What better way to start off my special day than with a stack of chocolate chip buckwheat pancakes--YUM! These are my absolute favorite to make on special occasions (mainly because I'm too lazy too) and before long runs. They are super filling, give me plenty of energy and taste INCREDIBLE!

Ingredients

1/2 cup buckwheat pancake mix

1/2 cup unsweetened original almond milk

1/2 ripe banana

1/4 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp vanilla extract

dark chocolate chips

Instructions

On a low heat, heat a frying pan and grease with coconut oil

In a blender, blend the pancake mix, almond milk, banana, baking powder, and vanilla until smooth

Pour desired amount of batter onto the pan and add a few chocolate chips, using a fork to cover with the batter

Cook for about 1-2 minutes, or until bubbles form around the edges, and flip, cooking for another 1-2 minutes

Repeat until all pancakes are cooked--I made 4 small pancakes

Drizzle with maple syrup, or any other toppings!

Since it was my birthday, I decided why not go out to lunch? I hardly ever eat lunch out, but today was my birthday and I managed to squeeze in a 10 mile run, so a meal I didn't have to take time to make sounded perfect!

I ended up going to a new place where I live, Crazy Bowls & Wraps, with my mother and it was delicious! There were plenty of plant-based options, it was super filling, and the food came pretty fast--basically everything I could want from a quick lunch spot. I went for a teriyaki bowl with mixed veggies, organic quinoa, spicy teriyaki on the side, and, instead of a protein, avocado. 

Around 4pm I got a bit peckish, but didn't want to spoil dinner, so I chopped up a large honey crisp apple and had a cheeky little peppermint patty from Rooted Juicery!

Tonight I went to Bones' Burgers for a vegan burger with sweet potato fries! They have some of the BEST sweet potato fries, with a little bit of a kick! I LOVE spicy sweet potato fries--the sweet and spicy complement each other so well and they just taste like heaven! Bones' does a homemade ketchup that has a bit of a smoky flavor, which goes amazing with the burger, and I always ask for regular ketchup as well for the fries--SO GOOD. The vegan burger itself is AMAZING. It is made with all locally sourced ingredients that are in season at the moment, giving it a unique flavor every time!

I was pretty full from my dinner, but it was my birthday so I went for a sweet treat anyway! Last week I made blondie brownies, so I heated up one of those, scooped a bit of vanilla on the side, and drizzled it with chocolate fondue! Let's just say I went into a massive food coma, but it was well worth it!

Claire

xx

Arrowhead Mills Organic Buckwheat Pancake & Waffle Mix

Enjoy Life Dairy-Free Dark Chocolate Chips

Crazy Bowls & Wraps

Rooted Juicery & Kitchen

Bones' Burgers

Blondies Recipe

Coconut Bliss Vanilla Island Ice Cream

Trader Joe's Chocolate Fondue