Buttermilk Pancakes and my 80-20 Rule

 I am a big fan of making things from scratch. Yes, I love to cook but mostly I like to know what is going in our bodies. I guess I have sort of created an 80-20 rule when it comes to food. If 80 percent of the time we eat real food, prepared in my kitchen and aren't eating the weird chemicals put in processed food then I don't have to feel too bad about the 20 percent we do eat. Realistically we all know our bodies weren't created to handle the chemicals we have in so much of our foods. Convenience foods have their place, even in my home... I just don't think they should be the base of our diets.

Artificial flavors, colors and preservatives are put into everything! Which is where I decided the 80-20 was a good ratio. My family wants to eat Doritos now and then. I will occasionally buy treats like frozen corn-dogs or grosser than gross... handi snacks (seriously that cheese smells like vomit.) I don't think depriving kids is the answer. Nor is depriving yourself, (I could learn to deprive myself a bit more but that is another story!) I put coffee-mate in my coffee every morning and until I find and alternative that tastes as good I'm going to continue to do it! 

We go through periods of time, usually when our schedules are off as well, when we (I) allow more fake foods into our diets. Then I have to reel it in. I allow more sugar and treats and then have to reel it in. We are back at a reeling in faze at our house. I have to get our schedules back on track and our diets. 

I clear out the cupboards and get back to real life, real bedtimes, real TV limits and real eating. 

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These pancakes are pretty much as easy as a mix. You need to measure 5 dry ingredients... how much longer will that take you? We love breakfast for dinner I will sometimes double or even triple this and freeze the pancakes for a quick breakfast, they are also great for a snack with peanut butter on them.

Buttermilk Pancakes


1 c. flour
1 TBSP. sugar
1 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/4 tsp. salt
1 beaten egg
1 c. buttermilk
2 TBSP. oil

 whisk together dry ingredients and add to wet ingredients. mix well. pour batter on to coated (pam spray or butter) griddle, fry until edges start to bubble, flip and finish other side. Serve with real maple syrup or fresh strawberries and whipped cream for a special treat.


* if you do not have buttermilk you can make your own by combining just under 1 c. milk and 
   1 TBSP. vinegar or lemon juice. Add milk to measure 1 full cup. Sit about 5 minutes. That's it!

Yep, that is spray whipped cream, that's where the 20 % comes in. That stuff is FUN and is a special treat.

Happy Monday! ~Shelby