Wheat Germ Pancakes

Who knew wheat germ pancakes would taste soooo good!  I've always loved pancakes, but the normal buttermilk pancakes are not the healthiest, and I would only eat them on special occasions.  Recently I was looking for a way to use the wheat germ I had purchased on a whim.  I came across a recipe for Whole Wheat, Wheat Germ pancakes, on the site www.allrecipes.com.   The recipe calls for oil, but one of the commenters said they left the oil out and they were still great, so I've never included the oil and they are still wonderful.

The wheat germ pancakes I made this morning.

Here they are with my homemade syrup.  I like to make a simple syrup with just brown sugar, a little water, and a little corn starch to thicken it.  I don't have an exact recipe, but I encourage you to experiment and try making your own.  It's really not that hard, and it's healthier than what you buy in the store.

 

After mixing the batter, I threw in a handful of fresh blueberries.  I did add a little sugar to them prior to adding them.  The amount will depend on how sweet they are to begin with.

They were so good!  Let me know if you decide to give them a try.  If you have any other suggestions for my wheat germ, let me know.  Wheat germ is incredibly healthy.  To learn more about it, here is a link from Dr. Oz's site.

Waldorf Education?!!! Who Knew!

This morning when I was reading an interview from an Etsy seller, Fairyfolk, I was introduced to the idea of Waldorf schools.  I had never heard of them before.  They are schools that focuses on our creative selves, as well as our intellectual selves.  I can't tell you how overjoyed I am to see such schools!  Granted, they are tuition-based schools, but what a concept.  To me, this is the approach public schools should take.  I think there would be a positive change in the state of our education system.

General Curriculum of Waldorf Schools

Waldorf Education approaches all aspects of schooling in a unique and comprehensive way. The curriculum is designed to meet the various stages of child development. Waldorf teachers are dedicated to creating a genuine inner enthusiasm for learning that is essential for educational success.

Preschool and Kindergarten children learn primarily through imitation and imagination. The goal of the kindergarten is to develop a sense of wonder in the young child and reverence for all living things. This creates an eagerness for the academics that follow in the grades. Preschool and Kindergarten activities include:

• storytelling, puppetry, creative play
• singing, eurythmy (movement)
• games and finger plays
• painting, drawing and beeswax modeling
• baking and cooking, nature walks
• foreign language and circle time for festival and seasonal celebrations

Elementary and middle-school children learn through the guidance of a class teacher who stays with the class ideally for eight years. The curriculum includes:

• English based on world literature, myths, and legends
• history that is chronological and inclusive of the world's great civilizations
• science that surveys geography, astronomy, meteorology, physical and life sciences
• mathematics that develops competence in arithmetic, algebra, and geometry
• foreign languages; physical education; gardening
• arts including music, painting, sculpture, drama, eurythmy, sketching
• handwork such as knitting, weaving, and woodworking


The Waldorf high school is dedicated to helping students develop their full potential as scholars, artists, athletes, and community members. The course of study includes:
• a humanities curriculum that integrates history, literature, and knowledge of world cultures
• a science curriculum that includes physics, biology, chemistry, geology, and a four-year college preparatory mathematics program
• an arts and crafts program that includes calligraphy, drawing, painting, sculpture, pottery, weaving, block printing and bookbinding
• a performing arts program offering orchestra, choir, eurythmy and drama
• a foreign language program
• a physical education program

ABOUT WALDORF GRADUATES...

According to a recent study of Waldorf graduates:

• 94% attended college or university
• 47% chose humanities or arts as a major
• 42% chose sciences or math as a major
• 89% are highly satisfied in choice of occupation
• 91% are active in lifelong education
• 92% placed a high value on critical thinking
• 90% highly values tolerance of other viewpoints

Such an interesting teaching concept.  I can't believe that I am almost 45 yrs old, and I have never heard of these schools.  If I were a parent, I would definitely want my kids experiencing this type of learning.  Who knew?!

Martha Stewart Making Pet Products? Who Knew!

Martha Stewart has always been my girl.  I loved her before her stint in jail, and I've loved her even more since she's gotten out of jail.  To lose her entire multi-million dollar empire and then rebuild it better than before, is so inspiring.  A couple weeks ago, when I took my new little dog, Bruce, to PetSmart, I was surprised to see a whole section of Martha Stewart pet products.  Get out!  And in true Martha Stewart form, they were the most gorgeous little outfits, beds, and bowls, I've ever seen for pets.  How does she do it?   Below are a sample of the products.  All the images are property of PetSmart.  That first little dog looks just like my Bruce.

 

This line of products makes a lot of sense for Martha.  After all she is a dog lover.  Have you noticed that two of the most prominent woman in the world (my opinion, of course), Oprah and Martha, are dog lovers? I don't have their money or their prominence, but I at least share their love of dogs.

Meet an Inspiring 92 yr old Tap Dancer

There are many stories out there that can touch your heart.  This one really touched mine.  I am always looking for inspirational stories to share.  This is more than a story about a 92 yr old tap dancer.  This woman has dedicated her life and the money she earns, to doing her part to fund cancer research.  She still teaches and performs.  It is apparent that dancing is her passion.  I hope this story will inspire you to follow your passions and leave a positive mark in this society.

Thanks to my dear friend, known as Grandmommy, for sharing this story with me.  She is the author of the blog, Big and Little Creations.

Matisse, the Kid in the Kitchen, Cooking Wonder

Today, I received my Cooking Light magazine.  Great! Something to read tonight.  The first thing I read was the note from the editor on page 6.  It talks about a now, 12 year old, girl named Matisse, who was born with a rare disease that kept her from eating solid foods until she was ten!  Even still, she has managed to become this incredible cook and foodie.  She even has her own monthly column in the Cooking Light magazine, entitled, Kid in the Kitchen. She is such an advanced cook, you would never believe she was only 12, let alone that she's only been eating food for the past two years.  I immediately went to her blog to check out her story.  Below is the About Me section on her blog.  Needless to say, I was brought to tears.

I am Matisse, I am ten years old. I have a passion for cooking and love the food network. I was born with a rare intestinal condition called chronic idiopathic intestinal pseudo obstruction which meant I could not digest any food and had to be fed through an Intra Venous line. This did not stop me from cooking though. On December 7th, 2010 I received a small and large intestinal transplant - now I can eat!!!! Because I am still too immune suppressed to go to school I have decided to keep myself busy by cooking and writing this blog about cooking. I hope you enjoy it. Something else about me... I hate junk food esp MD's!!! My first real food after transplant was calamari tentacles. i love seafood but will cook anything. I'm only a kid but I've got A lot to say about cooking so keep coming back so my grand parents are not my only audience! You can leave me a message but my mum has to check them first so it won't show up straight away. You can follow my journey at http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/matissereid

Matisse is the epitome of amazing!  She seems to have an incredible palate and knowledge when it comes to food.  You can check out her blog, Matisses's Kitchen.  You  can also see some of her monthly columns at Cooking Light, here.  She has truly inspired me to get my butt in gear when it comes to cooking.  I've been dibbling and dabbling.  Now it's time to make it happen.