Morning Glory

Around our home, there is one request that I receive more than," can you make some cookies today?" As we snuggle in bed, I ask Darius what he'd like for breakfast, and almost every morning his reply is,"um, how bout some pancakes?" Said so sweetly, and with such a hopeful smile, I have a hard time refusing the request. And so, more often than not, I make pancakes, and everyone is happy - including me because I know these pancakes are healthy for my little men! I shun away from packaged goods, and that includes when it comes to making breakfast for my kiddos. Which is the reason why I developed a pancake recipe that incorporates vegetables, natural plant proteins, and health fats. Make a batch of these for your family, and you can relax when they ask for a little syrup [as long as it's 100% pure maple syrup that is.]

Pumpkin Pancakes

an original recipe created by me!

 2 c. almond milk
1/2 c. water
1 c. pure pumpkin puree
2 tbsp coconut oil
3 tbsp. vinegar
2 c. stone ground whole wheat flour
1 c. raw frozen cashews [not salted]
1/4 c. chia seeds
1/4 c. hemp hearts
3 tbsp. honey
2 tsp. baking powder
2 tsp. baking soda
1 tbsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp. ginger
1/2 tsp. salt

Heat your pancake grill to 300*F. Put the cashews in a blender, and blend until a fine powder [having the cashews frozen ensures that they turn into a powder when blended, instead of turning into cashew butter.] Next, in a stand mixer, add all the ingredients, including the ground cashews, and blend together. Remember to use a spatula to clear off the sides of the bowl a few times while blending. Once all the ingredients are nicely blended, use a 1/4c. measuring cup and scoop batter onto the hot pancake grill. Make your pancakes nice and round, and remember to flatten them with the back of your spatula when you flip them so that they are not too thick [this will ensure that they cook all the way through.] Watch your pancakes so you know when to flip them, but I find that 3-5 minutes is the magic number per side. Yield approximately 18 pancakes

Once your pancakes are off the grill enjoy them with 100% maple syrup as my little Darius does, or with cut up fresh fruit on them as I do [I also love them with natural peanut butter spread on top of them!] If you have left overs [as we do every time I make them] freeze them for a quick toaster breakfast in mornings to come!

Enjoy!

Baking for Buddies

I got to see my Sweet Hubby and one of his co-workers today in the middle of the work day! I love those surprises! The first thing I was asked is,"are there any snacks? or baking?" My Awesome Hubby takes goodies to work all the time, sharing them, and talking me up [its hard to live up to such hype ;)] to his buddies. The co-worker he was with today told me that he had asked his wife for banana muffins the day before, and when she didn't bake them for him he thought, Katie would have baked them for me. And so that's what I did as soon as he left! Darius and I created a new recipe in said co-workers honor, and my goodness is it amazing! If you love healthy snacks that are high in fibre, a good source of protein, contain no colours, preservatives, or refined sugar, then you're going to love these! Oh, and did I mention that they are drool worth-ily delicious and vegan? No word of a lie, these babies are perfect!

Banana [Coco]nut Muffins

an original recipe created by me!



3 very ripe bananas

1/4 c. coconut oil

3/4 c. honey

1 tsp. pure vanilla extract

2/3 c. coconut milk

2 c. fresh milled whole wheat flour

1/2 c. coconut flakes

1/3 c. chia seeds

1 tsp sea salt

2 tsp baking soda

1 c. chopped walnuts

Preheat oven to 350*F.  Peel and mash bananas in a large bowl. Add the rest of the wet ingredients to the banana mixture, and blend well. Add all of the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, and blend thoroughly. Spray muffin tins with canola cooking spray, then fill each well 2/3 full.  Tap the muffin tins on the counter a few times to release the air bubbles, the place in preheated oven. Bake for 18 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the centre of muffin comes out clean. Once baked, remove from oven and set on cooling racks before removing from muffin tins.

Enjoy these for breakfast, or as we have today, anytime!