Banana Bread Pancakes

Pancakes are at the top of my “all-time favorite breakfast” list, but they are something I very rarely take the time to make. I actually kind of like that though, because it makes having them feel like a special occasion.This week I hit an personal mileage record, running (and actuallyenjoying!) more miles in the past seven days that I ever have before! If that doesn’t call for some celebratory pancakes, I don’t know what does.

Some of my favorite past pancake recipes have included:
Pumpkin Pancakes 
Oatmeal & Flax Pancakes
and of course
Mom’s Chocolate Chip Pancakes

But, Banana Bread Pancakes were on the menu for breakfast this morning!

Banana Bread Pancakes

Ingredients
1/2 c. oats
1/4th c. cottage cheese
1/2 ripe banana, mashed
1 egg
A splash of milk (maybe 2 Tbsp?)
Cinnamon, to taste

Directions
Combine all ingredients in a blender, with a enough milk to get everything moving (add more as needed until a desired consistency is reached)
Pour batter into a hot, greased pan
Top with syrup and banana slices and enjoy!
I also added some Greek yogurt on top for “whipped cream”. Alright, there is no way that Greek yogurt will ever compare to a huge dollop of whipped cream on a pancake breakfast, but hey…at least this was a little healthier!

Why Would Jessica Eat This?: When you think ‘bananas’ the first nutrition-related thing that comes to mind is probably potassium, right? It is true that bananas are a great source of this nutrient, but they are also packed with tons of other great things! At just 110 calories for one medium-sized fruit, bananas are also a great source of B-vitamins and fiber. The National Academy of Sciences has shown that the potassium and fiber found in bananas may help reduce the risk of high blood pressure, stroke and heart disease. Love your heart and peel one open!