Pancakes

I have a serious love for pancakes.
Maybe its because I'm a southern girl.  My grandmother lived in my home when I was growing up, and she fixed me waffles or pancakes almost single morning.... 


But these are NOT my grandmother's pancakes! 

Nope. NaNa loved to use this handy-dandy little "bake everything easily" product we all know as Bisquick.  She also liked to spray Pam on the skillet and waffle iron, just to make sure those pesky cake-like treats didn't stick to the cooking surface. Quick, easy, and no fussy mess. 

Let's take a look at Bisquick.  Here's a link to the "original" formula.  

Bisquick INGREDIENTS / Nutritional Info

Now, I'm not a food expert.  But here's the basic list of problems with this product:

1. Bleached flour
2. Partially hydrogenated oil

I just found this GREAT video by a nutritionist on YouTube discussing the process of bleaching flour, the chemicals they use, byproducts of the process, how it is illegal to bleach flour in Europe, and how this impacts your health in a very negative way. Yikes.  Here's that video.

What's wrong with Partially Hydrogenated Oils?  They've been banned, completely made illegal in some cities.  These oils are just about the worst thing you can consume for your heart. They are also referred to as "trans fats".  This is why you won't find them listed as an ingredient on Bisquick's "heart smart" product (but don't worry... they make up for leaving it out in other ways).  This shit gets into your arteries and never leaves. It sticks inside you like a glue. The Mayo Clinic will tell you all about "partially hydrogenated oils" at this link, and you can do your own Google search to uncover more information.  

Why, why, why would your trusted Betty Crocker brand feed you this horrible, nasty shit?  Because people are making money off this practice.  The food companies, the pharmaceutical companies, the healthcare industry, and the death/funeral industry..... and so on.  

Now, what's wrong with good ol' Pam?  My family has been using that for years and years!  It doesn't even have calories.  How can it be that bad? 

I just went to Pam's website and tried to pull up nutritional information and guess what!  It doesn't show the same thing online that is actually printed on a can of Pam. They don't list their ingredients on their website! haha  Link to Pam.  Now, here is what is printed on a can of Pam "butter flavor" spray:

Ingredients in Pam "butter flavor" spray: 

• Canola Oil (not bad)
• Soy Lecithin
• Water 
• Natural Flavor - What the hell is this mystery substance????  How do you know if you are allergic or not?
• Annatto (color)
• Propellant - What??????????  Propellant?????????  

Okay, so ChaCha and several other sites say that the "propellant" contains "isobutane and propane".  I have also read online that the MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheet) claims these products to be "safe".  

1.  Why would you want to consume propane?

2.  Who determines what products are "safe" for the MSDS? (Answer: Lobbyists, corporations, politicians, bureaucrats) 

Here's my conclusion.  Don't consume things that are questionable.  You don't need it. It's not healthy or smart.  Add pure, organic oil to your skillet, if you must (but use caution.... oil will be the topic of another blog post in the future).  It's easy to switch.

So.... I have a LOT of recipes for vegan pancakes, and I try new ones all the time.  Today, I found this vegan pancake recipe on a blog called "The Clean Eating Momma" and here's a LINK to her recipe.  It's really good, in my opinion.  Of course, I altered it. Here's what I did....

Ingredients

• 1 cup whole wheat flour
• 1  and 1/2 cup of very vanilla silk soy milk (lots of people debate soy, by the way... but I like it)
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon of cocoa powder
• 4 tablespoons ground flax seed (meal)
• 1 tablespoon oil, vegetable
• 1 tablespoon of vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon organic turbinado
• Stevia

Mix all the dry ingredients together and then whisk in the wet. Add more milk until you get the consistency you want.  These will be fluffy. 

I cooked mine on a cast iron skillet in Earth Balance, which is a vegan substitute for butter and tastes delicious. I like to use a cast iron skillet because they get super hot and pancakes cook so nicely in them, crisping the edge, etc....

For the topping: 

• 1 cup of frozen organic blueberries (or any organic fresh / frozen fruit)
• 1/8 cup agave
• 1/8 cup organic maple syrup

Heat the above and let it lightly boil for about 4 minutes. Spoon onto your pancake and love it. 

Sometimes, I use this recipe from VegWeb ("Best Tasting Pancakes Ever!  Vegan or Otherwise") for pancakes, but I think I like what I used today better. 

Notice that everything used in the ingredients list of these recipes is an easily identifiable substance.  That's the goal.  Don't trust these corporate food monsters. They are your enemy. They offer you convenience in the immediate, present moment.... but you'll pay the price with your life and your health in the future, which isn't so convenient after all.