I died and went to [garbanzo bean] heaven.

And I have these girls to thank for it. I've been stalking searching their site for some time now in search of the perfect socca, or farinata recipe. Socca is similar to a crepe but a little crispier. It's traditionally made by combining garbanzo bean flour, water, olive oil, and spices.

Although simple sounding, how does one choose only one recipe among thousands of combinations? I based my version off this skillet recipe, perfect for a first-timer. I threw together the following:

1.5 cups garbanzo bean flour

3 T flax meal (ground flax seeds)

1 T egg whites

2 cups H20

pinch baking powder

2 finely chopped garlic cloves

fresh basil, chopped (~10 leaves)

1/4 t sea salt, 1/4 t black pepper

Whisk then cook over medium heat. Makes 3 large "wraps".

I enjoyed my 12g protein bean wrap with spiralized zucchini, baby carrots, tomatoes, and balsamic vinegar.

They were delicious! (And Manfriend approved). The next time I'll try omitting the egg, adding a tbsp of olive oil and perhaps some veggies for crunch (carrots, cauliflower). I'm quite impressed! I enjoyed a serving with my dinner as well (toasted to warm then dipped in soup). Amazzzzzzze.

* * *

Still dreaming of the wrap, I decided to make pancakes out of the bean flour. Holy face-rocking deliciousness!!!!!! You know I love my protein pancakes, but these are another another level. They have the exact consistency of traditional (non-healthified) pancakes.

Combine and whisk away:

1.5 cups garbanzo bean flour

3 T flax meal (ground flax seeds)

1/4 cup egg whites

1 mashed banana

1/2 cup frozen blueberries

1/4 cup frozen raspberries

1/4 t baking powder

1/4 t cinnamon

stevia, 4 servings

Spray pan with evoo and cook over medium heat. Flip after 3-5 mins when tiny bubbles appear (same as regular pancakes). Serves 3-4.

* * *

Last night at work, I noticed one of my patients was very depressed. After sitting with him a while, we talked about when you're feeling in the dumps if you say to yourself "I hate my life. I feel like poo" - you're gonna feel like poo. But if you consciously say "You know, I am OK. I am doing well", you will feel a little better. The same is true for when you have the common cold. If you walk around with your head down thinking about how awful you feel, we'll that's exactly how you're going to feel. But if you fake feeling great and bust out a smile, you mood will improve.

Try this the next time you're feeling crappy: This may sound cheesy (and you may want to do this when no one is looking, ha) but the next time you feel Blah, strike the biggest smile you can do and hold it for at least 10 seconds. And tell me you don't feel a little better.

(Aaaaand I'm completely embarrassing myself by posting this.)