Pancakes...Guilt Free!

We've had several requests for a pancake recipe. This is a nutritious recipe, and fun way to use Medifast oatmeal:

Guilt-Free Pancakes
(Makes 3 meals – 2 pancakes each meal; leftovers can be frozen and reheated in microwave about 12-15 seconds)

INGREDIENTS:
1 package of Medifast Eggs
8 oz. water
2 packages Medifast Oatmeal (use your favorite flavor)
1/4 tsp. Baking Powder
1/8 tsp. Vanilla

DIRECTIONS:
Mix eggs and water very well, with whisk or blender. Let sit at least 15 minutes.
Add baking powder and vanilla to egg mixture.
Stir in Medifast oatmeal, one packet at a time. Make sure it is well mixed and that the oatmeal is evenly dispersed (otherwise you get flat pancakes). Let batter sit for a few minutes so the baking powder activates, and it becomes slightly bubbly.
Spray nonstick skillet with Pam. Spoon batter carefully (don’t beat out the bubbles) in skillet to make 6 fluffy pancakes.
Top with some non-aerosol butter spray and/or a small amount of your favorite flavor sugar-free syrup.

TASTY MUFFIN RECIPE

Try this muffin recipe for a change of pace...

Marvelous Muffins
(Makes 6 meals...May be frozen)
Ingredients:
1 pack Medifast Scrambled Eggs
4 packs Medifast Oatmeal – any flavor
1 pack Medifast Pudding – any flavor
½ cup Sugar Free Syrup* (may use commercial syrup or syrup recipe below)
1 tablespoon Baking Powder
1¼ cups Water

Directions:
1. Combine the scrambled eggs, sugar free syrup, and water. Mix and then let stand for at least 30 minutes.
2. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
3. Combine the oatmeal, pudding, and baking powder. (If desired, blend in magic bullet to make it more of a flour consistency.)
4. Mix the oatmeal mixture into the egg mixture.
5. Spray 12 standard muffin tins or 24 mini muffin tins and then pour batter into them.
6. Bake at 350 degrees for 15-18 minutes (standard muffins) 8-10 minutes (mini muffins).
Makes 6 meals. May be frozen.

Sugar-free Simple Syrup
Ingredients:
1 cup Sucralose Sweetener - Splenda or other brand
1 cup Water - Boiling

Instructions:
Dissolve Splenda in water and allow to cool. Strain through a coffee filter to remove sediment. Use wherever a recipe calls for sugar free simple syrup.

BEFORE PICTURES
Have someone take a "before picture" of you as you get started on the program. That picture will serve as a reminder of where you started and will make you want to keep moving forward toward your goal. You will get to a point when you will look at that picture and say, "Was that really me?" Believe us, that is a really great point in your weight loss journey!

WATER – A CRUCIAL KEY TO WEIGHT LOSS SUCCESS

Remember that water plays a critical role in supporting health and aids weight loss. While you are on the Program, you must drink at least 64 ounces of water. There are many great reasons to make a conscious effort to drink your 64 ounces of water a day:

* Water is calorie free but helps you to feel full and satisfied.
* It helps you from overeating. Studies have shown that when we feel hungry, our bodies are actually signaling for water at least 30% of the time.
* Water facilitates the removal of toxins such as pesticides and preservatives from our cells.
* Water prevents dehydration as your body eliminates excess salt and water from a diet containing too many processed foods. Don’t use thirst to guide your water intake. Thirst is a late warning symptom of dehydration. Waiting until you’re thirsty to drink means that your body must function at less than optimal efficiency for several hours.
* Drinking water eliminates or at least minimizes fatigue, lack of energy, headaches, and unclear thinking.
* Drinking water actually speeds up your metabolism. A study recently showed that drinking two 8-ounce glasses of cold water increased metabolic rates by 30% for ninety minutes.
* Water helps your liver convert fat to energy.
* Water compensates for the loss of glycogen stores as you lose weight.

Drink a glass of water as soon as you wake up, before every meal, and any time you feel the urge to splurge!