Turn your pancakes into an even more loving gesture with some gluten-free vegan Blueberry Heartcakes! A wonderful healthy breakfast recipe that will make your heart happy and healthy too!
***This post has been updated in June 2016. Original writing stands***
Did you know that February is heart health month? Isn’t that ironic that Valentine’s Day also falls in the month 😉 Even though February is more than half way over, I thought I would share some heart health tips with you all this Power Monday. Your heart is the power house of the body and it is so important to keep your ticker happy and healthy!
Here are some heart health facts and tips:
Cardiovascular disease is the #1 killer of men and women in the United States and costs over $300 billion every year to the US.
Risk Factors: a poor diet, little physical activity, tobacco use, obesity , high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol, type 2 diabetes, genetics, and certain races and ethnicities (African Americans are at a high risk).
Prevention: see your doctor to learn your risk level and schedule check-ups regularly, monitor your blood pressure and get your cholesterol checked, maintain a healthy body weight, stop smoking, exercise regularly including strength training and cardio, learn how to effectively manage your diabetes, and most importantly, eat a heart-healthy diet.
For more info visit the CDC’s website or The American Heart Association.
I think diet plays one of the most important and key roles in any aspect of health and as long as you eat a minimally processed whole foods diet (that means whole grains, lean protein, veggies, and fruits) you should be good to go! Remember to watch you trans and saturated fat, processed sugar and sodium intake. But sadly a majority of Americans lack that essential knowledge and struggle to eat in a healthy way. I put together a chart of some easy and delicious foods that are widely available and perfect for a heart healthy diet!
To get you started with a delicious heart healthy recipe, here are some Blueberry Heartcakes (i.e. pancakes) to make for breakfast!
Blueberries are full of Beta-carotene and lutein (carotenoids); anthocyanin (a flavonoid); ellagic acid (a polyphenol); vitamin C; folate; calcium, magnesium; potassium, and fiber! Crazy what can be packed in a little berry, right? Plus, these pancakes are heart-shaped, so that just speaks for itself!
There is so much “heart” in this recipe. I think the act of making pancakes just screams love and heartfelt comfort. Whether you’re making them for yourself or someone else, there’s going to be a lot of heart in this breakfast! Good for the soul and your physical heart, you’ll be berry much in love!
Blueberry Heartcakes
- ⅓ Cup All Purpose Gluten-Free Flour
- ½ Tsp Baking Powder
- ½ Tsp Ener-G Egg Replacer
- ¼ Tsp Cinnamon
- ¼ Tsp Pure Madagascar Bourbon Vanilla Extract
- ⅓ Cup of Water
- ¼ Cup of Frozen or Fresh Blueberries (plus more for topping)
- Heart-Shaped Pancake Molds
- In a bowl, mix all dry ingredients together, then add the water, vanilla, and blueberries.
- Mix until you have a nice smooth batter and let it sit while you heat up a non-stick pan.
- Heat a greased skillet or non-stick pan over medium heat.
- Grease your heart molds with oil as well (if you don't have one, just make regular pancakes.)
- Place the mold in the center of the pan and then pour in about ⅓ of the batter to the mold.
- Cook until bubbles form on the surface and the edges seem dry, about 2 minutes. Lift the mold off (you may need to push the edges a bit with a knife) and flip with a spatula to cook the other side, about another 2 minutes.
- Repeat for the rest of the batter. Then top with more blueberries and maple syrup if desired!
If you don’t already, I hope you start making some heart healthy choices! Simple swaps in your diet are so easy. Brown rice instead of white. Snack on almonds instead of potato chips. Bake some salmon instead of beef! Or, you know, these HEARTCAKES! Easy and delicious!
So tell me:
+ What is your favorite heart healthy food?
+ Do you have a family history of CVD? How do you make sure you stay on top of it?
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Yum! I love that they are in the shape of little hearts. My kids would love that too.
Haha, I think we all would 😉
What better way to say I love you than with these healthy and delicious Blueberry Heartcakes!
Deborah Davis recently posted…Look Good, Feel Good this Summer in Koru Eco-Friendly Swimwear
Haha, you’ve got that right!
Huge fan of pancakes and waffles. And the blueberry’s and vanilla really make these sound delish! In fact, I love pancakes for dinner and this recipe is going into our rotation! YUM!
Nikki Frank-Hamilton recently posted…Social Media Blast! Get focused! Instagram!
I need some pancakes for dinner 😛 I never do!
Love these! Thanks for also giving the list of heart healthy foods! I have all of these ingredients and will be making them tomorrow for breakfast as well as sharing on my social media this week!
Thank you Melissa!
Ah! These are so cute!
Brittany @ The Pistachio Project recently posted…Simply Natural Saturdays: 6/25/16
Thanks!
I am making these this weekend – I love your recipes Rebecca
Amberjane recently posted…Pin Worthy Wednesday
Yay! Thank you!
you are a master of breakfast foods 🙂
Ashley Tukiainen recently posted…How I Fit Into My Jeans Again After Having A Baby
Haha, why thank you dear!
These pancakes are yummy looking. I love blueberries.
Angela Milnes recently posted…Chicken Salad Cucumber Bites
Thank you! Blueberries are the best!
Looks awesome. Will try it for sure. Thanks for sharing
Fantastic!
These are so cute, Rebecca! I got a little heart-shaped cookie cutter back around Valentine’s day–I’ll have to try it out!
Joyce @ The Hungry Caterpillar recently posted…Berries n’ Cream Cornmeal Teacake (gluten-free, low-FODMAP)
Perfect! Pancakes are always even (more!) fun when shaped 😉
These blueberry heart cakes look like they would be just delightful to eat.
Kathleen – Bloggers Lifestyle recently posted…Blogger’s Pit Stop #29
They sure are!
These look delicious, I think my lot will love them – pinned for later 🙂
Sam @ A Happy Home In Holland recently posted…Chalk Paint Upcycle Project
I know they will 😉 Thank you!
Hi Rebecca,
This not only look adorable, but healthy and so tasty. I had always loved blueberries pancakes or anything blueberry.
Marla recently posted…“Wind Energy Taking Over Renewables!”
Blueberries rock!
The blueberry gluten free pancakes look delicious. I have not used ener-G egg replacer before though, as I have usually substituted eggs with apple sauce or sunflower oil when I needed to. Interested to know whether you consider it a good heart healthy substitute to eggs.
It’s just an easy vegan egg-replacer.
Yum!! these look delicious and I am loving all the ingredients you used. Beautiful photographs also. 🙂
Mistie recently posted…Honey Sandalwood Soap Pucks
The simple easy recipes 😉
Thank you Mistie! xoxo
What an absolutely adorable idea, not to mention a healthy one. Bet kids would love them – and grown-ups too!
laura@motherwouldknow recently posted…Why Do Brown Eggs Cost More Than White Eggs?
Haha, you bet! Kids of ALL ages 😉
They look ssoooo good x
Thanks!
When I read the description I didn’t understand what heartcakes were lol! Love this idea!
Now you know 😉
These are adorable! Love the shape of them!
Julie @ Running in a Skirt recently posted…Fashion Friday- Cold Shoulder Lavender Dress
Thank you!
These are seriously adorable and I love that they’re healthy, too! Pinning! 🙂
Valentina | The Baking Fairy recently posted…coconut lime shrimp packets
Haha, thank you!
You know I love to Play with my food and make it fun–this is just perfect! LOVE!!!
Hah! It’s the only way to live! HAPPY FOOD!
These look delicious and blueberries are one of my favorite fruits to use with pancakes.
The best, right?
Love blueberries. Love pancakes. Love these- too cute!
Annmarie recently posted…50+ Gluten Free Recipes That Are 5 Ingredients Or Less
Haha thank you! Blubs are the cutest berry 😉
They look amazing, what better way to start your day that with healthy pancakes 🙂
Cecilia recently posted…Apelsinmarinerade jordgubbar
Starting on the right foot for sure!
These look delicious. It’s doubly wonderful that they are healthy. My kids would love the shape too.
They sure would enjoy them!
You can’t go wrong with pancakes and I like this healthy version. Blueberries are a must in pancakes.
Bev
Beverly recently posted…Win a trip for two to Positano, Italy!
One of my favorite add-ins!
These are adorable and super cute too!
Haha, I think so!
These look delish!!! Thanks for the list of heart healthy foods…always a great reminder!
Haha, thanks Vicky!
These are so cute, Rebecca!
Thank you Bethany!
Hi Rebecca,
I have family members with high blood pressure, high cholesterol and a few who suffered from heart disease so I value the helpful heart-healthy foods chart and heart-shaped pancake recipe you shared in this post.
Thank you so much for sharing this heart healthy post on the Healthy, Happy, Green & Natural Blog Hop! I appreciate it!
Thank you Deb!
Loving your heart-cakes. 🙂 They look like a fun and tasty treat!
Thank you CJ 🙂
I loved that you shared such a great post. We often neglect our health and don’t take things seriously. I also like that you highlighted heart healthy foods.
Thanks Nickida! We all need yo take care of ourselves and eating real nourishing food is always the first step!
That list makes me feel SO GOOD about myself, because I ADORE EVERYTHING on it… Well minus carrots, papaya and cantalope! lol.
You don’t like carrots!?!?!?
NOPE! LOL! Especially when they’re COOKED – lol!
Girl….Raw carrots and nut butter is like one of my favorite snacks!
Ha Ha! You should be happy I don’t like carrots – MORE for you! 😉
I love reading informational posts. Coming from having heart surgery, I have to be careful for my heart. These were great tips and I love how it’s heart health month! Those heartcakes with blueberries? Genius.
So many foods are good for your heart! But what they all have in common… is that they are all real “1 ingredient” foods! Haha!
So very interesting, I too should cut down my meat intake.
I think sticking to lean white meat and fish is the way to go if you still want to eat animals. AKA chicken and fish….which I do!
Love heart cakes! Right now I’m on a big heart healthy sweet potato kick!
Sweet Potatoes rock! I just had my heart healthy salmon for dinner tonight, haha!
I already have heart disease (it runs in my family big time!) so I love that you are getting this info out there! I should probably write one of these posts before the month is over. I was just talking to my dad about how he’s doing yesterday and he mentioned his doctor told him to try going paleo! I’m going to try to do a bit more research on it for him, but I probably won’t be going paleo anytime soon because I love my carbs 🙂
Hmmm I find that really interesting. I always hear you should watch your meat consumption when you have heart problems! I’m really surprised.