Almond and Flax Seed Pancakes

Almond Flax Seed Pancakes

This week I decided to share a recipe. I love cooking, and since my surgery, I have spent a lot of time working on learning new ways to cook. One of them is replacing regular flour with almond flour. While pancakes are still a special occasion meal for me, these are still much more healthy than normal pancakes. Now, when the family is enjoying Sunday morning pancakes, I can sit and enjoy as well. 

Ingredients

3 eggs

2 Tbsp oil 

1tsp vanilla

1/8 cup Truvia Baking Blend

1/2 cup water

1/4 flax seed 

2 cup almond flour

1/4 cup buttermilk powder (optional)

1 Tbsp baking powder

Directions

Mix all ingredients into a large mixing bowl. I usually mix the wet first then add in the dry. If mixture is too thick, add in a little extra water. Spray pan with non-stick cooking spray and put on medium low heat. Using a 1/4 measuring cup, pour out one pancake. Cook for about 2 minuets on each side. The flat cake will become dark due to the flax seed and almond flour. 

This recipe makes 9 pancakes. For me, one cake was more than enough food. 

 Calories 221

Total Carbohydrate 10g

Sugars 4g

Protein 8g

Fully mixed batter

1/4 cup of batter in pan to cook

The first flip

New Year Fresh Start

(Me at my 1 year weight loss mark)

The holidays have a tendency to get everyone off track. However, something I have noticed through all of my healthy changes is, once you are off track it is super easy to stay off track. We are amazingly wonderful at coming up with excuses not to eat healthy or exercise.

• ·        There just isn’t enough time to work out or cook a good meal.
• ·        Healthy food is expensive.
• ·        It is too cold and nasty outside to go for a walk.

I’m sure many of you have said at least one of these if not more. We all do it. So the beginning of January, when New Year’s Resolutions are on everyone’s mind, is the perfect time to detox your brain and get a fresh start.

Yes, I said detox your brain. People talk all the time about detoxing our body, which is a wonderful thing. However, it does very little good if your brain isn’t on track.

Something I have found that helps get the brain on board is to not overload it with changes. Many people jump off the deep end, wanting to get healthy in the new year. However, if you make too many changes at once, you will freak yourself out. Instead of doing that, make one small change at a time. Make a list of the small changes you want to make. Do up a goal chart. Place the goal chart where you will see it every day. Then start with your first goal. It could be as simple as replacing soda with water. Make that first change for at least two weeks, and then add in the next change.

The slow process of change will get you on track without overwhelming you, and you will slowly start feeling healthier and happier!

Example Goal List-

      1.      Replace soda with water
2.      Go for a 20-minute walk during lunch break.
3.      Take lunch to work instead of eating out.
4.      Plan meals a week at a time, and shop only for those meals.
5.      Do a 30-day fitness challenge (there are tons of aps on the phone)

My Journey So Far

I wanted to start out my blog by posting about my journey. 2 years ago, I looked nothing like I do now. It has been a hard road, but one I wouldn’t change for anything. Becoming healthy has made so many other things in my life better.

The journey begins after I had my first daughter. I suffered from horrible depression and found myself eating nothing but cake. It was not good. Over time, I started to blame my PCOS (Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome) for all of my weight gain. I went from a size 12 to a size 26 over the course of time, and couldn’t seem to do anything to make it better.

Five years ago, I started trying to work out and eat better, but for some reason, I didn’t seem to have any results. I walked for miles, did my best to cook healthy food, gave up soda, and so much more. However, nothing helped. I would later discover that, despite my hard work, I was ignorant of what I really needed to do.

Disheartened, I thought about giving up. Then I decided I couldn’t do that. I had a family who needed me. I had dreams and goals to achieve, and I couldn’t do any of them in my current health. That was when I made the decision to have Weight Loss Surgery. It was a difficult decision, and required a lot of hard work. No matter what anyone says, weight loss surgery is still not a magical cure, it is a tool.

Through preparing for the surgery, I was taught how to eat, what were proper portions, the best exercises, and so many other things I simply didn’t know. I found other people and groups who understood what I was going through. They taught me new recipes and gave me the support I needed.

It has now been 2 years since my surgery and I have lost 100 pounds. I fight every day to keep that weight off. I work hard on my health, eating right, working out, and getting good sleep. Not only did I find my body lighter, I have found my mind lighter as well.

Through this blog, I am going to share with you my stories, advice, and ideas so you too can find health and peace. Maybe you are on the fence about making a big weight loss decision. Maybe you need help getting back on track. Well that is exactly what I plan to do here!