Fitness recipes flavor your diet!

Nutrition is a huge factor in how you look, feel, and function. The good news is that you don’t have to eat plain chicken breasts and dry salads five times a day to see results. There are a lot of ways to spice up your food (so to speak!)

I like to take advice from people who have the same goals I do. So, when looking for new recipes, I consider the author. Also, a good recipe should list what the nutrients are; calories, protein, carbs, fat, fiber, etc.

One of my current favorite books is The Eat Clean Diet Cookbook , by Tosca Reno. Tosca has put together delicious recipes in a variety of categories including breakfasts, soups, grains, proteins, veggies, pasta, sweets, sauces, and one-dish easy meals. I’ve personally prepared many of these recipes and they are really tasty.

PROTEIN APPLESAUCE OATMEAL

(adapted from Burn The Fat Inner Circle)

1/3 cup dry oatmeal

1/2 cup skim milk

small container no sugar applesauce

1 scoop vanilla protein

dash of cinnamon

Microwave oatmeal according to package directions. Add protein powder, applesauce, and cinnamon. Mix well. Enjoy!

(Cal 295, Prot 32g, Carbs 35g, Fat 3.2g, Fiber 5.2g)

COTTAGE CHEESE PANCAKES

(adapted from the Eat Clean Diet Cookbook, by Tosca Reno)

1 1/4 cups whole wheat flour

1 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp cinnamon

1/4 tsp sea salt

8 egg whites

1 cup fat free cottage cheese

1 cup fat free plain yogurt

Mix dry ingredients in one bowl and wet ingredients in separate bowl. Blend together. Spray skillet with non-stick cooking spray. Use 1/4 cup of batter for each pancake and cook until browned on both sides.

(each pancake: Cal 81, Prot 7g, Carbs 12g, Fat 0g, Fiber 1g)

PEANUT BUTTER PROTEIN BALLS

(adapted from Muscle Chow, by Gregg Avedon)

2 cups natural crunchy peanut butter

2 scoops vanilla whey protein powder

!/4 cup molasses

2 Tbsp flax seeds

Mix all ingredients well. (This is not an easy task) Roll into 1 inch balls and freeze.

(each ball: Cal 153, Prot 6g, Carbs 8g, Fat 9g, Fiber 1g)