Tuesday, February 20, 2007

Sneaky Nutrition - "Skinny Pancakes"


Give us this day our daily bread. Matthew 6:11

Pretty soon, we’re all going to be teaching Selena and her friends about their need to share. So I was thinking about the fact that as our children grow older, one of the best ways to teach them about sharing is by example. Then I wondered “What do I have to share with my friends?” and I thought of something.


From my kitchen to yours—enjoy these pancakes one day soon. These have always been a favorite at our house, formerly being called the “skinny pancakes”, now referred to as the “cottage cheese pancakes.” I particularly like them because you can sneak in lots of nutrition to start your day. Don’t tell your kids (or your husband either for that matter) that these hotcakes are good for them, but they are:

1 cup low fat cottage cheese (with added calcium)
3 eggs
¾ cup whole wheat flour
½ cup wheat germ
¾ cup fat free evaporated milk, undiluted
½ tsp. vanilla
¼ cup unsweetened applesauce
1 Tablespoon sunflower oil
2-3 Tablespoons ground flaxseed (optional)

Mix in blender and pour onto hot griddle. This makes about four servings.

Don’t make a big deal with your family that they’re getting an abundant supply of protein, calcium, fiber, Vitamins A, D, and E, but they are. Don’t dare mention words like folic acid, magnesium, phosphorous and iron to them. It might scare them off. Just set it before them and watch them savor all that good stuff their bodies need. And when spring and summer come and you dump some fresh strawberries or blueberries on top, whatever you do, don’t say you’re adding Vitamin C and antioxidants! Just do it and let them enjoy!

Let me also share a portion of one of the songs from our “Verses and Hymns for the Very Young.” These are good words to teach your children at mealtimes:


Father we thank thee for the night,
And for the pleasant morning light;
For rest and food and loving care,
And all that makes the day so fair.

~ Rebecca J. Weston, 1885

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

Mmm...I will definitely try those for my husband. They sound yummy.

Anonymous said...

Ooh... those sound very yummy. Mark and I LOVE pancakes but I always think about how many calories they have! I can't wait to try out this healthier recipe. Thanks so much for sharing it!

Beverly said...

You let the cat out of the bag! Now one daughter and her husband know that these delectables are healthy! Thanks for sharing the recipe, Mom.

chrisd said...

I know that song--it was on a lullabies tape by Cedarmont Kids. I had a collection of those for Sam when he was little. They're all tore up now from use (which is a good thing).