going down the guilt trip [recipe: wholemeal pancakes for two]

I am quite certain everyone is familiar with that feeling you get when your initial unapologetic indulgence on something decadently good (and expectedly unhealthy) meets the startling knee-jerk reality awakening which almost always lurks at the end of your hedonistic foray. And concomitantly you’ll find yourself standing at the fork of three distinct paths;– self-blame, justification, and amelioration. Or on specific occasions, the aforesaid paths simply merge as one, to be a long therapeutic journey of guilt riddance, simply put.

Self-blame: This may happen almost immediately after having had indulged in one fork too many of an irresistible cheesecake, or in the realisation that you can no longer fit into the pair of jeans or lovely dress you had just purchased a month prior to your celebratory feast (think Eid, Christmas, birthday). It will always be punctuated with “I knew I shouldn’t have!”. Justification: In the event that the self-blame lasts barely five minutes, and no tears had been shed, nor any dresses torn, a seemingly logical explanation for the indulgence will ensue. In the typical Singaporean manner, it will have a distinct “what” suffix with an exaggerated long pronunciation as though to garner empathy and support, as in “But it was my birthday what…”, or “It’s once a year only what!”. For the non-native Singaporean English speakers, the non-’what’-suffixed justification may sound more solemn and apologetic, even sympathetic. Amelioration: Should the justification be perceived to be moot, or innate self-guilt begin silently creeping in despite the aforesaid justification, steps will immediately be taken in an attempt to allay the guilt. This may come in the form of drastic and impulsive claims bearing nuances of abstinence , or  simpler steps taken to ease the burden of the guilt.

You see, I am no stranger to this journey; after the unabashedly chocoholic stance I took in regards to my belated birthday cake in the previous post, I couldn’t help but feel like I owe it to myself, and my readers, to share something less indulgent, something less artery-clogging, something perhaps even healthier. To be perfectly honest, the celebratory it’s-my-party-and-I’ll-have-sweets-if-I-want-to mood didn’t just end with the dream-worthy cake. A lattice-topped strawberry pie with the most buttery crust ensued, a couple of mini blueberry hand pies oozing dark purple sweet treats through its crevices followed thereafter, and well, to share all that just seemed a little gluttonous even for a space that carries its sweet-toothed badge with honour.

Hence, here is my offering to you. Not exactly the healthiest of breakfast choices (oatmeal/granola takes the cake for me), yet not precisely the most indulgent either, these traditional pancakes inject a little health boost into your morning with some hearty whole wheat (and a sprinkle of wheat germ, if you may), thereby ameliorating and allaying the sweet-comatosed-guilt you may have had a tad too much of. And just between you and me, with pancakes these fluffy and easy to make, I wouldn’t mind going down the guilt trip all over again.

Wholemeal Pancakes for Two
(adapted from here; makes 3 – 4 pancakes)

1⁄2 cup all-purpose / plain flour
1⁄4 cup wholemeal flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1⁄4 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon white sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla essence
1⁄2 cup milk
1 egg
1 tablespoon butter, melted

In a large bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, salt and sugar.
Make a well in the center and pour in the milk, vanilla essence, egg and melted butter; mix until smooth.
Heat a lightly oiled pan / griddle. Scoop about 1⁄4 cup of batter onto heated pan / griddle, and cook until brown on both sides.
Serve warm with topping of your choice.

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