When you don’t have a lot of time in the morning, breakfast usually comes last, and quickly.  We get pretty tired of toast, smoothies and granola though.  Pancakes are normally reserved for the weekend, on more leisurely days.  But, with this month being Breast Cancer Awareness Month, we’ve been thinking about simple ways that we can incorporate more self care.  Self care doesn’t have to be an hour long massage or a girls’ night with friends (although we love those things and would love to bank some more hours there).  Self care can be simple.  And, we want to put our attention on those simple things.  Pancakes for breakfast is a form of self care.

Taking a moment to breathe deeply is self care.  Washing your face with a natural soap that you love, buying your favourite beautiful fruit to enjoy even if it’s not on sale, curling up with your favourite blanket and good book for 15 minutes before bed…these are all moments of self care.  Although we are nutritionists and talk a lot about food and importance of eating nourishing things to support your health, self care and how you emotionally feel is just as important when it comes to preventing disease, managing illness and recovering and healing.

Our Top 4 Self Care Tips for Breast Cancer Prevention

1. Skin brush.  Buy a skin brush and use it in the shower every day, or even once a week.  Just start out with using it occasionally, so that you can implement the practice and avoid getting overwhelmed. Skin brushing helps stimulate your lymph system and move toxins out of your body (the things that can get stagnant and lead to blockage and illness). Remember, always brush toward the direction of your heart when skin brushing.

2. Get outside in nature. Whether you live in the city or in a more rural area.  Walk in nature.  Walk in a park or nature reserve area if you live in the city.  Spend some time sitting on the earth.  Being in nature helps calm the mind, body and spirit.  Haven’t heard of forest bathing? Check it out: Forest Bathing

3. Detox your home from toxins. Clean out your house of all the cleaning supplies, soaps, lotions, makeup, etc. that are made with chemicals.  Anything that has a really strong smell is a good sign that it’s probably not the healthiest thing for you to keep around.  Instead, pick up some new cleaning supplies from the health food store that are made with natural and organic ingredients.  Choose soap and beauty products that are free of dangerous chemicals.  Need help?  Check out the Environmental Working Group’s guide: Skin Deep Database

4. Make pancakes more! Take the time to prepare and eat the foods that you love.  A little self care and nourishment is easy to incorporate when you make recipes that use good quality ingredients.

Pomegranate Blueberry 10-Minute Pancakes (gluten free, vegan)

1/2 cup buckwheat flour
1/2 cup oat flour (certified GF if needed)
2 tsp coconut sugar (omit if you don’t want sweets)
tiny pinch sea salt
1/2 tsp powder
1 Tbsp chia seeds mixed with 3 Tbsp water
1 cup dairy-free milk
1 Tbsp coconut oil, melted
1/2 cup wild blueberries (we use frozen)
1/2 cup fresh pomegranate seeds

additional coconut oil for cooking

Directions:
1. Combine the chia seeds and water in a small bowl and set aside.
2. Mix together the dry ingredients in a bowl.
3. Create a well in the dry ingredients in the center of the bowl.  Add in the chia seeds and water, milk, and melted coconut oil.
3. Mix all together.  If the batter is too thick, you can add some more water or milk.
4. Then fold in the blueberries.
5. Heat a large skillet with some coconut oil.
6. Scoop out batter to form small pancakes.  Cook for about 4 minutes on the first side, then flip and cook on other side until center is firm and the edges are just beginning to crisp slightly.
7. Serve pomegranate seeds over top.  If you eat butter, add some on top of the pancakes (or use coconut oil), along with maple syrup or raw honey.