Coconut Pancakes + A GIVEAWAY!

Need an idea of what to make for breakfast on this lazy Sunday morning?


Coconut Pancakes





Ingredients:

• 4 eggs
  
• 1 cup coconut milk
  
• 2 tsp. vanilla extract
  
• 2 tsp. Agave Nectar
  
• 1/2 cup coconut flour- (I use Bobs Red Mill)
  
• 1 tsp. baking soda
  
• 1/2 tsp. salt

Directions

1. Preheat griddle over medium-low heat.
   
2. In a small bowl beat eggs until frothy, about two minutes. Add in milk, vanilla, and agave nectar
   
3. In another bowl whisk together with a metal whisk-- coconut flour, baking soda, and salt.
   
4. Combine wet mixture into dry, mix well, until smooth.
   
5. Spray pan with pam/coconut oil.  Pour about 1/3 C. of batter into pan for each pancake. Spread out slightly with the back of a spoon. Cook for a few minutes on each side. Flip and cook an additional 2-3 minutes.
   
6. Top with favorite toppings! ENJOY!!

PB2 GIVEAWAY!


*Note: I am not affiliated with PB2 or bell plantation in anyway. I purchased this product on my own and this is my honest opinion developed through my personal experience.


PB2 has been floating around in the food blog world for awhile and I have never tried it until now!


PB2 is powder that you actually just mix with water. You can add more or less water depending on desired consistency of PB. I mixed up a thinner mix as a “PB syrup” for my pancakes.



The ingredient list includes only 3 ingredients: Roasted peanuts, sugar and salt.

The Nutrition Facts are friendly also, especially for those who can get carried away easily with nut butters!
2 tbsp. only has 45 Calories compared to an all natural PB that has 200 calories.


SAVOR THE SECRET OF PB2
“Superior quality peanuts are first slow roasted then pressed to remove the fat and oil. The result is an exquisitely natural roasted peanut butter flavor that’s deliciously rich in taste, easy to enjoy and wonderfully healthy.”


I had some “syrup” left over and mixed in just a little more powder to make it a little thicker and keep it in the fridge for quick future use.

The PB2 blends quickly and easily. I like the taste, but it doesn’t have that “stick to the top of your mouth” thing. It goes down the hatch smooth and easy. I still actually prefer the thickness and taste of natural pb better. But for a lower calorie PB it is light and perfect.

I like the fact that there is only 3 ingredients!

It goes well in shakes, mixed in your oatmeal, on sandwiches, celery. Really anything!

I purchased an extra jar of PB2 to giveaway to ONE lucky reader!

All you have to do is post a comment stating what your favorite way to eat PB! Even if its STRAIGHT from the jar.

The Giveaway will close March 21, 2012. Winner will be selected through random.org.


READY GO!!

Blog Birthday + Vita CoCo--GIVEAWAY!

I can't believe I have been blogging for just over a year now! I started this blog just for my record and to help me get back into my pre-baby shape! And it has turned into SOOO much more! I have made so many connections to other bloggers in turn become good friends! Not only that, my blog is a way for me to do and talk about what I am most passionate about and that is helping others acheive their health goals, rather it be in nutrition or fitness alike. So THANK YOU to everyone out there and the inspiration you are to me in my life! I wish I could give you all a big hug and introduce myself but how about I not sound so creepy and just do a giveaway?

{Vita CoCo}

It is no secret that I 'am a huge fan of coconut water! I was first introduced to coco water by a friend, right before a big race last year. Hydration is key during a race to avoid cramping, improved performance and ensure a good recovery. I now make sure to bring along a few Vita CoCo's to every race I participate in, and also include them in my diet to help me through long training days!

Packed Race Food (for my last relay)-- :) Vita CoCo is in the center!

Vita CoCo comes in a portable, recyclable container! This makes it a perfect on the go drink! It even fits perfectly in my tri suit pocket when I'm on a long bike ride.

My new favorite flavor! 

You just can't go wrong with any flavor!

What are the Benefits of Coconut water?

• It contains 5 electrolytes that our bodies need, Potassium, magnesium, phosphorous, sodium and calcium! 
• It is an all natural drink, it does not contain any perservatives, fats or cholesterol.
• Aids in Digestion
• Helps prevent acne! 
• Contains more potassium then 2 bananas! 
• It also contains 15 times more potassium then leading sports drinks.
• Contains Vitamin C which helps improve your immune system! 
• Can help lower blood pressure.

Those are some benefits to drink to! I will admit that since I have been drinking coconut water, my face has been clearer then it has been in the past, and I don't cramp up as easy during a swim when I have one before. I also consumed one after each one of my legs of the epic relay and my recovery was great! I was back in the gym the next day!

Nutrition Facts:

The nutrition facts are fantastic to boot. This is the tangerine flavor. Rounding in at 70 calories, 0 fat, with 740 mg of Potassium!! It does contain about 17g of sugar but be aware that it is naturally occurring sugar and not artificial, added sugar/syrup that is other leading sports drinks and sodas.

The first time I tasted Coconut water I was expecting a Pina colada taste. However, that is not the case.. so don't expect that or you will be disappointed. Its more of a mild taste that takes a little getting used to. After trying a few different flavors I became use to the natural flavor of a coconut! Personally, my favorite coconut water are the ones with added fruit! They give it a little extra sweetness. 

Vita CoCo has offered to give one lucky winner a whole CASE of assorted flavors!

{HOW TO ENTER}

YOU MUST:

1.  Visit Vita CoCo's Website and leave a comment telling me your favorite flavor or a flavor you want to try! (single ladies.. there is some eye candy..just sayin')

ADDITIONAL ENTRIES:

1. "LIKE" Vita CoCo on Facebook! Leave a separate comment telling me you did so.
2. Follow Vita CoCo on twitter & Tweet about the giveaway on TWITTER >>example: Check out Vita CoCo giveaway @bodyofamother.com! Leave a separate comment.

*Be sure to leave a separate comment for each entry you do on this post. I use a random interger to select the winner!

*Please note: Vita CoCo did not pay me to advertise this for them, It is simply my own view and personal opinion.

Even T is a fan:) And yes, he has been carrying it around with him all day!

GOOD LUCK!!!

*Giveaway will end Thursday at 12am! Winner will be announced on Friday!

Go CoCo!

And the WINNER is....

Drum roll please....

Random.org was used to select the winner! 

True Random Number GeneratorMin: Max: Result:10Powered by RANDOM.ORG

Jenny said...

In my next life I hope to be a coconut. :)
What could be better... Growing somewhere tropical and warm, and delicious of course! (I could do without the whole hacking-open-with-a-machete thing.)
I like my coconut a little savory and have a great coconut- curry chicken soup recipe.
Mmmmmm... Endless possibilities!
P.S. Was with Sid at GPP this morning :)

CONGRATS JENNY!!! Please email me your contact info! ;)

Chocolate-Coconut Pancakes + a GIVEAWAY!

Hey guys! Apparently, I need chocolate in my life. Its a staple. I even eat it for breakfast. The two best things combined besides chocolate and peanut butter has to be chocolate and coconut! Today is Sunday and its the one day of the week I really get out of "my box." per say. I hate the word "diet" because I honestly believe healthy eating should be your lifestyle. On Sunday's I tend to eat a little more, not necessarily unhealthy foods, just more quantity of the good stuff ;) along with tasty treats and yummy breakfast..like pancakes.. Chocolate-Coconut Pancakes!

While we were in Hawaii (p.s sorry about the hiatus of recap post of our Hawaii trip, there comin' back..) We stopped by a local farmers market and I was able to browse through locally made and produced food. Its where we picked up that gross guava.. but all week I have been dying to whip up this coconut syrup!

I was able to meet the sweet lady that made this heaven in a bag! Barbara Oki

You can use it for smoothies, pies, curry, pudding, pancakes! Honestly, this would be fabulous on top of anything! Its all natural and homemade. Barbara Oki designed this coconut powder to perfection and as I was talking with her she is very proud and you can really tell how much work and love she puts into it.

I was craving chocolate this morning and I figured this coconut syrup would go perfect with some pancakes.

Chocolate-Coconut Pancakes 

1/2 C. Coconut flour
2 1/4 C. Almond milk vanilla unsweetened
2 scoops Chocolate Elite protein
1 Tbs Cocoa powder
1/3 C. Agave nectar
1 egg
2 egg whites
1/4 tsp baking powder
Unsweetened shredded coconut for garnish

yields about 10 pancakes

Directions:

Throw all the ingredients into your blender (except the shredded coconut)
Blend until smooth.
Pour onto hot griddle (I was lazy and just used a skillet pan cause its easier to clean.)

Bubbles will form, when they start to pop, flip the pancake over and cook for about a minute or so.

Easy!

Oki's Coconut Syrup

Now this is the magic of this stuff! Its SOO easy to make!

Coconut powder as pictured.
1 1/2 cups Water

Bring water to a boil and add the packet stirring until thickened

These were divine

Do YOU want some of this syrup? Yes, I'm pretty sure you need it in your life.

I have one bag to GIVEAWAY to a lucky winner! All you have to do is..

#1 Email Oki Aka Barbara.. and tell her you saw the syrup on my blog! @

#2 You must be a follower of bodyofamother.com

#3 Leave a comment telling me what you would whip up if you won the powder!

You can visit HER website for more recipes and if you don't want to wait or take the chance on the giveaway you can purchase it there.

HFCS

I recently received an email from a reader concerning HFCS.
What exactly is it?
HFCS stands for High Fructose Corn Syrup.

source

To put it simply it is corn sugar. It is cheaper to produce and is hidden in several products at your grocery store.
When you consume HFCS it is quickly absorbed into your liver where it converts into fat. It lowers the level of "good" HDL cholesterol and raises your LDL cholesterol "bad"...Your brain doesn't recognize it so it so it shuts off the appetite center and you keep eating. Your blood sugar will skyrocket you will crash then you feel hungry again. Awesome huh?
HFCS is a sneaky little ingredient and can be found in almost anything processed.. even products that appear "healthy".  This ingredient alone can lead to an expanding waist line and is a leading cause of obesity in the U.S, as with any type of sugar.
As I was walking around the grocery store today I snapped a few pictures of things that contained HFCS and some even surprised me. I wasn't able to take more because my memory card was FULL!:( And people were giving me weird looks... haha! What I do for you guys..

Here are just a few....

source

Source

source

source

source

In fact it is in the top 2 ingredients!! 

Do any of these products look familiar? You might have a few of them in your fridge or pantry, you might eat/drink them every single day! Wondering why you can't lose weight? Dropping HFCS from your diet might just be your answer why!

How about this?

source

A sandwich? What has HFCS in that? Would you be shocked if I told you that some wheat

Breads and lunch meats contain it? 

Be sure to check the ingredient list of every product you pick up!

*GIVEAWAY WINNER!!**      

Congrats to AIMEE!!!! Send your address to  me candice@bodyofamother.com and I'll get in the mail next week!

True Random Number GeneratorMin: Max: Result:2Powered by RANDOM.ORG