Banana Bread Pancakes!

You can tell it is really early in the school season because the mornings are really too easy. I get up at 5:50am to work out, then 7am it is go time for everyone else! I am back to my routine of 30 minutes of cardio and 30 minutes of muscle toning until the illustrator and I can get a schedule down to walk again. We still aren't sure how to work it out since dropping the kids off takes about 40 minutes total and it is hard for him to start work and then stop. Not to mention with the heat right now, we kind of miss the best part of the day to be outside. So, I did cardio sports this morning and then Core Exhale Fusion for my arms and thighs.  My thighs were still on fire when I had to go up the stairs to get the boys in the shower and then back downstairs to get my much needed cup o' joe! Guess that means it is working! We did a little mall walking today so the illustrator would not end up with a flat butt from sitting all the time. He is missing our walks. I told him working out is addictive!

I had a plan to start yesterday morning off with a big pancake breakfast, but since there were some major nerves going on a light breakfast was on the menu...aka cereal. I decided to surprise the boys with bacon for dinner. Yes, I deprive them of bacon on most occasions. They love it and I hate it. However, I love pancakes so I bribe them with bacon to let me have pancakes for dinner! It is really a win win situation...in my mind anyway. Besides, I really wanted banana bread pancakes! A girl's gotta do what a girl's gotta do and when you are out numbered on most things...you turn to using bacon as a bribe!

I used Bob's Red Mill All Purpose Baking Mix to make them gluten free. I highly recommend this mix! It is really light and easy to use when you don't want to mix other flours together. I added a nice helping of nutmeg to my dry goods...it smelled so good!

I also used a So Delicious Unsweetened Coconut Milk. It is so creamy and has such a great flavor! It worked perfectly for making my own soured milk!  I will definitely be keeping this one on hand from now on! My favorite thing about this milk is that the calories are low and the fat is a little higher. It makes it a great baking product for me.

I smothered mine in Nutiva Hemp Seeds. I was going to put them in the mix, but I was afraid to heat them up too much and destroy the nutrients in them, so on top they went. I loved the flavor and texture it gave to the top of the pancakes! Besides, these little suckers are full of good stuff for you!

I was in heaven with my banana bread pancakes last night and the boys were in heaven with their bacon! It was quite the celebration dinner for the first day of school!

Banana Bread Pancakes
(makes 22 small pancakes)

1 1/2 cups So Delicious Unsweetened Coconut Milk
1 1/2 TBSP apple cider vinegar
2 TBSP flax meal mixed with 6 TBSP hot water (set aside for 5 minutes)
2 cups Bob's Red Mill All Purpose Baking Mix
1/2 tsp fresh grated nutmeg
1 tsp baking soda
2 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
1 cup mashed banana (2 for me)
15 drops NuNaturals Vanilla Stevia (or a couple TBSP sweetener of your choice)

Combine the coconut milk with the vinegar and set it aside while you get everything else together.  It will curdle...that's what you want. Next mix the dry ingredients (flour thru salt) in a bowl. Then mix the wet ingredients into the dry and whisk just until everything comes together. Cook on a nonstick skillet coated with cooking spray. Enjoy!