Dear LPG, 

I took a look at my diary recently and noted that pancake day was on the way again.  

I used to love them when I was young although back in those days a pancake was just a pancake with a bit of lemon and some sugar on top in our house.  Then as we got to the 1970s and 80s all the really exotic toppings and variations began to be popular.  My favourite has always been fruit wrapped inside and lots of cream on top (with the sugar still a very important ingredient).  I think that is why I always associate them with desserts and afters.  The whole point of having the day is to prepare Christians for Lent and giving up all the indulgencies of life for 40 days.  The point of the pancake is to use all those rich foods in preparation for the austere eating habits of Lent.

That is all very well when you have a young constitution, but it is so easy to dismiss the celebration as we get older because getting older often comes with diabetes and that need to eat as many non-sugary things as possible even if Lent is not something you do.

But I recently found the web page that I have asked LPG to feature this pancake day, which shows a few recipes that look quite good with that one ingredient that many of us older people need to steer clear of all year round, missing. 

I hope that readers who are forced to avoid the sweeter aspect of the day’s celebration will be able to do a little merry making and give their taste buds a treat without upsetting their health.

LS, Downham.