Vanilla Beetroot Pancakes – winning the way to a childs heart

If you’re an au pair in France more than likely, like me you dread Wednesdays. Why the children need half (or sometimes the whole) day off from school is beyond me but it doesn’t look like its changing anytime soon.

On these days I usually plan on relaxing after I taking her to school for her whole 3 hours of learning, instead of attempting to go in Paris. For me, relaxing means baking, and that’s exactly what this morning consisted of. I received my protein powder order within 3 days of placing the order from My Protein France so I figured protein pancakes were on the menu for this morning.

You might ask why I’m filling myself with protein powder when i’m far from a bodybuilder or even exercising enough to need it, but my family here doesn’t eat a lot of meat which is typically how I get the majority of my protein. Nevertheless, I love baking with this powder so it gives me a chance to incorporate it into my diet of unlimited baguettes and cheese. When I say unlimited, I truly mean that we’ve NEVER run out in the past 3 months since I’ve been here.

Since it’s almost Christmas I figured that it was essential to bring out the holiday cheer in my breakfast, mainly because pretty food tastes better (agreed?) There was absolutely no food colouring in this house so I opted for beets, yes the vegetable, to add some colour to my stack. Being in France has been tough baking and cooking wise and have had to substitute ingredients in essentially everyone of my recipes.

Vanilla Beetroot Pancakes

Serves: 1

• 1 scoop vanilla protein powder
• 1/2 cup instant oats
• 1 egg
• 1/4tsp baking powder
• 1/4 cup fromage blanc (greek yogurt works as well)
• 1/4 cup shredded zucchini (optional)

Preheat a non-stick pan on medium heat with olive oil (Thankfully we also never run out of this either here). Whip you egg until fluffy and then incorporate the dry ingredients into the batter. If you find that it is too thick add milk or water to a thinner consistency.

Seperate the batter into two bowls and add 1/4 cup of minced beet to one of them. Pour the batter onto the pan into your desired size. I wanted a taller stack, therefore my pancakes were smaller than normal. BE PATIENT. This step is probably the hardest for me to be honest. Flip once you see bubbles and cook on the opposite side.

Once all of your cakes are done, layer them and top with more greek yogurt and of course don’t forget the chocolate shavings! Apparently these little chocolate pieces are consider “hot chocolate” here, who knew!

Voila! Enjoy those pancakes!

AntiCafe Review

Imagine a place where you can go for unlimited cups of amazing hot drinks (including cappuccino for all you foam lovers out there) , a variety of snacks (with hummus, score!) and wifi. I decided to check out this cafe after being told from a friend about it and how much she enjoyed going there.

So what is it?

I want to say that it’s a cafe but really it’s not even anything close to any others I’ve been to. You don’t feel like you’re in a typical cafe atmosphere but more like inside of a home with access to a kitchen, dining room and living room area.

What makes it so special?

So basically when you go into the cafe you get an electronic card that is programmed with the time you arrived. You’re then free to order as many drinks as you want, and enjoy the snack options they have. At the location I was at the snacks ranged from hummus and veggies to rice cakes and toast. You get charged 4 euros for the first hour and then an additional 3 for ever hour past that. They even offer day and month deals for the regular customers which may in fact be me in a few weeks.

My friend and i noticed a shelf ill of board games which are available for their customers to use so we opted for the deck of cards to play crazy eights. I loved the fact they have so many options for everyone’s interest. Looking around the customers ranged in age from college students catching up on their Facebook feed to businessmen working away on their laptops. Then of course there was us playing being the kids we are at heart playing cards!

I was so impressed with this cafe not only because of what it provides its customers but also the service I received. There was one man working the whole cafe and he did an amazing job at making sure everyone was taken care of. I would definitely suggest checking out this cafe if you have an hour or more and want a bit of a change of atmosphere.

You can go to their website here http://anticafe.eu/en to find the locations in Paris!

Carrot Cake Protein Muffins

I love trying new recipes especially healthy ones that are single serve because lets be honest, I’m greedy with my protein powder and baking supplies!

I found this recipe over at Dumbbell Diaries  made by the lovely Kelcey! If you haven’t checked out her blog/instagram I suggest it because she’s not only gorgeous but defiantly a huge inspiration to me!

Recipe:

makes 4 full sized cupcakes 

• 1 scoop vanilla about time protein
• 2 egg whites or 1 egg
• 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1 tbsp coconut flour
• 1/2 cup shredded carrot/zucchini
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon
• Stevia if you want them sweeter
• 1/4 cup almond milk (I used the new coconut flavor and it turned out great!)

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and place 4 muffin tins into your pan. Fill 1/2 way with batter (they will rise and become fluffy). Bake for 15-20 mins!

Topped with a mixture of Greek yogurt and cool whip because i’m obsessed and it gave it a sweet taste similar to icing! Next time I want to try to make donuts out of this batter!

I’m trying to use up my quest bars before i leave because unfortunately my bag will not have room for 30 of them so i’m being creative and making fun things with them again! Made donuts with my favorite bar “vanilla almond crunch” topped with greek yogurt for and sprinkles because like Kelcey says, #sprinklesdonthavecalories haha!

 

My ever growing obsession with Questbars

When I bought my first quest bar I had no sweet clue what they were for, the ingredients, when to eat them, etc.. It was in the mist of when I became obsessed with fitness and being “healthy” notice the brackets because looking back, I was no wheres near healthy. My instagram became full of these protein bars so I figured that they must be the best thing out there for fitness junkies. I remember the first one I bought which was White Chocolate Raspberry. Of course I ate it raw because I wasn’t yet informed of the amazing other ways to eat these glorious bars. This moment was the beginning of an expensive yet satisfying addiction. The taste was so good, and because they weer claimed “healthy” they tasted that much better.My paychecks stopped going towards things like clothes and shoes and all for my new found love; questbars! 

The negative side started when I became obsessed with protein and I wouldn’t eat other nutrition bars with less than 10 grams of protein. Yes, our bodies need this macro but it will be harmful if we eat too much! Especially fiber, these bars contain 19 grams of it! If you aren’t drinking enough water than you may experience bloating, gas and stomach issues. I know that personally whenever I consume a large amount of protein I am instantly bloated. 

I’ve tried quite a few of the flavors and definatly can’t say that I enjoy them all. If I had to rank the ones that I’ve tried from best to worst they would be as followed: 

1. White Chocolate Raspberry

2. Vanilla Almond Crunch

3. Cookies & Cream

4. Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough

5. Chocolate Brownie

6. Coconut Cashew

7. Double Chocolate Chunk (I find this one too bitter for my liking)

8. Chocolate Peanut Butter

9. Banana Nut Muffin

10. Strawberry Cheesecake 

I’m still currently in love with them but I’ve realized that realistically it is not responsible for me to spend $35 on 12 bars when I really don’t necessarily need the nutrients in them. I eat them because I love them now, not because I need to get the extra protein in after a workout. I’ve been able to use my love for baking with them as well and have successfully created so many different goodies! 

 

Strawberry Shortcake Protein Pancakes

T’is the season for strawberries! Our crops haven’t been doing well but I was lucky enough to find a good box to bring home because nothing beats local berries. Actually had a fair amount of time to cook a decent breakfast before the power went out (going on 5 days now) so i figured why not some strawberry shortcake to start the day off right! Since this breakfast I haven’t been able to have a home cooked meal and probably won’ for another couple days! It’s crazy what a storm can do, and how much we rely on power to do pretty much everything no a days. 

 

Recipe: 

• 3 egg whites
• 1/2 scoop vanilla protein powder
• 1 tbsp pyllisum husk
• 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/4 cup shredded zucchini

Mix all together and place on a preheated pan! Cook for 2-4 minutes on either side then flip and top with vanilla greek yogurt and strawberries! Don’t forget the maple syrup 😀

Blueberry Cream Sweet Omelette

After eating way too much cake a German birthday party I needed to start Sunday off right so I made my go to weekend breakfast! If you haven’t made a sweet omelette before I completely suggest trying it! It’s essentially an egg white fluffy crepe stuffed with greek yogurt and berries of your choice. Topped with maple syrup of course for that extra sweet kick! 

Recipe for single serve omelette:

• 2 egg whites (or more)(
• 1 tbsp almond milk
• 1 tsp psyllium husk
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 1/4 cup shredded zucchini ( I add zucchini to everything)

1. Whip ingredients with fork until fluffy and bubbly.

2. Pour onto a preheated greased pan and cook on each side for 2-5 minutes depending on how cooked you prefer it.

3. Stuff with your favorite foods! Greek yogurt,cottage cheese, fresh fruit, jam, peanut butter… the possibilities are endless!

 

Blueberry “PRONUTS”

Figured that it was time to change p my typical Greek yogurt & Kashi Go Lean powerbowls for breakfast so why not make some pretty donuts right?

Did some searching around for a couple recipes that I could try and none of them I ended up using because I lack ingredients in my kitchen right now haha. I came up with a similar recipe to one that I found on thecoconutdiaries for blueberry protein donuts because who doesn’t like added protein!

The recipe made 4 regular sized donuts ( well they were quite flat but still 4 were made)

Recipe:

• 1/3 cup rolled oats grinded into a flour
• 1 TBSP coconut flour
• 1/2 scoop vanilla protein
• 1/3 cup egg whites
• 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/4 tsp cinnamon
• 1/3 cup blueberries

Mix all together and spoon batter into a greased ( ESSENTIAL! ) donut pan. I used a large sized one but you could use a mini donut pan as well! Cook at 350 for 10-12 minutes and voila! Protein Donuts for a quick on the go breakfast or snack!

I topped mine with a mixture of greek yogurt and more protein powder but the possibilities are endless!

 

Hallelujah

FINALLY FINALLY FINALLY heard back the Montreal consulate and it appears I do not have to make the flight to Montreal for my Au pair visa and can mail my documents! Literally made this Monday morning SO much better. On top of it all, received news that I got an extra $250 bursary! Obviously it’s going into my Europe fund as soon as I get it. All in all, this has been a great start to the week! Convocation is coming up on Saturday, but i could really care less about the whole graduating factor. I feel as if I have been graduated for the past couple of months anyways, but i can say the partying afterwards should be a blast! 

Made a batch of Strawberry Vanilla Protein Pancakes last night for supper. I have a major sweet tooth so I listen to my cravings but still make sure i’m getting all of the nutrients I should be. I mean I’ve got shredded zucchini in there so that counts as veggies right? haha

Next thing on my list for France is to buy a suitcase or maybe even a couple of them. I’m thinking I will need at least a 28 inch rolling bag to fit all of my stuff for a years worth of living and then maybe a new carry on bag as well. Since I’m not sp[=ending $600 to fly for my appointment anymore I feel I can splurge on a few things that I want. 

Vanilla Protein Zancakes 

2 tbsp coconut flour

1 scoop vanilla AboutTime protein powder

2 egg whites

1 tsp baking powder

1/2 cup shredded zucchini

1/2 mashed banana

1 tsp vanilla

Directions:

1. I used a blender to make sure that everything was actually mixed and then I poured the mixture onto a preheated oiled pan. I like to make mini pancakes because miniature anything tastes better right? 

2. Topped my stack with frosting (Greek yogurt mixed with almond milk) and sliced strawberries! 

Enjoy 🙂 

 

 

Progress & Protein Zucchini Waffles

So my host family got my documents that I sent over, meaning they can finally be processed through the DIRECCTE in France. Only issue is that I haven’t paid my deposit for my french lessons. Thankfully my host family is super generous and offered to pay for them and then I can pay him back when I get there to speed up the process. I have chosen to go through France-Langue at their Victor Hugo location because it is located in an area where there will be a lot to do. 

One thing I can honestly say through this process is the France-consult in Montreal sucks. They do not have a phone number to call nor do they answer e=mails. I have emailed both the Vancouver and Toronto consults even though they can’t help me get my visa and have received two different responses back… UGH someone please tell me if I can just mail my documents to them or if I need to book an appointment?! I’m so confused. I also don’t want to book and appt. in Montreal and have to fly there from NS if I don’t have to do so. This visa process is so much work.. I wish it was easier to leave the country.. 

Anyways, to make this stressful day better I made a new recipe for vanilla protein waffles and they were defiantly satisfying! I tend to just make up the recipes as I go along so this is what I came up with this time. 

Protein Zaffles 

 

Ingredients:

2 tbsp coconut flour

1 tbsp vanillla protein powder

1/3 cup shredded zucchini

1 egg 

2 tbsp almond/cow milk

2 tbsp applesauce

1/2 tsp baking powder

1 tsp vanilla extract

Directions:

1. Preheat waffle maker. and GREASE! If you do not use oil, they will be crappy and fall apart, simple as that. 

2. Mix all ingredients together then pour onto waffle grill. 

3. Be patient and let cook fully. 

4. Top with whatever you’d like! I used bananas, strawberries and whip cream 😀

Blueberry Cream Overnight Oats

Oh boy.. Last night I decided to try out a different way of creating my typical overnight oats that I have every morning. I figured I should add some protein into them but didn’t really want to add protein powder (i’m running low and its too expensive haha) I decided to try egg whites in the batter but obviously no one wants to eat raw eggs so I cooked them in the microwave the night before and let them soak overnight. I was apprehensive of them because I like my oats liquid and cold but I needed to change up my breakfast a bit anyways. All in all, they turned out amazing and i’m happy I branched out and tried something new.. this could possibly be the start to a new recipe addiction haha. 

Recipe: 

• 1/2 cup of oats
• 1/2 cup of water
• 1/3 cup of unsweetened vanilla almond milk
• 1/4 cup shredded zucchini

Microwave for 2 minutes then take out and stir & Add:

• 2 egg whites
• 1 tbsp flaxseed

Put in the fridge overnight and let soak. I added banana, greek yogurt, almonds, wheat puffs, blueberries and whip cream on top in the morning but the possibilities are endless!