Pimp your pancakes!

So I've had a few requests to do a post on pancake toppings JUST the toppings, you gotta point your pancakes separately! Nice try though!... Remember own brands may vary so double check if you're not sure... Enjoy! x

Nutella, needs no introduction really does it... 

5g - 1SP

10g - 3SP

15g - 4SP

20g - 5SP

30g - 8SP

Classic lemon and sugar

Lemon - 0SP

Sugar (Canderel/Splenda/Truvia) - 0SP

Real sugar per teaspoon - 1SP 

Stewed fruit... 

Stewing fruit and just adding your sugar substitute (Canderel/Splenda/Truvia) will keep the SmartPoints at zero, plus you can control how sweet it gets. Most of the frozen berries you get in supermarkets are sweet enough without adding sugar at all but it's down to personal taste... I stew my fruit in a splash of Diet 7up (or 7up Free) it gives it that sweet taste that I like... That age old argument as to why you can stew fruit and it's zero, but blend it and its 4SP per portion, is because of how you digest it. The body doesn't have to work at digesting a smoothie..  the sugar goes straight into the blood stream... That's the science bit... I just believe and that's that... you don't question Santa, don't question this! 

0SP jam! This is the recipe my leader has and it's yum! So easy to make, add a dollop to your pancakes for 0SP!

Meridian Smooth Almond butter per 15g - 3SP

Meridian Organic Crunchy Peanut butter per 15g - 3SP

Nutters or nut butters as they call themselves...  

Kelkin Smooth Peanut butter per 15g - 3SP

SmartPoints from brand to brand, so don't assume they are all the same... 

The Aldi/Tesco/Supervalu versions may be different... These are lovely with a chopped up banana and a bit of squirty cream! 

Maple syrup per 1 teaspoon - 1SP

Honey per 1 teaspoon - 1SP

For the chocoholics, Choc Shot is fab to give you that fix! 

There's also a coconut version which is lovely for more 'tropical' desserts when you're feeling all fancy... 

Sweet Freedom Choc Shot

5g - 1SP

10g - 1SP

15g - 2SP

20g - 3SP

25g - 4SP

30g - 4SP

This has just been launched so keep your eyes peeled ... there's a review >>> HERE <<< http://www.theskinnydoll.com/2017/01/choc-pot.html

Different to Choc Shot in that this is a chocolate spread, so you can't drizzle it on top!

Well worth looking out for if you're a choccie nut! 

Sweet Freedom Choc Pot

5g - 1SP

10g - 1SP

15g - 2SP

20g - 3SP

30g - 4SP

Squirty cream... cause sometimes that's all that will do... 

Lidl's Milbona Light Real Cream per 13g - 1SP

Anchor Light Cream up to 15g - 1SP

Anchor cream (full fat) per 15g serv -  3SP

Anchor cream (full fat) per 13g serv - 2SP

Elmlea Whipped Squirty cream per 15g - 2SP

Glenisk High Protein Greek Style Yogurt - Coconut flavours

2PP per 100g
3PP for 150g

'Bounty bar' pancakes... 

Drizzle some Coconut Choc shot into your pancake mix (Hello, chocolate pancakes!) 

and then top it with some of this and a bit of grated chocolate... Thank me later!

Glenisk High Protein Greek Style Yogurt - Mango Passionfruit

2PP per 100g

2PP for 150g

There are some lovely mangos in Aldi at the moment... if you want a tropical twist to your pancake Tuesday without the hula skirt, slice mango and pineapple on top with a dollop of this from Glenisk, the passionfruit kick is fab... LUSH! 

Don't forget your cinnamon if you're a fan! AND if you're an ice-cream fan the 0SP banana ice cream is a winner... The best recipe for it online is >>>  HERE <<<... ridiculously simple and uses up all those bananas that are just hanging around in the kitchen! 

Video is here!  http://www.thekitchn.com/videos/mjR2dUEn

Above all... if you like pancakes, just get creative and enjoy them! x

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Oh flip...

It's happening, it's happening on Tuesday... 

and here's some ready mixes you'll see on the shelves over the next few days,

brace yourselves... 

x 

Sowan's Spelt Pancake Mix, 250g pack - 23SP

Per 40g serve made with eggs and whole milk - 1SP

Pure Bred Bakery Pancake mix, gluten & wheat free, per 140g pack - 20SP

You just add water to this mix... 

Oldies Perfect Pancake Flour per 250g (half pack) - 24SP

You need to add eggs and milk to this mix... 

Odlums Crepe Style Pancake Mix, per 250g tub - 32SP

You need to add milk to this mix... 

Oldies American Style Pancakes per 300g tub - 44SP

I KNOW!!! 

You need to add milk to this mix...

Odlums Gluten Free Pancake Mix, per 175g tub - 19SP

You need to add milk to this mix... 

Home Cook Pancake mix per 400g mix - 14SP

Gilbert American Ready Made Pancakes, for 400g, 8 pancakes - 64SP

NOT A TYPO!!!! I checked these 20 times! Run away! 

Galbert Large Ready Made Pancakes for 540g, 8 pancakes - 38SP

Galberts Mini Pancakes, per 300g bag - 37SP

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Banana pancakes...

Relax it's not pancake day just yet... although it seems like the year is flying by already!

These are everywhere at the moment so I thought I'd give them a try... and yes banana pancakes are YUM! Mine work out at 2PP... 3PP with the yoghurt... and SO easy!

I use 2 small bananas, I buy the kids size ones so I don't overdose on them! 

1 whole egg and 1 egg white 

Spray oil for the frying...

Pop everything into your blender/mixer ... 

at this point you can add other ingredients to vary it a little, peanut butter, 

blueberries, nutella (my next batch!) chocolate shot or 

just use tablespoon of cocoa powder whatever takes your fancy... 

just remember to point the extra bits if you have to! 

Whizz it all up and done... 

Spray your pan and... 

get ready to spoon it on... 

I kept mine small because I eat with my eyes and my mixture got me 16 baby pancakes! 

So it looks like LOADS on the plate... I KNOW!

Flip and brown on both sides and you're done in a couple of minutes... 

Great for breakfast or a quick lunch and if wanted to get all fancy a bit of icing sugar would get them looking all 'bake off!'  

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Pancake day!

OK a day to celebrate carbohydrates… whats not to love?!? Except a weekend celebrating chocolate eggs but lets be patient people! I could babble away about pancakes but regulars here know I've done that MANY many times… so click here for my annual ProPoints of what's in the supermarkets and pointed recipes recipes… >>> HERE <<< There's a couple of new ones below… 

I shall be having my pancakes in NYC with the SkinnyMum… I KNOW!!! AND I'll be having my first G&T of 2014!!! I KNOW!!! So, keep an eye on Sky News in case I lose the run of myself in a Fire station over there! Pancakes and gin it could get messy! 

For the smaller denser "American style" pancakes, this is from Odlums… This makes 10 pancakes… the dry mix, before you add your milk… for the entire bottle is 33PP THIRTY THREE! for 10 pancakes… before you add milk.. I checked it… twice! No… just no! 

I made these for *coughs* "research" purposes and I know I rant about additives and making things from scratch but they were very 'doughy' (is that a word?) and ended up in the bin…  You simply add water and the box is 13PP which gives you 6 big pancakes for 2PP each, so low in points but low in flavor too…  

These I didn't try, from the same brand Homecook 

but the 'shake everything in bottle' style method of making pancakes… 

If you make this with low fat milk the entire mix will be 9PP…   

If you're getting your apron and whisk out… pancake flour from Odlums, (there's two here because they've just changed the packaging…) Half the pack, which is the base for their recipe, is 24PP then you have to add your eggs and milk… I don't even want to imagine!   

The mothership has this recipe, but don't be fooled they're tiny lil' pancakes! But if you just want a taste…  >>> HERE <<< 


The basic recipe for pancakes given out by my leader is… 

4 large pancakes - 3PP each
Whisk together 120g plain flour, 1 large egg and ½ pint of skimmed milk until smooth. Use your low fat cooking spray, pour, flip and enjoy! 

Whatever way you have your pancakes just enjoy them… it's once a year and who wants to be the gal in the corner saying 'I can't play cause I'm on a diet!' 

Happy Pancake Day! 

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The old ones are the best…

"The good old days are now"

Tom Clancy

The good old faithfuls… Try just one off the list… 

Start moving…

You don’t need a gym membership or expensive workout program to get started, you just need to move! Put your kids in their buggy and go for a walk… grab the dog and hit the park…  Put on some music and dance around your house while you clean…  Leave the house… walk for 5 mins and you HAVE to walk home! Up it to 10 mins, 15 mins and before you know it you're flying around for an hour! Its a great way to stalk the neighbourhood too! 

Step it up…

Whenever you can find a way to get in extra steps during the day, do it! Park at the far end of the car park when you go to the shops, take the stairs instead of the lift, etc.  It all adds up, trust me! A girl in one of the classes I go to… can't get out to exercise at the moment so she carries each piece of clean laundry up the stairs ONE AT A TIME! Not even a pair of socks, one at a time! But she's getting her work out in… there really is NO excuse! You got a step in your house? then off you go...

Follow the 'One Mile Rule'...

If your errands are less than one mile away, walk instead of driving… or park where you can do all your little jobs within a mile radius instead of moving your car each time.

Dance at the ads…

Get moving during the commercials of your favorite TV shows… each break is approx 3 mins…  Dance, jump rope, run in place…anything that gets your heart rate up… a friend of mine, is as I would put it a Soap Queen! Monday night starts with Hollyoaks, Coronation Street, Emmerdale, Eastenders then another Corrie, and for each ad break, she does step ups on her yellow pages! He husband thinks she's a bit mad but she's getting exercise into her day and burning calories… smart lady!!! 

Strength Training…

Add in some strength training to help build muscle and boost your metabolism.  No weights?  No problem!  grab two tins of beans or fill up two water bottles and your good to go… any more excuses? Push-ups, crunches, and basic squats are a great way to tone your muscles using your own body weight. No equipment required! Do a few when you first wake up in the morning to get your blood pumping.. you all remember my LUNGE around the house day… if no ones watching… know what I'm saying… 

Don't eat anyone elses food! 

This is for the mums… You’re not a garbage disposal, so stop finishing your kids’ food! You know exactly what I’m talking about. That half a fish finger on their plate… that piece of toast they couldn't finish… All those extra calories add up over time… stop it! Tip: squirt some fairy liquid over it and its now inedible! Once I'm done in a restaurant I cover my plate with salt… even if I WANTED to eat it I wouldn't be able… 

Get rid of the junk...

It’s simple – if it’s not there, you can’t eat it!  Go through your cupboards and fridge and get rid of the junk food… This means all the goodies you know are there from Christmas… the fancy cheese.. the little box of choccies you got 'just in case' someone came over and you didn't have anything for them! all the things you know are bad for you and they will be screaming your name when temptation comes running and you just can’t seem to resist… if they're not in the house.. you're not going to go off track!

Eat more colors

Replace the junk with fresh fruits and vegetables.  Need something crunchy? Try raw carrots or cut up some bell peppers. Craving something sweet? Keep fresh fruit on hand for a sweet treat.

Don’t drink your fruit

I know juicing is all the rage right now, but skip juice and eat the whole fruit instead... You’ll get more heart-healthy fiber in your diet, and you’ll stay satisfied longer… a glass of orange juice is 1PP an orange is 0PP because of the way the body uses energy to break it down…

Keep a tracker…  

Keeping a food log helps control what you REALLY eat..  Write down how much you eat, and you’re more likely to practice portion control. It also gives you a better idea of what your eating habits really look like.  Do you skip meals?  Do you go straight for the ice cream when you’re feeling stressed?  Seeing these things in black and white can be a real wake-up call, and can help you see what changes you need to make.

Drink more water…

Make water your best friend. Besides quenching your thirst, water helps flush toxins from the body, aids in digestion, and helps maintain the health of your hair and skin… Water can also help alleviate hunger by making you feel full… a lot of the time you aren't hungry you're thirsty!

Drink water with lemon… 

Adding the lemon helps to detoxify the liver and metabolizes fat, so this can speed up your metabolism.. its a difficult habit to get into but its so worth it… 

Make a date...

You are more likely to stay motivated if you have someone doing this with you.  Find a friend to exercise with you, buddy up with someone in class, and make it a weekly (or daily) date to get together… even if you exercise alone… find a pal online you can be accountable too.. they'll check up on you and you can check up on them! its win-win

Get technical…

Use technology to help keep you motivated...  Sign up for e-newsletters from your favorite health & fitness sites, follow your favorite.. ahem.. fitness celebrities on Facebook and Twitter, (see what I did there? ahem.. ) or join an online fitness group for accountability and support… for anyone wanting some running motivation and inspiration check out @quinlivan's blog >>> HERE <<< 

Set goals…

Start small, such as making it your goal to exercise three times a week or lose five pounds this month... When you reach one goal, set a new one... Work up to your big goals, and reward yourself when you reach each small goal – but not with food! Treat yourself to some new workout gear, or a massage… something just for you!

Try one of these this week… make it a New Years Habit… resolutions get broken... goals are achieved! 

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