Question:
What is the difference between postpartum pancakes and plain old regular pancakes?
Answer:
Seeds, whole oats, and love
Why this matters:
If you had an open wound on your skin, you would put ointments and bandages on it. You would take care of it. You would treat your body differently because you could visually validate your pain.
Childbirth creates an internal wound where the placenta detaches from the uterus. And unfortunately, because we cannot see this wound and because we are caring for a newborn, it is not always obvious to take good care of our own bodies. In order to heal this wound, you have to repair the cells around it. Instead of ointment and bandages, your body needs proteins, healthy fats, and a number of different vitamins. You need rest and to allow others to help you.
An easy thing you can do for yourself is to add more seeds to your postpartum diet. If you think about it, seeds carry all the essential nutrients that allow a plant to grow. Seeds work with our bodies in a similar way by helping the cells rebuild and the systems function properly.
Take the time to heal, and allow others to baby you so you have the capacity to baby your baby.
Question:
Why apple compote?
Answer:
Because, Fall.
Pancakes: (Inspired by Carla Lalli Music)
1 ½ cups buttermilk
¾ cup all-purpose flour, sifted
¾ cup almond flour, sifted
⅓ cup whole rolled oats
2 tablespoons ground flaxseed
1 tablespoon hemp hearts
1 tablespoon maple sugar
2 teaspoons baking powder
2 teaspoons baking soda
½ teaspoon kosher salt
2 large eggs, whisked to blend
2 tablespoons coconut oil or butter
In a measuring cup, stir together buttermilk and oats, set aside.
In a large bowl, add both flours, flaxseed, hemp hearts, sugar, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Whisk to combine.
Pour buttermilk-oat mixture, eggs, and coconut oil (or butter) into dry ingredients. Fold with a rubber spatula just until batter is combined.
Allow griddle to heat up over medium-high heat, at least 5 minutes. Spoon batter onto the griddle and cook until a few bubbles appear and break on the surface. Flip over and cook the other side for about half the time. Continue until batter is finished. (Pancakes can be reheated in the toaster up to three days after making them.)
Apple Compote:
2-3 apples, peeled, cored, and sliced
3 tablespoons water
1 tablespoon lemon juice
2 tablespoons maple sugar
½ teaspoon cinnamon
¼ teaspoon nutmeg
Place a medium sauce pan over medium-low heat. Add apples and water. Once mixture begins to bubble rapidly, turn heat down to low. Allow to cook down for about fifteen minutes, stirring fairly often.
Add lemon juice, sugar, and spices. Stir mixture and allow to cook another 5 minutes. The end result should resemble a hearty applesauce.
Jodi Rae is a Certified Birth Doula and Postpartum Chef. She provides individualized support and evidence-based information for growing families in NJ and Philadelphia. Check out more about her services here!