#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. 

Breakfast: The Moste Potente Potion

I love breakfast. I can't even tell you how much I love breakfast.

Pancakes. Waffles. Crepes. Cereal. Granola. Yogurt. Smoothies. Toast. French toast. French toast crunch. Oatmeal. Cream of Wheat. Bacon. Sausage. English Muffins. Biscuits. Eggs. Fruit.

I am a HUGE breakfast advocate. It's really the most versatile, delicious, and important meal out there.... but second breakfast comes pretty darn close ;)

I also think that having a good, filling and balanced breakfast is as important as eating it at all!! Lots of recipes I see out there for healthy and hearty breakfasts leave something to be desired....

Why should healthy mean it can't be delicious!! Take my Peanut Butter Mousse and Toffee Crunch Peanut Butter Stuffed French Toast for example.... :)

This was totally delicious, satisfying, and didn't leave me sugar coma'd for the rest of the day.

What You'll Need:

For the Peanut Butter Mousse Filling:
1/4-1/3 cup Greek Yogurt
Pinch salt
1-2 TBSP Peanut Butter or Peanut Flour
Sweetener to taste (I like Splenda)
Extra nut butter/toasted nuts (optional) I used my Pecan Toffee Crunch Protein Peanut Butter (I'll do a post on it soon ;) )

For the Toast:
2-4 pieces of whole wheat light bread
1 egg
cinnamon
splash of milk (I like Silk Cashew Unsweetened)

Preheat a frying pan!

Mix all ingredients for the mousse filling VERY well. Set aside.


Add egg, cinnamon, and milk to a bowl and whisk until well combined. Pile peanut butter mouse on one piece of the bread. Smear on extra peanut butter and toasted nuts if desired. Place the other piece of toast overtop. (Think PB Mousse Sandwich ;) )

Dip your sandwich into the egg mixture and coat both sides! Spray some nonstick spray on your nice hot frying pan and put your egg-dipped sandwich right in there. Cook 1-2 minutes, then flip and cook until the other side is done!

You should hear a good sizzle when you lay it on the pan :)










Voila! Serve with butter, syrup, whip cream, or whatever your heart desires! I stuck with sugar free syrup this time.... I was so hungry I couldn't wait!!

I love skinnifying decadent recipes for everyday use! I don't think that just because something is good for you it has to be boring, bland, or basic!

You can play around with healthy alternatives and have delicious things like Pasta Alfredo Bakes, Stuffed French Toast, Meatloaf Sandwiches, Cinnamon Streusel Cake, and Funfetti Cake every day of the week (and twice on Thursdays)!! Happy Breakfasting!

xo

Annie