Make that frankenfood meal healthy...

One thing I discovered about healthy eating, is that just about anything unhealthy CAN be made healthy, with the switch of an ingredient or two.

One example is pancakes. I used to love my aunt jeminas every morning thick with margarine and sugary syrup, it was pure sugar and empty calories, by the time lunch time rolled around, I would usually be passed out.

The problem, I later figured out, was not the idea of pancakes but the ingredients in both the pancake mix and the syrup I was using.

Fixing this problem was simple, I went out and bought REAL maple syrup, yes it cost more but it was well worth it (I DO NOT EAT IT EVERYDAY)

What is Maple Syrup and How is it Made?

Maple syrup is made from the sugary circulating fluid (sap) of maple trees.

It has been consumed for many centuries in North America… since the times of the Indians.

Over 80% of the world’s supply is now produced in Canada.

Maple syrup is made in a natural 2-step process:

1. A hole is drilled in the maple tree. Then the sugary circulating fluid leaks out and is collected into a container.
2. The sugary fluid is boiled until most of the water evaporates, leaving a thick sugary syrup, which is then filtered to remove impurities.

Lets take a look at aunt Jemima table syrup:

CORN SYRUP, HIGH FRUCTOSE CORN SYRUP, WATER, CELLULOSE GUM, CARAMEL COLOR, SALT, SODIUM BENZOATE AND SORBIC ACID (PRESERVATIVES), ARTIFICIAL AND NATURAL FLAVORS, SODIUM HEXAMETAPHOSPHATE.

High Fructose Corn Syrup is nasty stuff. If you want to believe that it does not affect your body any differently from sugar go right ahead. It is so much more highly refined than sugar it isn’t funny. It’s like saying that there is no difference between opium and poppy seeds on your breakfast bagel. Fructose and Sucrose are two different animals, and while sugar should be limited it will not do the bad things to your triglycerides that HFCS will. HFCS was introduced in the late 70s and *coincidentally* obesity levels, diabetes, and heart problems have increased during the same time period. Also, because of the way HFCS is processed 30% of  the products containing it test positive for mercury. Yummers. A pancake that can display your temperature.

I know that the Corn Refiner’s Association has told a different tale..and after all, why would they lie? It isn’t like they stand to make any money off HFCS or anything, is it?

High fructose corn syrup is deadly in all way shapes and forms and does not have a place in anyones diet. Honestly it should be removed from all grocery store items, 

Now lets, look at some healthy pancake recipes:

wait a sec...There are WAY too many healthy pancake recipes to choose from, I just can not decide which one I like the best, I have tried many and they are all delicious...my favorite is the most simple one

1. Heat coconut oil in pan

2. Scrample 2 eggs with one banana

3. Add a few tablespoons of coconut flour

4. Fry 

Ta da! Simple, and delicious

if you are feeling lazy you can pick up some pancake mix from Bobs red mill that contains all natural ingredients. 

and if you want some added sweetness but do not want the cost all you have to do is pick up a bag of frozen (or fresh) berries, and heat them up on your stove top, until they make a broth that you can use as syrup instead.

I like to add some coconut oil to my pancakes, or grass fed ghee or butter, but if you are trying to avoid calories you can skip the spreads altogether, I personally think the pancakes are delicious on their own...

It takes some work, but is easy to do.

Instead of mayonaise make a tuna fish sandwich with greek yogurt!

Instead of lots of sugary dressings in your sandwich, try hummus!

Instead of white table crackers try ryvita crackers!

Instead of a bag of chips, try kale chips!

Instead of peanut butter and jam try ALL NATURAL peanut butter with some berries, or chopped up banana...

The options are endless! Healthy food CAN be delicious!