Almond Flour and Oat (Pumpkin) Pancakes or Apple Pancakes

Here is the recipe for these delicious, healthy and easy to make pancakes.  These can be plain, banana, or any sort of fruit you would like.  You can also substitute the coconut water with regular water, almond or hemp milk.  If you are gluten free be sure to use certified gluten free Oatmeal.  This fed myself, husband, and toddler girls.   The almond flour is packed with protein, fiber, and good fats to keep you full.  We used a little bit of dark maple syrup to dip the pancakes in.  Since I posted this on Facebook, I've received quite a bit of positive feedback about these.  My family has definitely seen them several times since as well!

Pumpkin Pancakes

1 cup    Organic Oatmeal  (Blend in my blendtec to a fine powder)

1 cup     Almond Flour       (certified Gluten Free)

3           Eggs  or  Chia seed gel to make it Vegan

1/3 cup  Pumpkin or an apple cut in 4

1/2 cup  Coconut water, Hemp, or Almond Milk

1 tsp        Vanilla

1 tsp        Baking Powder

1 tsp        Pumpkin/Cinnamon spices

1.  Blend Oats in a blender or food processor to powder.

2.  Add the rest of the ingredients to blender or food processor.

3.  Heat Large Pan or Skillet with Coconut or Olive Oil on medium to high.

4.  Press "batter" button if you have a Blendtec. Otherwise blend on low speed making sure all ingredients get mixed well.  You can also hand mix if needed!

5.  Pour on to heated pan to desired size.  It will not bubble like flour pancakes. Check them frequently and flip when golden brown. 

6.  Enjoy!

My Final Decision on ACL Reconstructive Surgery

It's been almost 11 weeks since my knee injury.  Since getting the MRI results of an ACL rupture, I decided to see a different Orthopedic doctor for a second opinion.  He just so happens to be an avid snowboarder, which is right up my alley.   In fact this Dr. works with mainly athletes from basketball players, rock climbers, martial artists, to skiers.  Just the person I needed for this.

Today he tested the laxity in both of my knees for the second time with an Arthrometer.  Apparently the torn ACL does have a slightly higher degree in laxity, however, not a huge difference compared to the typical tear.  He attributes this to the kettlebell training I continued to do throughout the whole process.

I showed him a few kettlebell exercises I was doing along with the full range of motion squats I've been working on.  He was impressed that I was able to do as much as I could and encouraged me to keep doing it.  We discussed how important it is for me to be able to snowboard and safely start Krav Maga again.  After some deep discussion of all the possibilities, we made an educated decision together that concludes with no surgery at this point in my life.  This doesn't mean I can go out and do anything I want, since I still have a tear.  No pistols for quite some time. If I had the surgery, no pistols for at least 6-12 months anyway.   Kettlebell training, body weight/ stability exercises, and the TRX has been my savior.  I have also had some help along the way with my friend Elise who specializes in M.A.T. (Muscle Activation Technique).  This has been such an amazing combination for rehabilitation. 

Time will only tell of what the future may hold.  For now I'm just enjoying all the things my body is slowly allowing me to do.  I want to make you fully aware that I never did any exercise or workout that caused me pain or could potentially make it worse.  I only focused on exercises that felt good during and after.  If something felt wrong or I felt a little twinge of pain, immediately I stopped and found something that felt good.  I don't believe in working through pain.  Your body is giving you a signal that something is wrong.

Naturally I am very excited to know that I am not facing surgery right now.  I'm even more excited because I have been given the green light to snowboard this season!  I have come to terms that I need to be more careful, however, I really do feel lucky right now.  I feel the need to celebrate!

(To read about how the injury happened here is the post)