Morning to Myself
I had a nice little morning all to myself today. Mal spent last night at Mohegan Sun for a bachelor party and my lazy-pants pug slept until almost 9:30 this morning, so I enjoyed some quiet time to myself. I took the opportunity to participate in a couple of my favorite pastimes: trashy television and baking experiments!
For some reason, I can’t get enough of the Real Housewives of Orange County. There’s just something about them and their whacked-out lives that I love to watch.
Breakfast
Ever since I baked a batch of delicious Chickpea Blondies, I’ve been obsessed with the idea of incorporating beans and veggies into unlikely recipes. There was some spinach in the refrigerator that I wanted to use up, so I decided to include it in a pancake recipe. Why not, right? 
Sweet Spinach Pancake
Serves 1
Ingredients:
- 1/4 cup oats
- 2 tbsp flour
- 1 tbsp ground flaxseed meal
- 2 tbsp strawberry preserves
- 1 tbsp brown sugar
- 1/4 cup liquid egg whites
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1 handful of spinach
- Cinnamon to taste
Directions:
- Add all ingredients to a food processor (or blender) and mix well.
- Preheat a skillet, spray with non-stick spray, and pour batter in while shaping it into a large pancake shape with a spoon.
- Heat until partially cooked and then flip.
- Once cooked through, top with syrup, peanut butter, or fresh fruit.
On top of my pancake, I spread a spoonful of Barney Butter, which got all melty and delicious. It was the perfect topping. 
Besides the color, I couldn’t taste the spinach at all. The strawberry preserves, cinnamon, and vanilla were the dominate flavors, and the texture was light and fluffy like a regular pancake. Mmm!
—
I loved my laid-back morning, but I have a feeling that today is going to be a busy one!
See ya! 
What are you doing for the Super Bowl?
Tags: chickpea blondies, Housewives of Orange County, Sweet Spinach Pancake
Allie (Live Laugh Eat) — February 7, 2010 @ 10:11 am
I pretty much try and sneak nutritious food into everything these days. I can’t wait to have kids so I can see what they’ll gobble up unknowingly
Food Makes Fun Fuel — February 7, 2010 @ 10:14 am
What an interesting pancake recipe; can’t say I’m much up for spinach in the morning
My plans are so lame–homework and buffalo wings
K — February 7, 2010 @ 10:14 am
I LOVE Housewives – it’s probably one of my favorite shows on TV. Sounds like you enjoyed a great morning! Hope you have a wonderful Sunday!
Jessica @ How Sweet It Is — February 7, 2010 @ 10:17 am
Oooh I am liking the spinach pancake!! I have never watched the Housewives. I know, I need to get with the program.
Freya @ foodfitnessandfreya.wordpress.com — February 7, 2010 @ 10:24 am
Oohh what a groovy looking pancake – green! LOVE IT! I want to make that recipe
) so I think I deserve it 
I’m in England, so no plans for the super bowl…I instead plan on sitting on my ass all evening – I ran my first half marathon today (I have to spread the word, I’m proud of myself
Have a great day
Heather (The Single Dish) — February 7, 2010 @ 10:27 am
I am going to a party and have to bring some apps- going to make BUffalo Chicken Dip and Steak Tip Bites, yummy!!! I don’t really care about the football, more interested in the food!
Jenna @ Healthy. Happy. Well. — February 7, 2010 @ 10:29 am
Yay for trashy tv! Real Housewives is really one of the trashy shows i let myself watch, but when I do I watch it for like 4 hours straight! It’s addicting!
Danielle (Coffee Run) — February 7, 2010 @ 10:37 am
Trashy reality + baking are some of my favorite past times too
I love unique veggie experiments! Enjoy your super-bowl Sunday
Ally (Exercise and Pies) — February 7, 2010 @ 10:37 am
spinach pancake? Way to branch out!
My boyfriend is from Louisiana so even though we live in Georgia we are going to be cheering for the Saints over at my parents Super Bowl party. lots of good food and my mom is letting me use her kitchen yay
Betsy — February 7, 2010 @ 10:45 am
Hey, I was at Mohegan last night, too! Didn’t see Mal though, but I spent most of my time wandering around and playing the penny slots. I just can’t get myself to gamble big amounts of money. I guess that’s a good thing!
As for super bowl, my parents have their friends over every year. I don’t care for football, but I do love the awesome chili my mom makes!
Melissa — February 7, 2010 @ 10:45 am
We are SNOWED IN! (DC) so our plans are to continue to stay warm.
I LOVE the Housewives show,too. Esp.fun to watch while working out on the elliptical.
Anna @ Newlywed, Newly Veg — February 7, 2010 @ 10:46 am
Yum! Looks delicious! lol– I LOVE the RHW of NY. Can’t get enough
Madeline @ Greens and Jeans — February 7, 2010 @ 10:57 am
I love lazy mornings… and pancakes. And the Housewives. Can’t wait for the New York season to start!
Mary C @ A Greener Leaner Me — February 7, 2010 @ 10:58 am
That is a great idea! I’ll have to test that recipe out!
Melissa (MelissaLikesToEat) — February 7, 2010 @ 11:00 am
No plans for Super Bowl…which is probably a good thing…won’t eat a lot of junk.
I will watch the game though!
kelly — February 7, 2010 @ 11:17 am
Love your food experiments! Super Bowl? Just hubby, me and Emma-dog cheering on the Colts! It will be a fairly healthy feast with home-made guac., veggies, and tortilla chips
Laura@FindingAHealthyBalance....after a 100+ Pound Weight Loss!!! — February 7, 2010 @ 11:21 am
I would of never thought of Spinanch Pancakes in a million years, what a great idea!!!
I love mornings like that….sleeping in, watching the Food Network for me (as my hubby can’t stand it on when he is home as it makes him hungry) and a big breakfast or baking! =)
Nutritious Foodie — February 7, 2010 @ 11:35 am
Your breakfast look really good.
We are going to our next door neighbors… they are having a big bash I think hubs and I will be the only couple cheering for the Colts… after all we live in TX and their loyalty is to the Saints!
Light Delight with TouTou — February 7, 2010 @ 11:46 am
Interesting green pancakes
Estela @ Weekly Bite — February 7, 2010 @ 11:52 am
I heart the Real Housewives! Its like a train wreck that I can’t stop watching!
joan — February 7, 2010 @ 11:53 am
My husband and I are going to Old Town Sacramento, Whole Foods, and then I will catch some commercials from the game. I am not a huge football fan but I’m sure the game will be on. I’ll be in and out of the room. I do want to go through my paperwork for our taxes too.
Katie@ Two Lives, One Lifestyle — February 7, 2010 @ 11:55 am
Spinach in the pancakes- creative! It blends so well into smoothies I can see that totally working. I’m going over my aunts for the super bowl and need to decide on a dish to bring!
Erin (Travel, Eat, Repeat) — February 7, 2010 @ 11:59 am
The OC Housewives is the only one I watch … it’s great gym TV.
I was going to a Super Bowl party but that’s been snowed-out and I’m snowed-in. Guess I’ll just be at home with some homemade veggie chili and my family.
Cristina — February 7, 2010 @ 12:06 pm
love love love real housewives!
Ameena — February 7, 2010 @ 12:11 pm
I know nothing about football so I will be enjoying the empty roads and freeways while everyone else is at home!
Nicole — February 7, 2010 @ 12:16 pm
HAHA! That’s too funny! I’ve made these pancakes before using some spinach that was starting to not look so ‘fresh’, but that I thought would be fine mixed up in some batter for pancakes. It tasted great and nothing like spinach. I think I added some mashed banana into mine to make it sweeter. I swear, you seem to read my mind sometimes! Glad you enjoyed your morning!
Kelly — February 7, 2010 @ 12:16 pm
I love the Housewives too! I am making Oyster Stew right now for the Superbowl! It looks so yummy!
Jessica @ The Process of Healing — February 7, 2010 @ 12:21 pm
Girl you constantly amaze me with your baking experiments… That is genius!!!!
For the super bowl… well, i’m not so much into football but i may watch the commercials
Katie — February 7, 2010 @ 12:26 pm
I’m also obsessed with Real Housewives without really knowing why. New Jersey was my favorite season, but Orange County sucks me in every time.
We’re going low-key for the Super Bowl. It’s just me, the husband, baby girl and the dog.
Kara — February 7, 2010 @ 12:30 pm
We’ve had so much snow that I’ve completely lost focus of the Super Bowl. If the roads get plowed today I want to leave the apartment and go anywhere!
candice — February 7, 2010 @ 12:52 pm
Anything + pancake has the potential to be yummy, be it greens, mushrooms, cheese (!!), fish…
Teri [a foodie stays fit] — February 7, 2010 @ 12:53 pm
I can’t believe you added spinach to the pancakes. Brilliant!
If you want a new guilty pleasure, check out Gossip Girl. I’m obsessed. I’ve already gone through the first two season on Netflix in the last month or so.
Jules @ EatDrinkLiveLearn — February 7, 2010 @ 12:57 pm
@Melissa: I agree! Trashy TV makes the elliptical so much more fun. Keeping Up with the Kardashians & America’s Next Top Model are two of my past favs for exercising.
Lynn (The Actors Diet) — February 7, 2010 @ 1:01 pm
great idea tina! i love putting my giant bag of baby spinach to work whenever i can.
kalli@fitandfortysomething — February 7, 2010 @ 1:07 pm
Unfortunately I too love that show……!
Karla — February 7, 2010 @ 1:17 pm
I love the Real Housewives of OC! They make me think of home! I wish I had cable! I would totally be watching trashy TV like that instead of the superbowl!
Hillary [Nutrition Nut on the Run] — February 7, 2010 @ 1:35 pm
Way to be creative. My Sunday brex was pancakes as well…whole wheat flax banana pancakes – yum! Enjoy your day =)
Tracie (@hollafoodzone) — February 7, 2010 @ 1:42 pm
Yayy for the Housewives! There is something about watching that show that makes me feel good – I think it’s one of those shows that just makes us all feel better about ourselves ;-} You pancakes look ….ahem… well, I’m very sure they tasted as good as you say!
Karissa @ CardioFoodie — February 7, 2010 @ 1:46 pm
I love Real Housewives OC, I have been watching it from the first season! I am going to whip up some food for the Super Bowl and we have a couple parties to attend in our apartment complex. We are happy to be in TX now, because the hubby and I used to be the only people in Indiana that hated the Colts!
Spiceaholic — February 7, 2010 @ 1:46 pm
I love lazy mornings, especially if they involve trashy tv! I’m so addicted to the Real Housewives of OC! That and Keeping Up with the Kardashians, and The Hills when it was good. All that drama is great to relax with.
Kara — February 7, 2010 @ 2:12 pm
I love the Real Housewives too, definitely my guilty pleasure
Watching the Super Bowl with friends. GEAUX SAINTS!!!!
Sam (Merit to the Carrot) — February 7, 2010 @ 2:26 pm
Housewives of OC & NYC are my favorite.
That pancake recipe is great! Thank you Tina, for another marvelous breakfast creation
N — February 7, 2010 @ 2:40 pm
I’ve been reading your blog for a week or so now and enjoying it, but lurking.
We are not football fans at all, although my husband and step dad will watch if nothing else is going on. This time, though, there is. We’re going to watch my 11 year old (and a bunch of professional performers, as well) in a benefit show this afternoon instead. I’m much more excited about that!
I’ve already got snacks ready to go for the many hours we’ll be there – no bake cookies with oats, a little walnut, cacao nibs, orange essence prunes, maca, hemp protein and a big container of fresh fruits and veggies each. Yum.
Run Sarah — February 7, 2010 @ 2:46 pm
Love Private Practice & Greys Anatomy! I dont watch the Superbowl (Im Canadian!) but plan on relaxing and studying this afternoon.
Jenna — February 7, 2010 @ 3:08 pm
Is that chunky bb!?
Claire — February 7, 2010 @ 3:43 pm
I have an obsession with the Kardashians.hehe…cc
Morgan @ Healthy Happy Place — February 7, 2010 @ 3:52 pm
my first thought was “that pancake looks nasty!” but if you can’t taste the spinach that’s awesome!
Leah — February 7, 2010 @ 4:10 pm
I’m throwing a super bowl party! Doing a taco bar was a good idea – it took all of two seconds to put together.
Gwen — February 7, 2010 @ 5:30 pm
I also love the Real Housewives. My man hates it, so I definitely watch it early on the weekends while he still crashes. Sadly he is stuck in San Diego because of the weather here DC so now I’ll be going to a neighbor’s to watch the superbowl. Armed with cornbread muffins. YUMO
Jessica @ WHY DONTCHA RUN — February 7, 2010 @ 5:34 pm
I wish I were more “risky” in the kitchen like you, Tina. What a fantastic idea to use up a lot of stuff that you’ve already got… I may have to do something like that myself.
Jamie (Food in Real Life) — February 7, 2010 @ 5:42 pm
I too am starting to experiment with hiding veggies in sweeter dishes. Its just a cool idea and will probably pay off when I have kids
Hannah — February 7, 2010 @ 6:04 pm
That’s a pretty fantastic idea and recipe – might I also just add how much I love that you come up with these single serving recipes? So good for the single people out here!
Gracie @ GirlMeetsHealth — February 7, 2010 @ 7:59 pm
YES!! A fellow Real Housewives fan =)=) Did you hear they’re doing a season in Beverly Hills?
Cam — February 7, 2010 @ 9:01 pm
Hi Tina,
I’m a long-time lurker, and wanted to say I LOVE your blog, pugs and iced coffees too.
I’ll have to try sneaking different veggies into my diet. Your pancake experiement sounds interesting.Thanks for all the great ideas.
Hannah — February 7, 2010 @ 9:14 pm
Chickpea Blondies!? INSANE!!!
Nicole (dishin') — February 8, 2010 @ 9:54 am
I’m with you on the trashy TV! Right now I’m into Real Housewives, The Bachelor and Millionair Matchmacker. It’s almost embarrassing!
Katelyn — February 8, 2010 @ 1:54 pm
Hi Tina! I am a newbie to your blog and I am in love already! You have such an adorably warm, inviting persona that you draw me in with every post!
I just love my baby spinach also and this pancake looks great for a pre-run meal! Any idea on the calorie count by chance? Or anyone know?
marla {Family Fresh Cooking} — February 9, 2010 @ 8:39 am
This pancake is genius! I gotta try it on my kids. Very good idea….gotta read about what you guys are up to in NY…
Kristilyn (My 29th Year) — February 9, 2010 @ 6:03 pm
I’ve used spinach in pancakes before, too, and aside from the colour, you really can’t taste the spinach!
I made the chickpea blondies, too, and I love them! I’m even happier because my husband really doesn’t like them so it’s more for me.
K
Tara — February 10, 2010 @ 12:11 pm
I just made this recipe, with a few tweaks. I used mixed berries instead of the strawberry preserves. This gave me a blue-ish colored pancake and it tasted of blackberries.
It was so yummy! I couldn’t believe how fluffy it was. I featured some pics and the recipe tweaks I did on my blog. (I also linked to your original recipe.)
Thanks for the great idea!