Strawberry Lemonade Pancakes

What I mean to say is English lemon curd, topped with a fresh strawberry honey reduction.  Breakfast win!

And a perfect topping for my Healthy Spiced Pancakes from yesterday!

Start with the pancakes of your choice.

This recipe is all about the toppings!

I visited my friend, (who I've known since the 6th grade!) Kendra, (#famous: check out her book! Vivien Leigh: An Intimate Portrait ) in London a few months ago, and at THE Harrods department store I picked up some amazing lemon curd.  My favorite!

And, guess what??  Harrods has a website where you can buy it, and other delicious amazing thing, online!

Check it out!  Harrods Lemon Curd

So, take your freshly flipped pancakes, spread them with a layer of the lemon curd, then top them with a fresh strawberry and honey reduction! Perfection.

For the strawberry sauce:

1 cup water

1 cup sliced strawberries

1-2 Tbsp honey

Place all ingredients in small sauce pan over high heat until water boils.

Turn heat down to medium or medium-high, and cook (at a gentle boil) until reduced and softened, stirring a few times.

Healthy Spiced Pancakes with Chia, Flax, and Almonds

You know what Saturday mornings call for.  More pancakes!

And, bonus!, these fluffy, delicious pancakes are full of healthy things like:

Almond meal: Protein, fiber, vitamin E and magnesium

Ground Flaxseed: Omega-3s, fiber, antioxidants

Chia seeds: Omega-3s, protein, fiber, calcium, manganese, phosphorus, aids in blood sugar regulation, increases good cholesterol

Coconut oil: Healthy fatty acids, energy boosting, anti-bacterial properties, increases good cholesterol

Plus, honey, cinnamon, and pumpkin pie spice, which make them taste amazing!

Also, the addition of apple cider vinegar (which has healthful anti-bacterial benefits, too!) and baking soda mixed together, fizz up to make these pancakes really light and fluffy.

So, let's get to it!

Ingredients

(Serves 2 - Makes 4 pancakes)

1/8 cup chia seeds

1/8 cup ground flaxseed

1/8 cup almond meal (finely ground almonds/almond flour)

1 cup water (or milk: dairy or almond)

1 Tbsp apple cider vinegar

1 tsp baking soda

1/8 cup whole wheat flour

1 egg

1 Tbsp melted (not hot) coconut oil.

1 Tbsp honey (or any sweetener - maple syrup, agave, white sugar, brown sugar)

1/2 tsp cinnamon

1/4 - 1/2 tsp pumpkin pie spice (depending on how strong you like the flavor)

pinch of salt

Recipe

Mix the chia seeds, ground flax, and almond meal in a medium bowl.  Add water, and stir well.

Let sit 15 minutes, until thickened. 

The flax and chia seeds will absorb all the water and the mixture will turn gelatinous, with almost an egg white consistency.  (Either can be used as an actual egg replacement in baking!  I keep the egg in this recipe, for added protein and vitamins.  You could omit.)

Then, add the vinegar and baking soda, mixing gently, as they fizz up.

Next, add the flour, egg, and oil, and mix until incorporated.

Lastly, add honey, cinnamon, pumpkin pie spice, and salt, and stir gently.

Heat a griddle or large pan to medium-low heat, and grease lightly with coconut oil.

Scoop about 1/8 cup of the batter for each pancake onto the griddle, and cook until golden.

Enjoy this delicious and healthful start to your morning!

Must-Have Items to Pack for Coachella

I am heading out to the desert for my first Coachella festival this weekend (woot!), so I thought I’d share a few items I‘m packing!
...in addition to the floppy hat, flower crown, high-waisted shorts, and crop tops, I mean.   Duh.

Festival Goods:

Clockwise, from top left.

Shoes - These cute little booties were cheap at Charlotte Russe, so if they get stepped on and dirty, I won’t be sad.  It will be hot, but I am opting for closed toe shoes, to minimize little piggies getting stepped on and covered in dirt. Break in your new shoes a couple days before, so you don't get insta-blisters Day 1.

Phone Charger -  There are charging stations there, but I thought something battery powered might be good to have on hand.  Those phone cases that are a built in battery charger are like $99, but Walmart had these portable, battery operated USB port phone chargers for $22! Win!

Water Bottle - There are filtered water fountain stations as per Coachella.com, so I got this snazzy little water bottle that folds up flat, and then stands up when filled with water. You can bring in empty, reusable water bottles, just not your own water. Boom.  Done!

Hand Wipes & Tissues -  I'll be throwing a travel pack of tissues and wet wipes into my bag, for sure.  Porta-Potties, bring it on! ;)

Scarf / Thin Blanket - A thicker material, wide width scarf, or pashmina, can double as both a wrap when it gets cold later, or as a blanket to sit on. And it folds up way smaller than a towel or real blanket, or you can even tie it onto your bag or belt loop. Win.

Bag - I wanted a bigger crossbody bag for daytime so I can keep a water bottle, sweater, and such, without having an overstuffed smaller bag or fanny pack. This one from Target was cute, cheap, lightweight, and fit the bill!

All right, Coachella.  Let's DO THIS!!!

I leave you with some tunes!