A New Addition in September :)

If you follow me on Instagram or know me in person, you probably already know that Michael and I are expecting baby #2 in September! If not, surprise! We are both thrilled to become a family of four and giving Lydia a sibling. I'm 13 weeks pregnant and am finally starting to feel a little less exhausted. Much like my first pregnancy, I only experienced a little nausea in the morning and mostly because my stomach was empty. I am also experiencing the same aversions and cravings, nothing too sweet but lots of fruit, everything salty, spicy and sour. So far I am beginning to think much like my mom and sister that I am one who bypasses morning sickness, however, I seem to get a double dose of fatigue. I did exercise most mornings and it worked as a pick me up but still felt drained after lunch. Nap time became my best friend!

We found out I was pregnant pretty much the same way as last time. My period wasn't due for a few days but I was feeling off and sluggish. I just had a feeling I was pregnant. I told Michael to pick up a test, I took it that night and we waited for the results. I asked him if he could read it and he reacted the same as last time. "Oh boy" HAHA. I just laughed. We were both elated and a little nervous. In my previous post I talked about how we traveled to Puerto Rico in November, and there was an outbreak of the Zika virus back in the spring/summertime. We actually wanted to get tested for the virus before trying for a baby but God had other plans for us! So we quickly made an appointment that following Monday with our doctor to get a script for blood work. At this point we already told my sister and our parents so they could keep us in prayer as we prepared to test for Zika.

After we went to the doctor's office we learned that it was only necessary for me to get tested, and we got a stack of papers about the Zika virus and how the test worked. I actually googled up a storm prior to the doctor's appointment and learned about the horrors of the Zika virus to those who are pregnant. I prayed a lot prior to getting the blood work done and after while I was waiting for the results. I waited about a week until we fond out that I tested negative for the test. I felt incredibly relieved and thanked the Lord for answering our prayers! 

The three of us got to hear the baby's heartbeat a couple weeks ago, and last week we were able to see the baby for the first time via ultrasound! Lydia is still not sure what the heck is going on, but I am sure she'll fall in love once the baby is born. We are planning to find out the sex of the baby sometime in April, and would be happy with either a boy or another little girl. I already have a list of names! :) I may or not share the name on here once we've settled on one.  Now that I have finally posted something, I'm going to do my best by keeping you guys updated as I go through my pregnancy!

Lydia Lately {7.12.2016}

"Though she be but little, she is fierce!” -William Shakespeare 

In a few short days Lydia will be sixteen months old. Her imagination is so big, her love for her family is strong, she's independent and she finds joy in the little things,  all traits that I truly admire! Through this journey of motherhood I am constantly learning how to prioritize my time, be more present and not sweat the small stuff. Motherhood is challenging and just when I think I got everything under control something new proves me wrong, and that my friends is humbling! I'm understanding that it's impossible to be in control of everything and that some days will be more exhausting than others. Though knowing that God's in control keeps me grounded and the encouragement from friends and family who remind me that I'm doing a good work as a wife and mommy does too.

But enough about me-- here's what Lydia's been up to lately:

-she is in the 2% for weight and 7% for height but the doctor isn't concerned because Michael and I are shorties! 

-she's talking on the phone with random objects like my old credit card!

-she's waving to people a lot more now

-she is blowing kisses and giving cuddles 

-she is saying words like "hi" and "mama" in context! she is still babbling but finds ways to communicate with us through body language. 

-she's eating with utensils 

-her favorite foods are blueberries and cheese, especially the free cheese samples at whole foods!

-she is playing with her dolls and "reading" books

-she's dancing every time she hears a beat! we went to a winery and they had a band playing classic rock music and she was dancing up a storm.

-she's growing another tooth on the bottom!

-she asks us for a cookie after she's finished dinner; she points to the jar and laughs like a maniac! 

-bath time is one of her favorite pass times

-she sleeps in her crib most of the night!!! *hallelujah chorus*  

-Zoe and her have a special kind of love/hate relationship; Lydia yells at her but wants to hug her all at the same time.

-she has a strong temper and had a breakdown the other day because we took away a pen from her. she was literally in rage for 10 minutes! 

-she makes us laugh and keeps our hearts full on a daily basis :)

I love you Chubski!! 

Life Lately 3.8.16

I am happy that we are in March, and am hoping for warmer days ahead and trips to the park with Lydia. She still hasn’t been on a swing so it will be fun to see how she enjoys it! They were always my favorite thing to play on in the park as a kid. Swings > Monkey bars. Mainly because I was terrified of them!

Anyway life lately has been good. I have been planning for Lydia’s birthday party and am really having moments of different emotions. I'm not one to openly share my emotions but having a daughter has definitely softened me! I get emotional whenever I see old pictures of her and think about the memories attached to them. I am so grateful to have a phone to capture all those quick moments! Especially in the earlier days. She was so tiny, sleepy and just edible. Yet, I am still falling in love with the little lady she is becoming. She is inquisitive, silly, sharp and my, oh-my, stubborn! She is a little girl who knows what she wants and I pray that as her parents we can lead her towards a path of godliness. 

Back to her birthday party. I originally wanted to do a tea party theme, then I was like hm, no-no, how about a garden theme? But of course I settled on a no theme party because it was really putting a damper on my creative juices, and as soon as I freed myself from a theme I seemed to get a lot more projects accomplished. I did however settle on a color scheme. Pastels! Which have been super easy to find because Easter is just around the corner. There will also be fresh flowers, paper flowers (Michael has been doing a great job with these...), brown paper + twine, handmade banners and of course lots of delicious food, which I'm excited about!!

Anyway, aside from planning Lydia’s party, I’ve been doing my usual chores, exercising, cooking and having a huge desire to prioritize more time on this blog. I recently got a new laptop and have no excuses. It might seem like most of the time I'm placing this blog as an afterthought but it's always on my mind and something I want to make a part of my daily life. I won't complain about how hard it is to find time because I know I can make time  the for things that matter to me, and forgo the least important things. But you know what, as I am typing this I just realized something. Lydia is sleeping and this couldn't be a better opportunity for me. I am less distracted and my mind seems to be at its sharpest. This couldn't be a better first step in the right direction and you get to experience it with me! Now all I need to do is devote time to taking pictures.... :)

Um, let’s see, what else can I tell you about. Oh! Sometime last month, Aria and I started working on the 52 lists project. We got to cover cool topics such as listing our favorite characters in books/movies/shows, where we'd like to see ourselves in ten years and this week is a list of things that we like to do for fun. The author Moorea Seal even created a hashtag (#52listsproject)  that can be used on Instagram to connect with others  also doing the lists! The lists are sectioned in seasons. It is a joy to do because we learn not only about each other but ourselves! I highly recommend it if you’re like me and enjoy reflecting on life but cannot seem to commit to a daily journal. 

And now I’m drawing a bit of a blank, so this the time where I say, see you next time!

I'm baaaack, with a boat load of pictures!

I have been somewhat distant on here…. I mean I’ve been around here and there tweaking and attempting to make this blog prettier for your viewing pleasures. I used the verb attempting only because I am not quite sure I am succeeding. Honestly I’m not finished. But I missed writing and decided I should just go public and do the boring stuff later. During my little hiatus, I have been enjoying what’s left of the summer. Can you believe we’re already in the middle of August?!

Here I’m going to allow these pictures to summarize my summer: 

Pizza... This one stars roasted beets and carrots. Lately I have been really into using pesto as a sauce rather than traditional tomato sauce. It isn't anything wildly new but it certainly lightens up a summer pizza pie, and allowed me to use up garlic scapes and basil we received from our CSA; which is a total win win.

We got family pictures done by Sandra ! 

Michael got a grill for Father's Day so he's been promoted to the grill-er of the family. Pictured is the flank steak we used to make grilled steak tacos with chimichurri; pretty amazing!!

Lydia getting kisses from her big cousin DJ!

  

Bridgefest 2015! We didn't stay long due to exhaustion from arriving at Jersey around 3am; but we did get ice cream at Days... They sell dairy-free ice cream now so I got mocha almond on a sugar cone!

Lydia celebrated her first 4th of July and got to experience fireworks : ) She had no idea what was going on but look how adorable she was with her ear muffs on... I still melt.

Cookies 'n' Cream ice cream on a sugar cone... One of my favorites I've made! I also really appreciated the Salted Rum Caramel ice cream too. I'll try to share the recipe before the summer ends; but who stops eating ice cream when summer ends? ;D

Brunch at Marty's Market in Pittsburgh before exploring the Strip District and then going to Picklesburgh. It was possibly the hottest day in July but we had fun people watching and eating chicken and waffles for the first time! I opted for the bagel and lox which was delightful.

Mom W. removed the nasty weeds and planted beautiful flowers on our front lawn.

I got over my pie baking fear and made this beauty. Classic blueberry pie! 

Lydia loves her wuelo!

I got a haircut!

Aria and I went to Terhune Orchards in Princeton with the babies (I wish we had taken more pictures) and enjoyed lunch, wine and seeing the animals.

Celebrating Michael's birthday with a BANG. We made grilled lobster (and by "we" Michael killed it and I watched in horror and made the garlic parsley butter), yucca fries with mayo-ketchup sauce, and garlicky sauteed green beans. 

Fun fun. As far as blogging goes, I'm going to try my best to set aside time for writing content on here and will commit to a post once a week... Rather than those irregular posts I've been posting throughout the month. It's not fair to you guys! Once a week doesn't sound like much but I don't wanna put too much on my plate. Hopefully I can eventually commit to twice a week? We shall see my friends...In the meantime I hope you all enjoy the rest of your summer!

My Little List

I tend to create little mental lists in my head while showering or lying in bed. I know I should write these lists down but 99% of the time they never wind up on paper or in this case my blog. And now that I’m a new mama, the whole “mommy brain” phenomenon makes sense! It’s like my brain doesn't care how young I am, it just knows that I've become a mommy and now destined to forget what the heck I’m doing at any given time. Ever have a mission to do something and once you enter that room you forget what you’re doing? That’s become the story of my life. 

Anyway, let’s get back on topic… I need to write these little lists down. They are little thoughts that resonate in my brain and are quite important to me. So here’s my little list of the moment and perhaps by physically reading this it will help me accomplish rather than forget.

1. Read books, articles and short stories that impact, influence and inspire me!

I am so overdue for a good read…Got any suggestions?

2. Organize more day trips and dates.

Because we’re parents now, it’s been harder to go on spontaneous adventures together as a couple and that’s why I want us to organize dates for us to keep things fun and exciting.

3. Get business cards.

To help bring awareness to my private chef, catering and potentially fitness instructing business!

4. Challenge myself more in the kitchen!

I want to master baking a pie this summer… I don’t mean a semi homemade pie. I mean a real pie with scrumptiously flaky pastry made from scratch! I also want to make lobster and a vibrant paella with squid, mussels and clams… Deeelicious.

5. Host a party just ‘cause!

Michael and I will be living in our home for a year next month. Boy does time fly! I have this idea of us hosting our first get together by celebrating our home ownership with friends and family. It'll not only be a good time of fellowship but a valid reason for us to buy a grill, and an opportunity for me to make pretty food too!

6. Reestablish photography as a hobby. 

I miss this. A lot. I need to start making time for taking pictures, editing and sharing just like the good 'ole days!

7. And lastly, become certified as a fitness instructor (preferably Pilates and Barre!) and teach classes.

I can’t tell you how many times I've daydreamed of teaching a fitness class while I exercised. I suppose you could say fitness has been a hidden passion of mine for the past five years and much like cooking healthfully, I want to share this passion with others! I want to get certified for me, too. I think of myself as a strong woman on the inside but on the outside, I know I’m shy and one of those people who never puts herself out there enough. I guess I've struggled with social anxiety most of my teenage and now adult life. But you know what? I am genuinely tired of living up to that expectation and actually teaching classes would be out of character for me. I want to set an example to Lydia by not letting fear hinder my life.  I pray that she will be a little go-getter just like her daddy!

After overcoming avascular necrosis, getting my hips replaced and regaining strength, I feel this is my season to get certified in fitness. I hope to use it to glorify God, link it with my cooking business and of course help others become healthier!

And that’s my little list.

A Recap of 2014 and Goals for 2015

This blogpost is somewhat overdue since most people usually share their previous year and/or New Year’s resolutions in the beginning of January and not in the end of January. While I have been loving pregnancy, it has taken a toll on not only my body but my mind and that being said I’ve been having a hard time writing a decent set of sentences. Anyway… last year was a challenging but good year for both Michael and I; and I know this year will without a doubt have its own joys, challenges and adjustments.

Here’s a little recap from last year:

-We moved from New Jersey to Western Pennsylvania in early March which was a huge adjustment for me. The first couple of months were especially challenging due to the fact that I was so far from my family and church. I really missed seeing familiar faces and places; my homesickness was painful and hard to shake off. My in-laws really helped by making me feel comfortable and loved in their home, and for encouraging me through this difficult time; which I’m so grateful for.

-My car Lady Azul stopped working and I became accustomed to driving Michael’s Subaru Forester Jorge. I don't know where these Spanish names came from but they stuck for good.

-Zoe the Frenchie became a part of our lives in March and now she’s officially the queen of our house! Since I haven’t been working outside of the home she’s been such a joy in my life and of course a pain in my rear but I wouldn't change her spunky and stubborn bulldog personality for the world. She’s family!

-After a long and stressful house hunting experience, Michael and I bought our first home in May! House hunting was a challenge but after investing time into looking for homes we were able to pinpoint what we truly wanted in a home. After a couple of letdowns we found what we were looking for and our offer was accepted! We moved in the first weekend of June and have been slowly growing into our two-story house just north of Pittsburgh. It’s been really fun actually!

-We joined a C.S.A, (Community Shared/Supported/Sourced Agriculture) with a local organic farm in Butler that started in spring and ended in late autumn. Subscribing to a C.S.A. not only helped us eat more seasonally but it was a wonderful opportunity to support a local business and familiarize us to vegetables we’ve never used before such as garlic scapes and kohlrabi. Each Thursday was exciting because we would receive a new bag of produce and we’re looking forward to start again this upcoming spring!

-We began attending Harvest Bible Chapel in Wexford and soon became involved with serving and going to small group regularly. HBC has been a huge blessing for both of us and we’re so happy to be a part of it.

-I got to make and consume a lot of homemade dairy-free ice cream all summer long! My favorite flavors were roasted strawberry and mint chocolate chip. Just take a look at that melting shot above. Mmm!

-One day in July, I wasn't feeling myself while I was exercising and began to feel cramps in my pelvis. Because I make an effort to always listen to my body, I decided to take a pregnancy test at the end of the week. The test responded with two faint lines and not being too certain I decided to wait it out because my period wasn't due for another week. I told Michael and he was leaning more towards me being pregnant than not, but I was still in denial. I took more tests periodically and they were all positive. I still wasn't 100% convinced until I missed my period! Both of our initial shock has been replaced with overwhelming joy and excitement. I learned from this experience that just because a pregnancy isn't planned doesn't make it any short of a blessing or a miracle for that matter!

-I became a Titi to the sweetest and most adorable little boy ever! My sister gave birth to her son DJ on August 11th. I am not over exaggerating when I say that I love that little monkey with a great portion of my heart! It amazes me how much love people can have for each other and I can't even imagine how much love I'll have for Lydia when she's here. (I already love her!) Sometimes it makes me sad that Aria and I live such a great distance and that Lydia won't be able to see DJ as often as we'd both like. But we will work it out!

-Michael and I celebrated our first year of marriage! On our anniversary we went on a cruise to the Bahamas, St. Thomas and St. Marteens. It was relaxing and fun people watching experience. The highlight of the trip was the hidden self-serve frozen yogurt station by the pool!

-We hosted our first Thanksgiving in our new home! It was a lot of work but thankfully my parents stayed the week, and were able to help us prepare for the holiday and everything came out delicious too. : )

-Michael resurrected my car after nine long months of trial and error. I reunited with Lady Azul just in time for Christmas!

-Speaking of Christmas, 2014 was the first year I broke traditions by spending the holidays in Western Pennsylvania with Michael’s side of the family. Next year we plan on going to Jersey and hope to take turns each year.

Now that we’re in the thick of January here are some goals I’m hoping to fulfill this year:

-Read, study and learn more; whether it’s biblical studying, novel reading or even short stories, I hope this year I’ll fill my head with knowledge, wisdom and information that is most important to me. It’s so easy to get wrapped up in my phone and neglect my brain from getting the nourishment and fulfillment it desires!

-Photograph and share successful recipes that I've been developing on the blog; such as cookies, pierogis, soups and even Puerto Rican inspired dishes. Last year I truly fell short of this goal but I really, really want to make an effort in documenting recipes and capturing them through my camera rather than my cellphone.  I know the more recipes I share; the more inspired I’ll be to write more!

-Go on more small but lovely adventures with Michael before Lydia is born. I know her arrival will be anything but the end of the world, but at the same time she will require much if not all of our attention in the early stages and I want to use these next couple of months to spend lots of quality time with him. I mean he is my favorite person after all… I think going on day trips, finishing up some house project, going to the gym and indulging in cuddling would do just the trick!

-Make an effort to be a friend. I believe myself to be a nice person and all but I've been so reserved for so long that I haven’t allowed myself to make any friends. I know this is something that not only affects me but also affects Michael. He wants me be able to hang out with other women and to freely share passions, interests and ideas with. As much as I love being alone, I still crave long lasting friendships. Don’t we all though? As an introvert this is my goal EVERY year. But I hope that this year will be different for me, and that I can be more outgoing and willing to be a friend to others.

-I mentioned my cellphone in 1 & 2. I hope to pick up my phone less and I know this is one of those things that are easier said than done. It’ll actually require self-discipline! I think that naturally Lydia will help me reach less for my phone but I definitely want to make it a priority so that I can keep her and Michael as my main focuses.

-Write more on this blog. Write more on this blog. I’ll type it again, write more on this blog! I need to seriously make a schedule for myself to follow because whatever I’m doing now isn't working. My current content is totally inconsistent and not getting me very far at all.  I hope and pray that by setting a blogging schedule that I will fulfill my blogging goals and potentially establish more viewers that aren't just my parents and husband!

Currently these are all I can muster at the moment but I’m sure more goals will come to mind as this year progresses. In the meantime I won’t be placing too much on my plate since I’ll be a mom in two months! My goal right now is to enjoy life, continue carrying a healthy baby and accepting whatever challenges that will come after our Lydia is born. I’m confident that this year won’t be easy but all my trust will be placed in God. He will equip the both of us with love, patience and everything else new parents so desperately need. I’m not worried just excited and anticipating this next journey in our lives!

xo, Jessica

New Year, New Goals

Hey. It’s the start of the new year and also the time I usually start mapping out realistic yet challenging goals to accomplish within the next twelve months. And I am sure you all do the same! It’s a wonderful thing because even if I didn’t get around to all my goals, I’m given another year to start again. Making goals for myself not only makes me feel motivated, it also gives me an excuse to get out of a slump in the dead of winter. And because I’m starting this year as married lady, I’m more inspired to grow not only as a person but as a wife. The goals I have for 2014 are very much cohesive with the events that happened in 2013 and even 2012. For instance last year three life changing events happened to me which impacted the person I am today. 1) Putting an end to my avascular necrosis by getting both of my hips replaced. 2) Getting engaged to Michael. 3) Marrying Michael on a warm November day!

Read more after the jump.

Some new highlights and a dreamy oatmeal recipe :)

So today is another one of those “bad days” but instead of dwelling on that subject, I much rather share the accomplishments and new highlights in my life. Such as finishing my internship last Friday and being in the process of graduating, Michael and I celebrating our 1 ½ year anniversary and getting closer and closer to my sister’s wedding. Having my internship finished before summer ends is really splendid! The experience was awesome though, I had a great time helping with the prep work for a month and learning more about running a business. It was a laid back atmosphere and the staff was very helpful. I enjoyed it and I’m looking forward to whatever God leads me to next.

I know you’re probably like “who in the world celebrates their 1 ½ year anniversary?” but, we do. At first we probably wouldn’t even have thought twice about it, but I looked at my calendar one day and realized it would be our last anniversary before we get married. Michael and I love to savor the little things in life, so we spent the day doing things we loved to do together! We went to the gym (chest day!), explored Rutgers gardens and went back to his apartment to make a fabulous dinner together. Shrimp with cauliflower, broccoli, shiitake mushrooms and a divine sweet potato mash! We then ate dessert consisting of chocolate and cuddled a bit, if you must know! It was a great day despite the garbage disposal incident… Which is another story for another day but we were able to enjoy ourselves and that’s what’s most important, right? I think so :)

Lastly, I can’t believe Aria is getting married in two weeks! Seems like her and David just got engaged the other day, though at the same time it feels like time is going slower and slower during this time as she works on her final details. I have a funny feeling the same thing is going to happen to Michael and I, and speaking of our planning we just finished a template for our wedding invitations. That’s our project right now: finish the invites, send them out by the end of the month and wait for people to respond. Then of course tackle on more d.i.y. fun! For Aria’s wedding, I’m really looking forward to seeing her and David’s ceremony and being a part of their special day. Weddings are awesome! I never thought I’d say that, or that I would be getting married in the same year as my sister. But life surprises you and marriage is going to be so wonderful for all four of us!

In other news here’s a delicious oatmeal recipe that I made a couple of mornings ago. It’s my kind of oatmeal: creamy, smooth and thick. I learned that steel cut oats are the way to go on a relaxed morning. If you’re more of a “get up and go” type of person, I recommend you make the oatmeal the night before and add the fruit + nuts in the morning. But if you’re like me, you’ll sacrifice waking up early just because you love indulging in a no rush, comforting breakfast. 

                                  

dreamy creamy oats

• 1/3 cup coconut milk + 1 tablespoon chia seeds
• ¼ cup steel cut oats
• ½ cup water
• ½ cup almond milk 
•  ¼ teaspoon sea salt
• ½ teaspoon cinnamon
• ¼ teaspoon cardamom
• Optional: 1 pitted date, chopped or 1 teaspoon maple syrup // Personally I find the date method the best, it not only sweetens the entire bowl of oats, but it adds texture and more fiber!

First, make chia infused milk! Stir coconut milk with chia seeds and set aside. While chia seeds thicken the coconut milk, heat oats with almond milk, water and salt on high heat. Once it begins to boil lower the heat, throw in the spices and chopped date and begin to stir the oats frequently. Allow the oats to cook for five minutes and fold in the chia-infused coconut milk. Stir this gently for another five minutes or until desired consistency. If you’d like you can top your oats with fresh fruit and garnish with more cinnamon.  Enjoy!

Dealing with a bad day with ulcerative colitis...

Hey,

A little over two years ago I was diagnosed with an irritable bowel disease called, Ulcerative Colitis. Since I’ve had this disease I’ve had to adjust my lifestyle, and need to take medication twice a day. I am currently in remission, meaning I haven’t had any serious flare ups since I was first diagnosed. To make a long story short, I spent two weeks in the hospital waiting for the doctors to give me a diagnosis and during that time my intestines were completely inflamed and I could barely make it to the bathroom. On that note, the whole experience was very humbling and even though I was suffering I couldn’t help but laugh at my situation. I just feel really blessed that my mom was able to stay with me throughout my stay, and how kind the nurses were to us both. God transformed a traumatic experience into an opportunity to bring my family closer together, and I soon gained such a passion for cooking health supportive foods. 

I titled this entry as “dealing with a bad day with UC” because I’m not feeling too hot right now. How I’m feeling is kind of hard to explain but I will try my best for you. I feel weak, spacey and today there has been a bit of “bubblies” swaying through my stomach back and forth. I’m not entirely sure if it’s something I’ve eaten or if I’m just having an off day. It could very well be a mixture of both! These days I don’t usually have an appetite and settle for the gentler options like soups, tuna, avocado, toast, rice, sweet potatoes and bananas. It sounds boring but nothing compares to the days when I was first diagnosed with UC, I couldn’t even eat beans, nuts or vegetables. All things fiber was a negative the first month out of the hospital and those were some hard times for a health-seeking person. 

One thing I can say is that irritable bowel diseases are no joke! They are not only uncomfortable but are frustrating and can be emotionally draining. I remember all the times I had to back out of plans because I wasn’t feeling well and I used to worry about offending people by refusing to eat their food. And I’m not even sure if it was the medication or the disease that has caused me to become allergic to eggs and cow dairy. I know you’re probably thinking “quit your whining” and fortunately I’ve learned to deal with the small but annoying inconveniences I have to live with on a daily basis.  It took me a few months but I accept my illness and know that there’s no reason to fear what people will think of it. Through time I’ve learned how much my faith in Christ, the support from people, eating healthy and just getting enough sleep have made this disease more manageable. 

I could give anyone who suffers from this disease (or any auto-immune disease for that matter) advice it would be to make sure you’re getting enough sleep, be open to new foods and educate people about your disease. You’d be surprised by how many people would be willing to accommodate you if you just told them about it. So be outspoken about your needs and let people know what you’re feeling, but most importantly appreciate the body that God has given you!

UPDATE: Good news! I started writing this entry in the morning and am now feeling a lot better after resting and eating carefully throughout the day. That’s what I’m talking about ;)

-Jessica

Pancakes for One?!

Hey everyone,
I apologize for being very behind in my blogging; unfortunately for me, I can’t   use “school” or “work” as an excuse because I quit my job due to my hip injury and I’m only taking one class this semester...heh. But that doesn’t stop me from blaming procrastination and a lot of it. Anyway! A few blog posts ago, I mentioned I would post breakfast recipes and that’s why I am sharing a very easy single serving pancake recipe. Because it is a “single serving” it only serves one but it can be easily doubled, tripled, or even quadrupled for that matter!

Banana Pancakes for One!

Dry ingredients:

• 1/3 cup whole wheat pastry flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon

Wet ingredients:

• ½ banana, mashed
• 1 tablespoon chia seeds (ground flax meal works too)
• 1 tablespoon unsweetened applesauce
• ¼ cup non-dairy milk
• 1 teaspoon honey or agave

Add-ins:

• Chopped nuts or seeds, fruit, shredded coconut, etc.

Directions:
Heat a nonstick pan on medium heat and spray with cooking oil. Mix dry ingredients together in a separate bowl and combine with the mixed wet ingredients. Pour a tablespoon or two of batter into the heated pan and cook on one side for 2-3 minutes. Then flip cooking for another 2 minutes or so. Repeat! Feel free to top your pancakes with maple syrup and fresh fruit. Enjoy!