I woke up this morning feeling great. Like, really great.
This may not seem like a big deal, but if you’re an avid reader of this blog (we have avid readers?), you’ll know I’ve been metaphorically treading water for a long time now, and my body has been suffering accordingly.
But- not today. I don’t want to get ahead of myself, but today feels like the turning of a new leaf. It’s one of those sunshiney optimistic days where you can make sweeping statements like “…and from then on, I felt great all the time. Forever.”
I feel well rested. I’ve had a good breakfast. That literal pain in my neck, an ever-growing stress-knot in my trapezius that causes me to struggle like a 9o-year-old when I so much as attempt to put on a coat, is dull today. In fact, right now- I can’t even feel it.
My email inbox is totally under control. I’ve already got a head start on my Christmas shopping. The sun is shining, the sky is blue. Sure, it’s freezing as balls outside, but hey- it’s sunny! Soak up that Vitamin D my raincity friends!
I’m a coffee and a slice of banana bread away from literally humming ‘Walking on Sunshine’ and smiling at strangers on the morning commute. Just yesterday, my raincloud self would have scowled and grumbled at people like this. “Buhhhhh, life is crap. Happy people are the worst. Life is suffering, people. Get with the program.”
But not today.
I have no idea what happened between the hours of 10:00pm last night and 6:00am this morning, but whatever it was- THANK YOU.
I’ve been so tired and so drained for months now, so to wake up- mid week at that- and feel like everything is finally under control and everything is going to be okay- it’s wonderful. I have energy! I am smiling! Let’s all go to the park and roll around in the leaves! (wait… did I just become a dog? Is that what happened? Did I Freaky Friday with Hannah last night? Is my brain at doggy daycare with her, complaining about stupid Rudy, her yappy nemesis?) (update: Nope, still me in here. I relish the idea of a warm bath at the end of the day. Hannah merely tolerates baths at the best of times.)
Right. On with the recipe. I love classic banana bread. It’s moist, it’s sweet, but not too sweet. I buy ripe bananas and put them straight in my freezer just to have them brown and mush-up for an anytime batch of banana bread.
In my years of making banana bread I have learned a few things:
- Always use brown sugar. I only use white sugar in my banana bread if there is no alternative. Brown is where it’s at.
- Add Greek yogurt for added moisture. I know, banana bread is already pretty moist… but Greek yogurt is delicious and who doesn’t love a really smooshy, decadent slice?
- Add ins welcome but not necessary.
Chelsea’s got a great recipe on the site for Chocolate Chip Banana Walnut Bread, because YUM. I went a different direction with mine, given my sunshiney mood.
A tropical combination to transport you to sunny climes, since I’m not going anywhere warm this winter. Banana, coconut and a touch of cinnamon and cloves. The coconut, cinnamon and cloves remind me a bit of spiced rum, without the rum. Of course… I’m sure this would pair really well with a dram of spiced rum sooo… just saying.
Bananas and warming spices work exceptionally well together and make this whole thing feel very Caribbean. In fact, if I sit really close to my space heater and close my eyes… yeah, okay… put on some ocean sounds…
Okay, fine. That didn’t really work. Thankfully, these tropical flavours also happen to pair really well with a warm fireplace and a fuzzy pair of socks. Either way, it’s gonna be a good time. 🙂
| Coconut Macadamia Nut Banana Bread | Print |
- ½ cup coconut oil
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 2 eggs
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1½ cups all purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- ½ tsp ground cloves
- 2 Tbsp grated coconut
- ½ cup Macadamia Nuts, coarsely chopped
- ½ cup Greek yogurt
- 3 very ripe bananas, mashed
- Preheat oven to 350. Grease a 9 inch loaf pan.
- In a large bowl, beat coconut oil and brown sugar until creamy. Add the eggs one and a time and then the vanilla and mix until smooth.
- Sprinkle the flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon and cloves over the wet ingredients and mix until just combined. Fold in the bananas, coconut, nuts and yogurt.
- Pour batter into the loaf pan and bake 60 minutes or until crust is golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Cool until warm before serving.
Tropical banana bread…nummy! Makes me want to “walk on sunshine”, too.
from an avid reader
Thanks, D 🙂
I love basic banana bread but I also love one with different add ins – and coconut and macadamia sound like great add ins. I’ll have to try brown sugar over white sugar the next time – thanks for the tip.
Thanks, Geraldine! Something about brown sugar and bananas together- I’m surprised it makes such a difference but it really does! 🙂