Buckwheat Pancakes

All I could think about during my workout yesterday morning was buckwheat pancakes.

I don't indulge in pancakes very often but occasionally I crave the warm, fluffy griddle cakes. Buckwheat is my favorite flavor because of the nutty, earthy taste.  Buckwheat is not a wheat or grain at all but it is actually an herb.  Buckwheat does not contain gluten so it is perfect for celiacs and those trying to avoid gluten in their diet.   

So when I got home I heated up the griddle with a bit of butter sizzling and awaiting the batter.

In no time at all I had several cakes baking.

Fantastic!  Nothing better...

...except maybe the addition of maple syrup and bacon.

Here is my recipe.

1 cup of buckwheat "flour"

1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/4 teaspoon salt

1 cup buttermilk

1 egg, beaten

1 1/2 tablespoons sugar or honey

2 tablespoons melted butter or vegetable oil (optional)

In a medium bowl, mix the dry ingredients together and then add the liquid ingredient and mix just until combined.  Drop batter onto hot griddle or frying pan coated with oil or butter.  Cook until small bubbles form on the top of the cakes and then flip and cook until done, 1-2 minutes more.  

Have a lovely weekend.

Winter Wanderlust

February may be the shortest month of the year but when the weather is cold and gray it can seem like the longest month.  I was looking through vacation photos and dreaming of taking a trip.

Place de la Concorde, Paris

Ayers Rock, Australia

Melbourne, Australia

Elbow Cay, Bahamas

Big Sky, Montana

Puget Sound, Seattle

Lisbon, Portugal

Source: roomsofinspiration.blogspot.com via Deborah on Pinterest

Winter Dry Skin Arsenal

I've got winter hands, dry and rough.  But, I also have a cure.

Shea Butter Hand Cream $28

This L'Occitane hand cream is a wonderful treatment for hands that are suffering from the cold weather and dry, indoor heat.  Shea butter is combined with almond extracts, coconut oil, and honey for a soothing and effective formula that is not greasy.  This hand cream leaves my hands soft and feeling better immediately.  It has a light fragrance that is pleasing and not overwhelming.
Keep a tube in your purse and another in the kitchen.  Apply often.

Genius Idea: Self Setting Thermostat

It's is winter and cold but we want to be warm without paying exorbitant amounts on energy bills.  Controlling your thermostat just got easier with NEST, the learning thermostat.

Nest

This hockey puck-looking thermostat is "smart" enough to program itself after a week of you setting the temperature as you go through your day.  It will figure out your schedule, when you typically go to bed and what temp you like.  It will know when you go to work and return and how cool you like the house while away and cozy when you return.  

The price is about $250 and installation takes about 20 minutes.  Oh yeah, this was developed by some former Apple engineers.  A thermostat for an iphone generation.

Winter Nail Care

My hands, cuticles and nails take a real beating in the winter.  Dry, chapped, rough...you get the picture.

I decided to try a cuticle oil.Opi Avoplex Nail and Cuticle Replenishing Oil  I'm finding that my cuticles are getting softer and less ragged looking which encourages me to keep using the product.  

Last time I was at SEPHORA looking for a nail polish, I found this nail brightener. SEPHORA by OPI Nail Treatment - Brightener  This product does brighten the nail and will protect the nail from taking on color from dark polishes when used as a base coat.  PS. background of the photo is the scarf I am knitting.

What are your tricks for nail care in winter?

Be Warm and Colorful

Southeast Michigan is bracing for a major snow storm.  Winter is not even close to being over here.  I'm tired of drab gray, black, and brown.  This is a great time of year to purchase a down jacket or warm outerwear for the rest of this winter and in anticipation of winter 2012.  

Here are some colorful ways to approach the cold.  Puffer coats have become quite chic.

Click here for details on these jackets.

Accessories are an easy way to add color.

You can click here to see where to purchase.

Coping with Cold

Just how cold is it?  These colorful enamel outdoor thermometers will let you know.

Enamel Thermometers. $26

Solar Sipper for birds $19.95

Ice Dozer Mini Ice Scraper $11.95 for your car

Heated Car Seat Cushion $19.95

Heated Stair Mats $139.99