How do YOU like your Oatmeal?

I get asked nearly every day "What should I eat for breakfast?" and every day I tell people the same thing...OATMEAL! I know, I know, you say, "but I HATE oatmeal! It's so bland and boring." Well, I guarantee you, none of these recipes are either bland or boring. In fact, I bet you'll find one of these recipes so tasty you'll eat it every morning until you're sick of it.

Leslie's Hi-Protein BREAKFAST "BRICK"

Ingredients:
6-8 Egg Whites (Approx. 1 Cup)
½ Cup uncooked OATS
2 tsp. Vanilla
1 tsp. Cinnamon
3 pkgs. EQUAL (not Splenda)(optional)
1 T. Shaved or Slivered Almonds(optional)

Mix all ingredients (except topping) in a microwave safe bowl. Microwave on high for 1 ½ minutes. Fold slightly and cook for another 2 minutes. Let sit for 5 minutes until mixture settles back down from a “fluffed up” state. It will harden as it cools.

I immediately put it in aluminum foil and wrap it to go – I eat it in the car on the way to the gym. If it’s too much to eat at once, save it for a little snack later. It’s good even when cold!

Optional serving suggestions: Serve hot with Cary’s Sugar Free Maple Syrup

For fluffier brick, add one more egg white.
For harder brick, add a little more oats.

Backyard Bootcamp’s Signature “POWER PANCAKES"

Ingredients:
1 C. Non-fat Cottage Cheese
6 Egg Whites
1 C. Oats (Plain uncooked)
1/2 Banana (optional) or as a topping
1 T. Flaxseed Meal
1 T. Vanilla extract
2 pkg. Splenda or Splenda Brown Sugar
Dash Cinnamon to taste

Combine all ingredients in blender until smooth and pour into hot skillet. Flip when bubbles form. Top with Cary's Sugar Free Syrup, berries or your favorite fruit. YUMMM! This is a great breakfast that will not only lower your cholesterol and keep your sugar levels stable but it will also sustain your hunger longer than a bowl of cereal!

Leslie's "Really Quick" (& Favorite) Chocolate & Peanut Butter Oatmeal
Takes about 6 minutes to make & EAT!


1 Pkg - Trader Joe’s Instant “Complete” Oatmeal – Plain
2 tsp. – Trader Joe’s (all natural Valencia Peanut) Peanut Butter
1 Heaping Scoop – Chocolate Supreme Casein Protein Powder
Cook Oatmeal

1 Cup Water (add more water for thinner oatmeal, less for thicker)

Heat water and Oats in microwave for 2 1/2 minutes (depending on microwave, time may vary)

Remove and add peanut butter and Protein Powder and mix until creamy.
Eat while hot!

Let me know which one is your favorite! If you have a recipe that you think would be "bootcamp friendly" feel free to e-mail it to me and if it is, I'll POST IT for you!

BERRY-LICIOUS YOGURT CRUNCH

Strawberries and Blackberries are in season and it's a beautiful thing because they are two of the four fruits allowed on the Backyard Bootcamp Food Plan. They have lots of seeds (fiber) and low on the glycemic index (sugar). They make the body work to process them, so they are essentially one of our "FREE FOODS". You can have up to 5 Cups of strawberries a day without guilt, but probably not without gas, so beware.

(1) 6oz. Fage 0% Yogurt
1/2 Scoop French Vanilla Creme Protein Powder (see link below to purchase)
1/4 C. or 1 packet Hemp Plus Granola (see link below)
Strawberries
Blackberries

Mix the yogurt and protein powder together. Add berries and top with granola and ENJOY!

Calories : 230
Protein : 29g
Fat : 4g
Sugars : 10g

Want to know the other two fruits that are allowed on the BYBC food plan? Email me!

Jacobs Ladder at Topham Street Gym

Like chocolate at night?

If you're like me or most of my friends and clients, you probably enjoy a little sweet after dinner or before bed. This is one of those pitfalls that can really destroy a day of good eating. You can eat perfectly all day long and kill the entire day with one bowl of cereal or ice cream. So I've come up with a few really easy desserts that not only taste great, but won't expand your waistline!

This one I didn't invent, but I've perfected with my own twist. I don't really like flavored yogurts, so I use Fage and add Vanilla to it. Also, the dark chocolate is my addition. Enjoy!

No Pudge Brownie Souffle

You need:

No Pudge Brownie Mix (where to get it? click here)
Plain, non-fat Fage Yogurt
Pure Vanilla Extract
Cool Whip Free
72% Dark Chocolate Bar

Mix 1 T. Yogurt with 1/2 tsp. Vanilla in a small glass bowl.
Stir in 2 T. No Pudge Brownie Mix
(I like to make a little more, so you can fudge it (no pun intended) a little.
Microwave on high for 1 minute. Remove immediately and top with a dollop of Cool Whip Free topping. For a little pizazz, you can shave a little dark chocolate on top and SERVE HOT!

Calories: approx. 100


SEE MORE "NO PUDGE" RECIPES


Stay tuned for more yummy desserts and treats that I've come up with over the years...