Paleo Chia Seed Protein Pancakes

Pancakes.  An American breakfast staple.  And not just for Saturday anymore.

In my house growing up, making a big breakfast wasn’t saved only for the weekends.  On any given Tuesday, we were awakened to the smell of sizzling bacon or fresh baked biscuits. Pop tart isn’t even in our vocabulary.  As my dad always says, “breakfast is the most important meal of the day”.  It was also his way of saying I love you.

Even though mornings are a little more rushed and a lot earlier than they used to be, we still take the time to make breakfast. Sure, the elaborate casseroles or eggs benidict are saved for Saturday morning. These protein pancakes, however, are made for weekdays.

I’ve been making these pancakes for months and have to say, YUM!  Add blueberries, or better yet, chocolate chips!  Or go traditional and just pour on some warm maple syrup.  What’s my favorite?  Almond butter.  I spread it over warm, fresh-out-of-the-pan pancakes and wait for it to get soft and gooey. (Anyone else have a nut butter addiction?)  Sometimes I don’t top them with anything because the banana gives them a natural sweetness making them a guilt- free breakfast treat.  But you really can’t go wrong with anything topping.

Theses pancakes are fluffy. The chia seeds not only add in some fiber, omega 3s and antioxidants, they give the perfect crunch and texture. Believe me, you won’t miss the flour.

Agreed that not all breakfasts are created equal. Sugary cereals just won’t cut it and protein is always front and center for any meal. Maybe the name “collagen” doesn’t sound too appetizing but believe me, they are quite tasty.  You can use any protein you like but my favorite is collagen protein (I use Vital Proteins Collagen Peptides Powder).

BENEFITS of Collagen PROTEIN

Collagen is a protein that is found in our bodies.  Actually, it is the most abundant protein we have.  It’s what gives our skin elasticity and keeps our joints moving well.  As we age, our bodies ability to produce collagen is decreased and we lose the collagen in our skin, muscles, joints and tendons.  Along with some lifestyle changes such as exercise, adding more collagen into our diets can slow down the depletion of this essential protein. So what are the benefits of adding collagen protein into your diet?

Improvements in skin, hair and Nails

Since collagen is the main building block of our skin, the loss of it as we age leads to wrinkles, saggy skin, unhealthy hair and brittle nails. Collagen helps with cell turnover so your body can naturally repair your skin. Skin will feel moisturized and more elastic, and hair and nails will be stronger.

Decreases Cellulite and Stretch Marks

Because your skin will be “thicker” cellulite is not as visible. Your skin is more elastic and will decrease the appearance of stretch marks.

Improved Joint Mobility

Think of collagen like WD-40 for your body. Collagen decreases stiffness as well as joint and muscle pain by “greasing” theses areas. This allows joints to move smoothly, muscles to glide easily and maintains that cartilage cushion between bones. It has been shown to help treat symptoms of osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.

Helps with Digestion

Collagen helps repair your digestive tract and decreases inflammation. This helps with gut irritation and can improve symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), leaky gut syndrome, acid reflux, Chron’s disease and ulcerative colitis. Better digestion also helps your gut to absorb more water and keeps things moving through.

Increases Lean Muscle and Metabolism

We all know that proteins are the building blocks of muscles. Muscles expend a lot of energy so by adding more muscle, your metabolism (the body’s energy expenditure to perform basic functions) will increase. Adding collagen protein can increase your lean muscle, therefore increase your metabolism. Adding muscle keeps you strong, active and functional as you age.

Improves Liver Health

You liver is an amazing organ that filters removes toxins from your body, such as alcohol. (Ever had one too many glasses of rosé?). The protein, glycine, is found in collagen and can assist your liver in cleansing your body of substances that may be harmful.

Improve Heart Health

Remember I said that proteins are also a huge part of blood vessels? The proteins found in collagen not only strengthen those vessels but can help those vessels release the fatty build-up inside their walls that cause heart disease. This could even lead to a decrease in blood pressure and better overall circulation.

I hope you enjoy these pancakes because I’m pretty sure mornings don’t get any better than warm pancakes!

 

 

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