Heart Healthy Protein Pancakes - Valentine's Day Breakfast

It’s a day to express love, to plan a special date. A day to spend too much money and to devour pure sugar in the shape of little hearts with messages on them. Awww...Valentine’s Day! It’s the holiday couples love and singles despise. Littles hand out cute little cards that mamas spend all week putting together. We focus on pleasing others, loving others and spoiling others. Ok, that’s great and all... but this V-Day, let’s try to love ourselves a little more ... and heart our hearts.

The love shape is everywhere this month. But how much do you think about actually taking care of your heart? It’s our lifeline, yet we often neglect it’s needs. First, let’s start with food. Fried, greasy, sugary food can clog it, make it struggle and cause countless health issues. That’s not love! So give your heart a little present and eat more of these heart healthy foods.

1. Oatmeal

2. Avocado

3. Berries

4. Nuts

5. Flaxseed

6. Legumes

7. Veggies - Green, yellow, red ... mix it up

8. Olive Oil

9. Salmon

10. Dark Chocolate

Wanna get a bunch of the top 10 in with one simple recipe? Your heart and your belly will fall in love with these heart healthy protein pancakes.

HEART HEALTHY PROTEIN PANCAKES

What you need:

1C dry oats

1C plain Greek yogurt

6 egg whites

1TBSP flaxseeds

1/2C blueberries, raspberries or sliced strawberries

1 tsp vanilla extract

1 tsp cinnamon

How to:

Put all of the ingredients in a blender and mix until smooth. Heat a large non-stick skillet to medium. Spray with cooking spray. Pour about 1/4th cup of batter for each pancake.

Cook 4-5 minutes on each side. Recipe makes 8-10 pancakes. And get this... you can have HALF of the yummies for yourself as one serving! Top with 1TBSP nut butter and you’ll get in another heart healthy food! And I certainly won’t argue with eating a piece ...or five... of dark chocolate on the side. Of course, because my heart needs it.

While you’re loving yourself, do a workout. Get your heart pumping, sweat dripping and fat burning. Follow me on IG for several new workouts each week (@FitElyse).

Finally, take time to relax. Fill the bath (not for the kiddos, for YOU). Get a pedicure or a massage. Go on a weekend getaway... Ok, ok, let’s be realistic. Just eat those pancakes while hiding in a closet... that’s a vacation ... mama style!

Happy Love Day to ALL!

Elyse's little babes styled in our You + Me Tee HERE, Monochrome Joggers HERE & Polkadot Suspenders HERE.

-Elyse (make sure to follow Elyse on Instagram HERE)