Low sugar banana bread may sound wrong, but not as wrong as no-sugar, no-gluten, no-dairy. When I see those descriptive words, I know there will be countless substitutes listed.
Quite often, no-something means exactly that, without the “but” filled in – no sugar but I will sub with stevia, or no dairy but you can use palm/corn/vegetable oil instead. That list can go on and on, there are so many substitutes that are so terribly bad for our health, especially when it comes to baking desserts and breads. We all love a sweet finish without the guilt. But let’s talk about guilt first and foremost.
If we are using food, like banana breads and rich desserts to fill a void caused by countless traumas, we know the problem lies not in the food but in the emotions we are trying to eat away. And I know it is the most difficult thing to do, because after all how can we face the problem if we cannot name it? So many of us live in a constant state of denial…”there is nothing wrong, I am ok, it happened, so what? No crying over spilt milk as they say, tough it out, this happens to millions so what makes me special”. And those words of self harm, as that thought process is self harm, continues. And so, we endeavour to eat our way through the incessant noise in our heads. But that does not fix us, does it? It creates another problem that can quickly become insurmountable. So, here’s my advice; Reach out to your sisters, we are everywhere around you. Reach out and see how many hands will be held out to lift you up.
Now, let us talk about bananas. Bananas are best eaten straight up from the peel – while it is still firm but a lovely bright yellow. When that starts breaking down to a spotty ripeness it is time to break out the baking pand to make some banana bread.
But before that, why do you think bananas are good for us? You are absolutely correct if you said the following:
Fiber for improved digestion and disease prevention
Vitamin C for better immune health
Vitamin B6 for improved metabolism and more
Potassium for organ health and lower blood pressure
Magnesium for improved blood pressure, blood sugar and more
Back to the baking stories. I find baking is therapy, it is an easy, gentle, self reflecting exercise one can indulge in at least once a week. The world is going madder and madder, and if we can all just snatch back a few moments for ourselves to do something that brings us peace, that brings us a small break from the maddening world, then we should strive to carve out that time as much as possible.
The aromas of banana bread carries the nostalgia of childhood days. It is not the aromas that we crave, it is the peace and innocence of those days, the times of intact-families and safety. Baking breads, cakes, cookies…oh how sweet the love of yore.
This Banana bread recipe is delicious too, because it is made from a few simple and clean ingredients, it is made in a mindful manner, and it is shared with good intentions.
4 large ripe bananas 4 large eggs, cracked in a bowl 1 tsp vanilla extract 1 stick butter, melted 1/2 cup Greek yogurt 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil 1 cup cane sugar 3 cups flour 1/2 tsp salt 1.5 tsps baking soda Preheat oven to 370 degrees. line a 9x11 inch pan, and a 9x5 inch pan with parchment paper. Place the flour, salt, and baking soda into a large mixing bowl. Mix together well to incorporate the baking soda thoroughly. Set aside. In a smaller mixing bowl, mash the bananas until smooth, and add the eggs and vanilla extract, melted butter, olive oil, yogurt, and the sugar. Mix well until the yolks are incorporated. Make a hole in the center of the flour mixture, pour the banana mixture in there. Mix well, without whipping. Use the spatula to mix and turn the batter so all the dry ingredients are mixed in. At this stage, feel free to add blueberries and/or nuts if you like. Pour the batter into the two pans. Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes. Check for doneness by inserting a sharp knife into the thickest center. It should come batter free and clean. Feel free to add in blueberries, nuts, cranberries, chocolate chips or anything your heart desires.
Ingredients
Instructions
Notes