Christmas Pancakes!

The snow is falling, Christmas music is playing, Isabelle is dancing, Christmas pancakes are cooking and I am feeling like the happiest person in the world right now. I love Christmas, love to go out all on the Christmas spirit, refuse to let any grinches get in my way and hence my brothers call me the "Christmas Nazi"...this is definitely a recipe that any "Christmas Nazi" would love.


Ingredients:

• 1 c unbleached, all purpose white flour
• 2 t baking powder
• 1/2 t salt
• 1 T ground flax seed
• 1 t cinnamon
• 1 t nutmeg
• 3 T sugar (optional)
• 1 c unsweetened almond milk
• 2 T oil (I used grapeseed)
• 1 t almond extract

Recipe:

1. Mix all dry ingredients together
2. Mix all wet ingredients together
3. Mix wet/dry ingredients together
4. Let sit for about 5 min to thicken up
5. Pour batter onto hot griddle (about 300 degrees) and cook until one side start to bubble, then flip
6. Top with pure maple syrup...it's amazing and totally worth the splurge

Homemade Granola

I just started making homemade granola and I am loving it! It's so easy and most of the ingredients can be stored right in the pantry for whenever the mood strikes. Feel free to sub the listed seeds with whatever kind you prefer (and add more nuts if you like a "nuttier" granola) and the honey/agave nectar combo can be subbed for any kind of liquid sweetener (maple syrup, ect). I also buy all the dried ingredients in the bulk section at Whole Foods to save money.

Ingredients:

• 3 cups of old fashioned oats
• 1/2 t salt
• 1 t cinnamon
• 1/4 c raw pumpkin seeds
• 1/8 c whole flax seeds
• 1/8 c ground flax seeds
• 1/8 c coconut flakes
• 1/4 c sunflower seeds
• 1/4 c pure agave nectar (or maple syrup)
• 1/4 c honey
• 1/4-1/2 c craisins or other dried fruit 

Method:

• Mix all ingredients (except dried fruit) together in a large bowl, making sure the dry ingredients are coated well with the wet ingredients
• Bake at 300 degrees for 30-45 min stirring every 10 min until golden brown
• Take out of oven, mix in dried fruit, let cool and store in airtight container for 2-3 weeks