Food | Vegan banana oatmeal pancakes

So... I'm doing this crazy diet.

Essentially, it's 3 weeks of no dairy, gluten, eggs, sugar, peanuts, soy, and corn. After the 3 weeks, I'll reintroduce each item one at a time to see how my body responds. I'm not really doing it for the weight loss, but to see if eating differently will give me more energy and help me better distinguish how my body feels after eating different foods. The unexpected result after 4 full days on the diet is that my attitude toward food has changed. I've had to say no to a lot of undoubtedly delicious things, but in the process have learned that it's okay to say no to foods. I often feel like I eat absolutely everything that is offered to me or available, but really, I'm probably not always hungry, right? Do I always need to eat a piece of cake at a party? Or do I have to put half and half in my coffee every single day, even though I also enjoy it black? And pancakes... they are delicious, don't get me wrong, but it's good to realize that I can get a very pancake-like experience without any sugar.

So this diet has really turned into an experiment in challenging my assumptions about and expectations for the food I eat. And in the process, I'm finding some amazing recipes. These pancakes are going to be entered into our regular rotation because all four of us love them.

Vegan Banana Oatmeal Pancakes (gluten free, no sugar)
Slightly adapted from this recipe over at Clourful Palate
1 1/4 c. Old fashioned oats
1/2 c. Gluten free flour (I used this recipe)
2 tsp. Baking Powder
1/2 tsp. Salt
1 1/2 c. Unsweetened coconut milk
2 ripe bananas
+ Unrefined coconut oil for the griddle

Place all ingredients—except the bananas—into a food processor or blender. After the mixture is blended well, add the bananas and blend until smooth. Pour batter into a hot griddle or pan. Pancakes are ready to be flipped when the bubbles pop.