Shrove Tuesday

    It's Shrove Tuesday, otherwise known as pancake Tuesday!

    Shrove Tuesday is the day that precedes Ash Wednesday, which marks the beginning of the 40 days of Lent leading to Easter.

   The name Shrove Tuesday comes from shrive (to absolve), meaning absolution for sins by doing penance (desiring to repent and to do so by works). The day gets its name from the tradition of Christians trying to be 'shriven' (or having a clean heart) in preparation for Easter. So, some people make a special point of self-examination, of considering what wrongs they need to repent from, and what amendments of life or areas of spiritual growth they especially need to ask God's help in dealing with, and they do so by restricting certain foods (some people now participate in Lent by giving up certain habits that are bad, distracting, or not useful to a full life). 

     On the day before the 40 days of Lent (shrove Tuesday), families would want to use up all the rich foods in their homes (fats, eggs, milk and sugar) because those foods weren't eaten during Lent, and they likely wanted all that yummy and tempting stuff out of the house for the 40 days of fasting for the Lent season! And eventually, it became (for some) to be called Pancake Tuesday because of the fact that pancakes are a pretty obvious dish to make from the ingredients being fasted from!

    There are all sorts of stories about the real start of "pancake Tuesday", and about different traditions through history and around the world regarding pancake Tuesday. Very interesting stuff! Listen to this one:

       On Pancake Day, "pancake races" are held in villages and towns across the United Kingdom. The tradition is said to have originated in 1445 when a housewife from Olney, Buckinghamshire, was so busy making pancakes that she forgot the time until she heard the church bells ringing for the service. She raced out of the house to church while still carrying her frying pan and pancake, tossing it to prevent it from burning.

    The pancake race remains a relatively common festive tradition in the UK, especially England, even today. Participants with frying pans race through the streets tossing pancakes into the air and catching them in the pan while running.
   The most famous pancake race, at Olney in Buckinghamshire, has been held since 1445. The contestants, traditionally women, carry a frying pan and race over a 415-yard course to the finishing line. The rules are strict: contestants have to toss their pancake at both the start and the finish, as well as wear an apron and a scarf. Traditionally, when men want to participate, they must dress up as a housewife (usually an apron and a bandanna). The race is followed by a church service (found this story here).


    Anywho, every year I post some pancake recipe, but this year I wanted to point a few of my own recipes out, and also some super delicious recipes that I love from a few other bloggers! 

   In this round up I've got the perfect (regular) pancake, specialty pancakes, gluten-free and paleo pancakes. There is something for everyone! 

   Just click on the name of the pancake to see the recipe! 

​   Enjoy!​

---

Perfect Pancake Recipe
​Easy peasy, simple-as-can-be pancakes
From Grace & Good Eats

---

Chocolate Monkey Pancakes
Gluten free, paleo, primal, dairy free 
From Buchel & A Peck

---

Crispy Cinnamon Swirl Pancakes 
Gluten-free, primal, & seriously delicious! 
From The Roasted Root

---

Gluten-Free Pancakes
​Just a strait forward g.f. pancake recipe (with a few chocolate chips hiding in there)!
From Bushel & A Peck

---

Pumpkin Pancakes  
Yuuuuum!
From Cooking Classy

---

2 Ingredient Pancakes 
Gluten-free, paleo, primal, sugar free, dairy free
From Bushel & A Peck

---

​Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Cookie Pancakes
Gluten free, and like a large, soft, pancake-y oatmeal cookie! 
From Chelsea's Messy Apron

---

​Bacon Fritters
It's a pancake and bacon in one!
From Bushel & A Peck

---

​Baked Pancakes 
Perfect if you don't have time to stand in the kitchen flipping pancakes!
From Eating on A Dime

    Just a little ditty to close here.....last night while cleaning up from dinner, I took the lid off my slow cooker to get the leftovers out of it, and a ladybug came careening out of no-where and landed right in the food in the crock-pot!

   And I dropped an f-bomb (that's the f-word, FYI).

   Confession time. I have a serious potty mouth. I mean, it's pretty bad. I don't say things my kids think are bad, like dumb or stupid, but I sure do say the ones I really don't want them to use! 

    So, last night when I swore about a lady bug ruining the leftovers (I know it's just a small bug, but you agree with me that it ruined all the food?!?), I looked at my husband who's face was saying, "really? An f-bomb because of a bug in the food?" , so I said, "maybe I should give up swearing for Lent?" 

   And, even though I don't always give something up for lent, I am going to do this. I swear more than is useful, and I should tame this beast! So, that's what I'm giving up for Lent!

   Are you giving anything up for Lent? Are you having pancakes for dinner? Are you sick of all my questions!?! : )  


​