Every once and awhile I get to wanting something I just don't eat anymore—usually..

When this happens; sometimes, just sometimes, I'll get creative and try to figure on how in creation I can achieve this without regretting almost immediately indulging in a treat of this kind..

Of course when I say this kind; what I'm referring too, as you can see from the photos, is nothing short of a stack of protein packed "Belgian Waffles" with "Gelato" and "Whipped Cream"

Today I was successful (though that's not always the case when trying a new technique) by using a mix of protein powder, flapjacked pancake mix, egg & egg whites, stevia, coconut oil, vanilla & almond extracts, cinnamon and almond milk..

An with a little wrangling, and a very short amount of time, I was able to create perfectly fluffy and delicious waffles..

Topped with a little low fat, no churn chocolate protein gelato made with cool whip and finished with whipped coconut cream—this delectably tasty dish was just full of protein, with none of the heavy carb regrets..

Definitely happy with this for a little "Breakfast for Dinner" after hitting the gym; because it was,
most assuredly, oh so "Definitely Delish"

"Protein Packed Waffles"

Ingredients:
2 scoops of Protein Powder (I use Quest Baking Protein-Unflavored)
1/4 cup FlapJacked Protein Pancake Mix (Any protein pancake mix, or gluten free substitute can be used)
2 Eggs, room temperature
1/2 cup of Unsweetened Almond Milk
1 teaspoon Baking Powder
1 teaspoon Baking Soda
1/4 teaspoon fine Sea Salt
1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
1/2 teaspoon Almond Extract
1 teaspoon Sweetener (stevia, truvia, splenda, etc)
1 tablespoon Coconut Oil, liquified
Natural Cooking Spray
See Notes for Options & Additions

Directions:
1. Pre-heat waffle maker on medium high temperature. (Temperature and time may need adjustment due to differences in waffle makers)
2. Mix all dry ingredients together in a deep bowl with whisk adding any additional dry ingredients such as cinnamon..
3. Add cool liquid coconut oil (if heated to melt or another oil substitute), eggs, Almond milk, vanilla & Almond extracts..
4. Whisk ingredients together adding additional tablespoons of Almond milk if necessary and the batter was too dry. Let sit for a minute..
5. Using a spatula, gently fold any optional ingredients such as mini chocolate chips, blueberries or diced banana if so desired..

6. Spray the inside of your waffle maker with natural oil sprays (I use Pompeian brand natural grapeseed or coconut oils with no propellants)
7. Pour 1/4 to a 1/2 cup (depending on size) of batter out onto your waffle maker and close lid..
8. Cook for 1 to 2 minutes and check. (Some waffle makers are cooler on top like mine, so halfway through I'll flip my waffle with help of a small rubber spatula) Cook for another 30 seconds to 1 minute, till done..
9. Repeat with remaining batter till all waffles are finished..
10. Top with your choice of toppings or additions and enjoy..

Options:
1. Mix and match add ins such as more vanilla extract and blueberries, banana extract and diced banana, mini chocolate chips, cinnamon, pumpkin pie spice—use your imagination..
2. When I'm looking for extra protein on gym day I will substitute out some Almond milk for additional egg whites (or carton egg beaters) I'll add the 2 eggs, 1/4 cup of carton egg beater eggs (or more) and then add Almond milk till a nice batter like consistency is reached..
3. Toppings can include butter (or substitute, I use Olio light spread) pure maple syrup (or low sugar substitute), homemade whipped cream, fat free gelato (I make a fat free, naturally sweetened protein gelato) or a scoop of "Halo Top" Protein ice cream (which I love, yum)—fresh fruit, preserves or a variety of other options can be added, it's all about personal tastes..

It's not every day that you come to the conclusion that you need to make a change; whether it's lifestyle or your job, when this epiphany occurs its sometimes best for you to take that chance and dive right in head first...

In my life this happened within the last few years; you see after surgery to remove a failing organ, as well as a terrible relationship which was dragging me down both physically and emotionally, I decided I had had enough and needed to get my life back on track and start taking care of myself for a change...

For too long I had let things slide and as a result I had put on more weight then some could realize, as my height tended to hide it well-but in actuality between my poor diet and stress, I was falling apart...

Now with sometime having passed, and with me having made the changes necessary in my life to get back on a healthier road and a healthier lifestyle, I see my Baby doing something similar with an old friend from school...

You see; after Nikki excitedly went back and forth talking with her friend, we decided we'd join up, with Emily, as Beachbody Coaches too. Between the exercise routines, challenges and wonderful Shakeology shakes-you get a full range of products that taste good and with the people you meet, the encouragement to keep on the straight and narrow...

So considering my not to modest cooking skills, and my love of experimentation, I decided to put them to the test and play around with different recipes and products to come up with some delicious 21 day fix meals as well as some tasty treats using, of all things, protein powder-of which this is the first...

So sit back and try the first in what I hope will be a series of dishes and treats, I think you'll find that they are oh so "Definitely Delish"

"Strawberry Shakeology Gelato"

Ingredients:
1 1/2 cups fresh Strawberries
1 1/2 teaspoons Vanilla extract
2 teaspoons Sweetener (stevia, splenda, truvia, coconut palm sugar)
1/2 teaspoon Strawberry extract, if needed
2 scoops Strawberry Shakeology protein powder
1/2 cup unsweetened Almond Milk
3-6 drops of red food coloring
2 containers Fat Free Cool Whip (You could also make whipped cream using coconut milk)

Directions:
1. Defrost Cool Whip on counter for 1 to 2 hours. Take out strawberries, remove greens and then slice into smaller pieces. Place strawberries in freezer for 1 hour hour minimum...
2. Meanwhile take a bowl and add in the "Shakeology" protein powder, vanilla, sweetener, almond milk and blend using a hand mixer. Add the red food coloring, mix and then set aside...
3. Take frozen strawberry pieces from freezer and chop them up using a food processor, blender or nutri-bullet/ninja. You do not want them to completely puree, there should be some variation in texture with bigger and smaller pieces mixed in with the pulped berry...
4. Add the processed strawberries to the liquid protein powder mix and stir together. Now pour the combined mixture into a large bowl with the defrosted cool whip. Stir together slowly until completely combined...
5. Pour the mixture into a nice sized Tupperware container with a lid and then freeze for a minimum of four hours before serving, overnight is best, and then enjoy...