Banana Nut Microwave Muffin (or Cake?)

Another microwave dessert, you say?

Yes.

Now, I bet you all are wondering; Alissa, how many different microwave mug cakes can you make?

The answer: a lifetime supply. I will never stop! 

Banana Nut Microwave Muffin (... or Cake!)

Ingredients:
2 tbsp dry oats
1/3 banana, mashed and melted
1 egg white
dash of cinnamon
pinch of salt
1 tbsp almond milk
1 packet of sweetener
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp baking soda (optional, but recommended)
sprinkle of brown sugar (around 1/4 tsp)
sprinkle of nuts of your choice (I used sliced almonds!)


Directions:
Mix everything, aside from the nuts, in a bowl. Stir in nuts when mixed completely.


Spray the mug of your choice (make sure it's microwave-safe, and keep in mind, it's gonna take the shape of whatever one you choose!) with non-stick spray. Pour in your "batter".

Microwave for 3 minutes. (Don't do any more than 3:30! At 4:00, it ends up drying up. It's still good, just not as moist.)

(^ Example of why you cannot microwave it for longer than 3:00! Haha. It still tasted AMAZING, though! I promise!)

P.S. It is only 80% necessary to wear completely mismatching pajamas while devouring.

The Most Random of All WIAW (#27)

I'm dubbing this 'the most random WIAW' because I have no intro, this post is filled with goodies from all throughout the past week, AND because this is a quicky post! 

11/6/12 - Snack/Dessert: celebrated having power and heat back for the first time in nearly 9 full days with a healthy MICROWAVE CAKE, of course!

Strawberry-coconut microwave oat (flour-less!) cake on top of a chopped apple + chocolate granola + cereals, topped with peanut butters & cinnamon roll #protein cream and homemade healthy "Almond Joy" almond milk ice cream, all topped with clean chocolate sauce!! 

11/7/12 - Breakfast: healthy banana split egg white oatmeal inside a nearly empty Dark Chocolate Dreams jar.

11/7/12 - Dinner: brinner. Breakfast food at dinnertime... The best of both worlds!

Pumpkin pancakes topped with peanut butter + cinnamon roll protein cream + cinnamon + banana slices + cereals/chocolate granola + clean chocolate sauce + light maple syrup and an egg white protein scramble over lettuce & hot sauce! And a mug of protein hot chocolate with 5 mini marshmallows. Mmmm!

11/8/12 - Breakfast: this was quite delicious!

Gingerbread tea infused egg white oatmeal with chocolate granola + cereals + apple slices (from the smallest and cutest apple ever!) + plain Greek yogurt + cinnamon + Biscoff spread + cinnamon roll protein cream + a mini gingerbread man! Oh, and an extra dash of unsweetened vanilla almond coconut Almond Breeze milk!

11/8/12 - Snack: nothing too special here... Just showing off our awesome $1 apple corer AND slicer!! Best invention for the lazy... aka me.

11/8/12 - Snack/Dessert: (this went with the apple!)

Banan anut oat microwave muffin stuffed with a pumpkin spice Hershey Kiss (topped with PB & cinnamon roll protein frosting) over diced apples + cereal/granola, with homemade "Almond Joy" almond milk ice cream, allllll topped with healthy chocolate sauce!!!

It's all about balance and moderation, lovelies!

11/9/12 - Breakfast: 100% clean 'coffee cake'/'crumb cake' egg white oatmeal with crushed up protein cereal + granola + lots of peanut butter (my one true love!) + banana + plain Greek yogurt + cinnamon “crust”/bottom, topped with a healthy peanut butter crumb topping + cinnamon + crushed protein cereal & an extra dash of unsweetened vanilla almond coconut Almond Breeze milk!

This actually came out REALLY good! {Let me know if you want a recipe!}

11/9/12 - Snack/Dessert: nutrient-packed snack of microwave pumpkin cake on top of 2 small diced apples + a few banana slices (and some granola + cereal) topped with peanut butters and cinnamon roll protein frosting, with homemade chocolate protein almond milk ice cream, all topped with healthy chocolate sauce (that was a bit too liquid-y...)!

 11/10/12 - Breakfast: I love pancake Saturday.
rotein #pancakes (using a FULL SERVING! of protein powder!!!!) layered with peanut butters + cinnamon roll protein cream + banana slices + chocolate granola (gluten-free & nut-free) + a bit of cereal, all topped with some shredded coconut, cinnamon and a drizzle of light maple syrup.
A better look at these beauties...

11/10/12 - Dinner: went all out and made my family a super healthy and clean dinner!

An amazing church gave us a HUGE homegrown cabbage and a HUGE bag of fresh russet potatoes for free, so I decided to put it all to good use.

I baked mini 93/7 lean Italian hamburgers in cupcake tins then put them in a pot of sautéed beef soup broth & mushrooms, garlic & onion steamed cabbage, and microwaved “baked” potatoes! We also have some canned veggies, and I also added some salsa and garlic & onion diced tomatoes to my plate! Loads of nutrients going on (I had TONS of greens at lunch prior, btw), and calories were not being cared about at ALL! I even had BUTTER on my NON-SWEET potato with no regrets! (Including my other true love, feta❤, and some plain Greek yogurt.)

11/11/12 - Breakfast: I discovered how amazing warm oatmeal + cold pudding went together this day.

'Boston cream pie' egg white oatmeal with gluten-free & nut-free natural chocolate granola + banana slices + healthy chocolate Greek yogurt mixture + vanilla pudding & White Chocolate Wonderful mixture + a sprinkle of shredded coconut and slivered almonds + a dash of unsweetened vanilla almond coconut milk.

H.E.AV.E.N.L.Y.

11/11/12 - Snack/Experiment!: made really yummy clean and healthy egg-free, oil-free & flour-free peanut butter oatmeal cookies with natural gluten-free & nut-free chocolate granola since I had no chocolate chips!

I took inspiration from Chocolate Covered Katie, but I wish the batch came out to more!

My mom, dad AND little sister approve! I’d definitely add more peanut butter next time, though.

11/11/12 - Snack/Dessert: clean chocolate protein microwave mug cake topped with peanut butters & cinnamon roll protein frosting & cinnamon, on top of fruit, chocolate granola, and homemade chocolate protein almond milk ice cream!

11/12/12 - Breakfast: we also got a huge container of dry instant oats from that lovely church that I mentioned earlier, and I've never had them before, so I decided to try them out this morning...

Holy COW did this oatmeal come out big and FLUFFY! I don't know if it was the oats or not, but I'm gonna convince myself it was.

Healthy pumpkin CHEESECAKE egg white oatmeal with chocolate granola + banana slices + plain Greek yogurt + a drizzle of light maple syrup + prepared sugar-free/fat-free cheesecake pudding mix + cinnamon + a dash of extra unsweetened Almond Breeze + Biscoff spread (more added after the picture!)

Everyone needs to add prepared (the night before or a few hours before) pudding to their oats immediately, okay? Okay.

11/12/12 - Breakfast: this oatmeal bowl deserved an award.

I added 2 egg whites plus a scoop of pumpkin puree to the oats before cooking, along with my other ingredients, stirred really well, cooked it in the microwave for a few minutes... And, BAM! A HUGE bowl of SUPER thick and fluffy oats appeared! It looked like I doubled the amount of oats I made! So awesome, so filling, SO delicious!

THICKEST and FLUFFIEST healthy caramel apple protein egg white oatmeal with pumpkin flax granola + a little bit of cereal + plain Greek yogurt + cinnamon + drizzles of light maple syrup + 100% natural peanut butter + caramel Greek yogurt + an extra dash of unsweetened Almond Milk.

I'll take four more bowls of this, thank you.

11/14/12 - Breakfast: clean and healthy 'brownie batter' protein egg white oatmeal with plain Kix cereal (one of the healthiest cereals… Barely any ingredients! Really dry and bland on their own, though) + chocolate granola + banana slices + plain Greek yogurt + cinnamon + an extra dash of unsweetened Almond Breeze, all inside a nearly-empty White Chocolate Wonderful jar!

Here's a random workout diary featuring me, my naked face, and awkward "douche" pictures:

My other workouts can be found here and/or on my Instagram... which I post on a bit too much!

OH, and I didn't mention this to you guys yet, buuuuut...

I BEAT MY LONGEST PLANK BY ALMOST A FULL MINUTE ON SATURDAY!!

My arms and "abs" have been sore for DAYS since then...  And it's such a great feeling.

I hope you all are having an amazing November, an amazing week, and an amazing day! Thanksgiving is NEXT WEEK!! Can you guys believe it?!?! The holidays are HEEEEEERE!! YAY FOR FOOD, FAMILY, FRIENDS, DECORATIONS, HAPPINESS, HOLIDAY MUSIC, AND CHRISTMAS MOVIES!! 

Cupcake-in-a-Microwave

Well, you all know I have an obsession with microwaved desserts. I make them often, and I go all out.

But... I think I out-done myself with this one.

Yes. That cupcake is healthy and was made in a microwave. I was as surprised as you are.

*This can be alternated to the flavor you want. The one I'm showing you is a chocolate-pumpkin flavor! Though, the chocolate overpowered the pumpkin... It was still there!

Ingredients:
2 tbsp dry oats (I used old fashioned)
2 tbsp pumpkin puree
1/2 tbsp unsweetened all natural cocoa powder
1 packet of Stevia/sweetener
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
pinch of salt
dash of cinnamon
dash of pumpkin pie spice
pinch of nutmeg
1 egg white
1 tbsp almond milk
1/2 tbsp plain Greek yogurt
1/4 banana, mashed in
optional add-ins: granola, cereals, dried fruits, etc.

Directions:
Mix completely and thoroughly.

Put 2 cupcake liners inside a (microwave-safe) mug. Pour your batter into the cupcake liners carefully.

I topped mine with a banana slice. Just because.

Microwave for 3 minutes.

If it overflows, don't worry! Mine did both times I made this. Just push it all back into the mug/cupcake liner, and microwave for another minute. (The extra minute will also re-form your cupcake if it got too large and it overflowed! It all depends on your mug size, really!)

Top with nut butter and any other thing your heart desires, and enjoy this moist, healthy, microwaveable cupcake! Quick, easy, delicious, and healthy... What more can you ask for in a dessert?!

Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough... Muffin?

Yep, you read the title correctly!
I created a chocolate chip cookie dough muffin... or "mini cake", if you will.

It's yet another microwaveable dessert, and guess what? It's good for ya! 

Ingredients:

1 tbsp dry oats

1/2 tbsp whole wheat flour
1/2 tsp packed light brown sugar
1 egg white
1 tbsp almond milk
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp baking soda
pinch of salt
dash of cinnamon
1 packet of Stevia/sweetener
1/4 banana, mashed
2 tsp pumpkin puree (optional, just for moisture)
1 tsp (or more) chocolate/carob chips (I actually didn't have any, so I used broken up chocolate cookies 'n' cream Goldfish! Haha. Compromising at its finest!)
1/2 tsp plain Greek yogurt

Directions:

Mix everything, aside from your chocolate chips, thoroughly.

When completely mixed, pour into a (sprayed) microwave-safe mug.

Carefully stir in your chocolate chips, and any extra add-ins. (Banana slices, granola, etc.)

Then, microwave for 2 minutes and 30 seconds.

(To make sure it's completely done, outline your mug with a fork or knife. If it doesn't stick, it's done.)

Flip the mug onto a dish, then top with anything your beautiful little heart desires!

Surprisingly, this actually did resemble AND taste like a cookie... in muffin form.

I actually made this twice, and it came out great both times! I hope you guys make it, enjoy it, and have a lovely, positive Saturday! Be happy!

2-in-1

Guess what this post is gonna be about?
If you guessed more microwave desserts... You are correct.

I told you I am obsessed. But, hey, at least I admit it, right?! 

Ingredients:

1 tbsp dry oats

1 tbsp cinnamon roll protein powder
1/4 package cinnamon roll Duncan Hines Frosting Creations (optional... you can just use all protein powder, or just lots of cinnamon!)
1 tbsp pumpkin puree (adds moisture, not flavor!)
a few banana slices (optional, but recommended)
1 egg white
1 tbsp almond milk
1 tsp plain Greek yogurt
1/2 tsp cinnamon (heavy dash)
1/4 tsp vanilla extract
1/4 tsp maple syrup
pinch of salt
pinch of nutmeg
sprinkle of brown sugar
1/2 tsp baking powder
1 packet of Stevia

Frosting:

1-2 tbsp plain Greek yogurt

1/4 tsp maple syrup

1/2 packet of Stevia (optional)

Directions:

Mix all ingredients thoroughly, then pour into a sprayed microwave-safe mug.

(I also add in a sprinkle of cereals and granola. It adds such good texture! As does extra banana slices.)

Microwave for 2 minutes and 30 seconds.

Meanwhile, mix the ingredients for your frosting. Pour into a baggy, push to a corner, cut the tip.

After your cinnamon "roll" has cooled for a few minutes, pipe your frosting on top, and top with whatever else you'd like! (Let it cool for a little bit just so the "icing" doesn't immediately melt off!)

Then enjoy every single cinnamon-y bite!

Clean banana bread funfetti cupcake, anyone?

Ingredients:

1 tbsp oats

1/2 tbsp whole wheat flour
1 egg white
1/2 tsp sprinkles*
sprinkle of crushed Fruity Pebbles*
1 tbsp almond milk
1/2 tbsp plain Greek yogurt
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/4 banana, melted in the microwave for 30 seconds (easiest to use overripe)
1 tbsp pumpkin puree (adds moisture, not flavor)
dash of cinnamon
pinch of salt
sprinkle of brown sugar
1 packet of Stevia
1/2 tsp baking powder

Frosting:

1-2 tbsp plain Greek yogurt

1/4 tsp maple syrup (or any other flavoring of your choice. You can add in some cocoa powder to make it chocolate frosting!)

1/2 tsp sprinkles and a sprinkle of crushed Fruity Pebbles to top*

*If you don't want to use Fruity Pebbles, just use as many sprinkles as you want! Surprisingly, 1/2 tsp comes out to be enough for at least a topping, but then again, I also used crushed Fruity Pebbles. I only used both of them because you can have quite a bit more for less calories/sugar/etc., and they also have a brighter color and fruiter flavor! I loved the addition, but again, it's all personal preference!

Directions:

Mix all ingredients thoroughly, then pour into a sprayed microwave-safe mug.

(I usually always top with some extra banana, haha.)

Microwave for 2 minutes and 30 seconds.

Meanwhile, mix your frosting ingredients. After your cupcake has been plated, plop on your frosting, sprinkles, and any other fun additions!

I've been receiving some really great feedback on my microwave "clean" desserts, and it's inspiring me to get even more creative and experimental in the kitchen! Thank you to anyone who has tried any of my recipes, it means the world to me, and I'm so glad you like the result! I appreciate it so much, so thanks a million!