tropical green smoothie

My 5th grader is a SUPER picky eater. He has been forever. It’s tough for me to digest (couldn’t resist), given my own love of food + cooking. Plus my own health journey has taught me so much about nutrition and the importance of what you put in your body, so my passion is real AND really thwarted by my son’s rejection of just about every vegetable known to this Earth. However, undaunted as strong mamas are, I persevere and sneak boosts in wherever I can. A few scoops of flax seed here, a little collagen there (I put it in pancakes, muffins, hot chocolate, smoothies…pretty much anywhere I can).

FORTUNATELY he’s always been game for a big cold smoothie and I can jam a ton of nutrients in there without his knowledge. Somehow he won’t eat a green vegetable, but a bright green smoothie doesn’t register as a problem. I don’t ask, I just feel grateful that it’s not a thing and pour him another splash. This Tropical Green Smoothie is one of our go-to after school or summer day snacks. It’s sweet and refreshing, but packs a pretty good punch of vitamins, protein and fiber that are totally undetectable. There’s quite a lot of fruit in there, so def some sugar, but it’s worth it to me to get the other stuff in there. So if you need to hide some good stuff inside something that tastes like yummy stuff, give this a whirl. Put everything into a good blender and whiz until smooth. Enjoy with your favorite picky eater. GIFT A LITTLE HAPPINESS. xo

INGREDIENTS

• 1 cup OJ [can sub milk/non-dairy milk for less sweetness]

• 1 banana

• 1 giant handful of baby spinach

• 1 cup fresh or frozen mango

• 1 cup fresh or frozen pineapple

• 1 heaping scoop collagen

• 1 heaping spoonful of flax seed

• 1 heaping spoonful of hemp hearts

• big handful of ice if using fresh fruit

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things i love // spring break

Even though it’s still weeks away, I am getting SO excited for Spring Break. Airplanes and beaches and glamorous cities were off the table this year, so we set our winter-weary sights much closer to home and we’re taking a little road trip to the Utah desert. It’s a place we’ve been to many times, but that could absolutely never get old. It’s one of my hands-down favorite landscapes on the planet and I have found in the past couple of years that my bones and very soul crave being there. The jaw-dropping scenery, the energy, the shadows, the flora and fauna...I love it all and it’s been too long since we’ve made the trek. So we’re packing up the truck and making our way West to take it all in with our BFFs slash most epic travel buddies. I’m giddy just thinking about it. So this week, I’m sharing with you my most tried and true travel gear; the things I never set out on adventure without (at least not on purpose). I hope it helps you prep for your upcoming adventures, near or far. And PLEASE tell me where you’re headed, I LOVE some good travel inspiration for daydreaming and future getaways. xo

I’VE TRIED just about every type of stainless steel water bottle out there. I’m not sure if it’s just because I’m a sucker for brightly colored powder coating [I am] or what, but I’ve given almost every major brand a solid test run and my little fam has settled on a hybrid combo of Hydro Flask (sksksks - are VSCO girls still a thing?!) and Yeti. We have Water Bottles, Tumblers, Mugs for hot drinks and Can Insulators for keeping drinks icy cold. I’ve given the Wine Tumblers for gifts because nobody wants warm Chardonnay, even out in the woods. Um, yeah, when I say that out loud it does sound like an awful lot of 18/8 stainless, which is why I felt like a bit of a heel spending $65 on yet ANOTHER bottle. BUT… the Hydroflask 64 oz Wide Mouth I bought last summer is hands-down one of the best travel purchases I’ve ever made. My husband first visibly rolled his eyes at me, but now is first to fill it up when we’re headed out.

WE USE this big boy on road trips short and long to refill all of our water bottles when they go dry. The water stays super cold, even in summer, especially if we fill it to the brim with ice. We’ve even come off of days-long river trips, all dry and hot and parched, to find cold, fresh water still chillin’ in the car. Those moments are life-changing and worth their weight in gold (or 18/8 stainless). This thing is HEAVY when it’s full, so not ideal for air travel or dragging around Paris, but for road trips, picnics, days at the beach or pool, kiddo sporting events or any other activity that gets your crew thirsty, it’s everything. And Hydroflask just keeps releasing awesome new colors, which just may be my excuse to buy another biggie so I don’t have to share.
// HYDROFLASK 64 OZ WIDE MOUTH BOTTLE $64.95 //

ONE OF the best things about Colorado is our gorgeous weather. We have 300 days a year of glorious sunshine and the brightest blue skies. But it’s also super unpredictable. It can be show-stopping 65 + sunny one day and fully snowing the next. Which makes camping and travel a constant crapshoot; you have to be prepared for just about anything. To that end, each member of my cutie family got a Rumpl Puffy Blanket for Christmas to take care of the possible chilly part of that equation. They call them ‘sleeping bag blankets’ because they’re basically just that. And like a sleeping bag, they pack down super tight into their own stuff sack, so they’re easy to drag along wherever we might be headed. They’re cozy by the campfire on a chilly night or wrap you up in warmth as an extra layer while you sleep. My guys hug them in the car on a long drive up skiing and at home on the couch. Even if you’re just hanging in your yard to socially distance with friends, Rumpl Puffy Blankets are super comfy. My boys have the Joshua Tree and Grand Canyon blankets from the National Park Collection, which felt special to them since they’ve visited both. But there are all kinds of cool prints and solids that would appeal to just about everyone. And this week they launched a really gorgeous new collaboration, called Teton Dreams, with Montana-based artist Rachel Pohl.

RUMPL is also part of 1% For The Planet, which means they donate 1% of their profits to environmental causes. They use 100% post-consumer recycled materials to make their blankets, diverting 5 million plastic bottles each year from the landfill. And they’re carbon neutral, offsetting their entire footprint with credits. So not only will you feel warm and toasty in your puffy blanket, but your heart can feel warm and toasty knowing that you’ve supported a company that’s passionately responsible for taking care of the planet.
// RUMPL PUFFY BLANKETS $99+ //

EVEN BEFORE I had kids, I always carried a giant “mom” bag. I’m just kind of a Boy Scout and like to have everything that I could *possibly* need right at hand. After I had kids, the collection of things I *had* to have to leave the house was more like a packing list for Semester at Sea. Then, the pandemic. The day I learned that we weren’t going anywhere for a while (who could’ve imagined how long), I took everything out of my gorgeous mom bag, put it away and pulled out the Aloha Collection Mini Hip Pack that I’d bought the summer before for hikes. And I never took it off. Seriously. I wore that thing for 8 months straight and couldn’t have been happier about it. It was like an extension of my body. I only reluctantly took it off in October because it started to look super weird with a jacket.

THE Mini Hip Pack is the best accessory for travel near or far and I found that I actually really don’t need much to be very happy out in the world. It holds my little wallet, keys, phone, hand sani, tissues and chapstick. And as it turns out, that’s pretty much all I need most of the time. It’s awesome for hiking and hands-free grocery shopping. I love it for camping + adventuring because all of my actual essentials are literally strapped to me at all times, so I don’t have to fumble around trying to find a tissue while I’m squatting in the woods (TMI? We’re friends, right?). And all of Aloha’s bags are “splashproof” so it’s ok if it gets super sweaty or you dribble a bit of water on it. Mine is still in excellent condition despite its sincere abuse.

ALOHA is a Hawaiian company that’s all about prepping you for travel with a beautiful, tropical vibe, even if you’re headed to a decidedly less exotic locale. Their awesome pouches, duffles and totes are equally comfortable and useful globetrotting in far flung places or at a park playdate. They’re lightweight, durable and easy to clean, which is everything right now. If you’d prefer a more refined hip pack, by elke’s Veg-Tanned Leather Zip-Top version is stunning and functional. If your t(w)een is in to them, Stoney Clover Lane makes adorable Fanny Packs in a bazillion colors that would wow just about any kiddo.

I WILL never completely abandon my love of giant bags, especially for travel, and have been eyeing Aloha’s giant reversible Holo Holo totes for a someday-soon-I-hope beach vacation or even our neighborhood pool. But for our upcoming desert wander, you can be sure I’ll be busting out my old Hip Pack, just in case I need to duck behind a cactus.
// ALOHA COLLECTION MINI HIP PACK $40 //

HAPPY FART Out Loud Day! JK. Sort of. That’s just one hit single from our family-favorite kids podcast, Story Pirates, because anything to do with bodily functions is obvs funny. My older son gets SUPER car sick (not as funny), so long road trips are kind of torture for him, which is very unfortunate because we take them all the time. Thank goodness, over the years and miles, we’ve found some things that work pretty well to help pass the time while he stares out the window trying not to vomit. We bring loads of fidgets, a whole box of crackers just for him and we listen to fun podcasts to distract from the nausea.

WE DISCOVERED the Story Pirates podcast when it was brand new and the whole lot of us was instantly hooked. It’s a group of improv actors and musicians who take stories that real children write and turn them into hilarious songs, which they then perform. It’s magic. They don’t try to edit the kids’ charming stories to make them more polished or less silly, in fact the more fantastical, the better. Some of our favorite episodes include The Chess Master, Fart Out Loud Day and All 8 Unicorns, but there are countless other just exceptionally fun performances. It’s appropriate for all ages and is so entertaining. I especially love the epic stories written by the littler kids, they’re just so sincerely off the wall and delightful. There’s also some banter and a little storyline that happens with the actors in between songs that’s silly and keeps the pace. You def don’t need to start at the beginning of the series, but some of our favorite episodes are from the early days, so if you have a l o n g road ahead, I’d throw it way back and settle in.

AND IF a silly form of musical theater isn’t really your gig, we also love The Big Fib (now also a show on Disney+). It’s a riff on two truths and lie and it’s also super engaging. Each episode has a theme that ranges from Skateboarding to Dolphins to Caves (so something for everyone) and a kiddo contestant has to try to figure out which of two supposed experts on the topic is telling the truth and which is a liar. It’s entertaining and super fun to try to guess who the liar is along with the kiddo on the show. There’s also a robot sidekick that brings the laughs, keeping the pace so minds don’t wander.

MY SON still feels woozy while we’re driving, but off-the-wall entertainment helps, so we’ll keep it going until the boys say ‘uncle.’ It def beats hearing the same 9 songs repeated on The Pulse for 7 straight hours.
// STORY PIRATES PODCAST //

OK, LOVELIES, I’m going to let you in on one of my greatest mom [and gift-giving] secrets. If you haven’t already met one of my best friends, Plus Plus, I’d like to introduce you. Plus Plus, this is my lovely friend. Lovely friend, this is Plus Plus, one of the greatest [travel] toys of all time and saver of so many restaurant meals I could never try to count. I have been dragging them with us wherever we go for about 7 years and I kid you not, I’ve never seen my boys make the same thing twice. Total strangers approach our table, initially drawn to the spectacular mix of brilliant color, but then they get sucked in to examining the boys’ magnificent creations. Even when we’re out with other kiddos, the whole lot of them get totally engrossed in building, looking up only to trade colors with the kid next to them.

MADE IN Denmark, Plus Plus’ tagline is “one shape, endless possibilities,” and I can totally attest to that truth. They are so simple in concept, but just brilliant in execution. They make sets of varying sizes and “themes,” but we just dump ours all together in a big, colorful mess and have at it. I put a heaping pile + a baseplate in a reusable bag for each of the boys and I ONLY bust them out at restaurants or traveling (that is part of the trick to keeping them exciting for 7 years). My boys have made epic battle scenes, robots, animals, machines, guys and a hundred other things. It’s just awesome to see the magical creations that come out of their expanding brains. They also have a biggie size for little hands. The colors are just so appealing and they’ve also introduced metallic, glittery and glow in the dark pieces, making it nearly impossible to resist buying *just one more* little tube even though we already have SO SO many. They’re a perfect gift, gift topper, party favor, stocking stuffer, Easter basket filler or travel surprise.

PLUS (can’t resist) the Plus Plus factory in Denmark uses 100% wind energy, has a zero-waste facility and both the toys + packaging are totally recyclable. So huge win there. They are also super easy to wash when they get dribbles of soy sauce or ketchup [or germs] on them. So, if you haven’t already met, I highly recommend getting to know my friend Plus Plus before your next adventure or when you just need a few solid minutes of quiet time.
// PLUS PLUS $7.99+ //

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gorilla munch cereal bars

ONE OF our very favorite third graders took a tumble last week and broke BOTH of his arms. Yeah. Rough. But he’s a trooper and is in excellent spirits despite not being able to scratch his own face or feed himself because of the two casts that run from shoulder to fingers on both arms. Gah. Poor kiddo and poor mama who has been kicked back to exhausting newborn baby mode, helping her previously independent 8-year-old navigate this unfamiliar helplessness [temporarily, thank goodness]. They are def going to need our support in lots of ways over the weeks to come, but today I started with just a little happy treat to try to brighten their hearts. I’m bringing dinner and the largest bottle of wine I can find for mama and these Gorilla Munch Cereal Bars for the intrepid patient.

THE BARS were inspired by Christina Tosi’s amazing Milk Bar Kids Only Cookbook, which is a treasure trove of creative and over-the-top fun recipes for everything from Fluffernutter Cookie Sandwiches to Corn Dog Waffles to Popcorn Shakes. Christina Tosi started the Milk Bar bakery in NYC in 2008 and has turned baking upside-down with her now-famous inside-out Birthday Cakes and a coveted recipe for the sweet, delicious Cereal Milk that pools at the bottom of your cereal bowl. Milk Bar Kids Only is all about using super appealing nostalgic ingredients that are all readily available so just about everyone can find them AND making things as fun as possible (healthy, not so much, but REALLY fun). If you’re a fan of cooking shows or even just interesting stories, her episode on Chef’s Table: Pastries was super inspiring and fun to watch. And the book is a great read for kids and adults alike. I have gifted it to a few of my favorite kiddo bakers, who loved it, and so I finally bought a copy just for me (I told you I’m all about the one for you, one for me style of gifting, right?).

SO, THIS recipe for EXTRA sweet + gooey Gorilla Munch Cereal Bars is not in the book, but she has a bunch of other awesome cereal bars (like these Coco Cabana Cereal Squares) and I just adapted it. Here’s the recipe for what I made, but feel free to sub any kind of cereal you like and mix in just about anything you want. It’s a very loose, sky’s-the-limit kind of a treat. And it starts with a big pile of marshmallows and butter, so you know it’s going to be good no matter what.

Gorilla Munch Cereal Bar Recipe

INGREDIENTS

• 5 tbsp butter (save the paper!)

• 1 bag of marshmallows

• 1 cup mini marshmallows

• 8 cups of cereal (I ended up using about 6 cups of Gorilla Munch and 2 cups of Rice Chex; Kix would also be perfect and a little less sweet)

• rainbow sprinkles! (our guy DEF needs them, but they’re optional)

DIRECTIONS

• Coat your 11x13 baking pan with cooking spray

• Put the marshmallows and butter in a giant microwave-safe bowl and zap for 2 minutes. The marshmallows will puff up so make sure there’s space in the bowl or you’ll end up with a doozy of a mess.

• Mix the butter and ‘mallows and then zap for another minute if necessary until they’re smooth and all combined

• Add the cereal to the bowl and mix until well coated

• Add the mini marshmallows and mix

• Spread into the pan using the butter paper to smooth it all down (it was seriously worth the cost of the book to learn this trick from Christina’s grandma - did you already know this?!)

• Shake on the sprinkles

• Let cool until firm and then just try not to make yourself sick nibbling one fun little Gorilla Munch ball at a time until they’re all gone

I’M HOPEFUL these fun little bars will bring a smile to our sweet buddy’s face. Now if only I could feed them to him for his tired mama, it would be a real home run. We love you, M3! Hang in there. GIFT A LITTLE HAPPINESS. xo

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things i love // warm up

Sheesh, Old Man Winter really unleashed some serious shade this week. Wherever you live, I sincerely hope you and yours are all safe and warm. We’ve enjoyed our typical super erratic Colorado weather this week too, which has led us gracefully from gloomy negative temps to dumping snow to warm sunny melting and back again. No boring same-old weather here, we’re always on our toes. My little family finalized some plans for a close-to-home, but worlds away adventure for spring break, which I’m super giddy about (more soon). I’ll be holding on to that bright dream to help me ride out any cold gloom coming our way in the next few weeks. I have some fresh ideas this week for keeping YOUR winter blahs at bay, too. So make a hot cuppa or hug a fuzzy blanket and settle in for a little warming trend for just a few minutes. And take good care of yourselves, lovelies. xo

I realized this week that we’ve been in some form of quarantine for just about a full year now. I know, I know, I DEF don’t need to remind you (gah, sorry!), but I’m *just* now starting to feel a bit claustrophobic. Don’t get me wrong, I am eternally BEYOND grateful for our health, our beautiful home, our ability to access fresh air and the stunning outdoors, the fact that I actually like my little family and a million more things big and small that I thank my lucky stars for each day. Maybe it’s the shot of real winter we’ve had these past weeks or just a craving to get out to see new things, but in any case, it might just be time to mix things up a bit.

Like maybe learn something new? Like maybe punch needling? The super clever sisters at The Modern Crafter in the U.K. make it look so appealing, I think it just might be the answer. They sell ready-made kits for beginners that come with all of the high-quality supplies and tools you need to create something beautiful all by yourself, even if you’ve never even heard the words “punch” and “needle” in the same sentence. And when you’re finished with your project, you’ll have a magical piece of artwork or pillow that YOU MADE. Now, I’m not gonna lie, the shipping charge for kits is a bit eye-popping because they’re sending you super luxe heavy yarn and supplies from across the pond, but if you take into account that it’s hours of entertainment + finished artwork + boosting your mental health, it all seems totally worthwhile. Plus you get to support a beautiful independent maker, to boot.

If you’d rather not have your crafts shipped across the ocean, there’s also this pretty framed Sunrise kit or this Mountain kit that originates stateside and will also impress your visitors (once you can host them). If you want to do a fun indoor (warm + cozy) project with your kiddos, there are lots of options for super cutie themed kits that would be fun for the craft-loving little or t(w)een in your life. So get ready to mix it up a bit and hang in there, the end is on the horizon.
// MODERN CRAFTER SUNSET PUNCH NEEDLE CUSHION KIT $88 //

Pandemic of Love is the absolutely brilliant brainchild of ONE woman at her kitchen table that has turned into a stunning global grassroots phenomenon. Shelly Tygielski is a Florida-based meditation teacher who saw a need last March to help people struggling in her community from the onset of the pandemic. She developed a volunteer-based “mutual aid” system that pairs people who have specific financial needs with community members who are able to help. The idea is that all members of a community should be responsible for caring for one other so that no one member suffers needlessly. Her beautiful movement really caught on and has grown exponentially to include “micro communities” around the world, including Pandemic of Love Boulder.

Like their sister communities, Pandemic of Love Boulder has a unique system that pairs people together directly so that those with financial needs can personally connect with “patrons” who are able to help. For anything from a tank of gas to a single utility bill to school supplies to medicine, any short-term financial gap is eligible for assistance through their network. Patrons can choose to help once or twice or pledge to pay a recurring bill monthly until the need is resolved, creating a safety net of not just funds, but also love + support that’s crucial during this stressful time. And, if making that super personal connection isn’t your thing, you can also either become an anonymous patron, make a one-time donation that will be disbursed as needed or purchase something from the Amazon wishlist that goes directly to the family that requested it.

By the numbers, there are now 100 national chapters, plus 3 dozen internationally, for a total of 1500 worldwide dedicated and compassionate volunteers. Wow. Just since late last March, the Boulder chapter alone has cared for more than 500 families, collecting more than $100,000 in direct support. They also provided winter coats, hats and other cold-weather gear to more than 100 families. How awesome is that?! Pandemic of Love is hoping to keep their powerful mutual aid model going long after the pandemic is over, so please help if you can or reach out if you could use a little supportive love boost from your community.
// PANDEMIC OF LOVE //

I’ve been having my ass handed to me lately (in the best possible way) in an outdoor bootcamp led by my awesome friend, Melissa, of Fit For Me. It has been really nice to get back into working out with other actual people in a fun and supportive environment (she’ll gladly coach you online, too). However, because we’re working out outdoors and in runners, my poor yoga mat is taking a serious beating. It is now an ‘outdoor mat,’ kind of like an outdoor cat, and it’s not welcome in my living room anymore. So, I need a new one for my indoor Bar Method workouts (and my husband’s Asana Rebel workouts).

I have my eye on this Alo Yoga Warrior Mat. It’s a bit more expensive than some others, but it’s loved for its thickness and grip, which is just what I want on my wood floor. Plus, it’s pretty and since it now lives under the couch in our front room as part of our decor, that kinda matters to me. I love the gorgeous, deep Eclipse and Smoky Quartz colors. They’re also PVC-free, non-toxic and are made with ethically-sourced natural rubber, so that’s a win for me. These Liforme Yoga Mats also get amazing reviews and have a cool alignment tool if you’re using it for actual yoga. They’re also free from grody chemicals and will biodegrade when you’re finished with them.

If a bit more budget-friendly mat is best, these Jade Yoga Harmony Mats are also super well-loved and come in some really nice jewel tone colors. These pretty Navajo and Reversible Sun and Moon versions from Gaiam also look awesome. And if you’re going for straight aesthetics, Society6 has a bunch of REALLY pretty yoga mats that will double as artwork in your space. Now if only my shiny new ‘indoor mat’ could instantly transform my body to be able to do so gracefully what’s in those pictures above, we’d really be on to something.
// ALO YOGA WARRIOR MAT $100 //

Do you live where the frigid temps rolled through like a tsunami this week? To help you feel toasty from the inside out, I’m sharing our hands-down family-favorite soup recipe in hopes that it’ll heat you up (assuming you have power and can find anything in stock at the grocery…). This Nom Nom Paleo Watercress & Chicken Soup is so nourishing and delicious, and I make it so often, that my little guy put it down as THE family recipe for his school family heritage project (um, sorry, grandma). Even my super picky one slurps this up, it’s just that satisfying. I add a little pile of cooked rice ramen noodles to the bowl before pouring in the soup for an extra hearty meal and it all just feels like a hug. Her Wonton Meatballs and Pork and Napa Cabbage Soup are also on heavy rotation at our house.

Michelle Tam of Nom Nom Paleo makes beautiful, healthy food that you’ll actually want to eat and can make on an average weeknight. Many (but def not all) of her recipes highlight super delicious Asian flavors and are inspired by her childhood. All of them are healthful and nourishing and I’ve never made anything that I didn’t love. If you eat paleo or KETO, you’ll DEF want to check out her site or her awesome cookbooks (her husband does the illustrations and design) and even if you don’t, it’s just really good food. She shares a lot of recipes or adaptations specifically for Instant Pot, too, if that’s your thing. I have gifted Ready or Not! to several people I love along with a tin of her umami Magic Mushroom Powder (c’mon now, it’s for cooking). It’s a fantastic present for anyone on your list who loves to cook or eat well or for your own rad self. Stay warm and safe and dry, lovelies. Old Man Winter won’t stick around forever, but while he’s here, make a batch of this soup and feel the warmth that I’m sending your way.
// NOM NOM PALEO WATERCRESS + CHICKEN SOUP //

If you’re still chilled to the bone after a workout and a bowl of hot soup, I have one last suggestion this week for warming you up once and for all. Colorado-based Trek Light Gear makes drool-worthy blankets (I’ve been coveting the Gold Peace Blanket for months) and this week they launched their newest design, Halley’s Comet, which is just a lovely breath of fresh air. All of their wares are made for adventuring, near and far, a value super evident in founder Seth Haber’s contagious passion.Trek Light Gear’s mission is to “spread happiness and change the world one customer at a time” and I think they’re succeeding beautifully.

All of Trek Light’s blankets are handmade by artisans in Mexico using excess clothing materials that would’ve ended up in the landfill for the rest of time. The artisans use traditional wooden pedal looms and weave in their own homes, giving them freedom and control over their own work. So what began as a humble venture selling hammocks at festivals, has grown into a truly beautiful company. And in this strange time, they have taken their mission to “spread happiness” one step even further by introducing a “Pay What You Can” system that allows customers to choose from a range of  discounts if needed or pay full price if they can. I mean, who does that?! Trek Light Gear does and it’s just another heartwarming example of people helping people in the best way they know how during difficult days.

If you follow along, you already know that I think blankets make AMAZING gifts for just about anyone and any occasion, especially if you love someone who’s freezing their buns off right now. What better way to warm their buns and their hearts than with a cozy blanket made with the hope of sunnier days ahead.
// TREK LIGHT GEAR HALLEY’S COMET BLANKET $136 //

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banana oat blender pancakes

In the “before times,” my husband traveled quite a bit. When my boys were really wee, they would get super sad and inevitably meltdown at some point during the day, wailing “I miss dada!” Poor little guys. But as they grew and became more used to his jet setting, we began to get a rhythm to our no-daddy days and started a few little sweet traditions that made it feel special. Sometimes I’d bust out a new picture book at bedtime that I’d been saving for the occasion. Sometimes we’d have a pizza party with friends or do something fun after school to distract them. And we ALWAYS had pancake night. My husband s is not a breakfast for dinner kind of guy, but I’m a breakfast for ANYTIME kind of gal, so this became our special ritual when daddy was away. At least one night while he was traveling, we’d sit in front of the TV and eat pancakes and turkey bacon and overflowing syrup for dinner and watch a show. It was “our thing” and almost certainly will be again when my husband some day gets back to that “normal” travel schedule, whatever it may look like.

I’ve been making a just slightly modified version of these Mountain Mama Cooks Banana Oat Blender Pancakes (aka “mama pancakes” in our house) for the better part of 10 years. My guys devour them and since they have no sugar, I feel totally fine about them jamming in as many as they want. They’ve also become one of my own very favorite comfort foods. Over the years, I’ve been on all varieties of elimination diet (that dang fussy constitution again) which is never super fun, but I have almost always been able to pull off some form of these pancakes and they just make me happy. Now, these are NOT the fluffy diner pancakes you might be used to, but they are gluten free, have no refined sugar, have lots of protein AND are delicious, so.... I’m not knocking the fluffies, I LOVE those too, but these are another awesome option and are decidedly a bit healthier if you care. Here’s the recipe to make things super easy for you, but def check out Mountain Mama Cooks’ site, she is super talented.

INGREDIENTS

• 2 cups rolled oats

• 1 + 1/4 cups almond milk (or whatever kind of milk you like)

• 1 banana

• 1 tsp cinnamon

• 1 tbsp honey or maple syrup

• 1 tsp vanilla extract

• 1 scoop collagen powder (optional)

• pinch of salt

• 1 + 1/2 tsp baking powder

• 1 egg

• 2-3 tbsp flax seeds (optional)

DIRECTIONS

• Put all ingredients (except flax seeds) into a good blender and whizz until just combined. I recommend putting any wet or squishy ingredients in first so the blender doesn’t get jammed. Don’t over-mix. If your batter seems a bit thick, add a little more milk.

• Stir in the flax seeds if using (I have found that if I put them in the blender with the rest of the ingredients it turns the whole thing to cement)

• Put lots of butter or coconut oil on your favorite pancake-making pan and scoop out about 1/4 cup of batter per pancake (you’re making silver dollar size pancakes)

• Flip when ready and then place on a rack to cool so they don’t get soggy

• Slather in butter, syrup, blueberries, more banana, chocolate chips or anything else that sounds yummy and enjoy!

• Make sure they’re cooled completely before putting any leftovers in the fridge

And that’s it! It’s super easy. I also make these ahead of time and bring on rafting or camping trips when I know the group breakfast is going to be non-gf pancakes. Just heat them on the griddle with a little butter and you’re set. And maybe next time you need to mix things up, make pancakes for dinner. It’s the best.

I’ve included below some ideas for fantastic pancake-making gifts in case you love someone who loves to make [or eat] pancakes (if you’re looking for a good set of mixing bowls, look here). xo

1. Crate & Barrel Glass Syrup Dispenser // 2. Beehive Handmade Heart Pancake Spatula // 3. All Clad Double Burner Griddle // 4. Trees Knees Butter Maple Syrup (they have other flavors, too, that sound amazing) // 5. Hand-Carved Wooden Pancake Spatula via Etsy // 6. Linda Hsiao’s gorgeous Bird Pitchers would be amazing syrup dispensers // 7. Tomie DePaola’s wordless book Pancakes for Breakfast was always one of my favorites // 8. Badger Pancake Plate via Etsy // 9. Clea Speckled Measuring Cups from Anthropologie // 10. Maison Plus Gold Measuring Spoons + Cups from Food52 // 11. Lodge Cast Iron Square Griddle via Crate & Barrel // 12. Ekobo Bamboo Nested Measuring Cups // xo

Hey! Just a heads up that this post includes affiliate links, but rest assured that I stand by all product recommendations 100%. Questions? Reach out, I’m always here for you. xo