If you’re not a smoothie person and/or you prefer warm breakfasts, try these yummy pancakes for your first meal of the day! They include maca, shatavari, and matcha, adaptogens to boost mood and ease the stresses of life.
Often pancakes are thought of as unhealthy or indulgent. These are a great way of adding adaptogens to your diet. Adaptogens are particularly useful in perimenopause and menopause for addressing depression, anxiety, and stress. These time-honored herbs (and mushrooms) can provide both a sense of calm and increased energy. They have been used for centuries in Ayurvedic and Chinese medicine, and are valued for their ability to restore vitality and well-being.
We also love a good gluten-free pancake. Reducing both dairy and gluten has real benefits. Both are highly inflammatory foods. Unfortunately, in midlife, we are more likely to experience inflammation due to the drop in estrogen. Limiting inflammatory foods can help us feel better immediately, and can also protect our bone density, joints, muscles and brain health.
Feel free to play around a little with quantities in this recipe. Maca, for example, can be an acquired taste. But, often once you grow to like it, you’ll want more. And make sure to add the fruit for color and antioxidants.
If you would like to know more about adaptogens and/or anti-inflammatory eating and menopause, visit our 12-week Sage Menopause Strategies program.
See Morning Adaptogenic Yogurt Delight for another way to incorporate adaptogens into your morning. Or look at the breakfast options on Little Green and add adaptogens to them.
Ingredients
- 1 banana mashed
- 1/2 cup oat milk or almond
- 1 tsp. vanilla
- 1/4 cup water add as needed
- 1 Tbsp. freshly ground flaxseed
- 1/2 cup oat flour or GF flour
- 1/2 cup almond flour
- 2 tsp. baking powder
- 1/2 tsp. cinnamon
- 1 Tbsp. maca
- 1 tsp. shatavari
- 1 tsp. Slay All Day adaptogen blend from apothekary.co
- pinch Pinch of salt
- 1 Tbsp. coconut oil for griddle
For Serving (Optional)
- maple syrup
- blueberries
- blackberries
- freeze dried raspberries crumbled
- pomegranate seeds
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, mash the banana and combine the wet ingredients, only adding about half the water. Add in the dry ingredients and mix well. Add the remaining water if the mixture is too dough-like and not enough of a wet-ish batter. Oil the griddle with coconut oil and cook pancakes on medium heat, cooking for 4-5 minutes per side or until golden brown.
- Serve with an abundance of fresh berries and maple syrup.
