This Sunday, May 9th, is Mother’s Day, and many families will be spending time together, celebrating their moms. You might be wondering – what’s a delicious way to show Mom how much I love her and appreciate her? What can we make for our family gathering that’s healthy, delicious and easy to create (so we have more time to spend together)?
We’d like to recommend this blueberry pancake casserole. It’s made with whole grain flour, cinnamon, real maple syrup, and blueberries.
Refined white flour has had some parts of the grain seeds removed. This makes the flour milder in flavor and texture, but it also removes much of the fiber, minerals, protein and vitamins from the flour. Whole grain flour is made from the whole grain seed so it has a more complex nutritional profile. Whole grains are particularly high in B vitamins, niacin, thiamine and folate. Eating whole grains instead of refined grains has been shown to reduce the risk of heart disease, diabetes, cancer, and stroke in some studies. The fiber in whole grains can also support healthy digestion.
Cinnamon is an essential spice to have in your pantry (unless you’re allergic of course!) as it not only packs a ton of flavor in a small amount, it’s also loaded with antioxidants. In fact, the compounds in cinnamon are so powerful, they have been used as a natural food preservative. Cinnamon has been studied for many health effects, including cutting the risk of heart disease, lowering blood sugar, and reducing inflammation. This recipe calls for Ceylon cinnamon which is one of two main types of cinnamon. The other type, Cassia cinnamon, is more commonly found in grocery stores, but you can find Ceylon in some health food stores or online. This recipe will still taste great if you can only find Cassia cinnamon.
Blueberries one of the most nutrient-dense berries available, and they’re also low in calories. They have one of the highest levels of antioxidants of all common fruits and vegetables. In health studies, blueberries have been shown to lower blood pressure, prevent heart disease, improve brain function, and accelerate muscle recovery after a workout. Plus, they’re just delicious!
The best part about this recipe is that it’s very easy to create. It’s the perfect thing to make for a cozy, brunch for your mom.
