Blueberry Pancakes

Today I feel happy for no particular reason, although if I had to guess I’d say it probably has something to do with the sunshine and the snow and a lot to do with the fact that it’s Sunday. My morning pranayama practice—the easy inhalations of coffee steam and the easy exhalations into stillness—cleared some space in my mind to make room for an unexpected urge to make blueberry pancakes. It came as a welcomed visitor, especially in light of how I’ve been feeling lately. The intensity of teaching a month-long teacher training is as draining as it is fulfilling, and so when my creativity emerges from underneath my exhaustion, I yield to its whims and try my best to just get out of its way.

It has taken me almost a decade of leading teacher trainings to understand the art of listening. In the beginning I simply couldn’t hear my needs because I had yet to cultivate an intimate relationship with myself. Then, for a long time, I covered up my needs with expectations—all the things I should be doing because it would somehow mean something if I didn’t. But now, whatever my spirit wants to do, I do. “Sleep,” she says, and so I sleep. “Make pasta,” she whispers, and so I make pasta. I’ve learned to invest my attention wisely, for self-preservation but also to make sure I’m refilling my well with only the purest quality energy. My weekends have been spent cooking, meditating, sleeping and nestling in my beloved’s arms. I lie still and wait for the call of my highest Self. Above all, I surrender to the voice communicating my needs.

So when the idea to make blueberry pancakes pops into my field of consciousness, I am obedient. Luckily, I just so happen to have a trusted recipe for pancakes! It’s been a staple in our home for as long as I can remember. I have no idea where I found it, but it has been immortalized in Sharpie on the inside cover of my recipe journal, and so there you have it. Also in my possession: a bag of frozen blueberries, purchased at the beginning of the month for all of the smoothies I was going to make in order to embody the picture of health during this training. Pancakes, I now think, are a much better usage.

The pancakes are delicious. Can we all agree that they are the pinnacle of blizzard fare? Besides, there’s really nothing better than the warm blueberry oozing in your mouth.

Blueberry (Or Just Plain Old) Pancakes

1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
2 T sugar
2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
2 eggs
1 1/2 cups milk
3 T canola oil
1/2 tsp vanilla
frozen (or fresh, if in season) blueberries

Combine the dry ingredients (flour, sugar, baking powder and salt) in a small bowl. Whisk the wet ingredients (eggs, milk, oil and vanilla) in a large bowl. Slowly add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, whisking as you go. Stir until everything is well incorporated. Add the blueberries and you’re good to go. They should only take a few minutes per side in a buttered fry pan (over medium-high heat). When you see large bubbles appear in the batter, it’s time to flip them over. Smother in butter and syrup, then devour them.

My wish for you on this epic snow day is to make pancakes for dinner and to embody the stillness that lies just outside your window. Go inward. Only there can you hear the whispers of your heart. Only then can you live your yoga by answering their call.