Blueberry Protein Pancakes and Cacao Nibs

Another blog post on the same day?! This has to be a record. I guess I'm just making up for how absent I've been for the last several weeks. Or I have too much time on my hands. Probably both.

Next week on Tuesday (my birthday), UAB is hosting a career fair for education students where we have to go and sign up for interviews with different schools from around the state. It will be great practice for my friends and I, but I'm pretty nervous about it. I also started panicking over the fact that I had absolutely nothing that would be acceptable business/interview attire. My wonderful mom was kind enough to let my birthday present be an interview outfit, and we were lucky to find some pretty great sales going on today. 

For anyone who isn't familiar with my shopping habits, I never, ever spend full price for anything. TJ Maxx is my favorite place in the world, and I have found some pretty wonderful things at thrift stores over the years. Today, though, mom and I thought it would be good to splurge a little since I'm basically trying to look my best to get a job. We started at New York & Company, and a buy one/get one 50% off sale was going on, so I was able to get a pair of really nice slacks and a jacket for a pretty fair price. For a blouse, I went over to Forever 21 for a pop of color for cheap, and some nice nude heels came from JC Penny for almost 50% off! Seriously, I love a good sale.

Finally, we ventured over to TJ Maxx. Is it sad that I know which TJ Maxx in the surrounding area is the best one? I don't think it's sad at all. It just makes me experience. Mom got these adorable shoes for me as another birthday gift that will go well with some bridal shower outfits since they match my color scheme. I love these! I can't wait to wear them!

TJ Maxx also has a really great selection as far as food items go, and I can often find some great healthy items there that I can't find at the local Wal-Mart. Today, I was lucky enough to find some Cacao Nibs, which I have been trying to find ever since I started my clean eating!

When I got home, I went for a four mile run/walk because it was so beautiful outside. I even beat my best time for running a mile, which isn't that wonderful considering I really do suck at running, but it was exciting for me to see that improved time.

When I got home, I was in a breakfast food mood, as I have been a lot lately, so I decided to make some more pancakes so I could also try out the new cacao nibs!I changed them up this time, though, with some added protein.

Blueberry Protein Pancakes

2 Tbsp whole wheat flour

2 Tbsp vanilla protein powder

1/4 cup almond milk

2-3 Tbsp water

1 egg white

1/4 tsp vanilla

1 tsp agave nectar

handful of blueberries

Whisk together the flour, protein powder, agave nectar, vanilla, egg white, and milk. Add water one tablespoon at a time until you have the thickness you're looking for. I like mine to be pretty thin because it tends to cook through better than when the batter is thick.

Cook the pancakes over medium/low heat, adding the blueberries after you have put the batter onto the pan. Once you're done cooking them, top with about a teaspoon of cacao nibs and some agave nectar for some added sweetness!

This recipe made 5 pancakes for me. I have decided that I do like the cacao nibs, but they definitely aren't that wonderful by themselves unless you like bitter dark chocolate. I love dark chocolate, but these aren't incredibly sweet just on their own. But with the agave nectar on top, as well, they were delicious. Just the right amount of chocolate taste for a breakfast recipe! I'm sure I will have some more recipes with these very, very soon.

Happy healthy baking!

Andrea