them a little closer. FANTASTIC. PERFECT. Could have eaten two stacks. And with a nutritional count as great as this?? I probably should have.

Same toppings. So much yum. I Just want them every day. 

xo

Annie

Go for the Gold

I'm sitting on my sectional IN MY HOME IN CANADIA. Can't believe my first year at BYU is done!! I've had such an amazing year and met some really (and I mean REALLY) stellar people. Ugh I miss them all already!!

So basically this last couple of weeks have been very crazy. Pretty much everything I thought was happening actually wasn't, and now I'm readjusting my thought process. I've learned A LOT about life and what I want out of it (and a few things I definitely DON'T)!

Some life lessons from Annie as of 2015:

• Go for the GOLD.
• Work Hard, Play Hard.
• FOMO Isn't a Real Thing. 
• Have Courage.
• Be Kind. (I know it's from Cinderella.... stop it. It's the best advice I've probably ever heard)
• Let Love In.

I kind of want to talk about each of these things separately... PROOOOBABLY in different posts ;)

First of all: GO FOR THE GOLD.

Oh my gosh. This one is so real. Through my experiences (and experiences of others I've talked to) it never pays off to listen to ANYONE who tells you to do less, be less, reach less, dream less, or achieve less. If anyone tells you that you can't do it, or that you shouldn't try, or that it's too hard... DON'T LISTEN.

Seriously. It's gunna take too long?? The time's going to pass anyway. And then you'll wish you had done it.

It's too hard? Other people probably have done it... and if they haven't? There's gotta be a first. Why not you??

Here comes the hard one...

You might not make it. True... but then again... you might! And hey, even if you don't... chances are your efforts won't be in vain. You'll learn invaluable lessons. You'll grow. You'll move on and find something even MORE wonderful!!

So seriously guys. Be your very best!! Don't settle for less. Push yourself. Stretch. Be uncomfortable. Pack in all the incredible, wonderful, and astounding things life has in store for you!! You're worth more than you could possibly imagine.

And now? There must be cashew butter.

Coconut Cashew Butter.

LOW CALORIE COCONUT CASHEW BUTTER.

Staaaaaahp.

Coconut Cashew Butter (with optional protein boost!)

Ingredients:
1 Cup Cashew Pieces (I like them roasted AND salted)
3/4-1 Cup Unsweetened Coconut Flakes
3/4 Cup Unsweetened Almond Milk (I like Silk!)
1 Scoop Vanilla Protein Powder (I like Cellucor)
Sweetener to taste (I use Splenda and Truvia Brown Sugar Baking Blend)












Directions:

Put cashew pieces in a food processor and let er rip!! Add the almond milk, protein powder, and sweetener and blend until SMOOOOOOOOTH. Add in the coconut and pulse till combined. I like it super chunky ;)

This recipe is lower calorie, high protein, and DELICIOUS on anything!!

I like it on overnight oats :) and sandwiches. And 1 minute cake. And ice cream. And spoons.


















Much love

xo

Annie

#becausehelives, and zucchini loaf!

Happy Easter Everyone!

I hope you all had a marvellous weekend full of family, friends, and good food :) It's my first Easter I've ever spent away from my family! I didn't even realize it was happening to be honest..... But it came and went just the same.

Today I want to share a couple of things. Some thoughts, something special, and finally something healthy and delicious.....

.....And YES, in that particular order.

First, some thoughts for today. The past few days have been trying to say the least. I won't go into the details (because hey, there's delicious food to be baked) but I have been forced to take a good hard look at my life and where I want it to go.... and how this all fits with my faith. I have wondered why certain doors have closed that seemed so perfect at the time. Even options that would be "alright with me" or "decent I guess" have been whisked away before I could catch hold.

General Conference could not have come at a better time. I still felt some concern after the Saturday sessions... but just as the sun silently breaks over those beautiful Utah mountains each day, hope came quietly this morning. I was able to breathe for the first time in a long time and be still. I felt my worry quelled and my fear fade. My choices were reaffirmed and I'm grateful.

I'm grateful for my Savior Jesus Christ. I know He lives. I know that He loves each of us so perfectly and blesses us abundantly every day. I know His hand is in my life always. I'm sure many of you have seen this... but in case you haven't:

http://www.mormon.org/easter?cid=HP_SA_4-4-2015_dMIS_fMRMN_xLIDyMSTHD1_

Watch this. It's truly beautiful.

And now.... Some food to go with my thoughts. What's a girl to do when she's away from home for her first Easter ever?? Clearly go buck in the kitchen. TONS of SKINNY french onion soup, coconut cashew butter, carrot cake with cream cheese frosting, and healthy chocolate chip zucchini streusel loaf to start off the week!















How's about that zucchini bread recipe... hmmm?


How does a protein packed, dense and springy loaf with a coconutty, pecan, cinnamony, sweet topping sound? With a big spread of butter? Hold me back. Did I forget to tell you it starts with a pancake mix....? BUT STOP. It's Kodiak Cakes Powercakes. The Holy Grail of pancake mixes!! It's flipping delicious, just needs water, and is SUPER healthy!!

 This is how I've been eating it.... with a big smear of Brummel and Brown Yogurt spread. #todiefor.

 It's also pretty divine with a drizzle of honey, or a bit of cookie butter. Or Nutella. Or anything. Ugh stop me.

 Look at that thick slice! Served up alongside some peanut butter mousse :) Breakfast is the best!!

 Sorry about the plastic spoon.... #studentprobs

Please make and enjoy!

xo

Healthy Chocolate Chip Cookie Streusel Zucchini Loaf (With POWERCAKES!)

1 cup Kodiak Cakes Powercakes*

1.5 scoops protein powder of choice (I used Cellucor* Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough)

1/3 cup Truvia baking blend* (or granulated sugar of choice)

2/3 cup splenda (feel free to sub for 1/3 cup more sugar)

¼ tsp salt

1 tsp baking powder

½ tsp baking soda

1 egg

1/3 cup applesauce

1/3-1/2 cup milk of choice (I used Silk Cashew Unsweetened*)

1 medium zucchini, grated

1 tsp vanilla extract

Topping (Optional… but not really ;) feel free to play with this! Different nuts, chocolate chips, granola….)

¼-1/3 cup old fashioned oats

¼ cup pecans, chopped

¼ cup unsweetened flaked coconut

½ tbsp. cinnamon

1-2 tbsp Truvia baking blend

Combine all dry ingredients listed above, then add wet. Mix until the batter is just blended. It should be about the consistency of regular quickbreads! If it’s not quite right, add a little more milk to thin it out. Pour into greased and parchment lined loaf pan.

In a separate bowl, combine all ingredients for the streusel topping. Sprinkle evenly over the top of your loaf.

Bake at 350 degrees for about 50 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean!

This came out springy, moist, cinnamony, streusely, and not overly sweet! Perfect for a breakfast bread alongside of a protein shake or as a snack with a steaming cup of tea J If you aren’t a fan of fat free baking I would substitute some of the applesauce with a neutral flavored oil, or even coconut oil!

This recipe is: low sugar, high protein, low fat, and delicious!!

*I'm clearly not affiliated with anyone, much less these great companies (but I'd like to be!!). These opinions are completely my own. 

The Calm Before the Storm.... and BREAKFAST :)

Ohhhh my gosh. This week's gunna be nuts!

Final month of classes. Can't even breathe. Everything somehow snowballed into one week... midterms, labs, papers, cleaning checks, presentations, hosting my bio innovation class, errands... the list goes on!

So you may have noticed the construction going on with this blog. It's kind of a process. I'm exploring what I want my life to be... so the blog is going to be evolving with me. The most obvious change I guess would be the blog name! I liked Cakerella... but it didn't really ever sit right with me. It's not something I really am anymore.

I like this new name. It's ambiguous, mysterious, and hard to nail down. It's attractive but doesn't scream for attention. It's individualistic without self obsession. It's what I'm going for these days ;)

I'm going to share with you all my latest obsession: overnight oatmeal. I've seen this crap ALL OVER pinterest and was extremely resistant. But WOW. Never again. Today I'm going to share my favourite flavour so far: Chocolate Peanut Butter. Classic.

Chocolate Peanut Butter Overnight Oats

1/3-1/2 cup Rolled Oats
1/3 cup Plain Greek Yogurt
1-2 TBSP Cocoa Powder (depending on how chocolatey you want it!)
1-2 TBSP Peanut Butter, Peanut Flour, or Peanut Butter Protein Powder (I like Cellucor)
1/2 Cup Milk of Choice (I like Silk Cashew Unsweetened!)
Sweetener to taste
Pinch of Salt

Mix everything up in a jar and pop in your fridge! Let it sit at least overnight, if not two days. In the morning you'll have cool, creamy, oatmeal pudding with a bit of chewiness. SO good. I topped mine with peanut butter cheerios and a spoonful of white chocolate peanut butter. #heaven

Here's to a breakfast to look forward to!

xoxo

Back By (popular?) Demand!

Well hello beautifuls <3

Ew. It's seriously been forever. Whyyyyyy?.....

Here's why. I finished school (yay!). I started working (also yay!). I decided to apply to BYU (wha..?) and move to Utah. So now I'm a 20-something freshman working towards my B.Sc. with an alphabet of letters already attached to my name*.... What on EARTH Annie? For real.

In a nutshell. I love my job. It's so great. But I love learning a lot too... and I wasn't done. I want to SEE more. DO more. BE more!! It didn't make perfect sense when I was applying for school and studying for the ACT at the same time as studying for my graduate tests and two sets of boards exams  either.... and to be honest I'm still stumbling around in the dark a little bit!

Here's what I do know: I'm happy. I'm healthy. I'm learning. I'm starting fresh.

I'm happier than I have been since I can even remember. I feel so much like myself it's scary!

I'm running a lot now that ballet is (seriously) over. It's REALLY hard, and I still cry when I hear my old music. I know I would have loved just one more year... but really it would never be "time" for me to quit. I could dance until I literally fell apart. And even then I'd still try and pick up the pieces.

I'm so wrapped up in this new life and I got sick of just blogging about cake. As awesome as it is.... there's gotta be something else yo ;) AND THERE IS! There's so many wonderful and beautiful things in this life to share and to experience!

Don't worry. Cake will still come. There will always be cake. Speaking of which... want some? In about 5 minutes flat? I got your back.

*Cake in the Microwave*
Attempted by many, perfected by few. This cake is actually HEALTHY and is easily transformed into any variation of your favourite. I've been asked way too many times how I make this so here's the recipe!

2 TBSP Coconut Flour (if you use regular, I'd increase to about 3 TBSP)
1 TBSP Your favorite protein powder (optional, I like Cellucor!)
1 tsp baking powder
Dash of Salt
Sweetener to taste (sugar, splenda, stevia, coconut sugar... whatever you're into)
1 egg or 2 egg whites
Splash of vanilla
2-3 TBSP milk
1/2 TBSP applesauce
Add ins: chocolate chips, coconut shreds, crumbled oreos, canned pumpkin, streusel topping.. anything you're feelin.

Add everything together and whisk until smooth. Pour into a ramekin or mug sprayed with nonstick spray. Microwave for about 1:30-2 mins, just until done. Try not to overbake.

Pop your little beauty out and let it cool. I stick it in the freezer for super fast chilling. Then top it with whatever you like! Frosting, peanut butter, melted chocolate, greek yogurt, honey and butter.... Serious options people.

Here's some ideas to get you started...

 

Top Row: 1. Basic cake stuffed with nutella and topped with nutella sauce. 2. Peanut butter cake with chocolate chips, chocolate frosting and peanut butter swirl. 3. Cookies and Cream cake with peanut butter greek yogurt frosting and a crumbled oreo on top.
Bottom Row: 4. Funfetti cake with chocolate chips, chocolate frosting in the middle, and ice cream and a red velvet oreo on top. 5. Cinnamon streusel cake with honey and butter on top.

So there you have it. Healthy cake in a ramekin just for you in 5 minutes flat. Life is so sweet, right?

XOXO

Annie

*All those letters? Two sets of full ultrasound credentials. Kind of weird. Kind of awesome. #imanadult