Cheating gets a bad wrap.
Cheat day, that is. That cheatin’ man doesn’t deserve a second look.
This cheat day weekend was a little spread out… but I had trainer-blessings in my quest to gain more weight.
Saturday was Take Your Mom to the Gym Day. This Saturday Mom joined me at my gym for a workout, and scheduled time with my trainer to being a program of her own. Mother-Daughter Beast Mode = ON.
Mamma has gotten on pain relief (she was sidelined for a long time after a bad surgery), and has decided to refocus on fitness and building muscle. I am SO proud of her!
After out workout we headed to Buford Highway, Atlanta’s ethnic food mecca, for a refuel. Korean BBQ at Hae Woon Dae (5805 Buford Hwy., Doraville, GA 30340, 770-451-7957). If you’re in ATL, I highly recommend it – don’t be scared by the fact that you practically have to turn into a “Gentleman’s Club” to get there.
If you’ve never experienced an authentic Korean BBQ meal, I cannot recommend it enough. They cook the meat over charcoal at your table (they also have tofu), and serve it with a boat-load of tasty sides like cabbage kimchi, cucumber kimchi, pickled radishes, sprouts, lettuce, and soy bean paste. Also, don’t skip the Korean pancakes. The egg and flour-based pancakes are traditionally laced with scallions, but often include other add-ins. Ours also contained carrots, zucchini, and kimchi.
Sunday my friends Summer and Annette had a baby shower celebrating the impending arrival of TWINS!
I had the honor of creating a few desserts… I may have gotten a little carried away with the baking, but it is fun to cut loose and get creative with the full-fat sugar-loaded treats every once in a while.
If you follow me on Instragram, you may have seen this shot of my grocery basket on Friday night:
You may have also seen the following scene as I cooked. This is what happens when you’re frying bacon, creaming an obscene amount of butter and sugar, and it’s time for your 20g of protein (yup – that’s salmon).
The bacon and the creamed deliciousness were for 2 things that I could eat 24×7 and never tire of (though my waist line may say otherwise): Maple Bacon Pancake Cookies and Banana S’More Nut Bars.
These S’more Bars are the best I’ve ever had. I only wish I could take credit for the recipe! They are the ingenious work of Eric Wolitzky from Cake & Ale in Decatur, GA.
The restaurant serves some of the best food in Atlanta (they are responsible for getting me to like seafood), but their bakery was recently recognized by Bon Appetite as one of the best in America.
The only liberties I took were to replace the milk chocolate with dark, use plain peanuts instead of salted, and toast the marshmallows before mixing them into the fudge-y chocolate-banana-peanut butter fudge. Next time you have the occasion to go all-out with a dessert, MAKE THIS. Click here for the full recipe.
Creation #2 was my own. A pancake in cookie form. It’s like breakfast for dessert. I cooked bacon for the first time in years (I’m not actually a bacon fanatic as this post would indicate). The only downside is that my condo STILL smells like bacon. 🙂
Maple syrup is a must with pancakes, so I added extract to mine to acheive that deep sweetness. I wasn’t sure I’d want to add anything else, as bacon is potent stuff… but I decided to stir in some dark chocolate chips. What’s better that chocolate chip pancakes?
Sweet, salty and indulgently amazing, these chewy cookies are fit for any cheat day. I’d say my trainer agrees since his sample were gone almost as fast as I could hand him the baggie.
Recipe at the bottom.
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First we need to recap what I did to EARN that incredible day of cheats! No huge news to recap this week. It was a good week of workouts, and I’m excited to keep seeing gains as I keep pushing and amp up the protein.
I don’t ever get to see my back, so I recruited Mom to take a pic while we were at the gym this weekend:
Workout Recap (9/4 – 9/9):
- Tuesday – Shoulders/Butt, 1.5 mile walk
- Wednesday – Chest/Biceps, Calf raises, 100 push-ups
- Thursday – Legs (with trainer), 2 mile walk
- Friday – Back/Triceps, Calf raises
- Saturday – Shoulders/Butt
- Sunday – Chest/Biceps, Calves
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Maple Bacon Chocolate Chip Pancake Cookies
- 1/2 C butter, softened
- 1 1/3 C granulated sugar
- 2 Large eggs
- 2 C pancake mix
- 1 tsp maple extract
- 12 oz bacon, cooked and crumbled
- 1/3 C dark chocolate chips
Cream butter and sugar together in large mixing bowl. Beat in egg and maple extract, mixing well.
Slowly stir in pancake mix. Fold in the crumbled bacon and chocolate chips.
Drop by the spoonful (~1.5 T) onto parchment-lined cookie sheets and bake for 12 mins.
Makes 2 dozen cookies.
***
Back on track! I’m determined to make this the cleanest week ever, and to keep increasing my weight.
What is your favorite “cheat?”
Have you ever had Korean BBQ?
Okay so I was all set to post about all this deliciousness and then bang, you posted that pic of your back…wow, Laura- unbelievable :D! I must be one of the few (non-vegan/vegetarian) bloggers who isn’t a fan of bacon! Pancake cookies & S’more Nut Bars, on the other hand….time to wipe the drool!
Thank you so much!
I’m thinking these pancake cookies would work with any pancake filling – maybe a banana-nut is in order?
There are so many good places on Buford Hwy. Have you been to Chateau de Saigon? That’s one of my favorites mostly because they gave me a platter of fried tofu that was huge!
No, but it’s on my list! Maybe we can get together with your friends you always say I’ll love and do a BuHwy tour?
That’s funny that you mentioned them, because they are the ones that took me to Chateau de Saigon! I’ll email them. Maybe one Saturday in October we can do dinner? We are booked up for the rest of Sept!
Maybe if it’s the beginning… hopefully I’ll be doing the competition in early Nov and will have to be eating super strict.
That’s so awesome you got to work out with your mom! I am also just realizing you live in Atlanta. My brother goes to Tech and we’re visiting for Family Weekend in a few weeks! Hopefully this KBBQ place isn’t too far from that. We used to have it all the time in Chicago. Cliche as they may be, bibimbap and bulgogi are my all-time faves. Now, I have to try and make those S’more Nut bars. I’m practically drooling at 7 in the morning!
Of cool! I went to tech for grad school. You’ll have to let me know when you’re here – I go to most games (or at least tailgate most games…). Buford Highway isn’t terribly far, maybe 20 mins without traffic?
This is the best recipe in the history of EVER. Bacon in a cookie? GENIUS. Why haven’t I seen this before?! By the way, you are looking fantastic as always!
LOL! That is a massive compliment. Thank you. 🙂
I was one of the many that saw your pic of the s’mores bars on Instagram- um delicious! I made CCK’s black bean browines this weekend and therefore it may have been a “cheat weekend” for me! Ha!
And I love that you and your mom worked out together…great bonding time!
I’m going to use gluten free pancake mix and make those cookies immediately!
I thinks that’s awesome that you can work out with your mom. You ladies are so adorable, errr…I mean badass looking. 🙂 Your back looks amazing btw!
Let me know how that works!
Adorable bad asses? LOL! Thank you!
You made me so happy by showing that picture of you and your mom in the gym! So adorable. You sure know how to make me drool… pass the bacon please?
Holy moly you look great! I’m so proud of you! I love how dedicated to your training you are!!! Your mom is adorable too. That must be so much fun working out with her! Good for her getting in there to gain some muscle. I can completely understand that feeling after a long bad recovery from surgery! Those cookies are a must make here! I just told Tony about them and he has now requested some! I will use the GF bisquick!
Have a great week Laura!
Let me know how it works with GF flour! ANd if you have any tips for getting the bacon smell out of your house. LOL!
Dang girl! You look amazing! And those s’mores bars look incredible!
you look awesome! when is the competition? also, i have noticed on your workouts -walking(not running.) do you mind if i ask why?
I’m hoping beginning of Nov!
It’s a mix of things I’e posted… maybe i’ need to do a round up of all the reasons I don’t run! LOL! The biggest reasons are that my ACL is almost torn (it’s hanging by a thread), and my trainer doesn’t want me doing cardio since I’m trying to gain.
WOO-HOO MUSCLES (AND moms with muscles!)! And ethnic is totally my favorite cheat–Ethopian w/ tons of injera was my first cheat meal, Indian with tons of Naan was my second, and my third was just an overall weak sticking-to-the-plan weekend this weekend. Oh, well–it happens. Had my best ever chest day this AM, so maybe I was on to something? And those Korean pancakes remind me of Dim sum (and dim sum “pancakes”)…and now I really want dim sum. The ONE ethnic option Nashville doesn’t have, of course 😉
I’ve been craving Indian! Can you not have injera on your plan? It’s just teff and water – high protein! 🙂
I could definitely do a homemade version, but there’s no way to measure the (massive amounts) I eat at restaurants, plus my carbs are limited to the AM–and while I’d totally eat a giant plate of spicy lentils and injera for breakfast, I’m not so sure restaurants open up at 4am ;D
And more reasons for you to come to Nashville–there’s an amazing entirely vegetarian Indian buffet that has some of the best Indian food around (not even a biased opinion, meat eaters agree and most don’t even notice that the place is vegetarian).
Oh wow! Those smores bars look amazinggg! Im definitely gonna have to make them on one of my cheat days! Also just a quick question – how long have you been seriously training for? You look like youre making great progress!
I’m on day 73 of my workouts, but I stared with a decent base (had been lifting for a while). Thanks!
Your muscles are looking awesome!!! It looks like you’re making such great progress. I hope to do a fitness competition one day 🙂 And this cookie recipe….. holy genius!
You would do so well in one!!!
BEAST!! You are amazing!! I am so excited because I am starting a new workout regime this week. My cheat/rest days are on Monday. Lucky for me that I saw these cookies today and not tomorrow! haha
that’s such a good idea to ease into the week… maybe I need to switch it up!
Love the idea of a pancake cookie!
Yea, bacon smell = everlasting. Fortunately it smells pretty good :-p
Wow, those s’mores bars look INCREDIBLE! I have to make them after work tonight 🙂 I’ve never tried baking with bacon before…seriously, it’s GENIUS. Pancakes are my all-time favorite comfort food, too. How couldn’t I love them in cookie form? Can’t wait to give them a try when I have bacon in the house!
P.S. HOLY MUSCLES!
Please let me know if you do! I warn you: they are addicting!
You look amazing!!! And so do those desserts – so jealous 😀
You and your mom are so inspiring! Looking at both your arms makes me want to get in the gym!
Thank you so much! My om is going to love you/your comment. 🙂
Gentlemen’s Club and Korean BBQ together??? Sounds like heaven. 😉
Looking good there my friend and hope you enjoyed GT’s bounce back win this weekend.
Yeah… we beat the Presbyterian girls school. Go us. LOL!
No comment on the bacon?!?!
ya…I’m still trying to figure out if that cookie is a cheat or some type of trickery to get me to healthy. 🙂 No seriously I know it couldn’t be bad.
okay. we need to talk… “The only downside is that my condo STILL smells like bacon.” What?! lol. I don’t see a downside in that 😉
Those pancake cookies sound amazing.
Ok, ok… maybe it’s not so bad. 😉
Pretty runs in your family. 🙂 I don’t think I could ever get my mom to hit up the gym with me!
Awww… thank you! She might – my mom surprised me. Maybe she just needs a little push?
Everything in this post is making me drool.
Is the walking part of PF recovery? I know I missed a lot of posts last week, I need to catch up!
And now I want Korean BBQ – I hope there is a good place in Colorado to get my fix. That is such a fun meal experience!
No, it’s just because I’m not allowed to do cardio since i’m trying to gain weight.
DANG! that back is looking gooooood!! keep it up, Laura!
What an interesting recipe! I’m not a fan of bacon either, so not sure how these would go over. Ha ha.
Those s’more bars on the other hand I could take!
You are looking super great! You will look amazing too with more muscle! Yay for progress!
Haha – you could always leave it out and add your fav pancake flavors. 🙂
Thank you so much! It was cool to get to see my back – I never get to on my own!
Yum all of the above sweet items look SO good 🙂 And you are looking so lean and muscular! That’s so cool that your mom is getting a trainer and working out with you!
These cookies sound amazing! You are a genius!
Laura, your hardwork in the gym is SO paying off, you look awesome, swap bodies? Haha. I’m actually really excited for your figure comp:).
And girl knows how to cheat!
Xxx
LOL! Thank you, but I have many flaws. Extravagant cheating being one. 😉
Okay all of those goodies look incredible…but your back, shoulders, and arms look phenomenal! Getting RIPPED!
Thank you SO much Tina. That’s a huge compliment coming from you. 🙂
A Korean BBQ… interesting, never had anything like that. BTW, you look awesome! That back-shot is amazing! Your work is paying off 😉 Also, working out with your mum..that’s so cool! 🙂 Love it! 🙂 I don’t like bacon, but those cookies look great – YUM 🙂
If you have the chance you HAVE to try it. The meal itself is such a fun experience!
Thanks a lot .:) Working out with mamma is the best!
There is nothing like authentic Korean food. The spices and flavor = out of this world. Or country… lol.
How awesome that your mom went to the gym with you!
wow what awesome looking cookies! and I’m sure my fiance will fall in love with bacon pancake cookies! (:
It is “man food,” sn’t it? You’ll have to let me know how he likes them if you make them!
You and your mom are too cute!!! Can I have your muscles??? I need to borrow your trainer for a week or two! 😉
He would probably love that. And you wouldn’t be able to walk… LOL!
eeeeek not a bacon fan, but I applaud you for your creativity 🙂
You can always use your fav pancake fillings as the add ins. I want to try a banana variety!
bacon in pancakes 🙂 what a great idea!
and looking good there girl!
yay for mom going with you to the gym, love it when our parents get moving with us 🙂
Love Korean BBQ – and cheat days! I had beef brisket in mine, and it rocked my day!
Your muscles are looking amazing lady – I don’t think you even need the shoes from your previous post! No one will even notice!
Can you tell my trainer that?! LOL! Thank you. 🙂
you look amazing!!
I love Korean BBQ. There’s a place down in Toronto where they provide you with raw meat/ ingredients and you cook it yourself. It’s super cool because your table basically has a grill in the middle of it and it’s an all you can eat buffet! Been on a date there once and it’s nice to have the guy cook for you at least that one time 😛 PS: You and your mom cute together ^^
That’s basically how this works, except they come bay and flip the meat for you. Love an entertaining meal! 🙂
I LOVE that you took your mom to the gym! That is just awesome. And, you are looking amazing–keep up the great work.
You and your hitting the gym tomorrow it is so cool!
And I adore your recipe, these look dessert incredible!
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
I thought you’d like this dessert post. 😉
Wow your back looks amazing!
You had me at bacon! Those cookies soun SO delicious!!! I swear, I love every one of your recipes 🙂
Hope you have a wonderful day, my friend!
Awwww… thank you so much!
HOLYCRAPBALLSWOW.
#thatisall 🙂
LOL! Best. Comment. Ever.
Favorite “cheat” would be ice cream. But, um… I’d trade that for those cookies (if you made them).
I love that your mom went to the gym with you! I’ve been teaching classes at my gym for almost 4 years and my mom STILL has not gone with me ONCE. Always says she will one day… ugh.
Mmmmm… I do love ice cream. How about these cookies as an ice cream sandwich? I’m thinking brown sugar-bourbon ice cream in the middle…
Awesome that your mom joined you at the gym, she is just lovely.
I have never had Korean BBQ, just not one of those things that ever struck my fancy.
As for a cheat I would have to go with a slice of chocolate cake of chocolate chess pie. I just need one slice and then I am good to go, but those two are definitely a weakness of mine.
She IS lovely, isn’t she? Thank you. 🙂
“Back on track!” Um, yeah I’d say so. Your “back” is ridiculous. Damn Girl.
Also, love this: “Cheat day, that is. That cheatin’ man doesn’t deserve a second look.”
And I’m making those Banana S’more Bars because they look phenomenal and so does your momma (Go Moms!).
I’m actually disappointed to see you didn’t use bacon grease instead of butter for those. 😉 just sayin’.
Your mom is ADORABLE.
I am so ashamed that I didn’t think of that…
Favorite cheat: oh dear God, just one? Well, the first thing to pop into my head just now was Buckeyes…must be the chocolate and peanuts…you’ve started inception on me!!
I LOVE Korean BBQ…bulgogi is the shiz! And yes, you HAVE to get the Korean pancakes…and we have a little restaurant here that has the best shredded cabbage stuff (yeah, be jealous of my vast knowledge of Korean cuisine) that I swear I could eat by the plate-full!
You have no idea the wheels that have begun to turn after seeing these cookies…of course you had me at “pancake”! Now I just have to figure out a way to get over my skeeves with raw bacon…AND I need people to pawn most of the batch off on! Lol And those s’mores bars look insane girl…picture perfect! I’m not a huge chocolate fan…and they look a bit fudgey (which means they would totally put me in a sugar coma), but I’d definitely take a nibble or two…or maybe I’d just have a little lick! 😉
I think it is SO cool that your mom is getting into training! Gah, I just wish I could get my mom to take a walk every now and then. Her and my dad do absolutely NOTHING when it comes to physical activity…and the way they eat? Let’s just say when I was over at their house a couple of weeks ago, I helped my mom bring in some groceries and all I could do was shake my head (and keep my mouth closed because it doesn’t do ANY good to say anything). It frustrates me so much.
Ok. The s’mores you have to try. (Although I am judging you for not loving chocolate.) I replaced the milk chocolate it called for with dark, and it doesn’t have any added sugar, other then a few toasted marshmallows and the banana. Total opposite of toothache! I’d make another batch to bring you if I was coming to a certain wine festival this weekend. 🙁
Aww I love that you and your mum work out together!! Mama S2TT is a hottie! And your back?! Wowserrrrrs!! Haha! I always say it but you’re looking awesome love!! Oh and don’t even get me started on those desserts!!! Damn strike sugar month!! 🙁 Those cookies are getting MADE 1st of October!!! Ha!
Thank you! How’s the sugar stroke going? Sorry to have tempted you. 😉