One of my goals for October was to try a few new recipes from around the blog world. I meant visit some new blogs, branch out, explore my options. But, much like my “try new foods” goal, I was limited by a hectic schedule and found myself revisiting some favorite bloggers who I can count on for good food that will also fit into my high-protein training nutrition plan.
Cherry-Topped Orange-Coffee Pancakes
First and foremost, I apologize to Heather, taker of some of the most mouth-wateringly amazing food photographs, for this horribly ugly version of her tiramisu pancakes. I ran out of baking powder, but what can I say? I wasn’t going to let a little thing like that stop me.
I used orange-flavored coffee to make these, and combined with rich dark cherries and maple syrup? Heaven. They may not look so pretty, but I loved the intense flavor and dense texture that resulted. But could I expect anything less from a Kiss My Broccoli pancake recipe? Nope.
TVP Oats
Since Laura and I have pretty similar training and nutrition plans (well, except for her insane pre-competition week this week), I know I can count on her to post delicious and protein-ful recipes. My current favorite? TVP Oatmeal.
I made her pumpkin pie TVP oatmeal this weekend (except, you know, with sweet potatoes. Because I’m a blogger oddity who doesn’t like pumpkin.) Warm creamy “oatmeal”…with protein!
Ricotta Cake
I pretty much want to make every recipe Sarah posts (if I can stop making her peanut butter pancakes long enough to do so). Last week I whipped up a single-serving version of her pumpkin pie ricotta cake…
…Except got rid of that pumpkin stuff once again and made an apple pie ricotta cake instead.
Progress
And in case you were wondering if “suffering” through all these high protein recipes was worth it (okay, these recipes and a few pullups), I’m starting to see a difference in my back and shoulders!
It’s gradual, and it may be psychological, but I’m sure there’s progress being made…
What are some must-try recipes from your or a favorite blogger’s blog? I need ideas for next month!
ForgottenBeast 
Your shoulders and back look great girl. You’ve made such awesome progress & should be so proud of yourself ❤
Thanks Jessie! It’s definitely great to see some changes/feel my hard work paying off!
that ricotta cake looks bomb! yummmy
orange-flavored coffee? i’m going to have to trust you on that one…
thanks for the shout out! i love me some TVP oats… or I will again after this week. plain only for me from here til saturday. how have i not been reading sarah’s blog? that cake sounds amazing (with the pumpkin – haha).
It was awful as a mug of coffee (luckily I only bought a few mugs’ worth of beans)–but in pancakes it was really good, like adding a hint of orange extract. And I don’t know how you haven’t! Awesome protein-filled recipes.
Allie, you look AMAZING!
Thanks for sharing these awesome recipes. I’m especially excited to try those TVP oats 🙂
They are so good–and lots of room for alteration/adding the ingredients and flavors you have on hand. And aww, thanks Alex!
I have a long list of recipes to try, and tries to share (after my month of sweets is over, GAH!)
I just got so excited for you – I know the feeling of hard work showing results and paying off – you are looking fantastic!
Can’t wait to see what you’re trying and sharing–you have the best recipes, so I’m going to go ahead and assume you have the best other-people’s-recipe suggestions too 😀
I’ve been meaning to try those tiramisu pancakes for the longest time! What flavour protein powder did you use? The recipe says vanilla but I may just sub it for chocolate as I’ve run out of vanilla! Glad to know that they are as delicious as they sound! I’ve been so bad with trying new recipes lately but I am all the more motivated to now. Parita from myinnershakti.com posted a recipe for tofu meatballs which I aim to try this week!
You are looking awesome, Allie!
I used vanilla, but oh my gosh, they WOULD be spectacular with chocolate! Like a mocha pancake…
And thanks Khushboo!
I actually did do it with chocolate and it was amazing! Here’s the link: http://www.kissmybroccoliblog.com/2012/10/14/you-mocha-me-crazy/
I need to try this TVP oat thing! It sounds good!
DANNNGGGG girl look at your back!!! That’s awesome you’re seeing so much progress, your dedication is payin off! 😀
Oh man I tried the TVP oats for the first time over this past weekend…one word: LIFECHANGING. 😀
Isn’t it though?? New favorite hot breakfast! Err, well, after scrambled eggs, I still love that one.
Holy back and arms, Batman. You look rock solid. I’d say give yourself a pat on the back, but that would be too easy for your muscles. I’d be like curling a one pound weight.
I love the pumpkin swap outs. Everything’s better without pumpkin. 😉
BLASPHEMY!!! I think I just died a little inside! 😦
Except maybe your pancakes…I have one cup of homemade pumpkin puree left, and I’m thinking your pancakse might be the way to go.
I feel the need to go do some push ups right about now.
I’ve gotten lots of good food tips from bloggers, my favorite right now being a 2 ingredient pancake. 1 banana, 1 egg. Easy and delicious.
Okay, that sounds absolutely amazing. I know what I’m having for breakfast at least once this coming weekend!
I love Laura’s idea of adding the TVP to oatmeal. Who ever would have thought of that?! That ricotta cake looks delicious…must try it. Of course, I rarely use recipes…fly by the seat of my pants!! I can really see the definition in your back…Yay!!
Isn’t she genius? And I’m so bad at using recipes–I didn’t make a single one of these EXACTLY as written, but close enough 😀
Thank you for the shout out girl! And your back is looking AMAZING!!!! You should be so proud of your progress! I think sometimes it’s easier for others to see it than for you to see it yourself! But I guarantee you that you are looking awesome! 🙂
Thank YOU for posting awesome recipes, haha! And hmm, I think it’s getting close to peanut butter pancake time again soon…
You’ve been eating good, as usual! I wouldn’t expect anything less. I might have to try out this TVP thing. I’ve finally got the protein powder in my cart on Amazon, so at this pace, I’ll have the TVP in another month [slowest buyer ever]!
Love your back!
Haha, I’ve had a weightlifting belt sitting in my cart for three weeks now…I know your slow shopping pain. I was TVP-less for a few weeks too while I waited to finally get around to ordering it.
I don’t think any of my recipes are healthy enough for you!! I’m a simpleton and use things like regular old flour and sugar… BUT I’m glad you’ve shared these because I want to branch out! I always see your and Lauras eats and get very intrigued. Laura needs to take me to the farmers market and show me the clean-eating-ropes. Maybe you could come too!!
Hey, nothing wrong with some flour and sugar–especially if they are combined into cookies. Mmm, cookies. But I’d definitely love to join you ladies for a farmer’s market shopping spree!
Rock on! Your back looks amazing and STRONG!
Thanks Allie!
Awesome! Orange flavored coffee sounds really good, especially in pancakes!
It was pretty bad as just coffee–but it was amazing in pancakes! I wouldn’t buy it to drink again, but I’d buy it for baking projects in a second.
Your back looks very STRONG! I did a whole series of these and let me tell you http://fitnessista.com/2012/10/pumpkin-amazeballs/ these pumpkin amazeballs are UNREAL! Love and Shine CourtStar (Have a spookkky halloween)
I’ll have to try those–but with squash or sweet potato instead, of course 😀
Wow, check you out… looking good, lady!
Using orange coffee in the pancakes is genius; I’ve got some hazelnut or amaretto coffee and might have to try one of those… the ricotta cake looks immense too 🙂
I finally found a cake I can bake–no flour or rising involved, haha. Mmm, amaretto coffee pancakes with a cherry topping? Now THAT would spectacular…
Orange coffee, huh? Mmmm! I bet that tasted amazing! I found some chocolate raspberry coffee at TJ Maxx over the weekend…smells great, but tastes NOTHING like how it smells! Lol
I’ve been loving on some TVP oats too! I love that after a year of having TVP in my pantry, I actually have a reason to use it now! I need to make more chicken-less nuggets…or actually, I really want to make your “fish stick” version!
And I keep meaning to try some of Sarah’s recipes…I have so many of them pinned it’s ridiculous! I just replenished my stash of ricotta yesterday so no excuses! I NEED that pumpkin cake!
As for recipes I’m wanting to try (besides your jalapeno pea smoothie)…have you seen Lindsay’s Indian Pizza? It has a sweet potato curry sauce…omg, I die!
http://www.theleangreenbean.com/indian-pizza/
The orange coffee was amazing in the pancakes–but holy cow was it awful as a cup of coffee. I have GOT to get all over this TJMaxx shopping. And I find coffee rarely tastes quite like it smells. Except that orange coffee. Smelled like orange and coffee, tasted like orange and coffee…
Haha, I JUST bookmarked that Indian pizza recipe a few days ago–great minds think alike 😀 I haven’t made fishsticks/nuggets in over a week now, I need to get back on it!
Wow that progress picture is incredible, what an inspiration! That ricotta cake looks so amazing, I have to go check out the recipe 🙂
Thanks Sarah! And I bet you’d LOVE that cake, seems like your style too!
Holy smokes lady! you are ripped!