Healthy Sweet & Savory Breakfast Egg Sandwich

Hey everyone! How's your "end of summer" going? I know nobody wants to think of that! Eeeek! But I'm enjoying getting back to school, but been really busy getting back in the swing of things! I haven't posted a recipes in a while, sorry about that! But today, I have one of my favorite new breakfasts! I used to love Egg McMuffins from McDonalds (yes, I did. Lol) so I wanted to created a healthier, and frankly, much tastier version at home. I came up with a sweet and savory version, including strawberry jam, because I have to have something sweet in the morning! Eating a healthy breakfast does NOT have to be boring, it can be delicious! What better way to kick off the school year with a new healthy breakfast?! This sandwich is super quick to make (especially if you cook up lots of turkey bacon, and have it ready in the fridge) and you could even take it on the go if you have rushed mornings. It's a great balance of protein, complex carbs, and healthy fats. Did you know eggs are called "Nature's Multi-Vitamin"? There are vitamin that are only found in the yolk. Yep, so eat up on those yolks, folks! And feel free to switch up the recipe, by using different flavors of jam, ham instead of turkey bacon, avocado instead of cheese.... the possibilities are endless! 

Sweet & Savory Breakfast Egg Sandwhich

(serves 1)

Ingredients:

• 1 Ezekiel Sprouted English Muffin (whole wheat of gluten free will work too!)
• 1 egg
• 1-2 sliced of organic uncured turkey bacon 
• 1 slice of all-natural Munster cheese (or any cheese you like!)
• 1 Tbs. Strawberry Jam

1. Cook turkey in a pan or microwave...(follow the instructions on your package!)

2. Meanwhile, Cook your egg in a non-stick pan sunny-sid up. (crack the egg into the pan and let it cook about 5 minutes.) Season with pepper. When the egg is almost done (I like mine runny! #yolk) place your cheese on top and cover with a lid, to let the steam melt the cheese.

3. While the bacon and egg is cooking, go ahead and slice open & toast your english muffin.

4. Once the muffin is all nice n' toasty, it's time to assemble! Spread one half of the muffin with jam, and on the other half layer your egg and bacon and close it up! Enjoy! 

I hope you guys enjoyed this recipe! Let me know if you try it out! Tag me on Instagram
@beautyand bananas! Have a great day!
XoXo, Stephanie

Rocky Road Protein Waffles

Hey guys! You like Rocky Road ice cream right?? YES I DO TOO!!!!  I honor of National Rocky Road Day, June 2, my friend Kyla and I decided to do a collab in honor of this glorious day. Kyla has a wonderful blog, http://cookandbakewithme.weebly.com, where she posts about fitness, fashion, and healthy delicious food! I decided to dedicate my recipe in the form of one my favorite healthy breakfasts, protein waffles, and Kyla created an amazing brownie recipe.

I suppose I'll give you a brief history of how the famous Rocky Road ice cream flavor was born...According to the internet, the flavor was created in March 1929 by William Dryer in Oakland, California when he cut up walnuts and marshmallows with his wife's sewing scissors and added them to his chocolate ice cream in a manner that reflected his partner Joseph Edy's (any famous ice cream brand's coming to mind?) chocolate candy creation incorporating walnuts and marshmallow pieces. Later, the walnuts would be replaced by pieces of toasted almond. After the Wall Street Crash of 1929, Dreyer and Edy gave the flavor its current name "to give folks something to smile about in the midst of the Great Depression." I thought this was so cool! So maybe if you make my waffles, they'll put a smile on your face to maybe brighten up a rocky road in your life! ;)

I have to say these turned out pretty amazing..it was like eating dessert for breakfast, except without the after math. So let's get started!

Rocky Road Protein Waffles 

(serves 1)

waffle batter:

• 1/3 cup oats (blended into flour)
• 1/2 banana 
• 1 scoop protein powder (chocolate or vanilla)
• 1 Tbs. cocoa powder
• 2 egg whites
• 1/4 cup almond milk
• 1/4 tsp. baking soda
• 1 Tbs. mini marshmallows 
• 1 tsp. dark chocolate chips (I used ones by Lilly's made with natural stevia for no added sugar, click here to buy.)

1.Using a food processor, blend the oats into oat "flour". Next add protein powder and give it a quick blend just to mix.

2. Either mash the banana by hand or just. blend it with the flour.

3. Transfer the mixture to a bowl, and whisk in the egg whites, cocoa powder, baking soda, and almond milk.

4. Pour into your waffle maker and drop in the marshmallows and chocolate chips. (Adding them in the batter makes them melty and delicious!) 

5. Let cook for a few minutes until waffle is ready. Add toppings and chocolate drizzle and enjoy!

*Note: This makes one large waffle, but you could also make this same batter into pancakes!

Toppings:

• 1 Tbs. slivered almonds or walnuts
• 1 Tbs. mini marshmallows
• 1 tsp. dark chocolate chips

Chocolate Sauce Drizzle:

• 1 tsp. coconut oil
• 1 tsp. cocoa powder
• Stevia to taste
• 1-2 tsp. almond milk
• 1. Microwave the oil, cocoa and stevia for 15 seconds and add almond milk until desired consistency. Drizzle on waffle. 

Nutrition Facts (including toppings):

485 calories, 17 grams of healthy fat, 61 carbs, 15 grams sugar, 31 grams protein

*for a lower calorie option use less toppings 

*for a lower carb option try a protein waffle recipe without oats but still use the same add ins :) I like the oats because it keeps me fuller longer though!

I hope you enjoyed this fun recipe, and don't forget to check out Kyla's post at

http://cookandbakewithme.weebly.com/sweet-treats/rocky-road-brownies!

Thanks for stopping by!

XoXo,

Stephanie 

How to Make Healthy French Toast!

French toast is easily one of everyone's favorite breakfast. However...we all know it's not the healthiest. Traditional french toast is filled with fat, sugar, and usually white bread, and let's not forget- syrup filled with high fructose corn syrup! But, thankfully it's actually super easy to make it healthy! Let's go!

You will Need:

• 2 slices of Cinnamon Raisin Ezekiel Bread (or any healthy bread of choice)
• 1/3 cup egg whites
• 2 Tbs. almond milk
• Dash of cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp. vanilla extract (optional)
• 1/2 tsp. stevia to sweeten (optional)

Instead of cooking the french toast in butter or Pam, I use an organic coconut oil cooking spray. Whisk together egg whites, vanilla, cinnamon, almond milk, and stevia. Dip each piece of bread in the egg mixture and soak each side until it's really moist. Cook your french toast in a pan over medium heat and flip after a few minutes. Top with your favorite toppings!

Healthy Topping Ideas:

• fresh berries
• banana slices
• natural almond or peanut butter 
• crushed walnuts
• 100% pure maple syrup (not the chemically laden ole' Aunt Jemima!)
• honey
• sprinkle of stevia (instead of powdered sugar)

Xoxo, Stephanie