Pumpkin Spice Pecan Fiber Pancakes

     After spending the last few days organizing and cleaning out my kitchen, I am finally ready start cooking all sorts of new recipes I've been coming up with! The clouds and fog this morning kept me in bed until about 8:30 (that's super late for me!), but I was excited to get up and try out these pancake I've been dreaming of. Pumpkin Spice is probably one of my favorite "flavors" for baked goods. Punkin' cake, punkin' bread, punkin' muffins... Pumpkin is awesome. It's just such a unique flavor. Though it's usually associated with Fall, organic canned pumpkin is available year round ;)
     Let's talk about fiber. Fiber is amazing. Fiber is the only proven way to rid your body of excess cholesterol, y'all. There are two types of fiber: soluble and insoluble. Soluble fiber, meaning it can "dissolve" in water, attract water molecule and "gel" when combined with water. These are things like chia seed, oatmeal, lentils, apples, etc. This type of fiber is beneficial for several reasons. Firstly, soluble fiber gels with water, so it naturally slows the uptake of food from your stomach into your small intestine, this is called "slowing motility". This slowed motility provides for a more balances uptake of nutrients into the blood stream. This includes fats, sugars, etc. This results in a slower increase and decrease in blood sugar and blood lipid levels, which is awesome! This gelling also allows for a "fuller" and more satisfied stomach feel after consumption. Soluble fiber also attaches to "bad cholesterol" molecules on its way out of the large intestine, which can lower the risk of many cardiovascular diseases. And then there is insoluble fiber, which is what we usually think of when we hear the word "fiber". Insoluble fiber is the cellulose plant material usually found in the outer casing of grains, fruits, and vegetables. The human body is not capable of digesting this material, so it remains relatively in-tact throughout its entire journey through the digestive system. This type of fiber acts like tiny window washer in your colon, scraping along the walls and removing waste matter. They also act as tiny  shields for diverticula (tiny folds in your colon lining), and prevent further development of diverticulitis (tiny infections that occur in these folds). Insoluble fibers are also famous for their somewhat laxative effect, because they speed motility between the small and large intestine. 
     So that was a long paragraph. I'm sorry. Fiber is just that awesome. But just because its super healthy, doesn't mean it can't be delicious. After all, what am I here for, anyway? So you may be wondering where you can purchase some of the products in this recipe, but have no fear, because all of it is available at our local HEB, my second home. 

PUMPKIN SPICE PECAN FIBER PANCAKES 
(serves 2)

Ingredients:
3/4 c. whole wheat flour
1/2 c. oat bran
1.4 c. flax seed (ground)
2 tbsp. chia seed
1 tsp. baking soda
2 tbsp. sugar or Truvia baking blend (my fave)
1/2 tsp. pumpkin pie spice blend
1/4 tsp. cinnamon
3/4 c. almond milk (or milk if you are a dairy lover)
1/2 c. pumpkin puree
1 egg (slightly beaten)
1 tbsp. honey
1/2 c. pecans
coconut oil for greasing pan

Directions:
1. combine all dry ingredients, stir
2. combine all wet ingredients, whisk
3. add wet mixture to dry mixture, whisk
4. stir in nuts
5. heat large skillet or griddle over med-high heat, grease using coconut oil
6. using a 1/2 c. measuring cup, make pancakes!

     I had mine with a side of turkey bacon and some sugar free maple flavored syrup :) Delicious!