I must admit to having a sweet tooth and like another one of my good running friends, Dave ‘Sugar’ Cane, cannot resist pancakes or crepes. I even dig the American or Canadian version with bacon, maple syrup and scrambled eggs. It just works , big time ! With the current anti sugar revolution going on can we still justify eating pancakes after a long run (or any run really!) ..I hope so. Being a runner you give up many things in life and it is a sacrifice I gladly make. The social diary is empty (must to my Wife’s disgust) , alcohol and junk food is off the menu and all food is interrogated for it attributes and benefits or not. Pancakes though seem to have so how had a stay of execution and are still talked up in the many running mags and internet as the perfect post run nutrition.

This recipe was from Runners World so it must be good…Pancakes the perfect fuel. Thank you Pam Anderson.

MAKES: 16 pancakes
SERVES: 8

INGREDIENTS:
1 cup white flour
1/3 cup each: cornmeal, whole-wheat flour, and old-fashioned rolled oats
4 teaspoons sugar
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking powder
½ teaspoon baking soda
1 ½ cups low-fat buttermilk
½ cup low-fat milk (or water)
2 large eggs
2 tablespoons vegetable oil, plus extra for brushing the griddle
1 teaspoon vanilla

DIRECTIONS: Heat a large non-stick skillet or griddle over low heat. Mix flour, whole grains, sugar, salt, baking powder and baking soda in a bowl. Note: white flour is included to provide fluffiness. If you don’t have all three whole grains, pick one and use the following ratios: 1:2 whole wheat to white; 1:1 oats/cornmeal to white. Microwave buttermilk and milk for 30 seconds in a 2-cup measuring cup. Whisk in eggs, oil and vanilla. Pour wet ingredients into dry; whisk until just mixed. Return batter to measuring cup. Increase heat to medium and brush skillet with oil. When oil starts to spider, pour batter 1/4 cup at a time. When pancake bottoms are golden brown and tops start to bubble, after about 2 to 3 minutes, flip pancakes; cook until golden brown on other side. Repeat, brushing skillet or griddle with oil. Serve hot.

KILOJOULES PER SERVING (two pancakes): 1240
CARBS: 26g
FIBRE: 2g
PROTEIN: 8g
FAT: 6g

10 Super Spins On Pam’s Recipe

1 MUSCLE MOTIVATOR
Bake in dates, raisins and cinnamon. The potassium in dates and raisins gives you protection against muscle cramps. Anti-inflammatory cinnamon reduces soreness.

2 STOMACH SOOTHER
Mix fresh apricot and fresh ginger into batter; top pancakes with honey. Fibre from apricots, slow-digesting honey, and ginger can help calm an upset stomach.

3 CRANBERRY OAT
Mix ground oats with white flour (1:1 ratio); add oatmeal, dried cranberries and orange zest to batter; top pancakes with cooked cranberries and cinnamon. Oats provide good-for-you fibre, while vitamin C in cranberries can help convert fatty acids into energy.

4 ESPRESSO DELIVERY
Sub espresso for half the milk; mix cocoa powder and hazelnuts into batter; top with raspberries. Caffeine reduces the brain’s perception of exertion, improving performance. The B vitamins in hazelnuts help your body process energy more efficiently.

5 PB BOOSTER
Use only whole-wheat and white flour (1:2 ratio), mix bananas into batter; top pancakes with peanut butter and apple slices. Whole wheat and peanut butter combine to make a complete protein with all the essential amino acids needed for muscle repair.

6 QUIRKY QUINOA
Mix quinoa and white flour (1:1 ratio); add lemon zest, cinnamon, nutmeg and blueberries to batter; dust with powdered sugar. Quinoa is a quality protein because it contains all essential amino acids, ideal for vegetarians.

7 GREEN MONSTER
Mix chopped baby spinach leaves into batter; top with strawberry puree and a sprinkle of powdered sugar. Strawberries are packed with vitamin C, and spinach provides a heavy dose of vitamin K for bone health.

8 GUAC IT OUT
Mix corn kernels into batter; top pancakes with homemade guacamole. Avocados contain good fats to lower bad cholesterol. Corn’s high fibre and B-complex vitamins have been shown to help regulate blood sugar.

9 AZTEC WARRIOR
Mix chilli pepper, unsweetened cocoa powder and chopped dark chocolate (70 per cent cacao) into batter. Chilli peppers contain capsaicin, which can relieve a stuffy nose. The flavonoids in dark chocolate can help lower high blood pressure.

10 FIG & PEAR FIBRECAKE
Mix figs, pears and walnuts into batter; top with vanilla Greek yoghurt. Figs, pears and walnuts pack in the fibre, while protein-rich Greek yoghurt satisfies your appetite.