Banana Nut Pancakes

This post is in addition to last weeks breakfast recipe, I love this meal because you can combine savory and sweet. Last weeks was savory and this is the sweet! These pancakes are healthy, hearty and easy to put together. The banana, walnuts and maple syrup really transform these pancakes! If you like a little more crunch and texture in your pancake you can pulse the oatmeal in a food processor into small pieces before adding all the ingredients. Either way tastes yummy!

Ingredients
- 1/2 cup pancake mix
- 1/2 cup instant oatmeal
- 1 TBSP sugar
- pinch of salt
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1 TSP vanilla extract
- 2 bananas sliced
- 2-3 TBSP chopped walnuts or pecans
- Nutella

Directions
- Place oatmeal in a food processor and pulse or blend to desired texture. Combine pancake mix, oatmeal, sugar, salt, milk and vanilla extract in a bowl and mix until well combined.
- Over medium heat place about 1/4 cup batter on a non-stick pan (I spray a little cooking spray just so it doesn't stick). After about a minute, when the bottom of the pancake is almost done placed sliced bananas on top of the pancake and flip, cook for an additional 30 seconds or so.
- Repeat with remaining batter.
- Stack pancakes and serve with chopped nuts and a little maple syrup.

Serving size: Makes six pancakes

Serving suggestions: Try this with a little Nutella or some chocolate chips for something a little more decadent!

Baked Oatmeal Squares

It's starting to get cold outside (Yay!), which means waking up in the morning and leaving my warm bed can be a challenge. The good news is, I found this recipe and it gives me a whole weeks worth of yummy breakfast goodness- in exchange of fifteen extra minutes of sleep! So make it Sunday night, and store it in an air tight container and just grab and go before work! I used raising and walnuts, but feel free to use any mix-ins that you like! It's really good with cranberry and white chocolate chips, or some dried fruit and pecans!

Ingredients

- 1 cup quick oats

- 1/4 cup packed brown sugar

- 1 TSP baking soda

- 1 TSP baking powder

- 1.5 TSP ener-g egg replacer

- 1/2 TSP ground cinnamon

- 1/4 cup apple sauce

- 2 TBSP melted butter

- 2/3 cup milk

- 1/4 cup raisins

- 1/4 cup chopped walnuts

Directions

- Preheat oven to 350.

- In a bowl, combine all dry ingredients and stir . In another bowl, mix together melted butter, milk and apple sauce.

- Combine wet and dry ingredients and mix until well combined. Fold in raisins and walnuts.

- Spray non-stick pray in a 6x8 baking dish, and pour oatmeal mixture in. Bake in oven for 20-25 minutes until a light golden brown color.

- Cool completely, cut into 6 squares and store in air tight container. 

Tip: Distribute mixture evenly in a muffin tray for more convenience!

Serving size: 6

Oooey Gooey Oatmeal

I absolutely LOVE breakfast and breakfast foods!  This includes all carbs - biscuits, pancakes, cereal, toast & every other carb available; but, one of my all time breakfast favorites is oatmeal made with all the fixin's.  My recipe for oatmeal is not only good for you but it's also quick, easy, & absolutely delish!  Try it at home (or work) and let me know what you think.


Ingredients:
1/2 cup cooking oats
1 cup skim milk
roughly 2 TBSP of brown sugar
2 TBSP coconut flakes
2 TBSP chopped walnuts
Dash of cinnamon
A few dried cranberries

Directions:
1. Heat milk on a stove top on medium to low heat until it comes to a boil.
2. Add quick cooking oats and cook for 2 minutes until the mixture starts to thicken.
3. Add brown sugar, coconut flakes, cinnamon, and walnuts.
4. Place in a bowl and mix in cranberries.
5. Enjoy!

Tip: You can substitute these toppings with any of your favorite toppings and fruit.  I typically mix 1/2 cup of oatmeal with brown sugar and coconut flakes and keep them at my desk so that I can whip up a batch at any given moment. =)