FOOD: Double Chocolate Pancakes

Hi Made By Girls! This is Jen from Pretty Eats bringing you a fun and decadent way to wake up, Double Chocolate Pancakes.  I love trying to incorporate non-dairy options in my recipes, and experimented with Chocolate Soy Milk with these pancakes…delish!! Now these thick, chocolately treats are really more dessert than breakfast, but once in a while won't hurt. Don't forget my trick to make these cakes even more special, a sprinkle of fresh berries on top! Enjoy!

Double Chocolate Pancakes
Ingredients:  makes 10 medium sized pancakes

    •    1/2  cup unsweetened cocoa powder
    •    1 cup all-purpose flour
    •    1/2 cup sugar
    •    2 tsp baking soda
    •    1/4 tsp salt
    •    1 1/2 cup chocolate soy milk
    •    1 egg
    •    1 tsp vanilla
    •    High quality maple syrup
    •    Fresh berries of your choice

Directions: 
    •    In a large bowl, whisk together dry ingredients. Add wet ingredients and whisk well. Allow batter to sit for 15 minutes (or refrigerate if longer than 15 min).
    •    On a greased griddle (medium heat), scoop 1/4 cups of the batter onto surface. Flip when bubbles begin to rise to the top.
    •    Stack 'em up, drizzle some syrup, and enjoy with a topping of fresh berries!

-post by jen olson

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FOOD: On-The-Go Breakfast Bowl

Hi everyone! Sami from XO, Sami Davis here. I'm the newest contributor here at Made By Girl & am so excited to be posting today for the first time! So, here we go! Let's chat about breakfast.

Breakfast used to be the hardest meal of the day for me to put together. From rushing out the door or just not feeling particularly hungry, skipping breakfast was seriously make a dent in my daily routine. With the need for a great recipe I could make in a snap, I cultivated a yummy breakfast bowl perfect for the girl on the go. Today, I’m sharing with you a honey greek yogurt bowl topped with strawberries, bananas, and your favorite granola.

Ingredients:

- 1/2 cup greek yogurt

- 1 tbsp clover honey

- 1/2 cup sliced strawberries

- 1/2 banana

- 1/4 cup your favorite granola 

1. Start by placing your greek yogurt in a bowl and pouring the honey over the yogurt.

2. Slice up your strawberries and bananas then 

assemble them on top of your yogurt honey mixture.

3. Top with your favorite granola, enjoy!

TIP: These make great make-ahead meals and would hold perfectly in small mason jars assembled like a parfait. That way, all you have to do is grab a jar on your way out the door!

Have a great weekend everyone!!

-post and photos by Sami Davis

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FOOD: Almond Milk Oatmeal with Chia & Blackberries

Good morning Made By Girl readers! Jen from Pretty Eats here with a great way to start your day, Almond Milk Oatmeal with lots of yummy toppings. I'll admit it, I'm more of a "coffee for breakfast" type of girl, something I'm trying to change this year. To make breakfast tempting, I make it beautiful and adaptable to any tastes I'm craving at the moment - sliced nuts and fresh fruit are my favorites! The lovely thing about multi grain oatmeal is that you don't need  a lot to fend off hunger for hours. Also, high quality grain blends can be found pre-packaged or simply in your grocery's bulk bins. Simple, tasty, and easy!

Almond Milk Oatmeal with Chia & Blackberries:
Ingredients:  makes 1 serving

    •    1 c 7 Grain Blend cereal (rye, wheat, oats, barley, etc)
    •    1/2 c almond milk
    •    pinch of sea salt
    •    2 big dollops of your favorite yogurt
    •    1 tsp chia seeds
    •    Additional toppings such as sliced almonds, crushed pistachios, and blackberries.

Directions: 
    •    Heat almond milk to simmering and pour over oats with a small pinch of salt.
    •    Stir and allow oats to soften for a few minutes.
    •    Add toppings of your choice, such as yogurt, chia seeds, almonds, crushed pistachios and blackberries. Enjoy!

-Post & photos by jen olson

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Teaching HIM to cook for HER

Hey everyone! I'm so excited to announce the new cooking classes my husband Mat, is teaching here in New York City! 

THE INFO:

As some of you may know, my husband & I will be embarking on an adoption journey.  Adoption is quite expensive & an emotionally draining process from what we've heard, but the end result (bringing a baby home) should be well worth it!  This is something I've never been sure about sharing on my blog before, but I felt this was the right time.

With that said, we also have our own donation page where you can read more about our story, as well as the cooking class that my husband is starting this month in order to raise money for our adoption.  His site is called, Pot Pan Knife, a NYC-based culinary workshop to teach men 'how to cook for HER'.   Ladies, I don't know about you, but I love when my husband makes breakfast for me - it's so special & I appreciate him even more. Showing LOVE through little gestures like cooking can mean a lot to someone.

So, feel free to tell the men in your life......

WHEN:

If you're a man in NYC - and would like to attend the first class on March 13th called - "Make Her Breakfast" - you can get your ticket here.  The class is about 2 hours & should be a lot of fun! Only 8 slots available.  The 'Make Her a Dumpling Dinner' class will be coming up the week after - stay tuned!

You can sign up for his mailing list here to get info on upcoming classes. Again, THANK YOU all from the bottom of our hearts for your continued support on our adoption journey & the classes!

"And anyone who welcomes a little child like this on my behalf is welcoming me".  - Matthew 18:5

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