without struggle there is no progress

i was feeling like pancakes this morning. they seem to do the trick in filling me up.
plus im going to a step-n-sculpt class later and i need the extra carbs to last during the step portion. it always winds me.

i made pumpkin pancakes with a caramel sauce for the topping adapted from cleaneatingchelsey

Pumpkin Oatmeal Pancakes

What you’ll need

* 1/4 cup gluten free flour (i just used a whole wheat flour pancake mix)
* 1/4 cup gluten free oatmeal (i just used old fashioned oats)
* 1/4 cup almond milk (used skim, i ran out of almond!)
* 1/4 cup pumpkin (Libby’s, of course!)
* 1/3 tsp baking soda
* 1 tsp cinnamon
* 1 tbsp flax
* 1 tsp vanilla

How it’s done:

1. Mix dry ingredients – flour, oats, flax, baking soda, cinnamon.
2. Mix wet ingredients – milk, pumpkin, vanilla.
3.Combine.
4. Heat a large skillet with cooking spray to medium high heat. Drop three good sized portions of the batter onto the skillet and heat for 3-4 minutes. Flip, smush (just a little!), and heat the other side until cooked thoroughly.
5. Devour.

and if that isn't good enough, chelsey made a caramel sauce for the topping. it was the best thing ever.

Caramel Apple Sauce

What you’ll need:


* 1/4 small apple, chopped (i used gala)
* 1 tbsp peanut butter (i used smuckers natural)
* 2-3 tbsp almond milk (skim again)
* 1 tbsp maple syrup (i used sugar free)
* 1/2 tsp cinnamon
* 1/2 tsp vanilla

How it’s done:

1. Chop your apple and combine with vanilla, maple syrup, and cinnamon in a microwaveable cup or bowl. Microwave for 90 seconds.
2. Once that is heated, set aside and place 1 tbsp peanut butter with 2-3 tbsp almond milk in another microwave safe bowl. Microwave for 30 seconds.
3. Stir the peanut butter and almond milk with a fork until smooth and combine with the maple syrup/apple mixture. Stir until “smooth” (it won’t be completely smooth because of the apples obviously).
4. Heat for another 20 seconds.
5. Try not to eat the sauce before it makes it to your plate.








this recipe really got my kitchen dirty. too many dishes used! it was worth it.
now im just drinking my daily cup of coffee, listening to metric on pandora, & letting my stomach settle before i clean and organize my room. then going to go work out. :D i might try my kettlebell today too. i've been looking up routines to use.

i might either do this one: from self magazine or this one.

be back for lunch? maybe.