Better-for-you Banana Bread

 

There is a grocery store near us that has bananas for 25 cents a pound on Thursdays. This is a steal compared to the 54 cents I have been paying recently! As smoothie enthusiasts, we consume a lot of bananas in a given week, so we are always looking for good deals!

Last week we went to the grocery store to get our banana deal. Both my husband and I planned to go through and get 5 pounds (the limit you can buy at once). But while we were carefully weighing our bananas to get the correct amount, we noticed some bananas that were reduced for quick sale - also 25 cents a pound, but with NO LIMIT! Since bananas freeze well, I just grabbed ALL of the clearanced bananas. (Our total purchase weighed in at about 34 pounds! I got some funny stares from fellow shoppers and the clerks, but I reassured them all that I didn't want the bananas to be thrown out, so I was rescuing them!)

It took me awhile to peel all the bananas, cut them in half, and put them in a bag for freezing. While I was doing this, I wondered... could I make a healthy banana bread with them? (By the name "banana bread", one would assume it is healthy, but usually such sweet breads are more of a dessert, high in sugar, oil, and fat.)


I searched for "healthy banana bread recipes" and I found this one, which was close to what I wanted... but I modified it to make it even MORE healthy! Here is my modified version:

Rachel's Better-for-you Banana Bread

Ingredients:

• 3 ripe bananas
• 1 Cup unbleached all-purpose flour
• 1 Cup whole wheat flour
• 1/4 Cup local, raw honey
• 1 tsp. baking soda
• ½ C natural apple sauce
• 1 tsp. vanilla
• 2 eggs, beaten
• ½ C nuts or raisins, optional
• sprinkle of cinnamon (we love cinnamon, so I used a generous sprinkle!)

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°; grease one loaf pan. 
2. Mash bananas and set aside.
3. Combine wet ingredients. Stir in baking soda. Add flour. Just stir until combined; don't overmix.
4. Pour batter into loaf pan and bake on center oven rack for 50 mins – 60 mins (until inserted tooth pick comes out clean)
5. Let cool in pan for 5 mins; then remove from pan and cool bread on cooling rack.
6. Eat and enjoy!

The consistency of the bread is a little different than regular banana bread, but it is still very tasty!

ABCs of Loving Your Husband

In honor of Valentine's Day, I am posting this as a reminder to all of us wives how we need to cherish our husbands. I honestly cannot remember where I got it, or if I wrote it myself! (No, it's too good... I think I got it somewhere!) If you find it, please let me know where so I can credit the source. (I did change a few minor things, though...)

My husband of almost 5 years, Dan, is such a blessing to me. He is such a man of God and always tries to serve God and our family with his whole heart. No, he is not perfect, but neither am I, and he loves me anyway! I fear I often take him for granted, so I want to make every effort to encourage him and be his helpmate, as the Lord God made me to be. I challenge you to do the same and see if it doesn't revamp your relationship!

Affirm him daily

Be his biggest cheerleader

Count the blessings in our marriage

Don't criticize him (ESPECIALLY in public!)

Encourage him in every way

Fight for his reputation

Give him mind, body, and heart

Help and serve him with every opportunity

Inspire him to chase after his dreams

Just gaze at him adoringly

Kiss and cuddle with him

Love him in spite of his weaknesses

Make sure he knows he's the only one you'll ever want

Never yell or interrupt

Offer to rub his feet, shoulders, and back after a long day

Pray for him and with him daily

Quit nagging! 

Remember why I fell in love with him... and tell him why I still do! 

Stay committed and faithful to him 

Take the initiative with sex

Understand his views and opinions and let him lead

View him through God's eyes

Write him a love letter

X-amine my own heart daily

Yearn for God and His word

Zealously protect and invest in my marriage