Veterans Date

It's always fun to have off work for a holiday, but this one was extra special. Around the time that Zack and I started dating, I was looking ahead at my work calendar and realized that this Veterans Day off may be different. I'd certainly never dated a veteran before, and none of my immediate family are veterans. So I asked him what he'd like to do on Veterans Day--with visions of parades, wreath laying ceremonies, and the like in my mind. He said he wanted to eat free food. Who knew there were so many free offers for veterans?! He also came around and decided to give more input.

We started with breakfast and cards. 

Zack got a free haircut at Sport Clips. 

Zack had been talking about us going to visit his Aunt Ann and Uncle Brad for a while, so their house was our next stop. He got a free Starbucks coffee on the way. Uncle Brad showed me his Marine Corps awards and decorations; there were many. 

We finally made it to the airport and started preflighting about the time my dad showed up. Zack helped him get his airplane ready, then we headed out. 

We took Zack's plane to visit his sister and niece. 

We flew a little too close to the towers for my liking. The airport had a sweet fifteen passenger van for us to drive to Zack's sister's house. 

Somehow, we ended up at the big airport, where Zack's parents picked us up to head to Grandma's birthday dinner. 

Zack and his brother had one more free meal (until Golden Corral the next week) to finish out Veterans Day. 

protein pancakes

Why the lack of doughnuts and biscuits and food in general on my blog lately? Well, for the past month or so, I have changed my diet. My dad has improved his health by cutting carbohydrates, and my sister in law has been telling me about coconut oil, olive oil (don't cook it), grass fed meats, etc. for months, but it took me hearing a presentation on health and faith from an expert to finally get my thoughts organized and motivate me to make a change. The change is totally worth it as it's been over a month since I've taken medicine for a headache. It's been several years since I could say that. 

Also, low carb food does not photograph well. Below, I tried taking my first action shot of food as I drizzled way too much maple syrup on my low sugar pancakes. Still not that appetizing, but this is real. 

I was a little tired of protein smoothies and eggs for breakfast, and almost every "low carb" recipe I tried turned out disappointing, so I decided to remake some of my favorites with substitutions. So I made two versions of these protein pancakes within the last week, and I'm posting the second (better) version today. 

Coffee in a jar always makes me think of Pauline, my late family friend. She used to keep the leftover coffee in old pickle jars. When I go on my summer road trips, I make sure to bring some of my homemade cold brew along so I'm never without good coffee in the morning. 

Protein Pancakes

adapted from Martha Stewart's Basic Pancakes

1 c almond flour

1 scoop vanilla protein powder (I used tera's whey brand)

2 t baking powder

1/2 t salt

3/4 c organic whole milk

1 large egg

2 T coconut oil

I whisked together the dry ingredients, then added the wet ingredients and whisked again. I cooked the pancakes one at a time in an omelet pan on medium heat. They turned out fluffier and tastier than my first attempt.

Any great low carb recipes I should make next? 

hand me down breakfast

Breakfast is my favorite meal of the day. I think that has always been true, though I've just now realized it. As I get older, I've become more of a morning person--maybe it's the coffee. These days I enjoy breakfast at 7 instead of at 11 . . . or at 10 after a pure barre class, cooking, and photographing. Have I mentioned that I can't sit still?

I can't even talk about getting up early for breakfast without acknowledging that my dad wakes up around 5 on Saturdays to go to church and cook for men's breakfast. I'll be eating my breakfast when he gets home after cooking, eating, listening to a talk, and cleaning up. I see where I get my lack of sleeping from . . .

As I made this breakfast, I got to thinking about the hand-me-down influences on what I eat.

Growing up, my mom made pancakes as a Saturday morning treat, especially if I had a friend sleeping over. When I wanted to make breakfast more special than my everyday cereal or smoothie, I tended to make pancakes or waffles.

I've always liked bacon, egg, and cheese biscuits/bagels/sandwiches, but I didn't make them at home until a few years ago. This change was the result of special requests for these kinds of breakfasts. My family, friends, and even old boyfriends and their families (plus my sorority house's chef, thanks Mary!) have helped me branch out and try what have become some of my favorite foods. Now, I can't imagine life without grits, avocados, collards, sushi, etc.

I will never be able to cook eggs with my grandfather's skill. I turn the stove on low and try to be patient, but it's just not going to happen. I like to cook bacon in the oven, at 400 degrees for about 15 or 20 minutes. That's a hand me up technique to which I've converted my parents. These yellow grits are locally grown and rich--generously buttered, salted, and peppered. They tasted even better than they look.

So now, who's coming over for breakfast?