A couple months ago my mucccccccccch older brother asked me to "define happiness." It was one of those moments.
I quickly gave him a rundown of some things that make me happy...
spending time with family & friends
tea & dessert
my BLOG!
traveling
cooking & baking
shopping
enjoying my love for designer bags
And then he looked at me with dismay, almost as though he pitied me, because I hadn't a clue. I retaliated back saying, "whatever, I don't need to justify myself, this is what makes me happy, and just because I don't have kids doesn't mean I don't know what happiness means. What's on your list?"
I waited for a smart ass reply... and he simply responded, "health."
Instantly I realized he was right, but unfortunately more often than not I take my health for granted, assuming it will always be perfect. Sadly though, what it took was a recent tragic event that occurred in my family which brought me to the revelation that health IS happiness, yes indeed.
Nowadays I am grateful for my health, more than ever, and I enjoy the other “some shallow” things on my list knowing that it could all end in a moment's notice without my good health.
So to all of you celebrating Thanksgiving this year, how about a toast to GOOD HEALTH, huh?
Happy Thanksgiving!!! May you all enjoy this holiday celebrating with family & friends and find something you are truly grateful for.
NUTRITION: Whole Wheat Pastry Flour is a great source of Protein and Fiber. Pumpkin is rich in Vitamin A and Fiber. Milk is a very good source of Calcium and Vitamin D. It is also a good source of Protein, Vitamins A and K.
These pancakes aren’t terribly unhealthy, however for a more healthier alternative swap out 1 tablespoon of butter and susbtitute oil. Additionally, skip adding butter on top, and drizzle very little maple syrup.
INGREDIENTS (makes 6 to 7 pancakes):
- Whole Wheat Pastry Flour – 1 ¼ cups
- Baking Powder – 2 tsp
- Cinnamon – 1 tsp
- Nutmeg – ¼ tsp
- Ginger Powder – ⅛ tsp
- Salt – ¼ tsp
- Egg – 1
- Milk 2% Reduced Fat – 1 cup
- Libby’s 100% Pure Pumpkin – ½ cup
- Unsalted Butter (melted) – 1 tbsp …for a healthier alternative, use Oil
- Sugar in the Raw Brown Sugar – 1 ½ tbsp
- Pure Vanilla – ½ tsp
- Pecans (for garnish) (optional)
- Unsalted Butter – ⅓ tablespoon (on top) (optional)
- Pure Maple Syrup 100% – drizzle on top (optional)
DIRECTIONS:
1. In a small bowl, combine the dry ingredients… flour, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger powder, and salt. Stir and set aside.
2. In a separate bowl, add the wet ingredients… milk, pumpkin, vanilla, melted butter… and brown sugar.
3. Mix all the wet ingredients until well-incorporated.
4. Add the dry ingredients to the wet.
5. Mix until combined, however DO NOT OVERMIX.
6. Heat a pan on low-medium heat. Once hot, using a ¼ cup measurement, drop the mixture onto a heated pan glazed with butter or oil.
7. Cook for a couple minutes until golden brown, and then flip.
8. Top with ⅓ tablespoon of butter and pecans. Drizzle a little maple syrup. Serve immediately.
TELL ME: If you are celebrating Thanksgiving, what are you thankful for? And if you are not, tell me anyway. 🙂
Khushboo says
Goodness Nisha..can I pleeeeease come over for breakfast?? These pancakes look divine....enough to put IHOP outta business ;)! Food aside, you are absolutely right about health. As cliche as it sounds, health really is our greatest wealth! Without it, nothing else matters. Watching the health of some loved ones deteriorate has been the biggest reality check and a reminder of what is most important in life...even if I do sometimes take it for granted!
Hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving :)!
Asmita says
Wow Nisha,
These pancakes looks warm and so inviting. I love the pecans on top!
Kitchen Queen says
wow, pie in a pnacake. love it.
http://realhomecookedfood.blogspot.com
Mari says
These look delicious!! That's a great response that your brother had about health. Wisdom does come with age and based on your first sentence he sounds REALLY OLD. I'm kidding : )
Have a good Thanksgiving!!
eatgood4life.blogspot.com says
This look fantastic.....time to whip some for breakfast tomorrow 🙂 I haven't made pancakes in for ever!! Bookmarking....
Ameena says
So, so true. We forget that without health we really have nothing. Not even our love for designer bags (which, incidentally I laughed out loud at. Too cute. Love the honesty.
Guru Uru says
Happy Thanksgiving my friend, these are absolutely gorgeous 😀
A very cool post!
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
eatgood4life.blogspot.com says
I just wanted to let you know that I made them this morning and they were a huge hit. I don't like pumpkin at all and I could eat this when ever!! I am going to try to make them again and do a post in my blog 🙂 I will let you know if I do. Thanks for sharing.
honeywhatscooking says
@eatgood4life - thanks so much! glad you enjoyed them.. the pumpkin taste is not super prominent, but you can still taste it. can't wait to see your post. 🙂
honeywhatscooking says
@Khushboo - I don't know about putting IHOP out of business, but thanks. Yup, health is our greatest wealth. Well said.
honeywhatscooking says
@Asmita @KitchenQueen - thanks guys.. the pecans on top are really a nice touch.
honeywhatscooking says
@Mari - I'm NOT kidding, he really is OLD. 🙂 Thanks.
honeywhatscooking says
@Ameena - haha... yes, nothing else matters without health. I love those designer bags. 🙂
honeywhatscooking says
@GuruUru - thanks. Wonder if you celebrate Thanksgiving down under?