Is there anything better than the smell of fresh pancakes filling your home on Saturday or Sunday mornings? Maybe if they’re pretty much guilt free, and for Valentine’s Day….which these gems are! As a clean-ish eating mama who lives by my own slogan of “eating clean for dirty dessert,” I try to keep most of my meals through the day as clean as possible so I don’t feel as bad when I pig out on chocolate & froyo.

Everyone asks what my “secrets” are to staying trim and lean, and honestly, it’s eating frequently; I eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince, and dinner like a pauper, with a mid-day and before-dinner snack. I don’t count calories, and I don’t weigh myself. None of that matters when you eat fresh, clean foods. When I have cheat meals do I feel like I gained like five pounds instantly? Yes. but do I weigh myself to see? No way! Life is about B.A.L.A.N.C.E. We only have one shot at this, so I’m not going to go through it being too strict and take away the small pleasures that make me happy [the occasional treat of chocolate, froyo, candy, cookies…eeek.] Sorry for making you hungry and want dessert. Men may think about sex 100x a day, and I’m pretty sure women think of guilty pleasures…that come in the delicious form of real sugar, butter, and fats. Especially right now with Cupid leaving truffle trails everywhere…

Anyway, now that I have you drooling over dessert, I promise these will leave you just as satisfied…without the guilt. These are BY FAR my favorite protein pancake recipe YET. And are like a breakfast cookie.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup organic whole wheat flour, coconut four, or flour substitute of choice (almond, quinoa, etc.)
• 1/4 cup organic coconut sugar
• 1/2 tablespoon raw, local honey
• 1/4 cup milled chia seeds
• 2 tablespoons milled flax seeds
• 1/2 cup cottage cheese
• 1 cup unsweetened, organic almond milk
• 1/3 cup organic rolled oats
• 1/2 cup fresh blueberries
• 2/4 tablespoon ground cinnamon
• 2 organic eggs
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 cup dark chocolate chunks or dairy/soy/gluten free alternative, like Enjoy Life
• Spray coconut oil
• Toppings: fresh fruit like strawberries, blackberries, banana, blueberries, etc., 100% pure maple syrup and/or Greek yogurt, nut butter

Directions:

1. Preheat electric skillet to 350 degrees, F
2. In large mixing bowl, combined all dry ingredients
3. Add eggs and liquid ingredients
4. Mix everything together adding chocolate chunks and blueberries last
5. Spray skillet with coconut oil spray
6. Use 1/4 cup as your measuring cup to add batter to skillet
7. Turn temp down to 300-325 and allow each side to sit for about 3-4 minutes, or until you can smoothly flip pancakes without them getting too brown
8. While sides of pancakes are cooking, slice your fruit you plan to use as toppings
9. Flip each side until cooked all the way through; I usually flip each side twice
10. Remove from skillet once cooked; top with fruit, yogurt, peanut butter, maple syrup, etc. and enjoy!