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!! 

What I Ate Wednesday #25

Okay, so, in one week, it'll be the last day of October.
That means it's almost November. And that means... THE  BEST HOLIDAYS ARE ALMOST HEEEEERE!! WOOOO!

Once November hits, though, I hope time stops flyin'! I don't want the holiday season to come and go in the blink of an eye!

Haha okay, anyways, I almost always start off my WIAWs talking about how fast time is flying. (But it IS!!!!!!) So, I think I should move on to some eats from this past week, yes? 

10/17/12 - Dessert/Snack: clean "cookie dough" microwave muffin with sliced apple & homemade "Almond Joy" almond milk ice cream! I used crushed chocolate cookies and cream Goldfish since I have no chocolate chips/carob chips... Still SO good.

10/18/12 - Breakfast: ugh... I just love OIAJ. Having a family who loves "butters" as much as I do is such a fabulous thing. OIAJ all da time!

Healthy "Funfetti' protein egg white oatmeal with a sprinkle of some granola & cereals + banana & apple slices/cubes + some pumpkin pie yogurt & plain Greek yogurt + cinnamon + some sprinkles! + a bit of Dark Chocolate Dreams, all inside a nearly-empty jar of the best "butter" EVAHHHH — Biscoff spread!!

All of my oats did not want to fit in the jar... But that didn't stop me from eating them all!

10/19/12 - Breakfast: peanut butter "Twix" protein egg white oatmeal with granolas & cereals (for the “cookie” layer) + banana slices (just because I love me some bananas!) + plain Greek yogurt + cinnamon + caramel Greek yogurt (caramel powder mixed with plain Fage!) + natural peanut butter! 

10/19/12 - Snack/Drink?: no picture, but a recipe instead!

Absolutely the best hot chocolate I've ever made!

... And it's healthy!

10/19/12 - Dessert/Snack: DELICIOUSLY SMELLING healthy and {mostly} clean dessert/nighttime snack - chocolate caramel microwave mini cake with homemade "Almond Joy" almond milk ice cream and sliced apple! (And some peanut butter, banana & granola/cereals, of course!)

Oh, and I stuffed 4 mini marshmallows in for fun (and mainly to see them expand! Hehe)... They’re good for the soul!

10/20/12 - Breakfast: PANCAKE SATURDAY!

Pumpkin protein pancakes layered with warm pumpkin spiced apple & banana slices (because the pancakes are so low cal, I have a whole apple with it!), plain & pumpkin flax granola, and natural peanut butter; all topped with healthy #chocolate protein “sauce” and maple syrup! Freaking amazing. Cannot believe these are healthy/clean. {Let me know if you guys want this recipe!}

10/20/12 - Lunch: lunch after a long day of food shopping with my mommy!

Pumpkin spice bagel thin (omg perfect) with Biscoff spread & natural peanut butter, banana, shredded coconut, fresh spinach & a banana-pumpkin egg white scramble! On the side, I have fresh tomato & steamed fresh broccoli and carrots in plain Greek yogurt + ranch powder!

This was one of my most delicious lunches in awhile.

10/20/12 - Dinner: made a healthy dinner for my family!

Prosciutto, spinach and provolone stuffed baked garlic-Italian chicken cutlets, with mashed garlic cauliflower “potatoes”! I had mine over a HUGE salad!

I got the inspiration for the chicken from Skinny Taste. It came out to be literally the best chicken I've ever baked/made.

10/20/12 - Snack: you know you’re vegetable obsessed when you put it in your gigantic tub of popcorn...

No dessert this night; just a huge ass bowl of delicious air-popped popcorn and a side of slices apples!

Haven't had this in too long!! It was nice to have it again!

10/21/12 - Breakfast: best post-workout breakfast!!!! That's my favorite time to have OIAJ.

Banana bread egg white oatmeal with plain & peanut butter granola + cereals + banana slices + some plain Greek yogurt + cinnamon + a bit of Biscoff spread + a splash of extra almond milk, all inside a nearly-empty Dark Chocolate Dreams jar!

Confession: I almost made less than a serving of oats out of anxiety and thoughts about later (going to a family's house for dinner and dessert)... aka I almost restricted... but I didn't. And I'm so proud of that.

10/21/12 - Dinner & Dessert: after I was done eating, I felt like I was pregnant and about to pop... But it was well worth it! My uncle's lovely girlfriend made us some AMAZING pasta and meatballs (and sausage, which I'm not a fan of), and I had a great plateful (that SHE put together for me!! I never let anyone else prepare my food!) with TWO pieces of WHITE(!!) Italian bread! Then, I had 2.5 pieces of THE BEST HOMEMADE PUDDING CAKE THING EVER!! OMG. Homemade crust, real chocolate pudding, and homemade whipped topping... Can't ask for any better! Homemade is always a good choice! Haha. But, I had exactly what I wanted, I had absolutely 0 regrets, and my anxiety (that I unfortunately had for days prior) went gone down immensely after eating and enjoying myself.

Life in a 100% Italian family is NOTHING without homemade Italian food! Moderation is yours and my best friend... I promise, everyone.

Oh, and this is kind of irrelevant to this post overall, but my uncle and his girlfriend’s new townhouse is SO cute! They live in a beautiful woodsy area. I’m in love with the scenery and the house.

10/22/12 - Breakfast: even though it was Monday, I woke up in a really positive mood! I also woke up dizzy and starving, though, since I hadn't eaten in almost 12 hours and my body isn't used to that anymore.

Anyways!! This delicious and healthy breakfast: fluffy pumpkin pie egg white oatmeal with plain & pumpkin flax granola + cereals + banana slices + shredded coconut + maple yogurt “frosting” (using the most disgusting 2% Greek yogurt... So hard to keep down, haha. Never buying it again! I don't know if it was the brand, or the fact I've never had Greek yogurt containing fat... But, either way, it's literally disgusting) + Cinnamon Raisin Swirl peanut butter!

10/22/12 - Dessert/Snack: holy deliciousness!

I missed my lovely little clean and healthy nighttime dessert/snack! 100% clean pumpkin mini cake topped with lots of different PB with homemade almond milk “Almond Joy” ice cream, on top of a sliced Gala, banana slices, & some granola and cereals, ALL topped with healthy chocolate sauce and shredded coconut!

10/23/12 - Breakfast: this... was incredible. Omg. I can't wait to make it again soon.

Since my favorite candy bar is a Take 5, I decided to make a Take 5 oatmeal! Chocolate protein egg white oats with {peanut butter} granola + cereals + banana slices + slivered almonds (since I don’t have peanuts!) + caramel Greek yogurt + pretzel pieces + White Chocolate Wonderful + cinnamon + a splash of extra unsweetened original almond milk!!

This tasted legitimately like a deconstructed Take 5 bar. Heaven. 

10/24/12 - Breakfast: chocolate chip cookie dough protein egg white oatmeal with peanut butter granola + cereals + banana slices + cinnamon + Cinnamon Raisin Swirl PB & Biscoff spread + an extra splash of unsweetened original almond milk!

... I promise it looked more like a cookie before I added more milk!

I've recently fallen in love with Body Rock TV and Zuzana Light! I've been doing their workouts (along with my main man Shaun T.'s Insanity!) a lot lately, and I LOVE them! Such a challenge! {Workout diary here!}