Strawberry Chia Syrup

I am telling you for the 3,456th time to buy a Vitamix machine. It's the best thing that ever happened to my eating clean lifestyle. Plus, it comes with a 7 year warranty! Oh, and basically self cleans itself. 

Chia seeds are packed full of fiber, protein, antioxidants and Omega-3s. The Vitamix does a fantastic job at making them disappear so there is no trace of them. Read more about Chia Seeds here: Chia Seeds {Nature's Tiny Powerhouse} 

I made this with strawberries we picked this past weekend with the kids! Teaching your child that food doesn't just magically show up on a store shelf is a very valuable life lesson!

Strawberry Chia Syrup

Ingredients:

• 2-3 cups fresh strawberries
• 1 cup all natural Maple Syrup
• 1/2 cup water
• 3 Tbps chia seeds

Directions:

1) Blend all ingredients in a high speed blender until smooth.

NOTE: Store leftovers in the fridge for up to a week. Serve hot or cold.

{clean} Applesauce Pancakes

This recipe can be made into larger batches depending on how many you can go through in a week. I don't like to dirty pans more than once if it can be avoided. I plan to make a gluten free option to this recipe soon.

My kids loved these pancakes!

{clean} Applesauce Pancakes

Ingredients:

Dry:

2 cups White Whole Wheat flour (I use Bronze Chief from Wal-mart)

1/2 cup oat flour (I made in my Vitamix) or use whole oats

2 Tbps Baking Powder

1 Tbps Baking Soda

2 tsp Cinnamon

1/2 tsp Sea Salt

Wet:

3 eggs (Pasteurized is best)

2 cups unsweetened applesauce

1 cup unsweetened almond milk

2 tsp lemon juice

1 Tbps coconut oil (melted)

1/2 tsp vanilla

Directions:

1) Mix the dry ingredients in a bowl.

2) Add wet to the dry and stir well with a whisk or handheld mixer.

3) Cook pancakes as your normally would. Griddle, Pan, etc

NOTE: I am sure you can add chia seeds or flaxseed to up the fiber and protein in these. We served these with Strawberry Chia Syrup. Yum!