Whether you or your child have an allergy to gluten or not, it is always a great idea to take a break from it once in a while to give you tummy a little down time.
Although gluten is actually a family of proteins however, when flour is mixed with water is forms a starchy, glue like consistency which helps a lot when baking, giving bread that spongy texture. Whilst this provides some really tasty treats, that same gluten is just too heavy on the stomach. To think of it in simple terms it takes a lot of pressure for something elastic to break.
There are so many diets that essentially include some form of fasting from one item or another. Within the Hindu culture, which follows Ayurveda when it comes to your mind and body’s wellbeing, there are fasts according to your body type, one size does not fit all. However, there is one fast in particular that is suited to all and that is “Ekadashi” which is Sanskrit for eleventh day. The Ekadashi fast correlates to the Lunar calendar, therefore falling on the eleventh day of the lunar cycle, so twice a month.
On Ekadashi the primary focus is to fast from grains (gluten). Therefore, twice a month the body gets a break from the dense ingredient of gluten. (There are those who perform stricter fasts however the key food substance to avoid is grain).
This obviously does not mean meals times can’t still be fun and enjoyable. Today’s breakfast is a favourite in most households… PANCAKES! And as it is still mango season, we are having it with dollops and dollops of mango galore! We are a mango loving family… mmmmango!! Something I’m so happy my baby girls loves, I genuinely would’ve been heartbroken if she didn’t, phew!
So here’s the recipe!
Recipe makes: 6-8 small sized pancakes (baby friendly size)
Ingredients
¼ Cup – Gluten free flour
(I use and Ekadashi flour from my local Indian grocer’s, however most gluten free flour such as buckwheat would be fine to use).
½ Cup – Milk (Any type will be suitable, cow’s or vegan options)
½ Tsp – Cinnamon Powder
1 – Medium Banana
1 – Mango
