I’ve been trying to incorporate a more Paleo-esque way of eating lately, with much success. That is, if you don’t count my Love Grown Foods Granola handfuls here and there.
I’m not perfect, won’t try to pretend I’m perfect, nor will I lie that I think I’m even close, but I do like taking out most grains, legumes, and dairy from my diet. I feel better, I’m less bloated, hold less water (that’s the same as less bloated..?), and I just feel lighter. Odd that I feel lighter, since I have been eating so much meat…
Anyway, I’ve also been playing around with Paleo recipes, baking tons of stuff (yes, not quite a caveman approach, but I can’t take the baker out of me, even when trying Paleo). I do love baking.
With getting back into CrossFit recently, I feel it’s only fitting that I throw some emphasis on the Paleo way of eating, if only trying out some fabulously easy and delicious recipes.
For example, take this recipe by health-Bent.com. Banana bread without the flour, grains, sugar? Sign me up! And while we’re signing me up, give me a slice or two to hold me over while mine finishes baking.
Paleo Pumpkin Swirl Banana Bread
[gluten free, dairy free, Paleo, moist and delicious. makes one 9 inch loaf pan]
- 1/2 cup almond butter
- 1/2 cup Tahini (or more almond butter)
- 1 cup shredded, dried, unsweetened coconut
- 2 medium very ripe bananas
- 2 eggs
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1/4 cup pureed pumpkin
- 3 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 tbsp honey (optional)
Preheat your oven to 350ºF.
In a mixing bowl, combine all of the ingredients (reserve the pumpkin, cocoa powder, and honey). Mix, breaking up the banana so it is mostly incorporated into the batter (lower amounts of visible chunks). Pour the batter into a greased loaf pan.
In a separate bowl, stir together the pumpkin, cocoa powder, and honey. Pour this mixture down the center of the banana batter and use a knife or toothpick to slightly swirl it into the batter (left, right, zig-zag motions).
Bake for approximately 35-40 minutes, until the center is no longer gooey (soft). Let the banana bread cool before removing from the pan.
Slice into as many servings as you wish and serve. In complete honesty, I ate a good 1/3 of the loaf before I even got it cooled. It’s that good.
Most of the time I make a recipe there are slight changes I can see for the next baking round. But with this recipe, I found no variation that would make it any more rich and moist. This, dare I say, could be better than original banana bread. I loved it. I know you will, too.