Lemon Raspberry Pancakes

Happy Mother's Day!

Getting to celebrate Mother's day with 2 kids this year is truly a blessing! My mother passed away 5 years ago. Until I became a mom myself, I dreaded this day but still celebrated in her honor. I decided to make something healthy yet decadent that you can make your mom, spouse, significant other, etc. on her special day tomorrow. I used a pre-made Paleo pancake mix that came out AMAZING. I know my mom would have loved these, and I hope you do too!

These pancakes feature Young Living Essential Oils. Please do not just use any old lemon essential oil you find at the grocery store. Please make sure you are usuing 100% theraputic grade quality like Young Living. If you have any questions about essential oils, would like to order, or want to embark on a more healthy lifesetyle with essential oils, please contact me here,

(I was not paid or given product to create this post)

Lemon Raspberry Pancakes
(paleo, gluten-free)
Serves 4

Ingredients:

• Birch Benders Paleo Pancake Mix (we made 12 pancakes to serve 4)
• 2 drops Jade Lemon or Lemon Vitality essential oils from Young Living (order here and enter 2907980 as your enroller)
• OR 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
• Zest of one lemon for garnish, optional
• 1/2 cup raspberries (to top pancakes)
• 1/4 cup pure maple syrup (to top pancakes)

Process:

1. Preheat a nonstick skillet to medium heat and add coconut oil.

2. While pan is heating, make pancake mix according to package. All you need to do is add water for their mix!

3. Add Young Living Essential oils or lemon to your mix. Stir until well-mixed.

4. Use a 1/4 measuring cup to create 4" pancakes, Cook until golden brown on boths sides.

5. Top with rapsberries, lemon zest, and maple syrup. You could even do a coconut or organic whipped cream if your heart desires!

Sweet Potato Fries with Thyme and Lemon Garlic Aioli

Hey guys! I know it's been FAR too long! I have had an extremely chaotic year. Between moving, buying a new house, home renovations, and welcoming our second baby, we haven't had a minute to breathe.

I am so excited to be back. Our new kitchen is finally almost done and my 5 month old is napping a littttttle bit better these days, so it's time for mom to get back in the kitchen a bit more. I couldn't be more excited!

It was my birthday a couple of weeks ago and I was dying for some sweet potato fries. I have tried to make oven baked sweet potato fries many times and they NEVER have gotten crispy. I did some digging and experimented in the kitchen and created these. Amazing!

The aioli is incredible and I highly recommend you pair them together. 

Sweet Potato Fries
(paleo, gluten-free, vegan)

• 2-3 medium sweet potatoes, sliced into 1/4-1/3" sticks. Make sure your pieces are uniform to assure even cooking.
• 1 tablespoon arrowroot powder
• 2 teaspoons olive oil
• 1 teaspoon of salt divided in half
• 1/2 teaspoon dry time or 1 teaspoon fresh, finely chopped

Sweet Potato Fry Process:

1. Soak sweet potatoes in a large bowl filled with cold water for 2-3 hours.

2. Preheat oven to 400 and line a large pan with parchment paper.

3. Remove soaked fries from bowl and pat them dry with a paper towel.

4. In a large bowl, toss fries with oil, arrowroot powder, half the salt, and thyme.

5. Bake for about 15 minutes until brown and crispy on the bottom. Flip, and then cook for an additional 10-15 minutes. Serve them hot and immediately! 

Lemon Garlic Aioli

(paleo, gluten-free, vegan option)

• 2 garlic cloves, pressed or very finely chopped
• 1/4 teaspoon sea salt
• 1/2 cup paleo mayonnaise or vegan mayonnaise
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
• 1/4 teaspoon fresh lemon zest

Process:

1. Mix all ingredients with a whisk in a medium bowl. Serve chilled. Will store in the fridge for 2-3 days.

Whole Foods Beauty Week! Featuring this year's beauty bag!

Hey guys! I know I have been so absent the past few weeks. Life has been CRAZY. We were struck with a nasty cold, and of course my crazy little 2-year-old kept my on my toes.. But I'm back!

I am SO excited for this post, because I have absolutely fallen in love with these products and I am so excited about these cute little bags! Whole Foods Market Beauty week begins Friday, March 18th!

Whole Foods Market Nashua generously gave me first dibs on one of this year's beauty bags and I am in LOVE. The bags are worth around $60 and are on sale for $18 from March 21st-March 24th. Too good of a deal to pass up.. and they come in these cute little bags that can easily work as a a makeup or travel bag.

I decided to choose my 2 favorite products from the bag to review, although I am newly obsessed with all of these products. You can see what comes in the bag above. The Mineral Fusion Mascara and the new Burt's Bees LIPSTICK. I have been OBSESSED with Burt's Bees lip balms and lip tints for years.. and now they have gone and made my addiction worse by offering a lipstick. It is BEAUTIFUL and totally natural looking. It wears for a decent amount of time, doesn't taste like crap, and feels amazing on your lips.

The Mineral Fusion mascara has become my second new obsession. I have always had super long lashes and what I normally use usually clumps on me. This mascara is seriously THE BOMB. I am wearing it in the second photo. It isn't too thick, isn't too thin and it is gorgeous. I can't stand mascaras that are too heavy, and this one is just perfect.

I seriously want you ALL to go out and buy one of these bags.. They are totally worth every penny! Once you try them, let me know what you think of the products. I can't wait to hear how it goes!

Much Peace & Love,

The Wholesome Foodie