Sunday Links and Chocolate Pancakes (February 12, 2012)

Is everyone ready for Valentine's Day?  Our family has been busy making cards and gifts for Tuesday.  I'll be sharing what we give to family, classmates, teachers and neighbors in a couple of days - I want our gifts to be kept a surprise!

Since this holiday is all about love...and chocolate, I am happy to share another delicious chocolate recipe (check out my Mint Chocolate Mousse from the other day!).  This recipe comes from Lil Runner (one of my Liebster recipients) and these are a great weekend breakfast treat, or if you're like me...fabulous for a fun weeknight dinner.  I made these a couple of weeks ago and now anytime I mention pancakes my daughter perks right up and says, "Chocolate pancakes!?" 

Chocolate Pancakes with Chocolate-Peanut Butter Sauce

1 1/2 c ground oats/oat flour (OR flour of your choice)
3 TB unsweetened baker's cocoa
1 TB sweetener of choice (I used maple sugar.)
1 tsp baking powder
pinch of salt
1 c non-dairy milk (I used unsweetened coconut milk.)
2 TB cooked and mashed sweet potato (I used baby food puree) OR mashed banana
Flaxegg: 2 TB ground flaxseed meal + 1/2 c warm water – let it sit and gel a bit
Vegetable oil (like safflower or spray) OR Earth Balance (for cooking pancakes)
Fresh fruits: blueberries, banana, strawberries, and raspberries are good choices

First prepare your flaxegg in a small bowl, since you want it to sit and gel for about five minutes.

Mix flour, cocoa, baking powder, sweetener, baking soda, and salt in a medium mixing bowl.

In a separate large mixing bowl, combine non-dairy milk, sweet potato or banana and flaxegg.

Add flour mixture to wet mixture, stirring just enough to remove any lumps and make a pourable batter.

Add a bit more milk if the batter seems too thick OR more flour if it is too runny.

Preheat a non-stick large skillet or griddle, and thinly coat with vegetable oil or Earth Balance.

Pour small amounts of batter onto the heated surface and cook until tops bubble. Flip pancakes and cook the second sides until browned.

Top with Chocolate-Peanut Butter Sauce (recipe below) and fresh fruit.  Whipped topping would also be delicious on top!

Chocolate-Peanut Butter Sauce (also from Lil Runner)

1 TB coconut oil

1 TB natural peanut butter

2 scoops Amazing Grass Green Super Food, Chocolate Infusion OR 1-2 TB dark chocolate chips

Gently melt above ingredients together in oven-proof dish, on your stovetop or in your microwave. Set aside until ready to drizzle over pancakes. *Delicious as a non-dairy ice cream topping!*

While we all have chocolate on our mind, I feel the need to share one of my favorite chocolate brands:

When choosing chocolate for your loved ones, keep a few things in mind:

1. Dark chocolate is GOOD for you (in small amounts) - the darker the better.  Adding milk with dark chocolate somehow actually negates its health properties.  Check out this article about dark chocolate's health benefits: Dark Chocolate is Healthy Chocolate
2. Please look for chocolate that is certified Fair Traded or the company pledges its support to farmers of these products.  Endangered Species Chocolate states, "We buy our cacao from small family-owned properties, helping sustain the habitats and communities in which they exist."  My other favorite brand is Divine Chocolate.
3. Read ingredients and look for the Certified Vegan symbol.

Finally... My random list of Links!

Snoring Dormouse (video - adorable!)


BVO: Cloudy Chemical Used in Citrus Soft Drinks


Most Vegan-Friendly College Contest 2011


Popular Lipsticks Contain Dangerous Levels of Lead (FYI: "The most-contaminated brand, Maybelline Color Sensation made by L’Oreal USA, had lead levels more than 275 times the level found in the least contaminated brands, and more than seven times higher than the average found in all the lipsticks." ~except from article)


Animal Humane Society: Walk for Animals (Matthew from Vegan Heartland is participating in this event on May 5th, 2012.  If you can, please make a small donation!  Thanks!)


160 Uses for Coconut Oil


Love Languages (The 5 Love Languages)


5 Organic Baby Foods that Are Just Too Easy to Make


Ellen Addresses Her JCPenney Critics (video)


Join the Fight for Cleaner Cleaners


Dr. Greene's Organic Prescription


What Your Dirty Floors Won't Tell You


The Honest Company





Do you have special recipes, crafts, traditions you share with your signigicant other, family, children, and friends for Valentine's Day?  Please let us know!  I was at the bookstore this weekend with my children and decided to let them each pick out something as their Valentine's Day gift - that was easy!  On Tuesday my daughter will wear a special shirt I bought months ago from Gymboree (their sweet treats collection), I hope my son will wear something red...and I just might have to make a batch of Chocolate Pancakes for dinner that night.