Will Run For Honey Apple Pancakes (& t-rex eyeball rings)

who needs syrup or a fork?

Grateful people are happier people.  At least that's what I've heard.

In an attempt to be more grateful I've been writing the things that I am grateful for on post-it notes and sticking them to the bathroom mirror (luckily 8 year olds for the most part don't care what you look like).

Some things that I'm grateful for this week:

1.  T-Rex eye ball rings.  A student thought that I was special enough to give a gummy rubber ring with a rolling t-rex eyeball in it to.  It was the best present that I got all week. Sure it was warm, grubby and had been on his finger but he was so proud. 

2.  A bed full of bouviers and/or a bathtub full of bouviers.

bouvier in the bath

bouvier in the bed

3.  Outdoor runs.  7 K outdoors is better than 7K on the treadmill even if it is -25, you have to slather your face in shea butter so your skin doesn't crack off and your running partner complains the ENTIRE time.  Maybe I'm exaggerating a little.

4.  Guinea pigs.  We adopted Simone & Soda Marcelle 5 week old guinea pigs from our local SPCA!

Simone

 Marcelle Marcelle or Soda Marcelle depending on who you ask

5.  Snow days.  Thank you. I've appreciated the quiet time but enough is enough.  You can keep your super snow ice storm(s) to yourself.

On snow days when I only have a handful of students we usually find our way to the kitchen and make healthier versions of some of their favourite foods (in the name of procedural writing of course).  This week it was pancakes & oatmeal cups.

Honey Apple Pancakes
(6-8 pancakes)

*1/4 C ground oats

*1/2 C whole wheat flour

*1/2 C unbleached all-purpose flour

1 tsp cinnamon

1/8 tsp freshly grated nutmeg

1 flax egg (1 T ground flax + 3 T warm water) or 1 chicken/duck egg

3/4 C + 2 T unsweetened apple juice

2 tsp honey

1 T olive oil

1 small apple peeled and grated (e.g. royal gala, macintosh)

Step 1: In a large bowl combine dry ingredients.  In a smaller bowl combine wet ingredients including grated apple.  Add wet ingredients to dry ingredients and stir until lumpy.  

Step 2:  Heat griddle.  Pour 1/4 C of batter on griddle for each pancake.  Cook 2-3 minutes on each side until surface is bubbly.  Turn pancake and cook an additional 2-3 minutes.

Step 3:  Serve with apple sauce, apple butter, syrup or honey. 

* you can substitute whole wheat flour or all purpose flour for the flour combination.