Greek Yogurt and Goat Cheese Tzaziki Roasted Red Pepper Zucchini Rolls with Pesto Dip A.K.A. Extremely Creative and Interesting Snacks for an Unbearably Boring Mom.

Let's talk about creative energy, or rather the lack there of. For instance, I'm pretty sure that I had something rather interesting to say 15 minutes ago but since then 1 million and 1 other extremely important things have happened. Such is the life of a mom of 4. Any mom actually, but I speak for myself (disclaimer numero uno).

Case and point. In the last 15 minutes I have:

Tried to console a very distraught 4 year old little girl about a broken crayon which her 8 year old very artistic brother absolutely had to have because it was  "Imperial Blue" and the exact shade he needed to finish his bird drawing and "NO!" another shade of blue from the enormous bucket of crayons wouldn't do and excuse me please but it in fact is not a crayon but a pastel! ..............................

Stopped 3 times to put on baby doll clothes. On the same baby doll.

Tried to reason with a dramatic 6 year old over why it's not the end of the world when someone touches him, looks at him, breathes on him.

Prepared myself for yet another night of over reactive drama and whining about how grosssssss dinner is before they even know what it is.

Tried to take a picture or two of for mentioned dinner when the house we moved into several months ago does not have ONE SINGLE north facing window, or any decent window for food photography for that matter.  (note to self, look for new house immediately. post note, be in complete denial that the housing market is yet again rising faster than my strategic abilities allow.)

Exaggerating? Who me? NO. Not this time my friends, not this time. Life as a mom, end of story. 

Again, I'm pretty sure I had something very creative or mildly interesting to say in regards to this post 15 minutes ago but alas, you will forgive me as my creativity has been sucked away over the years and replaced with the cutest of cute, adorable, little, needy monsters. 

What's the opposite of boring? These super cute snack containers from Planet Box. I. heart. their lunch boxes and so when they offered to send me one of their brand new sectioned snack boxes, 

"The Shuttle" with a perfect little dipping container I was waiting by the window for the UPS guy.  

This little snack container was much roomier than I imagined and perfect for my portioned, 5 a day small meals. As you can see it held my 'second' lunch quite nicely and I won't even mention the fact that my dear husband swiped it from me the  next morning. I did get a nice text message around lunch time about how fantastic my zucchini rolls were. Cudos.

I love Planet Boxes sleek and convenient  design and that the magnets were interchangeable. My boys loved this alien one and when mommy wants to take it to work I simply take the magnets off or I can switch them out for one of their other cute magnets. These cute space guys ended up on our fridge. 

Several different sizes to choose form with eco-conscience design and cute carriers. I love it!

Back to School Time Already! Time to get a sturdy lunch box that will last through the year! 

Planet Box sent me these items, all opinions are my own.

Cottage Cheese Pancakes {gluten free}

I think these pancakes could fall under the paleo diet guidelines.  Wait, did cavemen eat cottage cheese? Oh well,  I'm pretty sure that cave men ate pancakes. After all they apparently ate muffins, cookies and pie why not pancakes. O.k. so I haven't read up on this new fad. I know it's a pretty basic concept of eating whole foods but as far as trying to figure out exactly what cavemen ate, I'm not sure I really get it. Like coconut for instance? Did cave men eat coconut? Maybe if there were cave men in Hawaii. Coconut is good for you but if cave men didn't eat it then are Paleoians not allowed to eat it either? Why?






These are the random things I think about when I am stalling cleaning the house. I'll bet cave men didn't have to clean their houses errr caves.  The closest to living like a cave man that I get is living with 4 crazy kids running around the house like little neanderthals.

Honestly. Not sure what got me on this subject. Just seeing an awful lot of Paleo recipes out there in the blogosphere. Paleo must be the new gluten free. I'm sure there's some great science behind it.

At any rate, in an effort to reduce our intake of processed carbs/sugars and limit GMO foods in our bodies I have been trying to remake some of our favorite foods without white or wheat flour.

These pancakes turned out to be super easy and tasted great without the wheat flour. Score! Dare I say,

"So easy a caveman can do it!" 

Sorry. Had to.

My mom used to make cottage cheese pancakes for us when we were little. We all loved them. Substituting almond and coconut flour for regular flour adds protein and vitamins. 

Bye Bye wheat belly!

If your thinking cottage cheese sounds really weird in pancakes let me tell you, it's amazing! The pancakes turn out moist and the cottage cheese somehow gets sweet when cooked and tastes very similar to a cream cheese crepe IMO.

Topped with strawberries for extra sweetness and these pancakes will be your new 

favorite healthy breakfast I promise!

*NOTES  I also have used 1 cup spelt flour in place of the almond and coconut flour. Spelt flour is not certified GF but it is a nutritious ancient grain with a deep nut like flavor. Spelt dates back long before many wheat hybrids. Many of its benefits come from the fact that it offers a broader spectrum of nutrients compared to many of its more inbred cousins in the wheat family. It can be used in many of the same ways as wheat including bread and pasta making. Spelt does not seem to cause sensitivities in many people who are intolerant of wheat. 




adapted from my mom's recipe

TIME    15 MINUTES      YIELDS    8-10 SMALL PANCAKES

Cottage Cheese Pancakes {Gluten Free}

Ingredients

4 eggs
1/2 cup plain, fat free yogurt
1 1/2 cups large curd cottage cheese
1/2 cup almond flour
1/4 cup coconut flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
real butter to coat pan


toppings
chopped strawberries
honey
or real maple syrup


Preheat a non-stick pan over medium-high heat.
In a medium bowl, beat eggs, add yogurt and cottage cheese. Sift in flours, baking powder and salt.
Using a 1/4 measuring cup, slowly pour batter into hot skillet. The batter will be thin and spread quickly so pour slowly.

Cook for 3-4 minutes on first side until bubbles cover the top. Flip pancakes over and cook 1-2 minutes more. Lower heat if necessary.