One Hundred posts, One Hundred reasons I love what I do

I've tried going to the gym. I've had three one-year memberships. It's a love-hate thing for me, as I love how it makes me feel, but in all honesty, going every day is not stimulating enough in my books. I see results in my physical well being, but that's where it stops. I can lift weights like crazy, but the weight will never benefit from me lifting it. It somehow seems counter productive in my mind. (But please don't lose your workout motivation, I am just shooting from the hip here!) This may sound crazy, but I would much rather clean my house, pull weeds, mow the lawn, and especially, walk my dog. I may never be Jillian Michaels, but I am happy, and I feel good - and that's what matters in the end, doesn't it? I have come to terms with the fact that loving food and all things home may never give me killer legs, and my tummy may not bounce back from babies as beautifully as it could. I just don't care. Because life as I know it is perfect, to me. I once again came to this realization as I was out walking the dog a few days ago. The warm spring air surrounding me felt tremendously cozy, as I bonded with Cooper, my new, amazing, wonderful and loving Lab. My eyes soaked in the miracle of new life, as flowers bloomed and leaves swayed in the wind. Then, suddenly, I experienced one of those moments where time stands still. My glance turned to about a dozen bright yellow Buttercups in the front yard of a house Cooper and I were passing. For some reason it took my by surprise - I don't remember the last time I saw Buttercups that weren't "in the wild". I stopped for a moment, and remembered how I loved to pick these as a child. At about the same time, a man around my age passed us, Blue Tooth in his ear, seemingly talking to himself, a serious and stressed look on his face. I wondered - have we missed it all together? Do we need new, better and bigger every year? Does it really make us happy? Did we get rid of the Buttercups, to have perfect green grass? Maybe a modern, fast paced life is not what it's cracked up to be. So next time you are out, stop and smell the ... wild flowers. Perfection can be found in simple imperfection.




Pancakes are a little like the gym to me. They are somewhat one dimensional, certainly not a well balanced meal nor exciting on the palate. But, as all kids do, mine enjoy these so much, not once do I need to remind them to finish their breakfast (OK, dinner... my kids love pancakes for dinner!). Until one day I discovered Granola Sour Cream Pancakes, which, with their nutty crunch, were oddly satisfying to me. To make them even more tempting to myself, I whipped up a sophisticated fresh Blueberry and Lemon Sauce, rather than drenching already sweet cakes with more (maple syrup) sugar. Now you've got my attention!

What's that you say? You'd like to try them for yourself?





Sour Cream Granola Pancakes with Blueberry Lemon Sauce
Pancakes inspired by Art Smith's "Back to the Family",
sauce inspired by my hunger

Makes 12 Pancakes

2 cups all purpose flour
2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
2 tbsp sugar
1 large egg, beaten
2 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
1 tsp pure vanilla extract
1 cup sour cream
1 cup buttermilk or alternative (1 cup milk, 1 tsp vinegar - allow to coagulate for 10 minutes)

Granola

Preheat the oven to 200 F, to keep pancakes warm as you make them.
Combine flour, baking powder, salt and sugar in a bowl.
In a large bowl, combine egg, butter, vanilla, sour cream, and buttermilk. Beat well.
Add the dry ingredients, combine without over mixing. Lumps are OK.
Heat a non stick griddle over medium heat, brush with a little vegetable oil. Using a 1/4 cup measuring cup, pour individual pancakes into the pan and sprinkle each with granola.
When the pancakes begin to bubble, flip to cook the other side.
Place cooked pancakes on a sheet pan and keep warm in the oven.

For the blueberry sauce, thaw 1 - 2 cups frozen blueberries. Place in a blender with 1 tbsp superfine, or instant (not icing), sugar. Add the zest of 1/2 a lemon. Blend until smooth.




I want to take a moment to thank you for faithfully reading this blog. It's been and continues to be an incredible journey, and I'd like to think all of you readers are a driving force that keeps me giving my best, not giving up, and continuing on this path of learning and discovery. Cheers! Here's to 100 more!