Thanksgiving by Michelle, for Michelle
What? You didn’t realize that Thanksgiving was moved to this weekend? Oh… right, That’s just me :)
This year it’s just me, myself, and I for the holidays. Read more
Posts tagged ‘banana’
Nov 20
2 Comments
May 1
Farmers Market on Saturday, Whole Wheat Pancakes on Sunday
Dear Sunday mornings: I love you.
I’m excited to share the recipe for these whole wheat strawberry-banana pancakes, but first I want to tell you about Saturday. Saturday mornings have quickly become my favorite time of the week. Now that the sun is rising early (yay!) I wake up on my own around 5:45 am. I grab a quick snack like a banana, make my bed, do a little quick cleaning up, and head out for a crisp 7 AM run at the trail.
After a solid 4-6 miles, I wipe of my face and start driving to Starbucks. Usually the line is a bit long but it’s worth the wait. ”Yes, hi! I’ll have my double tall soy latte today please, Thank you!” At about 9:00 am I arrive at Merchant’s Square, between the College of William and Mary and Colonial Williamsburg. I grab my re-usable tote, my half-full latte and make my way through the crowd to the Farmers Market. The market isn’t for everyone, it’s busy, people bring their dogs, there’s live music. I feel right at home. Here are my top 3 tips for making the best of a trip to the Farmers Market:
- Arrive Early – beat the crowd, get the good stuff!
- Be Friendly - get to know your venders, be a preferred customer
- Ask Questions – wondering where the strawberries are coming from? How to cook brocollini? What that funny looking vegetable is? Ask!
Here’s what I managed to bring home this weekend: Asparagus, spring onions, fresh spinach, 2 quarts of first-of-the-season strawberries, hydroponic tomatoes, and local eggs.
Anyway, all of this inspired me to make today’s breakfast: fried eggs, whole wheat pancakes topped with strawberries. I’ve expirementd with whole wheat pancakes in the past, and these are my favorite so far. Have at it!
Whole Wheat Banana Pancakes
recipe adapted from: No Fear Entertaining
Dry Ingredients:
2 cups white whole wheat flour
2 Tbsp baking powder
2 Tbsp sugar
1 tsp salt
1 Tbsp cinnamon (optional)
Wet Ingredients:
1 medium/small mashed banana
2 eggs
1 3/4 cups buttermilk
4 Tbsp unsweetened applesauce
Directions:
In a large bowl whisk together the dry ingredients. In a medium bowl whisk together the wet ingredients. Add wet ingredients to dry ingredients until just moist. Cook on a griddle or non-stick frying pan. Serve with sliced fresh strawberries, maple syrup, fried eggs, or whatever sounds great to you.
Don’t Forget: Mother’s Day is just around the corner :)
Jul 29
Spinach Banana Smoothie
Yes, you read that right, I said spinach… in a smoothie!
Now, you might respond like my sister did, by saying “eww!” but I’m asking you to give it a try. As Jacob, the sometimes picky boyfriend said, “it’s pretty tasty!” If he approves, you might too.
Even though we only have 13 more days left in Mount Pleasant, we still have a freezer full of food, including an unopened bag of chopped spinach. I’ve heard of green smoothies before, but was a little hesitant about how they might taste. My usual strawberry-banana smoothies include a big scoop of chocolate Ovaltine, not spinach. But I am a curious cook with a bag of spinach to use up, so I searched the web for “spinach smoothies” and then came up with my own concoction, and it’s a must try!
Spinach Banana Smoothie
1 banana, broken into chunks
1/2 cup frozen chopped spinach
1/4 cup plain greek yogurt
1/4 cup soy milk (I used vanilla Silk)
Place all ingredients in blender and puree until smooth. Pour into your favorite smoothie glass and enjoy!
Next time I’m thinking about adding a few things, maybe some rolled oats or flax seed. Well, what do you think? Are you ready to try a green smoothie? Yes, it does have a spinach taste, but it’s not very strong, so don’t be afraid!
Nutritional Benefits
Most of us don’t think about including vegetable into our breakfast routine, but this smoothie makes it easy. Spinach provides vitamin A, vitamin C, iron, folate, magnesium and fiber while bananas provide potassium, vitamin C, Magnesium, and Fiber. The greek yogurt and soy milk add protein and calcium.
