Before you inaccurately assume Brown Sugar Bacon Waffles are unhealthy and gross, let me tell you how I kicked my own tushie yesterday. You see, after picking up Lily on Monday, I had no motivation for a sweat session…I just wanted to cuddle with my furbaby and relax after the travel nightmare that was last weekend. Seeing as my last workout was Saturday during a hike and Thursday evening prior to that (Tuesday, too), I was far below my quota of 4-5 workouts a week. Oops..
So as I was driving to work yesterday morning trying not to slide into a ditch in the Winter Wonderland, I was game planning my own torturous workout for after work. I landed on 800 meter repeats. You see, I ran cross-country in high school. Not well, but I was on the team (there were no tryouts, hence, I “made” the team), and I HATED 800 meter (~1/2 mile) repeats. 800 meter repeats are tough because they’re long enough to tire you out, but short enough that you have to do lots of them — a lose-lose in my book. And just like in high school, running really isn’t my forte… I just like to think it is. Running is, after all, a killer workout. I digress. My planned torture mapped out like so:
2 minute warm-up, walking @ 4 mph
5 minute run @ 6 mph (10 min/mile)
5 minute “recovery” on the elliptical (level 8 of 12)
5 minute run @ 6.5 mph (9:13 min/mile)
5 minute “recovery” on the elliptical (level 7 of 12)
5 minute run @ 7 mph (8:34 min/mile)
5 minute “recovery” on the elliptical (level 7 of 12)
5 minute run @ 7.5 mph (8:00 min/mile)
5 minute “recovery” on the elliptical (level 6 of 12)
Whew! For my 10-11 minute/mile self, this was a killer workout. My 5 minute runs were between 800 and 1000 meters, roughly. While an 8 minute/mile pace is a run for some, it’s more like a sprint for me! My 5’3 frame with my tree trunk-like thighs just don’t run all that quickly. So I kicked my own butt in my workout yesterday and it really did feel great. You know, the once-every-few-months-or-so kind of great, not the I-should-do-this-more-often kind of great! I have totally transitioned into an exercise for health not fitness type of person, and I’m totally okay with that.
Here’s a few more photos (on my crappy camera) from my prior workout — an ~4 mile hike in Albuquerque. It was gorgeous — 60° F and sunny!
And on to these ever so curious-sounding waffles!
Brown Sugar Bacon Waffles adapted from Jaime Cooks and Chef Mommy
10 slices of nitrate-free turkey bacon
3 cups all-purpose flour 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour + 1 1/2 cups whole wheat pastry flour
1 Tbsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
1 1/2 tsp salt
¼ cup brown sugar
2/3 1/3 cup canola oil
1/3 cup unsweetened applesauce
4 large eggs
2 tsp vanilla
2 ½ cups low-fat buttermilk
Directions:
Preheat oven to 400⁰ F.
Lay the bacon a sheet pan and bake for 15 to 20 minutes until the bacon is really crispy. Dry on paper towels and serve. Place them on a cutting board to cool before chopping. Once cool, chop the bacon into bite size bits and set aside.
Set up your waffle iron on a level, clean surface and turn on to preheat.
In a large bowl combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt and brown sugar. Whisk to blend. In a medium bowl, whisk together eggs, oil, buttermilk and vanilla extract. Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and fold. Once almost fully incorporated, add the bacon bites. Stir.
Cook according to your waffle machine instructions. Serves 8.
Nutrition Information (per serving): 361 calories; 15.1 g. fat; 123 mg. cholesterol; 768 mg. sodium; 44.3 g. carbohydrate; 2.4 g. fiber; 10.1 g. sugar; 10.3 g. protein
Result: Can I first say that Mr. Prevention thought these waffles sounded gross? I was appauled and shocked all at the same time. My man loves him some turkey bacon, mmkay? Weirdo. These were delicious (and he agreed after getting over himself)! If you’re not jiggy with the idea of bacon in your waffle batter (which you should be, FYI), just omit the bacon and have delicious, fluffy buttermilk waffles. This batter could just as easily be used to make pancakes, so don’t fret if you don’t have a waffle iron. While I tried to make-over the recipe to include some nutrition, the sodium content remained high due to the bacon, baking soda, and baking powder. I will try cutting the baking powder in half next time, I just fear the waffles might lose their beloved fluffiness if I do so. We shall see. I served the waffles with Smart Balance Light mixed with agave nectar in a 2:1 ration – YUM…and then just a drizzle of lower sugar maple syrup, a side of orange sections, and 1 pan-fried egg (fat omitted in frying)…a delicious breakfast for dinner meal. Enjoy! 😀
Question: From the sound of it, thumbs up or thumbs down for bacon waffles?
I’m off today to go Christmas shopping with Gina! 😀 Weee!!!
Man– that workout DOES sound tough!! You definitely deserved some waffles after it ๐
TOTAL thumbs up. I’m still dreaming about the bacon pancakes I had a couple weeks ago…
The combo of sweet and savory is fab.
Those pictures are gorgeous Nicole! The name of the waffles sounded extremely interesting to me. My sister loves bacon and waffles so I am sending her this recipe! She would love it! Have fun Christmas Shopping ๐
Gross?! No way! Nick would be in heaven if I even mentioned the name of these waffles. Yum. We need a waffle maker.
Your workout sounds intense, and I agree with you that my workouts have been more about health than pushing myself to death. I do a “touch” workout about once a week….maybe ๐ I’m counting our shopping as part of my workout today!!
These pictures are so amazing. They make me wanna go hiking on the weekend.
Brown sugar and bacon waffle sounds genius! I have to try this ๐
Wow, look how beautiful those rock formations are in New Mexico!
I’m really into rocks. I’m a bit of a nerd that way and I’m surprised I never studied Geology.
LOVE the photos from your hike!
The waffles sound unusual but good! ๐
Have fun with Gina today!!! Wish I could join you… ๐
I’m not sure I can get past the bacon part of the waffles. Just does not seem like the best combination! LOL
Love the photos! The waffles certainly sound interesting…I’d be willing to give them a shot! ๐
Thumbs up. Bacon is good on everything else, why not in waffles?
I think bacon waffles sound fantastic (love that sweet/savory combo!), but I would be making them with turkey bacon since I don’t eat pork. Your pics of Albuquerque are gorgeous! Hope you have fun Christmas shopping!
I think these waffles sound incredible! Having tried bacon in pancakes, I think bacon in waffles is pure genius.
Sorry, I wish I could say it sounded good, but I don’t eat meat. I am sure that Ryan would like these though. Albuquerque looks beautiful Hope you had fun shopping.
Wow…the pictures are wonderful. Makes me long for a warm summer day and to get outside.
And I would be so good with bacon in my batter!!! YUM!!!! Anything with bacon is “thumbs up”!
Those pictures are beautiful! I really, REALLY can’t wait to check out the Southwest. At some point in my life. ๐
I definitely think those waffles sound amazing! People joke about bacon making everything better….but it’s 100% true, I tell you.
where o where!! Did you find nitrate=free turkey bacon? I can’t find it ANYWHERE!!
Beautiful pictures!
I am a waffles girl – I love the sugary/sweet combo so I think bacon and maple wouldn’t be bad!
Girl you totally rocked that workout and totally deserved these waffles! It’s definitely nice to really push yourself every so often and really get that exercise glow. But only every so often ๐
I’m 5’7 and 8:00 is definitely a sprint for me too!
Nice job on that run! I’m a slow runner so I can appreciate how fast you were running! : ) I think I would go with Waffles with turkey bacon on the side! : )
sorry to read about your travel nightmare!
Bacon? why isn’t that the ultimate condiment? LOL I am pretty sure bacon goes with EVERYTHING…including waffles and chocolate! ๐
I think the bacon waffles sound awesome! and that workout sounds grueling…I so need to get back into a routine!
It’s hard to believe that anyone would have a problem with brown sugar bacon waffles. Made these and my dad had no idea what type of waffle that they were – he was surprised and also pleased when he found out. Thanks for making my day with this recipe ๐