I’m a rebel.
Yesterday morning I added peppermint extract to my pumpkin pancakes.
Who does that?
Oh, just rebels looking to have some fun in the kitchen.
And girls who haven’t yet had their coffee.
I probably fall into both categories, but in this case, I think the latter was at play. 
Never ever try making pumpkin pancakes before drinking coffee. Ever. Mistakes are bound to happen.
Sometimes these mistakes result in wonderful new flavor discoveries. But let me assure you, pumpkin + peppermint do not a happy pancake make.
Thank goodness I had 10 cans of pumpkin on my hands, (yes 10–I decided to stock up before the fall rush hits. Last year there was a major shortage, which did not make this pumpkin muffin-loving girl happy), so I was able to griddle up a second batch.
Vanilla extract + pumpkin do a happy couple make.
But the real secret to perfect pumpkin pancakes is coconut butter.
And that’s where the real rebel action came into play yesterday morning.
You see, I’m not supposed to have fat for breakfast. It’s not part of my strength-training eating plan. Fat slows digestion, and if you’ve ever worked out after a meal, you know that undigested food can negatively impact workouts.
But yesterday morning I said to hell with it. I wanted coconut butter on top of my pumpkin pancakes, gosh darnit!
This week, this consistency-loving girl is taking a break from consistency. This week, I’m eating what I want, when I want. And this week, I’m working out the way I want when I want and if I want.
I’m hitting the reset button, and gosh it feels good!
Here’s the thing, I am not training for a fitness competition. Nor am I planning to wear a bikini on stage during the next year.
So who am I doing all of this work for?
I’m doing it for me. I’m doing it for my health. Sweating in the gym every day has no impact on any other person’s health but my own. (Other than the meatheads, who may experience an increased heart rate being in the presence female in the weight room Kidddiiinng)
The thing is, right now—particularly this week—taking care of my health means taking a mental and physical break.
It means enjoying an extra tablespoon of fat on my pancakes.
It means deviating from the plan.
It means throwing in my gym towel early.
It means saying no to”I have to.”
Am I tossing my goals out the window? Heck no. I plan on packing on 10 more pounds of muscle to my frame and know that doing so will require a plan. However before I kick things into high gear, I want to take some time to rejuvenate. I’ve absolutely loved the structure of my strength-training program over the past five months. Loved it. It’s so nice to go to the gym each day with a plan, and leaving with results. But just like most things in life, in order to appreciate the process, I need to take a break from the process once in a while.
So what’s the plan this week before the new plan kicks into gear?
The plan this week is to not have a plan. I’m still lifting, but only when I feel like lifting. I’m eating what I feel like eating.
It’s lots of fun. 
I’ll be back soon with updates!
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Today is What I Ate Wednesday, so let’s talk FOOD! Thanks for hosting, Jenn!
Breakfast
You already know what I ate for breakfast. Here’s the recipe.
Pumpkin Pancakes with Coconut Butter Drizzle
Serves 1. Inspired by a recipe from Everyday Paleo.
1/2 cup pumpkin
1 whole egg + 3 egg whites
1 teaspoon vanilla
1-2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice (you could also use cinnamon and add a dash of ginger and nutmeg)
1 teaspoon baking soda
1-2 packets stevia
coconut butter
1. Mix the first three ingredients until well incorporated; sift in the remaining ingredients.
2. Cook on a skillet as you do regular pancakes. Stack, and drizzle with coconut butter.
Enjoy!
Post-workout Snack
1 scoop MRM Vanilla Whey Protein (my favorite!), prepared “frosting-style,” + one banana.
See those initials on my banana? I have to lay claim on my stash each week, otherwise the hungry-man roommates will eat them. Thank goodness for Sharpies.
Lunch
Grilled chicken and arugula salad with tomatoes, onions and goat cheese + a side of Food Should Taste Good sweet potato chips.
Afternoon Snack
Kit’s Organic Chocolate Almond Coconut Bar. I can’t get enough of these!
Dinner
This one was a treat.
Amy’s Cheese Enchilada Meal.
And I actually mean it. A treat.
A frozen meal? I can’t remember the last time I haven’t eaten fresh lean protein + veggies for dinner. Last night I was craving a meatless, somewhat cheesy meal, so in the spirit of truly enjoying a week off from a bodybuilding-type meal plan, I went for it. I’ve been cutting back on my cheese consumption because I don’t tolerate it well, but this was a case of to hell with it.
Sure, cheese enchiladas from a legit Mexican restaurant may have been prettier or tasted better, but I doubt the ingredients would have been organic, and I also doubt that they would have cost less than $5.
Oh beans, you’re so ugly. Could this meal be any more un-photogenic?
I enjoyed my enchiladas at Whole Foods, while working on homework (yep, I’m back in the grind, classes began this week!), alongside a tupperware-packed kale salad with avocado, garlic, tomatoes and onions.
One more look at that CHEESE!
My tummy doesn’t love it, but my taste buds sure do. Such a treat.
Bedtime Snack
Nothing new here!
Vanilla casein “fudge” topped with peanut butter + two pieces of Dove dark chocolate.
Eaten with one of three pink gelato spoons I snagged from Dolcezza last Friday.
Small, colorful spoons make eating more fun. Am I right?
HUGS!!
Questions for you:
If you follow a weight-lifting program and/or meal plan (strict or loose), what does it look like? Do you ever take breaks?
Do you make it a point to eat lean protein at every meal? What’s one meal you love, but rarely eat?
Tell me about your ultimate dream stack of pancakes!
I think mine would be banana nut pancakes topped with peanut butter, coconut butter and macadamia nuts!
