Crazy Headaches and Pancakes

Oh, poor Mercedes! Today is the first day she's been normal since last Thursday - and boy are we glad! She developed a persistent headache a week ago and has been miserable. I called the on-call-pediatrician Saturday afternoon; but, I think I must have just interrupted Dr. Gooch because he said "It sounds like the flu, and if you're worried about her, take her to the ER." I can tell you right now, this was not the flu. It didn't look like the flu. It didn't act like the flu. It was not the flu, and I wasn't going to take her to the ER for it. (The more I talk to this Dr., the less I want to talk to him). Tuesday, we made a trip to see Dr. Kwak. He's hoping she's just developed Cluster migraines, but he's running precautionary tests just to be safe. She's had blood work and a CT scan done. Next Tuesday is her follow-up. So we'll see. Hopefully it's just migraines and not a tumor or something like that. But, a migraine is hard enough on an adult. I can't imagine being four and having one that's lasted six days.

We'll let you know what we find out on Tuesday.

Now, on to something more fun than headaches! Stina's favorite breakfast is pancakes! And Mercedes loves them too! (This just in...Mercedes has just handed me a wad of her's and Stina's hair. They've just had a hair cut). So back to breakfast: pancakes - German or griddle, doesn't matter. She loves 'em. So I wanted to share this recipe I just found. You know how you don't have to try some people's recipes before you recommend them; because, you just know they're going to by good. That's how Crystal's are. She's a fabulous cook and you need to check out her link on the left (Everyday Food Storage Recipes under Preparedness Blogs), if you haven't already. I can't wait to try this! I hope you enjoy it too!

By: Crystal Godfrey

Gingerbread Whole Wheat Pancakes

Gingerbread Whole Wheat Pancakes

Ingredients:

• 1 Cup Milk (translation for powdered milk is 3 T. Milk and 1 C. Water)
• 1 Cup Wheat Kernels, whole & uncooked
• 2 Eggs (2 T. powdered eggs 1/4 C. Water)
• 2 tsp Baking Powder
• 1-1/2 tsp Salt
• 2 Tbs. Oil
• 2 Tbs. Honey or Sugar
• 1/4 C. Molasses
• 1/4 t. Cinnamon
• 1/4 t. Ginger
• 1/4 t. Ground Cloves

Method:

Put milk and wheat kernels in blender. Blend on highest speed for 4 or 5 minutes or until batter is smooth. Add eggs, oil, baking powder, salt and honey or sugar to above batter. Blend on low. Blend in molasses, cinnamon, ginger, and ground cloves. Pour out batter into pancakes from the actual blender jar (only one thing to wash!) onto a hot greased or Pam prepared griddle or large frying pan. Cook; flipping pancakes when bubbles pop and create holes. Serve with Hot Homemade Buttermilk Syrup (below) and orange slices to garnish.

Hot Homemade Buttermilk Syrup

Ingredients:

• 1/2 Cup buttermilk or 1/2 Cup milk with 1/2 tsp. vinegar or lemon juice
• 2 Cups Sugar
• 1/2 Cup Butter
• 2 Tbs. Corn Syrup (not essential but it will help your syrup keep longer without going grainy)
• 2 t. baking soda
• 1 tsp. Vanilla (do not add until after removing from heat)

Method:

Mix ingredients in a pot and boil for 3 minutes, the sauce will turn to the caramel color towards the end of boiling. (Essential Tip: mix in a pot one size larger than you think you will need. The syrup will be frothy in the beginning and it is awful cleaning up a burnt sugary mess on your stove…trust me!)

Stir in vanilla when syrup is finished cooking.

makes enough sauce for 2 recipes of pancakes.