Love is a blueberry pancake

Good evening. How was your Tuesday?


Today, I opted to work from home, and had a couple of very positive conference calls. Music industry folks can get as stressed out as any others, so I always get a little anxious about phone conferences, but today's folks were awesome. Down to earth, funny and most importantly, gave me some great suggestions for the shows we have with their artists. It was Lovefest 2011, and made for an inspired and productive workday.


Zak came home with good news this afternoon, and I said we needed to celebrate. What says "congrats" better than blueberry pancakes?

Blueberries were necessary, because love is a blueberry pancake.

I used a base of Great Harvest pancake mix (purchased from KERF's OpenSky deal!), and added vanilla protein powder. 

I made a double batch to make thousands and thousands of pancakes (okay, or enough for six servings). 

What's that, you say? You'd like the recipe? Sure, why not!


Blueberry pancakes, a la Backstage Balance
Adapted from Great Harvest pancake mix recipe
Yield: 8 generous servings
2.5 cups of water
2 T coconut oil 
1 whole egg, 2 egg whites
3 cups Great Harvest pancake mix
2 scoops vanilla protein powder (I used the scoop that came in the protein powder container)


1. Heat griddle and grease with butter.
2. Whisk together wet ingredients. 
3. Add the pancake mix 1/2 cup at a time, then mix in the protein powder.
4. Scoop pancake batter, a scant 1/4 cup at a time to form pancakes. 

5. Add several blueberries to uncooked side of pancake
6. Flip and cook to perfection
7. Enjoy!

Delicious.

You do the talking: Conference calls, friend or foe? I don't know why, but I usually hate them. After today's calls, I feel positive about future ones! 


When it comes to pancakes, what is your ideal flavor combination? Aside from blueberry, I love chocolate chip pancakes. Or restaurant pancakes covered with a hot apple cinnamon sauce, mmm.

Review: Adam's Mountain Cafe

We had a great time in Colorado last weekend, and made it to Manitou Springs to try out Adam's Mountain Cafe.

We loved the feel of the restaurant - earthy, eclectic and chic.

My sister Annie forewarned about the variety of dishes to choose from and the overall deliciousness of the menu, however my mind was blown! There were so many options for vegetarians, many vegan selections as well. For those who prefer meat dishes, the menu has chicken and fish options as well. The menu has an emphasis on organic, locally raised food - sounds great, right?

AMC is self-labeled as a Slow Food restaurant, but our party of five didn't notice a longer than usual waiting time for our meals. I loved the presentation of the table, with cute mismatched cutlery and a honey pot.

To drink, I had the Seattle Orange Spice House Tea. It tasted phenomenal! I love cloves, and the aroma paired nicely with the orange.

I ordered the Runner's Special which included whole grain pancakes, sherry cream potatoes and fruit.

This selection was fantastic. The pancakes were melt-in-your-mouth delicious, but hearty thanks to the whole grain. A little maple syrup was all that I needed.

Just check out that butter... to die for. I must find the recipe for these pancakes!

The potatoes had an excellent creamy sauce and fresh shallots, with just a hint of sherry.

Along with very fancy fruit, including a Medjool date.

Annie had the Pear and Pecan Salad which featured local Colorado Haystack goat cheese and sesame crusted tofu.

She had the Calvados Vinaigrette dressing on the side, along with a butter-adorned sunflower wheat roll.

Zak tried the Moroccan Fish Tacos, with tasty marinated white fish and a honey-miso slaw, topped with a creamy harissa sauce.

Overall, our experience at AMC was fantastic. My only regret was that the outdoor seating area was not yet available - a sign said that the creekside patio would be opening the Monday following our visit.

Regardless, I can't wait to visit again. What a wonderful gem of a restaurant for Manitou Springs.