Banana Baked Protein Oatmeal Recipe SHARE

photo & recipe from: Southern In Law

I found this recipe during a routine pinterest scroll, of course, & added it immediately to the recipe que.

While I'm not the biggest fan of bananas, I LOVE them mixed into to just about anything baked.. and when you add in some oats & protein, forget about it. I'm all over it!

Not only does this recipe seem very simple to make, it's packed full of healthy foods and is a make AHEAD breakfast option.

Alright, give this gem a try from & let me know what you think. 

And hop over to Southern In Law using the link above to check out other healthy, gluten free recipes!

Healthy Baked Banana Protein Oatmeal Recipe serves 4-6

low fat, gluten free, high protein, clean eating friendly, refined sugar free

1 cup (90g) gluten free rolled oats or gluten free quick oats *see notes

1/2 cup (ours was 60g**) protein powder

1 tsp baking powder

2 medium bananas, mashed (about 250g/just over a cup mashed)

1 tbsp vanilla extract 

1/2 cup (120g or 4 large) egg whites

1 cup milk of your choice (we use unsweetened almond)

Optional: choc chips/nuts/spices of your choice 

Preheat oven to 180C/350F

Grease and/or line a 8" square or round tin and set aside 

Mash your banana in a medium mixing bowl and add in all of your other ingredients, mixing until combined. 

Pour your oatmeal mix into your baking dish and bake for 20-35 minutes, or until cooked through.

Once baked, allow to cool slightly before cutting and serving. I actually like mine cold so I usually pop the whole batch in the fridge once it's cool and then slice it in the morning.

This will keep for 2-3 days in the fridge or can be frozen in slices in individual zip lock or freezer bags and then defrosted as needed (I just take one out the night before and leave it in the fridge and it's ready to go in the morning!)

Top with nut butter, eat as is or serve however you fancy!

Notes:

*Find out more about oats on a gluten free diet. If you can't tolerate oats you can replace them with quinoa flakes, however, the taste and texture will be different.

**All protein powders differ in weight so be sure to measure by cup. We recommend brown rice protein powder for the best results (particularly this one or this one), however, you can use your favourite protein powder - but do note that meal replacement drink mixes aren't protein powder

If you like things really sweet, you may want to add some maple syrup or sugar into the recipe (but you may not need to do this if your protein powder is sweetened). If using a liquid sweetener, just take out an equal amount of the milk to account for it!

Best Kept Protein Secret: Cottage Cheese

Okay peeps... I tried cottage cheese for the first time today & I have to say that I was pleasantly surprised!

I knew the health benefits were spot on, but was curious what the taste/texture would be & if it would be something I'd want to eat regularly.

Let me break it down for ya, friends.

Nutritionally:

It's rich in protein!

It's recommended for expectant mommies and athletes because of the essential nutrients it contains.

 It's an excellent source of B12 vitamins that aid in various metabolic activities within our bodies.

It also contains lots of other vitamins and minerals that:

 help with digestion

aid and improve various biological functions

decreases stress and even cramps (thanks potassium)

maintains blood sugar (magnesium)

&

strengthens bones (calcium)

Taste/Texture:

 It's thicker, like Greek yogurt.. With some chunks like feta cheese. It's a mild taste that can be used for sweet or savory combos.

Serving suggestion (for newbies especially):

Go sweet. Pair with granola for crunch and fruit for a natural sugar.

For my folks with no heart.. I mean SWEET TOOTH 😂 go savory: serve with tomatoes, cucumber and avocado- season with pepper!

Cost:

Cottage cheese is CHEAPER than Greek yogurt. So add another protein option to your fridge and you wallet with thank you ✌️

Try new foods that FUEL your body.. You might even realize that you like them. ..

Post Thanksgiving REFRESH Invitation

TURKEY DAY IS COMING!! ⏳

You know when you enjoy ALL that DELICIOUS food that you don't normally eat? Its totally worth it, right? Its SO YUMMY!! But then... a day or so later - you feel like you can't breathe & your pants are snug! AH!! 

I am excited to eat YUMMY food with my family, but I am also determined to not GO NUTS and UN-DO all of my hardwork.... 

If you're like me, you could really benefit from a healthy 3 day cleanse after the feast! 

I want to invite 10 of you to complete a 3 Day REFRESH Cleanse after Thanksgiving!!

It's pretty amazing, because when you're done with this REFRESH plan - you'll feel like you never indulged in all that heavy food!! 

Last time I did this PLANT-BASED cleanse, I lost almost 4lbs and my hubby lost about 5lbs! ... and we actually ate quite a bit!!

3 Days. Detox. Refresh. & Reboot after Thanksgiving. 

No crazy juice cleanse that will destroy your organs or starve your body. 

Plant based meals. 

VERY gentle fiber sweep that isn't going to make you run to the bathroom. 

Moderate exercise is okay too. 

Message me on FB (LindseyKollarGhoens) OR email me (lindseykollar@yahoo.com) if you want one of the 10 spots! 

Oh Hey, Moringa

According to this article, there's a new superfood in town

.

Say hello to M o r i n g a !

{link HERE}

.

This kind of information intrigues me, because I like to stay educated in my knowledge of nutrition & over all wellness. When I popped open this link though, it seems that I've already been on this "next superfood" train every day for about 13 months now! The kicker is, my daily dose of moringa is usually chocolate frosty flavored :)

.

So what the big deal with this stuff???

.

<> TWICE the protein of yogurt

<> THREE times the potassium of bananas

<> FOUR times the calcium of milk, ounce for ounce 

.

"Ayurvedic medicine has called on the healing power of the "miracle tree" for hundreds of years, for more than 300 ailments."

.

Do you know how many times I've been ailing the past 13 months?  Nada.

.

13 months consisting of a 7 month deployment, strenuous exercise programs, travel, holidays, plane rides, selling a house solo, stresses of starting a brand new business, moving 15 hours & just life in general... I've had a secret weapon {besides, Jesus y'all!}

.

So you can go snag your moringa now, or you can consume it daily with about 70 other superfoods in one glass... of shakeology..

.

Read about mine and my hubby's experience with shakeology here.

Or maybe pop over this way to try it risk-free for 30 days!

.

Happy Super-Fooding!

XO, Linz

My famous "Tannyn Balls"

When Nate and I started eating healthier in September of last year (like, lifestyle healthy), we decided that we needed a tasty little energy ball  that could be made once a week so we could grab & go. I found approximately a zillion recipes on pinterest and ended up creating my own version! This little nugget of goodness will appeal to your sweet tooth while packing a punch of energy and protein!

We named these little energy balls "Tannyn Balls" after our ever so active german short haired pointer named Tannyn. I'm pretty sure that if Nate and I had to choose two words to describe her that they would be: energetic and sweet. Naming these bites after her just seemed fitting.

Here's the recipe!

1 c. Oats

1/3 c. Agave (or honey, if you'd like)

2/3 c. Coconut Flakes

1/2 c. Peanut Butter

1/2 c. Dark Chocolate Chips

1/3 c. Flax Seed

2 tbsp. Black Chia Seed

1 tsp. Vanilla Extract

1/3 c. Dried Cranberries

1 scoop of Vanilla Protein Powder mixed with water to a "paste (optional)

My secret to keeping it easy and no-mess when making these bad boys is to use an ice-cream scoop and let them set on wax paper. Easy Peasy!!!

Enjoy!

xo, linz

February Faves: Product Junkie, Healthy Munchie & Pooch Accessory

I love trying new things, but it doesn't happen all that often because when I find a favorite I STICK with it! This month, I've tried a few new things, I guess I'm feeling frisky, and want to share all of them with you!

1. Product junkie:

Oribe's Dry Texturizing Spray

Growing up in the southern states, you will hear often "the higher the hair, the closer to Jesus."

I have been a hair spray and teasing brush ADDICT for years. I have used numerous types of root boosters when blow drying. Have no fear, I will pump up my locks, but is it all necessary? Lord knows, I'm sure it's not all healthy!

During my recent color experience with Ash Fortis of G Patton (read here), I was introduced to this dry texturizing spray. Not only can you spray this bad boy through sections of your hair at the root then massage your scalp for a no-tease VOLUMINOUS look, you can also use it as a finishing spray! 

Little bit here, little bit there.. and voila! 

This is SUCH an awesome product to have on hand.. you might not use it every day, but you'll wish you had.

FLAT HEAD::

Oribe Dry Texture Spray-Head:

..'nough said. 

2. [healthy] munch:

Quest Protein Bars

Oh man, these are a game changer, y'all!

The problem with any old joe-shmoe protein bar is the SUGAR content.. and we all know, sugar is crack. SO you're basically paying a few bucks to fuel your cravings for junk. Counter-productive, right?

You can't go wrong with these bars though.

First of all, there are a ZILLION yummy flavors, ranging from oreo --> apple pie --> s'mores --> cinnamon rolls --> cookie dough --> PB&J. The list goes on.. Seriously.

Then, there's the whole nutritional facts:

Gluten Free

20+ Grams of Protein

High in Fiber

Under 200 calories

ONE Gram of Sugar

I love these bars for a mid morning snack, a post workout protein punch or a late night craving smasher. Nom Nom Nom

If you can't pick just one flavor, try the variety pack to figure out which concoctions are you favorites! If you can't find the assortment you like directly through quest, Amazon is SURE to have it..

3. [pooch] accessory:

snoozer cozy cave [pet bed]

Buyer Beware: Your dog may choose this bed over you. With a micro-suede exterior in YOUR color of choice and a sherpa interior, you might consider curling up in this warm cloud of coziness yourself!

I originally bought this bed because I had seen that it was a HUGE hit for dog breeds that were cuddlers, cold easily or like sleeping under the covers. For any GSP owner, you just said check.check.check.

I was SO excited to see what Tannyn's reaction would be when this came in the mail!

She hasn't fully come to appreciate what this has to offer, being that she currently wants to roll around and sniff EVERY inch of it, but her sister Moose sure has.

There may be a second cave in our future...

Alrighty, well I'm no Oprah, but that's the February Edition of "Lindsey's Favorite Things"

..shoot I forgot instaprint. Just check back next month!

xoxo,

Linz