Happy Leaping New Year!

January 1, 2020

“I must not fear.
Fear is the mind-killer.
Fear is the little-death that brings total obliteration.
I will face my fear.
I will permit it to pass over me and through me.
And when it has gone past I will turn the inner eye to see its path.
Where the fear has gone there will be nothing.
Only I will remain.”
~ From Dune, by Frank Herbert

 

As 2020 is a leap year, I’d like to share one of my favorite movie clips with you. From the 1989 movie, Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, directed by Steven Spielberg, it’s about taking a leap of faith:

 

 

From this moment, we all have a blank canvas, a cleared space with which to create new projects and allow for new miracles to manifest. Let us enter into 2020 with the willingness to step out on faith, even if the road ahead isn’t clear yet or seems uncertain, knowing the way forward will reveal itself as we go.

“If the path before you is clear, you’re probably on somebody else’s.”
~ Joseph Campbell

~~~~~~~~~

If your path is strewn with ripe avocados, make a batch of tender, light and tasty Avocado Key Lime Pancakes.

Avocado Key Lime Pancakes
A client of mine gave me several of their tree’s delicious, creamy avocados and they all ripened at the same time. Thankfully, this inspired me to discover that mashed avocado can replace most or all of the fat in many of your favorite recipes for desserts, baked goods and more. I tweaked a recipe on the California Avocados site, and added Key Lime zest and plain yogurt, along with a Key Lime Maple Syrup (recipe below this one).

These are tender and light, with just enough zesty lime flavor to brighten your morning. Best of all, the oil contained inside the mashed avocado is one of the “good” (heart healthy) fats.

*You can substitute Mexican limes or any dark green-skinned lime for the Key Limes.

 

1 cup mashed, ripe avocado (1 large or 2 medium avocados)
2 tablespoons organic cane sugar
2 large eggs
2 cups plain whole-milk yogurt (the runny kind – not Greek-style)
1 tablespoon salted butter, melted and cooled to room temp
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 tablespoons Key Lime* zest (about 5 limes)
1/2 cup whole milk
1 & 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt

A tablespoon or two of butter, olive oil or sunflower seed oil to cook pancakes

 

On a plate or in a bowl, make sure avocado is well mashed into a creamy and smooth consistency. I used a fork to do this with no problem because my avocados were ripe and soft. If necessary, you may need to use a hand mixer to fully smooth avocado. Alternatively, you could put the avocado pulp inside a plastic zip bag and mash by squeezing the bag with your fingers. You will need 1 cup of fully mashed avocado. Set aside.

In a medium bowl, beat together eggs and sugar until lightened. Beat in yogurt, melted butter, vanilla, zest and then mashed avocado. Add milk and beat until well-combined. Add dry ingredients to bowl and mix well to combine into a batter.

Over medium to medium-high heat, add a dab butter or oil to a non-stick griddle pan or frying pan and spread evenly to lightly coat surface of pan. Add batter to pan using a 1/4 cup scoop and use back of scoop or large spoon to gently form a flattish circle shape. When you see bubbles forming across most of the pancake surface, flip to other side with a spatula and cook on side tow until golden brown. You can keep pancakes warm on a lined baking tray in a low oven while you finish all the batter, 1/4 cup for each pancake.

Serve pancakes hot, dusted with powdered sugar or drizzled with Key Lime Maple Syrup (recipe below).

Makes 20 pancakes

 

Key Lime Maple Syrup
Delicious on pancakes, waffles, in beverages and bottled for gifts to friends.

1 cup real maple syrup
2 teaspoons Key Lime zest
4 teaspoons Key Lime juice (about 3 limes)

In a small saucepan, heat maple syrup, zest and juice. Stir to combine until mixture just begins to boil. Turn off heat and let cool a bit if you are using right away or completely if you plan to fill a jar or bottle and store in fridge.

Here’s to a healthy, happy 2020!

Avocado Toast shirt may be purchased here.

 

 

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