Welcome to the first edition of BTT, a tiny space in the vast world of the internet promoting a healthier way to eat our favorites, for our own benefit and that of our planet.
This week’s topic: BRUNCH.
There’s no denying that brunch is our generation’s favorite portmanteau next to selfie; originating in England in the late 1800s, Guy Beringer coined the term in an essay “Brunch: A plea” for Hunter’s Weekly in 1895.
From there brunch has become ubiquitous on Sunday, it has permeated into a Saturday tradition as well. Does a weekend really happen if you don’t Instagram your overpriced avocado toast accompanied by a bottomless mimosa? A millennial paradox. Whether it’s to ‘gram a meal at the trendiest brunch spot or bring yourself back to life after a long night *cries in adult* brunch is a ritual spanning over a century.
However, being that it is 2020, think it’s only appropriate to encourage a better way to brunch. One with more vegan options and less alcohol, without sacrificing taste or feel.
Vegan Stacks: Part of a Complete Breakfast
Ingredients:
1 cup All-Purpose Gluten-Free Flour, sifted
2 tsp Baking Powder
Pinch of kosher salt
2 tbsp raw coconut sugar (or your low glycemic sugar of choice)
3/4 cup of almond milk (unsweetened)
1 flaxseed egg (1 tbsp of flax seeds, 3 tbsp water)
2 tbsp of Earth Balance “vegan” butter, melted
1 tsp Pure Vanilla Extract
coconut oil spray (for cooking)
** If you want to make them chocolate, add 1/4 cup of cocoa powder. You can also add fruits, sprinkles, or chocolate chips into the batter to make them different flavors.**
Directions:
Combine flour, coconut sugar, kosher salt, and baking powder into a bowl and mix well. Put skillet to on low heat while you are preparing the mixtures.
In a separate bowl, mix the flaxseed egg, almond milk, vanilla, and melted vegan “butter” together.
Pour wet ingredient mixture into the dry ingredients and stir until it’s blended but you still want the batter to be somewhat thick and lumpy.
Heat a heavy-bottomed, non-stick pan over a low-medium heat and coat it with oil.
To get even pancakes be sure to use a 1/4 cup measure to scoop and drop the batter into the skillet. You will know that the pancakes are ready to turn over once you start seeing bubbles emerge.
Flip but don’t press the pancake down as it will deflate somewhat, just let it cook naturally.
Add your favorite toppings!
Bubbly Without the Alcohol: Virgin Mimosa
Did you know this popular drink´s name originates from the yellow-flowered mimosa plant, Acacia dealbata? Here’s a bubbly version that promises no hangover:
2 oz of freshly squeezed orange juice (unsweetened)
Food Tips For a Better You:
Watermelon🍉 is one of the most hydrating things you can eat/drink, its 98% water, it’s rich in antioxidants, (what helps reduce oxidative damage to your cells) it has a low-calorie density that helps promotes fullness and reduces appetite. Blend with water, mint, and lemon to make a refreshing mocktail, that is super hydrating and tasty in case of an unexpected hangover.
Woke up feeling nauseous after a party night? 🤢Make your own Alka Seltzer by mixing a cup of water with a tsp of baking soda and squeezing half of a lime. This will help alkalinize your body, neutralizing the acid in your stomach. If you have ginger powder this will help remove the nauseating feeling and soothe your stomach.