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Vegan Sunflower and Chia Seed Pancakes

Background on the Pancakes

Pancake and waffle mix, pancakes, healthy eating, vegan, blog, blogger, author, food, food photography, brunch, family, chia seeds, sunflower seeds, flaxseed meal, breakfast, healthy recipes

For the last five mornings, I have been making pancakes for breakfast.  On the first two mornings, I used bananas as a filling.  My mom and niece took the train out here to spend some time with us, and I ended up using the last of the bananas on Saturday morning when I decided to make us pancakes for brunch after my Writer’s Group.

Pancake and waffle mix, pancakes, healthy eating, vegan, blog, blogger, author, food, food photography, brunch, family, chia seeds, sunflower seeds, flaxseed meal, breakfast, healthy recipes

On yesterday morning, I used chia seeds, and then today, I used a combination of chia seeds and sunflower seeds.  Believe it or not, it was filling.  I got full after eating the second thick pancake.  Another new thing that I tried was using honey instead of syrup for a topping, along with vegan butter.  They were delicious!!

Pancake and waffle mix, pancakes, healthy eating, vegan, blog, blogger, author, food, food photography, brunch, family, chia seeds, sunflower seeds, flaxseed meal, breakfast, healthy recipes

Ingredients

Pancake and waffle mix, pancakes, healthy eating, vegan, blog, blogger, author, food, food photography, brunch, family, chia seeds, sunflower seeds, flaxseed meal, breakfast, healthy recipes

 

  • 2 cups of Bob’s Red Mill Pancake & Waffle Mix
  • 4 tablespoons of olive oil or vegan butter for the mix (2 for bowl mixture) (2 for skillet)
  • 1/3 cup of sunflower seeds
  • 1/4 cup of chia seeds
  • 2 cups of Almond or Soy milk
  • Jar of honey or syrup
  • vegan butter for the topping

Pancake and waffle mix, pancakes, healthy eating, vegan, blog, blogger, author, food, food photography, brunch, family, chia seeds, sunflower seeds, flaxseed meal, breakfast, healthy recipes

Directions

  • Dump the pancake mix into a bowl.
  • Toss the seeds, 2 tablespoons of olive oil/butter, the milk and 2 tablespoons of flaxseed meal.
  • Mix all the ingredients with a whisk, wooden spoon, or whatever you have.
  • Heat up 2 tablespoons of oil or vegan butter in a skillet or pan.
  • Use a 1/3 cup measuring cup to pour the scoops of batter into the skillet, turning the pancakes over once you see the holes coming through.
  • Drizzle honey or syrup and butter on top.
  • Pancake and waffle mix, pancakes, healthy eating, vegan, blog, blogger, author, food, food photography, brunch, family, chia seeds, sunflower seeds, flaxseed meal, breakfast, healthy recipes

Send me a line letting me know if you try it.  You definitely won’t be disappointed!

2 Corinthians 4:7-18

But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us.

Have a blessed night!

 

Katina

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Oatmeal Pumpkin Seed Cookies

The Venture-Making Oatmeal Pumpkin Seed Coconut Cookies

I had been itching for the last couple of weeks to make oatmeal pumpkin seed coconut cookies.  There are several reasons that it hadn’t happened yet:

  • Didn’t have the time
  • Had the time, but didn’t have the energy
  • Had the time and the energy, but I had a sink full of dishes already
oatmeal, almond flour, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, healthy eating, healthy recipes, healthy desserts
Oatmeal Pumpkin Coconut cookies

Well, a few days ago, I finally got to baking the cookies.  They were surprisingly delicious.  On the cooking shows, they say that things are so good that they make you want to slap someone.  For my purpose here, I will say that they make you want to jump up and down and dance.  My kids laugh at me because most of the things that I cook or bake usually starts with my mind going, ” Oh, I wonder what would happen if I mix this and that together.”  That’s what happened with these cookies.  Most of the times I have good results.  Other times, it’s one of those things where you know there’s always next time.  I call them my concoctions.  I bought the almond flour about a month ago, so I didn’t have to worry about having to run out and get it.  This was my first time ever using it for baking, and I loved it.  Well, so much for rambling on…

oatmeal, almond flour, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, healthy eating, healthy recipes, healthy desserts
Second View of Oatmeal Cookies

I set the oven for 350 degrees, at a 22-minute timer.  At 17 minutes into the baking, the entire house smelled like almonds.  My daughter said, “Mom, I think that you need to check the cookies.  They smell ready.”  I felt them and they were still soft.  However, she reminded me that they will finish cooking even after I take them out.  She was right.  She is the one who is the baker, but I am learning.  I hope that you enjoy these cookies.  I think that next time I will add quinoa.  Here is the recipe:

oatmeal, almond flour, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, healthy eating, healthy recipes, healthy desserts
Third View of Oatmeal Pumpkin Coconut Cookies

Activity:  Making Oatmeal Pumpkin Coconut Cookies

Prepping and Baking Time: 33 minutes

Ingredients:

  • (1/4) cup unsweetened coconut flakes
  • (1 1/2) cup of almond milk
  • (1/4) cup of grapeseed & sunflower seed oil blend
  • (1/4) cup of sunflower seeds
  • (1/4) cup of pumpkin seeds
  • (1/4) cup of raisins
  • (1 1/4) cup of almond flour
  • (1 1/4) cup of oatmeal
  • (1) teaspoon of vanilla extract
  • (1/2) cup of brown sugar
  • (1/2) teaspoon of baking soda
  • (1) tablespoon of chia seeds
  • (3) tablespoons of flaxseed meal and 4.5 tablespoons of water mixed together

Directions: 

  1. Use parchment paper or grease a full-sized cookie sheet with oil.
  2. Whisk together the following in bowl number one: almond flour, oatmeal, baking soda, chia seeds, sunflower seeds, and pumpkin seeds.
  3. Mix together the following in bowl number two: grapeseed oil, coconut flakes, flaxseed meal mixture, almond milk, vanilla extract, and brown sugar.
  4. Dump bowl number one into bowl number two and mix well.
  5. Use a cookie scoop to form balls with the cookie mixture and place them on the cookie sheet.
  6. Enjoy and have a blessed weekend!

He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.

Psalms 91:4

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Oatmeal Bowl

I find that there’s nothing as comforting than something warm and soothing in your stomach in the morning.  For me, a bowl of oatmeal seems to do the trick every time.  This recipe is just what you need to get the day going.  Ideas for variety for this oatmeal bowl would be switching out the pumpkin seeds for sunflower or other seeds,  trying goji berries, golden raisins, and other fruit.  On some days, switching out the oatmeal for  grits, polenta, or malt-o-meal might interest you as well.  Brazil nuts can be swapped with walnuts, pecans, almonds, cashews, etc.  

The thing that I like is that you don’t need to use a lot of the ingredients to get in all of your nutrition.  Just the quinoa alone gives you a great protein boost.  Plus, I love the colors that are in this bowl.  Yes, I do like the aesthetic appeal of things.  Just as a tip, quinoa, oatmeal, coconut, and chia seeds are inexpensive when you buy them by the bulk, or you can go to places like Whole Foods to scoop them in your storage containers or bags.  I just recently learned this secret. 

For example, I measured out about $1.30 worth of chia seeds, and it’s been almost three weeks since I bought them, and I still have some left over.  I have found out that every store has certain things that they sell that are inexpensive compared to others.  The sacrifice is the time and energy involved in finding out what items are cheapest in what stores.  If your valley is financial like mine, it is worth the adventure and planning.  Happy eating!

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Activity:  Making an Oatmeal Bowl

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Oatmeal Bowl

Total Prepping and Cooking Time:  20 minutes

Ingredients: 

  • (8) 42 oz.  containers of oatmeal  – $24.00
  • scoops of coconut flakes –  $3.00
  • scoops of chia seeds  – $3.00
  • (1) bag of pumpkin seeds or sunflower seeds  – $8.00
  • (5)  lbs of quinoa  – $16.00
  • (1) 24 oz. container of honey  – $2.20
  • (1) container of regular butter or vegan butter (I like Earth Balance.) – $3.80
  • (6) cartons of milk – $15.00
  • (1) pound of brazil nuts – $16.00 (excellent source of selenium)
  • (2) cartons of raisins – $6.00

Total Cost: $ 97.00

Cost for one day: $3.23

Estimated Duration of Food:  1 month for a family of 4 to 6, 2 months or longer for a family of 1 to 3

Directions:  

  • Boil two pots of water, one having just water in it, and the other, along with quinoa. 
  • While the water is boiling, place the following in small, clear glass bowls, or whatever bowls that you have:
    • coconut flakes
    • pumpkin seeds
    • chia seeds
    • raisins
    • brazil nuts
    • honey
    • butter
    • milk
  • Chop up about three brazil nuts, placing them back into the bowl when finished.
  • Add the oatmeal to the boiling water.
  • After quinoa is done, you can drain off excess liquid with a strainer, and place it into a clear bowl.
  • When oatmeal is ready, add butter and milk.
  • Pass out the bowls and everyone can add their own toppings.
  • Enjoy!

I have been young, and now am old,
    yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken
    or his children begging for bread.
 He is ever lending generously,
    and his children become a blessing. 

Psalms 37: 25-26, ESV