Free Pancakes

You read correctly.  Free pancakes!  Pancakes free of gluten, fat and animal products.  I have to let you know, these still contain flavor.  They are loaded with flavor!

I've been trying to stay away from wheat flour.  I don't consider myself gluten free because it's only wheat that I have cut out of my diet.  I personally don't like the way I feel after eating flour.  But, I do occasionally still indulge in a wheat flour pizza or a slice of bread.

My cheat meals are normally loaded with carbs.  The main three dinners on my cheat day (Tuesday) are pizza, pancakes, and sandwiches.  I decided I wanted pancakes and I wanted to try something new.  I knew right away that I wanted to try gluten free pancakes.

I love trying new culinary things.  Whether it's a food, or a recipe, or a new food in a new recipe.  It's one of the things that excites me these days.  The girls and I went to the Asian grocery in town the other day because we needed seaweed for sushi nite (Sunny's favorite dinner.)  Whenever we goto the Asian store I always look at the fruits and vegetables.  They always have the best prices.  The cheapest vegetables can always be found at the famers market and the asian grocery stores.  I picked up a purple sweet potato.  I had never seen one before.  I've had white sweet potatoes, various shades of orange but, never purple.  When I cooked it I was shocked at how deep the purple was.  Take a look for yourself.

 Isn't that gorgeous??!!??  I knew that this sweet potato needed to be the purple in my rainbow pancakes.  {Just so you know, all the other colors were made with food coloring.  Next time I plan on using various fruits and vegetables to make my rainbow}.  I mostly followed the package directions.  I had to alter it a bit to compensate for the sweet potato.

In addition to making these pancakes gluten free, I wanted to make them vegan.  I made an egg replacer using chia seeds.  1 T of chia seeds and 3 T of liquid equals 1 egg.  

These are my finished pancakes.  Clockwise from the left:  Rainbow, blue, purple (the sweet potato ones), red, green, and yellow.

Fat Free Gluten Free Vegan Pancakes

Ingredients
1.5 cups Bob's Red Mill Gluten Free Pancake mix
.25 cup sugar
.5 cup purple sweet potato puree* (orange or white would be fine too)
1 T chia seeds
1.25 cup non-dairy milk

Directions

1. In a medium bowl mix together pancake mix and sugar.
2. In a separate bowl stir together milk, chia seeds and sweet potato puree and let sit for 10-15 minutes
3. Mix pototo mixture into dry mix
4. Cook according to package directions (I use an electric griddle and set it to 375-400, use a quarter cup to measure the batter and cook pancakes for 3-4 minutes on each side)

**To make sweet potato puree-- wrap potato in tin foil and bake in a 400 degree oven for 45-90 minutes until soft.  Cut open potato and scoop out the flesh.**

What fruits/veggies would you use to color your rainbow pancakes?  Let me know!

Middle in the Middle

Today's post has nothing to do about fitness or food.

 This is Samantha, Mantha Mo.  She's an awesome kid.  She's my middle daughter.  She loves gymnastics, dance and anything outside.  She hates being inside.  She wants to be a vet when she grows up and work at a zoo.  She also wants to be a Rockette.  

I've known for a few years that she wasn't your average kid.  In second grade I had her tested for the Gifted Program.  In Florida, the Gifted Program is IQ based.  My oldest, Kaylee was tested when she was in second grade and accepted.  

When Mo was tested she scored in the middle of gifted and average.  This year, (2 years later) I had her tested again.  She scored a bit higher but still, in the middle.  Florida has a program called ACCEL (Academically Challenging Curriculum to Enhance Learning.)  My daughter's school has no idea what it is or how to implement it.  

I'm tired of my middle child being stuck in the middle.  You want to know what the worst part of this whole thing is?  Knowing that if she was put in the Gifted class, she'd do fine.  She'd actually do really well.  A bored Mo isn't a good Mo.  A bored Mo doesn't try.  And my Mo is bored in school.  She gets good grades but, it's just because it's easy.  

Why am I telling you this?  Because of the fact that A) it pisses me off and B) I have decided that for the next 2 years I'm homeschooling my daughter.  For 5th and 6th grade (her last 2 years of elementary school) I'm keeping her home.  The homeschool curriculum (in my opinion) is the only option.  They offer accelerated learning, she can work at her own pace, and it can challenge her.  

You're probably wondering how she feels about this.  She actually WANTS to be homeschooled.  She wants to be challenged.  She wants to learn more, do harder work, work at her level.  Both times she got tested for Gifted she had her fingers and toes crossed that she made it in.  In class she finishes her work first and then helps the other kids.  This is the only solution.  

Occasionally she feels left out, unloved, all of the stereotypical "middle child" feelings.  She doesn't just feel that way at home, she feels that way at school.  She feels like there's nowhere for her, and she's getting passed by and forgotten.  

Why am I telling you this?  I really don't have a big reason.  I want to know that I'm not alone, I want to see if anybody else has had this issue and how they've dealt with it, I just need to get it off my chest.  

Side note:  Middle children are awesome.  Read this article on 18 PERKS to being a middle child

Buy One and Feed One

Recently I was given the opportunity to try Yumbutter's line of GO-Anywhere nut and seed butters.  I was sent the superfood peanut butter, almond butter and sunflower seed butter.   These are made with only a few, organic, pronounceable, ingredients.   They all include:  sunflower seeds, chia seeds, coconut palm sugar, hemp seeds, goji powder, lucuma, and love.  They only difference is the main nut/seed that they use.  (Almond butter contains almonds, peanut butter contains peanuts, etc.)   Chia, hemp, goji and lucuma are all superfoods.  Lucuma is a low-glycemic sweetener.  It contains beta-carotene, iron, zinc, B3, calcium and protein.  

"Yum" is definitely the word I would use to describe these.   They taste excellent.  I decided to do a taste test with my 3 girls.  Each one liked a different one. 

#1 -- Peanut Butter.  Tasted like your standard peanut butter.  The oil was a bit hard to knead in but, it was good.  This was Kaylee's favorite.

#2 -- Sunflower Seed Butter.  Sunny's and my favorite.  I loved how earthy it tasted.  

#3 -- Thanks YumButter!  You have made a nut butter that my "I hate all nut butters" daughter likes!  This was Mo's favorite.


Not only does YumButter taste good, they DO good.  Through the BuyOne:FeedOne™ campaign, Yumbutter provides holistic care to malnourished children and their mothers for every product purchased.  So every time you purchase on of their products you are helping people.  This is one of those times that it feels GOOD to spend money.  You can read more about their campaign HERE


Since I've told you our favorites you need to go get some and let me know yours!  They also have some other awesome flavors like Cran & Coco!

Remember, all nut butters are interchangeable.  If a recipe calls for peanut butter you can switch it with almond or sunflower seed.  Here's a few good peanut butter recipe roundups.
StockPiling Moms
Peanut Butter & Peppers
Peanut Butter Fingers
Cookies and Cups
Love From the Oven


Yumbutter Links
Website
Facebook
Instagram
Twitter



I received free samples of Yumbutter mentioned in this post.  I was not additionally compensated for my time.

I'm a Slacker

I think that everybody has one body part they don't work out as much as they should, or they completely ignore it.  For me, it's my abs.  I don't know if it's because I can technically work them out anywhere, or if it's because I'm lazy, I just don't know.

As you can see in the photo, your core is made up of 4 sets of muscles.  To alot of people, the only point of strong abs is so you look good.  There are actually more important reasons.  Your core is actually a very important part of your body.  According to Active.com here are 5 reasons to strengthen your core.

1. Pain reduction and prevention
2. Look taller and thinner
3. Delays aging
4. Improves mental function
5. Performance improvement

I've searched the web Pinterest and found my favorite ab workouts.  Try them out and tell me which one you liked the best, or which one gave you the best burn.

KamaFitness

30 Day Fitness Challenges

Ripped N Fit

There's a great roundup of ab workouts at FitFluential.


Check this one out!  4 minutes and brutal!

And lastly, this one, just because it's funny. Doesn't everyone want a Pokemon rubbing up against their abs?

If you want a great collection of workout videos check out FitnessBlender.com.  I love these guys.  They have a huge library of videos.  When I first started working out I actually used their videos.  

Starting Over(ish)

Today I seriously start my prep again.  I have 18 weeks to get ready.  I've got to crack down and get my ass in gear.  About a third of my prep will be done by myself.  Which means I really have to push myself.  

15 is one of my lucky numbers so, 2015 WILL be my year!  Remember #ConquerEverything  !!

(Don't mind the #200KTransform sign.  I'm also entering to win a Bodybuilding.com transformation contest)

Here are my starting measurements

Body Fat:  20%  

Weight:    137.8
Waist:     28.75
Hips:      36.25
Thigh:     21
Chest:     32.5
Shoulders: 40.50
Biceps:    10.75

Not going to lie.  I was kind of surprised by the numbers. But, that's what I get for slacking (and deciding to make Korean food for dinner.)

I'll keep y'all updated!

#ConquerEverything

The mind is an amazing thing.  It can turn on you so quick.  Something good can become bad, and something bad can become good in a flash.  

Every Storm Runs Out of Rain....

Photo Credit: Global News & Ted Morgan

I was in a really low place mentally for a few months.  It seemed like nothing was working out, nothing was going right, and honestly, I felt horrible about myself.  I was miserable.  

My husband was a real trooper through all of this and I love him for it.  He listened to my cry, whine, bitch, and complain.  I know (even though he won't admit it) that he thought I was miserable because of him, and because of the kids.  Do you know how hard it is to explain to someone that everything outside of your mind makes you happy but, YOU don't make you happy?  Birds made me happy, nature, tv, the girls, him, they all made me happy.  I was just unhappy with the person I was.  I kinda thought I was having a midlife crisis.  

One day he looked at me and said, "the problem is that you want to do it all."  Later on my way to the gym I passed a sign for the local watersports rental place.  I started thinking about how much I wanted to go SUPing (Stand Up Paddleboarding).  And in that split second everything cleared up for me.  I realized my husband was right.  I DID DO want to do it all.  I want to do it all because finally I'm fit enough to and I have the time to.  I'm not trying to find myself, I've FOUND myself.  I've found the new, healthy, brave, me.  After so many years lacking the confidence to do things, I finally have it and I'm ready to conquer everything.

Maybe I'll make that my hashtag for 2015.  #ConquerEverything  How does that sound?  

I'm not going to let anything stop me.  I've got things planned for 2015.  A bunch of different life paths I want to explore this year.  #CantStopMe (This hashtag thing is fun!)

Sometimes, all it takes is a mental flip.  Try to find the "glass half full" way to think about something. And I'll leave you with a few quotes.  This one is one of my personal favorites.

"Every storm runs, runs out of rain

Just like every dark night turns into day

Every heartache will fade away

Just like every storm runs, runs out of rain"

What happened to make you realize your potential?

2015 Plans

Today is the day when alot of people make their New Year's Resolution(s).  How many times have you heard yourself saying "This year I'm going to....."

• Lose weight?
• Exercise more?
• Eat healthier?
• Quit smoking?

These are actually some of the most common resolutions according to 5 News KSFM/KXNW and USA.gov (click the link to see their full lists.)

A few years ago I made a resolution to stop making resolutions.  I think that honestly, resolutions are meant to fail.  45% of Americans usually make resolutions.  Only 8% actaully achieve their resolution.  This is according to StatisticBrain.com and the University of Scranton. Journal of Clinical Psychology.  So many people fail at keeping their resolutions that they have named a day "Fail Friday", which is the day that most people give up.  

Instead of resolutions I set goals.  Here's my list of goals for 2015.

1.  Compete - Due to issues beyond my control, my hopes of competing in 2014 didn't happen.  But, this year I have a few competitions planned, the first one being in May.  
2. Do more yoga -- I miss yoga.  It seriously helps my mind and muscles.  
3. Get another certification -- I'm thinking either Holistic Nutrition, yoga, or a specialized training certification.
4. Go on more adventures -- Random day trips to the beach, or museums.  Maybe a weekend trip somewhere.
5. Give more memories instead of gifts -- This is alot like goal #5 but, it's more for special occasions and are planned.
6. Try new things -- Aerial yoga?  Pole fitness?  Scuba diving?  These are all on my list of things to try.  
7. Spend more time outside --   I feel like I'm not as in touch with nature as I used to be.  I don't spend enough time in the sunshine, enjoying the outdoors and I want to change that this year.