Aug
17
2010

Shoulda Stayed In Bed… With Banana Bread

24 comments

My morning in a nutshell:

Slept in until 6:15 am (as I do on Tuesday/Thursdays). As I went through the motions of putting running clothes on, blending my green smoothie for later, and grabbing some early morning, pre-run grub, I contemplated crawling back into bed. This feeling of getting just a little extra sleep was greater than usual, but Tuesdays are my weekday-run days and the road was calling. I left the house just a bit later than usual, about 10 minutes later… this was either a very good and fortunate thing or a very, very bad thing…

At approximately 6:50 am the traffic on Highway 17 Northbound came to a complete stop. This is not entirely unusual for Highway 17. This highway is pretty much the only (very windy mountain) highway that connects the surrounding cities, and the only highway I can take to get into town (as I live South, in the Santa Cruz Mountains).

Traffic is stopped. I’m sitting in my car having no idea what is going on but knowing that I just want to go running. At some point around 7:30 am, everyone on the road had to move their cars to the side to make way for a firetruck. Around this time, one of the cars near mine had died, and had to have the battery jump. For this reason, I made sure I turned off my car, so the same thing didn’t happen to me. That would be no fun.

8:15 am, still not moving. I now know that about 5 cars up from me, a giant big-rig had overturned, blocking both Northbound lanes and one Southbound lane. Not good. Thankfully, there were no injuries, but what if I had been on time this morning?

Finally, at 8:25 am we start to move. I turn the key to start my car and…

The battery is dead. Oh, yes, that could be because I left the f***ing lights on. Are you kidding me?! This is NOT the highway you want your car stalled on. As I stuck my head out the car window looking quite frantic, one car stopped and asked if I needed help. Yes! And then asked if I had a cell phone to call for help… Um, really? Yes I have a cell phone but who am I going to call? I’ll be sitting here for another hour blocking even more traffic.

Finally, a man in a truck pulled over to help me. Thank you man in the green truck! And wouldn’t you know, his jumper cables wouldn’t reach- our batteries were on opposite sides of our cars. Lovely. Just when I thought all hope was lost (I can definitely do dramatic), a little jeep pulled up, did some fancy manuver in his little car, and jumped my car’s battery, saving the day.

Yay! I can finally drive off and… a police officer stops the car in front of me.

Ok, so I finally made it to the gym by 8:40 am to shower and head to work. I can honestly say, I have never been happier to be at work. Good story? All that and this is all we get: Mercury News Report

All this talk of mishaps, waiting, and dying cars, makes me want banana bread (I am fortunate to have a healthy appetite).

Crisp on the outside, gooey and moist on the inside.

In The Name of Health Banana Bread

This recipe is adapted from Munchies, Muscles, and Mischief, found here. Visit her site for other yummy foods and straight up ‘Mischief’ as she will crack you up with her honesty and craziness. Oh, and she rocks the weights world!

Ingredients:

  • 2 cups of very ripe banana, mashed (or 3 large bananas)
  • 2 1 cups of whole wheat flour Gluten-free flour baking mix
  • 1 cup oats
  • 1/2 tsp. baking powder
  • 1 tsp. baking soda
  • 1/4 tsp. salt
  • 1 cup of dates, chopped
  • 1 tsp. vanilla
  • 1 egg + 1 egg white
  • 1/2 cup of almond milk
  • 1/2 cup of applesauce
  • 1/2 1/4 cup of honey
  • 1/8 cup maple syrup
  • chopped walnuts (optional) pecans (walnuts would be better)
  • handful of raisins

Directions:

1) In a small bowl, pour the milk over the dates and microwave for 15 seconds. Set aside to let soak.

2) Preheat the oven to 350. Lightly grease and flour a baking pan.

3) Beat the egg, egg white, vanilla, honey and applesauce until well-combined. Beat in the banana thoroughly, and then stir in the soaked dates. Set aside.

4) Combine the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt in a separate bowl. Stir in the wet mixture just until moistened. Fold in the walnuts, if using.

5) Bake for 35-45 minutes, or until the edges are golden and a toothpick inserted in the center of the bread comes out clean.

6) Let cool in the pan for 15 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely. Slice with a wet knife, and store in an airtight container in the fridge.

As ‘thecookiemonster‘ write, “this banana bread tastes best when cold.” It’s actually fantastic cold.

It’s actually fantastic as breakfast, a snack, or pre-workout bites.

It’s fantastic any time of day, actually. And it’s In The Name of Health Banana Bread, so eat up! And in fair warning, this bread will not last long. ;)

How’s your morning going?

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{ 22 comments… read them below or add one }

ericaunmasked.blogspot.com August 17, 2010 at 10:17 AM

Love your blog – I just found it. That B-Bread looks awesome. I love ‘for the love of cookies’ – she’s awesome. And a total inspiration. Running is my release – I love it. And I am trying, desperately – to get up the nerve to try crossfit – b/c I think I would love it. How did you get started?
.-= ericaunmasked.blogspot.com´s last blog ..My Crazy Blessed Life =-.

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Katie August 17, 2010 at 10:51 AM

I think I would have had a nervous breakdown sitting in my car for that long. I tend to get very upset about things that are beyond my control. Which, even as I am getting upset, I know is stupid. Which then makes me more upset for letting it upset me.
.-= Katie´s last blog ..I’m fit The test proves it =-.

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christina August 17, 2010 at 11:06 AM

oh my goodness, you poor thing!!

i hope your day got better and if not, you do have banana bread! looks yummy!
.-= christina´s last blog ..Peanut Butter Review &amp Recipe- Christinas Crazy PB&ampJ Smoothie =-.

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Eden August 17, 2010 at 11:26 AM

Omg, my morning started pretty badly! I made a beautiful yogurt bowl for b-fast and a dropped it as I was bringing it to the table! the glass bowl shattered and yogurt and strawberries and all the other goodies in it were EVERYWHERE! so I had to clean and make sure no glass was left! Then I went to the gym and Renee Zellweger decided to do her crunches two feet from me! I kid you not! shes so skinny, I felt huge next to her and usually always feel like the littlest person.

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Christine August 17, 2010 at 11:35 AM

Glad you liked it Lori!! :D It NEVER lasts long in my place…even when I’m the only one eating it, haha.
.-= Christine´s last blog ..Hello- New Week! =-.

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nelly August 17, 2010 at 12:09 PM

oy what a morning girl! so glad you were running late! i truly believe everything happens for a reason!

i must also add that i think pecans are SOOOO much better than walnuts!!! hehe!

hope the rest of your day was better!

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Natalie @ cinnamonbums August 17, 2010 at 1:07 PM

ahh that’s terrible, sorry for your bad morning, but i’m glad you got through it and made it to the gym!!!! yay. yea highway 17 can be a bit terrifying sometimes. there’s all those hubcaps littered on the side of the mountain, have you seen those!?

at least you have banana bread to comfort you =)

over the weekend the french restaurant i went to was sent sovi.

let’s get together for a meal again sometime!
.-= Natalie @ cinnamonbums´s last blog ..What Momma Cooked Tonight =-.

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Maggie(livingfoodjunkie) August 17, 2010 at 2:19 PM

Ugh, what a morning you had. I’m glad your safe though. Mornings like that are so frustrating :( I’m glad a couple people stopped to help you, yay for green truck and little jeep! Like Natalie said, atleast you have delicious bananna bread for comfort.
.-= Maggie(livingfoodjunkie)´s last blog ..Im in blueberry bliss! =-.

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Mary @ Bites and Bliss August 17, 2010 at 3:01 PM

Sounds like an eventful morning! I’d be terrified if that happened- or at least completely lost as to what to do…but also scared some creep would stop to “help”. :S Good thing that guy was nice and had jumper cables to get you going again!

And that recipe looks incredible- banana breads my absolute favorite!

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yo yo mama August 17, 2010 at 3:45 PM

ALWAYS, I mean ALWAYS, take a good book along with you in the car. You’ll never know when you might need it.

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Alisa August 17, 2010 at 5:00 PM

Oh geez, my morning wasn’t fantastic or anything, but better than yours. Here’s to a better start tomorrow! Perhaps with some of that awesome banana bread?
.-= Alisa´s last blog ..Blogger Mission- Healthy Back to School Recipes =-.

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Pure2raw twins August 17, 2010 at 5:40 PM

Oh man, what a story. I would have been flipping out if that happened to me. So glad you are okay.

And this banana bread is calling my name. I love banana bread…I like it cold!!
.-= Pure2raw twins´s last blog ..A day with the Pure2Raw Twins =-.

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Laury @thefitnessdish August 17, 2010 at 6:23 PM

YIKES!!! You have some patience it seems… I would of been freaking out…glad you got through it, and got your workout in after all that too!!!

That banana bread looks absolutely to die for!!!!! Yummy Yum!!!!

PS–Sweet potato hummus recipe tomorrow, be on the lookout ;-)
.-= Laury @thefitnessdish´s last blog ..Callin’ All Bloggies!! =-.

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Ela August 17, 2010 at 9:45 PM

Hey, thanks for looking in at my blog! I took a look at your Alaska posts – looks like you had a blast. I lived in the Bay Area for years and remember the snarlups that could happen on Rte 17 – sorry you had that! But this past February, my husband and I were stuck 20 miles outside Anchorage for almost 7 hours waiting for them to clear an avalanche! And yes, it was _cold_!

love
Ela
.-= Ela´s last blog ..The View From Here-Up For This Week =-.

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lisasfoods August 18, 2010 at 4:46 AM

What a pain, all for just trying to get to workout.

That banana bread looks delicious. I wish we didn’t go through bananas so quickly that we never have any brown ones around for a good banana bread or muffins. Did you use a brownie pan? I always make them in a loaf pan, but they look really good the way you made them.
.-= lisasfoods´s last blog ..Food Philosophy =-.

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erin August 18, 2010 at 1:17 PM

Oh man what a morning! Banana Bread to the rescue! That looks AMAZING I want to make it right now!!

Today has been so just aggravating and stressful! So annoying I don’t even want to right a post on it right now lol. I need time to drink my wine and de-stress!!
.-= erin´s last blog ..Don’t Worry About Dinner =-.

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Sarena (The Non-Dairy Queen) August 18, 2010 at 2:02 PM

I am so sorry about your day! That is horrible way to start it off! On the other side of things…good grief, your day could only get better with that bread! That looks absolutely delicious and perfect! I hope your day got better!

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Nicole August 18, 2010 at 2:09 PM

Sounds like quite the morning!! And love, love, love banana bread. :)

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Madeline - Greens and Jeans August 18, 2010 at 2:33 PM

Holy Bananas! What a morning! Some days everything seems to kind of hit at once, doesn’t it?
.-= Madeline – Greens and Jeans´s last blog ..dire straits =-.

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sophia August 18, 2010 at 5:50 PM

It rained all day today. I woke up to a cold, drizzly, gloomy, squishy squashy morning. But it didn’t really matter because I woke up late: 11 am. Haha. Almost noon!

I think EVERY morning is a good morning to wake up with banana bread.

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Jackie August 19, 2010 at 4:07 AM

I know how you felt. The one perk of having retired is I don’t have to be stuck on highways for hours on end. We have tons of accidents in South Africa due to folk with no license, bald tyres and/or faulty brakes.

The banana bread looks great.
.-= Jackie´s last blog ..Scots Pine Essential Oil =-.

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kelsey@snackingsquirrel.com August 19, 2010 at 1:52 PM

THIS BANANA BREAD IS INSANE! i love when people bake with love too, you can tell when ur baking with love when something comes out so wonderfully! you KNOW i bookmarked this! i had no choice ;) YUMSSS <3

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