Raw cinnamon banana pancakes

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We all know how important a good and healthy breakfast is; we hear it all the time - and not just from our moms. Without it, we have trouble concentrating, get headaches and are more likely to gain weight. But, that doesn't mean we always have the time to have one. Well, here's an easy breakfast recipe that you can make the night before, or even a couple of days before. And, even better, it harnesses the many nutritional benefits and the subtle nutty flavour of flax seeds to give you an even greater start to the day.

Flax seeds are a rich source of dietary fibre, including lignans, alpha linolenic acid - a heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acid, and folate.

Omega 3 fats are well known for their ability to help protect against heart disease and cancer. They also help in the prevention and control of diabetes and high blood pressure. Because of their incredibly high omega 3 fat content, flax seeds also have anti-inflammatory benefits and can help reduce the inflammation behind such conditions as asthma, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, migraine headaches, and osteoporosis.

Flax seeds have a host of other benefits as well, many that are related to women's health. Rich in lignans, flax seeds can help protect against breast cancer. And, in addition to the many other benefits of omega 3 fats, they can also help protect bones and reduce bone loss.

With this delicious breakfast, before 9 a.m. you'll be able to boast that you've already fought cancer, heart disease, diabetes and lowered your cholesterol! Now that's a productive day!

To make
1c ground flax meal (see note)
1 ripe banana
1/2tbsp date paste
1/2tbsp cinnamon
1tbsp coconut oil
water, as needed

Blend the banana to puree it. Mix in a bowl with the rest of the ingredients. The batter will be pretty stiff; I use a spoon to shape it into a pancake and smooth it out. The batter will keep in the fridge for several days.

Serve topped with fruit and a drizzle of agave nectar. I like to mix sliced strawberries in a bowl with a bit of agave nectar and let it sit for about ten minutes, which brings out the natural sweet juices of the fruit. For a super special weekend pancake treat, top with a fudgey raw chocolate sauce!

In addition to these pancakes, there many other ways to enjoy the health benefits and delicious taste of flax seeds:

• sprinkle a tablespoon or two on your cereal or oatmeal - just make sure to do so after cooking or heating, otherwise you will lose many of the health benefits as heat does fatty acids in pretty quickly
• enjoy a slice of raw chocolate chip banana bread
• have some sweet and spicy corn chips for an afternoon snack

Note: Flax seeds are more digestible when ground, meaning that you will reap more of the nutrients and their benefits. However, because of the high omega fat content, once ground, flax can go rancid pretty quickly. The best and cheapest way to keep your flax fresh, is to buy the whole seeds and grind in a coffee grinder before use. Or, grind a small amount to keep in your freezer for when you need it - I grind about a cup at a time. You can buy pre-ground flax seeds in stores but it's considerably more expensive. Still, if you choose to buy it, make sure it's in a sealed package, not an open bin. And, once opened, keep it in the freezer.
If you are going to eat them whole, soak them overnight to make them more digestible - otherwise you'll find that they just come straight back out...and quickly...

SAUCY UPDATE!!!: A lovely lady on one of the raw forums I frequent dehydrated these babies 4 hours and said that it made them even more delicious - like an "oatmeal cookie" firm on the outside, soft on the inside. Can't wait to try them like that!!!