Rage. Outbursts. Extreme highs and lows. Hair loss. Sleep disruption. Stubborn weight gain. Skin issues. Intimacy troubles. Panic attacks. Overwhelming fatigue. Headaches. Hot flashes. Digestive issues. Brain fog.
All of these and more can be symptoms associated with hormone imbalances. Hormone imbalances can impact your entire endocrine system, which is a series of organs and glands that work hard to maintain a healthy body by regulating a bunch of hormones every moment of every day.
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“You are the average of the five people you spend the most time with.” ~Jim Rohn
This quote is one of my favorites. Heck, so is Jim Rohn! It's a quote that, to me, sums up the importance of our “inner circle” - of our “sphere of influence.” Do you think about that on your journey? Do you seek to develop a circle of influence worthy of becoming?
I think ANYONE going through ANYTHING at ANY TIME needs a great support system and circle of influence around them. I realize this isn’t always reality for people, especially where Lyme and chronic issues are concerned, but I also think that’s when you have to fight harder to get that trusted and uplifting inner circle. The one you know believes you; will fight for you; has your back. And sometimes, the best of our inner circle is right under our noses.
My biggest influence over the years had the biggest impact in the early stages of my illness and journey to my diagnosis. It is, not surprisingly, my mom.
As a newly sick and struggling teen with a “mystery health problem,” my mom gave me the first glimpse of what medical advocacy can look like: a calm, organized, informed FORCE. Someone willing to walk step by step through hoops and processes to get an answer. Someone willing to think outside the box for solutions. Someone who knows the truth when she sees it. Someone who transmits power and the light of love to even the most sick and depressed.
When I think of what Christ talks about in the Bible about being the “hands and feet,” my mom was exactly that within my own healing journey. In fact, she has been one of the biggest inspirational factors in me pursuing a nursing career, and now Lyme Coaching, with its education and advocacy components.
Even in our weakness, illness, and struggle we are being shaped and refined. Our sphere of influence is one of the biggest refining and growth tools we can have, so today I encourage you to look closely at where you are drawing inspiration and hope from. Shout out your inspirational forces in the comments so that we can celebrate them with you! We never journey alone, my friends.
If you’d like to hear more about my amazing mama, catch the video I did about her here HERE.
I invite you to join my holistic Lyme healing community right HERE.
The flavor screams “Fall,” and the ease of this recipe + the additional pro tip for mamas allows this one to be weekday morning appropriate!
Pumpkin Spice is, not surprisingly, EVERY. WHERE. I honestly hate to even contribute to the madness with yet ANOTHER recipe containing the name, but truly, I had to. It’s just so good. Even if you’re not the biggest pumpkin fan, this hearty pancake comes through in a mildly pumpkin, boldly spiced, moist, pleasantly orange-colored way. The secret to the spicing of it will leave you with a mouthful of flavor AND additional health benefits, so mamas everywhere are rightfully singing “hallelujah” over this one!
Plus, pumpkin itself is a healthy food full of antioxidants, fiber, vitamins, and so much more. I realize the flavor of pumpkin alone can be a bit dull, but we’re going to fix that right up today!
And yep, as usual this recipe is gluten and dairy free! I see you, healthy and allergen-free mamas!
I’m sharing how we make this for our family of 6 - this typically allows for leftovers, which is my goal. But if nothing else, we all have full, happy bellies. Stay with me until the end for the greatest flapjack mom hack everrrr that will revolutionize your pancake making for a crowd!
INGREDIENTS:
Your favorite pancake mix or recipe. NOTE: We love Aldi’s LiveGFree Pancake and Baking Mix! I use a whole box at one time, which is a triple recipe (makes approx 30 pancakes), in order to make leftovers. This recipe is based on that ratio
3/4c-1c organic pumpkin puree (I love THIS brand)
2 drops Thieves Vitality Essential Oil
2-3 drops Orange Vitality Essential Oil
2 drops Ginger Vitality Essential Oil
2 drops Nutmeg Vitality Essential Oil
1 drop Cinnamon Bark Vitality Essential Oil
3 drops Copaiba Vitality Essential Oil
DIRECTIONS:
Mix up your pancake batter per directions on box or your base recipe, plus pumpkin puree and essential oil additions, WITH THESE ADJUSTMENTS BELOW:
Omit 1 egg from your recipe (the pumpkin is coming into play as a partial egg sub here!)
For milk/liquid called for in the recipe, sub homemade dairy free “buttermilk” - mix the same amount of dairy free milk of choice listed plus 1tbsp vinegar per cup of milk in a separate bowl, stir, and let sit until curdled. May not need ALL of this in batter - I suggest using half and adding more if needed for batter consistency.
Once mixed, grease up a griddle (I like THIS ONE for large families and quick flapjack flippin’! ) and fry up some pancakes! (Takes about 1.5-2min per side, or until browned to your liking) ORRRR
MOM HACK OPTION: pour all batter into a greased 9x13 jelly roll pan (HERE is a great one made in the USA) and BAKE in the oven at 350F for approx 20-25min. Cut into squares to serve! It’s like pancake CAKE! (I forget where I first heard this idea, but I cannot take credit for it myself!)
These pancakes taste PERFECT topped with real maple syrup and toasted chopped pecans! Go crazy with some homemade or dairy free whipped cream or coconut cream too if you're feeling especially festive!
Need a hook up for your Vitality Essential Oils? I’d be blessed for you to use my referral link HERE.
Ready to grab my FREE guide to boost your immune system like my family has? Get started TODAY on your immune system reboot and grab it HERE!
Disclosure: Amazon affiliate links are used in this post and are a blessing to our family if you choose to use them. There is no additional cost to you.
