Buttermilk Pancakes

Are you craving something delicious, easy to make, and super cheap?  How about some pancakes.  Like Alice from Savory Sweet Life, I prefer the boxed mix of pancakes (for taste and texture) for the same reasons she provides.  I'm dying to try this recipe of hers and see if once and for all I ditch the mix and marry a good homemade recipe.  I will let you know if this one recipe settles it. The secret, she says, is in the smoothness of the batter.  You have to blend well  (or whisk) in order to achieve the texture of the boxed mix. I have found that homemade recipes tend to taste a bit sugary or bland compared to the consistent, doughy flavor of the boxed mix.  So, I'm keeping my fingers crossed with this one.

Image via Sweet Savory Life

Care for a Smoothie?

As I have stated before, one of the many cravings I enjoy and indulge on is plenty of fruits.  I eat apples, pineapples, mangoes, plums, strawberries, kiwis, you name it, and I have eaten it.  So lately I have been craving smoothies. But they can be expensive at $5 for a small one.  When you calculate one everyday that's basically almost $40 a week.  So I have been making my own.  You can throw in anything you have when it comes to fruits, but I like the berry smoothie, so I make it with strawberries, pineapple, bananas and a dash of grapefruit juice.  The result is a decadent citrus-berry explosion.

Follow the steps below:

If you don't have grapefruit juice, another good alternative is guava juice.  Guava is a wonderful tropical fruit. And you know who loves my smoothies more than me?  My kicking baby.  She gets a jolt out of so much flavor. 

Tonight and almost every night I go to bed with a full glass.  And this will come in handy once I start to breastfeed.  Mothers need so much nutrients, especially in liquid form.  And the baby will get good antioxidants and awesome sweetness in a full serving.

Salut and sweet dreams!

Cravings

Let’s talk about the secret world of cravings. Cravings are common during pregnancy and most women experience some type of food craving at any moment during this phase in their lives. I have heard about the most awkward combinations of food and tastes, things that would turn your stomach if you weren’t pregnant. Ketchup with every dish in front of them, Tabasco sauce, pineapples, sweet pickles, and other interesting combinations. I can’t say that I have had strong cravings. But that’s because I have pretty much ignored by doctor’s advice on foods I can’t have. I do have deli chicken in my sandwich even though I’m a vegetarian, it’s a craving for meat protein. I have continued eating all the soft cheeses I was not allowed to eat, including feta, goat, blue cheese and string mozzarella. I have also satisfied my sushi cravings twice. No problems there. I think everything in moderation is fine.

But I do crave more sugary foods in this state than any other in my life. I was never a sweets person, but I now find myself demanding more sugar than ever. Because I know this is a big no during pregnancy as it can trigger gestational diabetes and other complications I satisfy it with fruits. I eat lots of pineapples, apples, oranges and mandarins. Of course I succumb to the occasionally twisted whim of ice cream or spoonful of Nutella. But always in moderation.

Here are some of the dessert items (not including fruits) I’m currently craving: