Gavrielle Figueiredo
Staff Writer

Welcome to Fig’s food and fitness. This column is a compilation of all the delicious tips and tidbits on how to achieve cooking like a semi-pro and exercising like a body builder. I’ll also be applying fitness and health to some of those food columns along with tips and tricks to achieving goals in the gym or at home.  Don’t fear, I know some readers may be skeptical of the level of these gym and cooking tips and tricks, but do not fear Foran, I’d like to think I know the proper way to squat so that my knees don’t give out by the time I’m in my thirties. I take classes and do extensive research on how to gym correctly and I’ve been cooking since I could successfully turn on the oven.

For this column I have a great recipe for healthy eating if you hit the gym and need some major protein. Instead of having an artificially flavored protein drink try out this tasty way to mix up the way you take in protein after the gym or even if you need a morning pick me up. Either waffles or pancakes, whatever shape you prefer (waffles), here is a quick and easy recipe for protein waffles/pancakes. The ingredients for these delicious consumptions that I’ve tried out myself are first

– ½ cup old fashioned oats
– ½ cup low fat cottage cheese
– 2 eggs
– ½ tsp vanilla
– ½ tsp baking powder
– ½ tsp cinnamon

1. A tip for making these waffles is to cook the oats in the microwave with a little bit of water for about 20-30 seconds before you put them into the mix. This makes the oats softer and chewier instead of dry and tough.
2. A second tip for making these is to add some milk to the mixture until it looks a more of a cake batter consistency. This will make it so when the waffles are done cooking they aren’t dry. I had to learn this the hard way the first time I tried this recipe. Milk makes everything better in baking…Trust me.
3. A third tip is to fill the waffle maker so that it slightly overflows. This creates fuller fluffier waffles. Leave the waffles in the maker until your desired crispiness.
   I know I like my waffles like I like my marshmallows, crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside. The first time I had these waffles for breakfast I was full until dinner time. They’re packed full of good sources of protein, like the eggs and cottage cheese, keeping your body moving along with the healthy carbs from the oats which make you feel more satisfied for longer.

Stay tuned for next month’s recipes and exercising tips. Stay golden Foran.