Healthy Pumpkin Pancakes

I'm going to be honest right now...I used to hate all things pumpkin. I wouldn't eat anything pumpkin flavored at all! It wasn't because I didn't like the taste because I honestly hadn't tried anything pumpkin. I think it was because when I thought of pumpkin I thought of carving them for Halloween. Ha! One day, I finally tried a pumpkin dessert somebody brought into work one day, and I LOVED it! I tried it before I knew it was pumpkin, so I accidentally found out I liked pumpkin. Anyway, now that I'm not a pumpkin hater anymore I have discovered a couple new recipes I like. This is my favorite breakfast one!

Ingredients:
- 1 cup canned pumpkin
- 2 eggs
- 1/4 cup unsweetened almond milk
- 1/4 cup oats
- 1 tsp. baking powder
- 1 tsp. vanilla extract
- 1 tsp. cinnamon

Directions:
1. Combine all ingredients and mix together until smooth
2. Cook on a skillet just like you would normal pancakes, with medium heat. These pancakes take a little longer to cook than normal pancakes, so don't panic if you get worried that you messed something up! It's suppose to take a little longer :)
3. Top your serving with syrup and enjoy! I like to buy pure, natural maple syrup. It has WAY less ingredients than other brands of syrup. Just make sure you read the labels so you know what you're putting into your body

Shakeology Mug Cake

Pinterest for the win again!! My sweet tooth is very happy with this yummy find! Do you ever find yourself looking in the pantry for anything sweet? Like you'd be happy with anything..cookies, doughnuts, cupcakes, and maybe even a few marshmallows! I'm guilty! This is a quick little treat to satisfy that sweet tooth before you're head first into your pantry!

Ingredients:

- 1/4 tsp. baking powder

- 1 scoop of Chocolate Shakeology

- 1 tsp. of Stevia or Truvia

- 1 egg

- 3 tbs. of water or milk

Mix together and microwave for 90 seconds! Delicious dessert for one is now ready! Yum! You can also add peanut butter or cocoa if you'd like. If you add peanut butter, just add a dollop in the center and push it down a bit. Enjoy! 

Healthy Chicken & Fries

Chicken and fries...a meal loved by many. Unfortunately, the typical chicken and fries meal is loaded with grease and high in calories. I found a recipe on Pinterest that I am liking. Instead of frying the chicken in a bunch of grease, you will bake them instead. It's such a healthier alternative!

Ingredients:

- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs

- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

- 1/4 tsp. garlic powder

- 1/4 tsp. thyme

- 1/4 tsp. parsley

- 1/4 tsp. paprika

- 1/4 tsp. salt

- 1/8 tsp. pepper

- 1 and 1/2 lb. chicken tenders

- 1/4 cup olive oil

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Spray a baking sheet with cooking spray.

2. In a bowl, mix the breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, thyme, parsley, paprika, salt, and pepper and stir until mixed well. Set aside. 

3. Pour 1/4 cup olive oil into a separate bowl

4. Dip the chicken in the olive oil and then into the dry ingredients making sure both sides are coated. Place on baking sheet.

5. Bake for 25 minutes, flipping once. Sprinkle with fresh parsley if you want and serve warm. Chicken internal temperature should be 165 degrees F.

For the homemade fries I cut up sweet potatoes length wise into steak fry strips. Then, put in a large Ziploc bag. Add Extra Virgin Olive Oil and Season Salt. Shake with bag closed then lay then out onto a baking sheet and cook until they're crisp or for about 25 minutes. 

*I don't measure my olive oil or seasoning here. I just make sure I have enough in there to evenly coat all the fry strips without totally drenching them in olive oil. 

I hope your family enjoys this tasty meal!