Thursday, October 17, 2013

Bananas For Boobies


A few years ago, we had my friend Shari and her family staying with us in Vermont. As I prepared breakfast she looked at me and said “I can’t believe you’re making waffles from scratch”. I was confused “Shar, I’m not- I’m using mix I said pushing the Arrowhead Mills bag in her direction.” “Well still, you’re actually making them”
I wish I had really had the chance to know and cook with Judy
Later that day, Shari told me about her plans to start a blog. Shari had recently lost her beautiful mother Judy to breast cancer. After Judy’s funeral, I recall Shari was so touched with strangers approaching her with tales of Judy’s kindness. Some of this kindness was expressed through food. Shari tells of a home-cooked meal on the table every night. There was always an invitation and place setting for whomever would drop by. Shari knew she and others could benefit from Judy’s recipes and approach even if Judy wasn’t here to do the teaching.

Fast forward a few years, Shari can cook. Her blog is a huge hit (as ventures from the heart often are) and Shari and her sister Stacy decide to launch another venture. Enter Bananas for Boobies. I chuckled too but here’s the deal. You bake Judy’s Banana Chocolate Chip Loaf or as the campaign says “bake it happen” post your finished loaf to their FB page, you’re entered to win an iPad and money, via an anonymous corporate donor, goes to breast cancer research.

I love the idea of using cooking and community to make a difference. However, my nutritionist hat is always on (and my crazy desire to tweak I talked about Monday).
So I checked with Shari and she said I could make my own version. I wanted a loaf that was gluten free and sugar free (cancer cells can use sugar as fuel), I also wanted to add some of my “screw yourself breast cancer” ingredients green tea (in this case matcha) and turmeric (don’t be scared). My only problem was that as much as I cook, I don’t bake. At first I found a handful of interesting recipes and combined them- I ended up with a loaf that was wet in the middle and the conclusion that cacao nibs aren’t that enjoyable in banana bread. I then focused on Slim Palate’s version adding my own twist. The result? Green and delicious, the whole family enjoyed it. I just hope Judy wouldn’t be mad at me.

½ cup coconut flour (used Nutiva)
½ cup almond flour (used Bobs Red Mill)
1-cup ripe bananas (works fine even if they are not black)
½ cup coconut oil, if not already liquid melt it,  (used jungle Products) plus additional to grease
1 Tbs matcha (powdered green tea)
½ tsp. cinnamon
Dash of turmeric
¾ teaspoon baking soda
¼ tsp. liquid stevia (used NuNaturals)
4 omega 3 eggs
½ tsp. organic vanilla extract
Pinch of Himalayan salt

Preheat oven to 350
1. Use coconut oil to grease small 8.5 x 4.5 loaf and cut a piece of parchment to fit in the bottom on the pan
2. In a large bowl combine flours, matcha, cinnamon, turmeric baking soda and salt mix with a fork.
3. In a medium bowl whisk together eggs, extract, and stevia. Then add bananas to this mixture and whisk again.
4. Pour the egg/banana concoction into the flour/dry ingredient bowl. Use a wooden spoon to mix. 
5. Add the melted coconut oil and mix again.
6. Pour into the pan, making the top respectable and smooth.
7. Bake for 45 minutes and do the toothpick test.
8. Run a knife around the edges and flip the loaf out. Let it cool on a wire rack.

Nutrition (based on 1/8 of loaf) 260 calories, 4g sugar, 6g fiber, 7g protein per slice
Please go to the Bananas for Boobies site for Judy’s Chocolate Chip Loaf (the real deal).
Have you heard of Bananas for Boobies or Shari's blog? Do you bake? Ever tweak recipes to make them healthier?



16 comments:

  1. please so, great mission and fun to participate. THanks Carla.

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  2. What a great idea! Will have to check out the blog.

    I love to bake and I'm always tweaking recipes - sometimes to adjust them to my taste and sometimes to make them healthier, or both. I've made a lot of Ina Garten's recipes and she's really heavy on butter/cream. Great recipes, but I always have to cut down the butter (I often cut it in HALF without affecting the taste). Sometimes I'll substitute applesauce for oil or reduce the amount of sugar. Lately I've been experimenting with different flours - whole wheat, almond, etc. Experimenting is half the fun!

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  3. yum!!! i have to try this and will compare although, gulp, my sense is that I'm game for the sugar and dairy and gluten : ) xxxo thanks for greenifying Mom's recipe for the world

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  4. promise it tastes great, perhaps a little coconutty but nutrition is amazing too

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  5. totally agree with Ina- I cut olive oil (savory recipes) in 1/2 and still good, what does that say? ooh I have homemade applesauce I may have to bake again. Check out Judy's recipe Jen- and if you make it let me know.

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  6. fixed it connie, thank you so much for alerting me

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  7. Made your recipe tonight Lauren and my family LOVES it! I have been looking for a good banana bread recipe and this is now my favorite. THANK YOU!!!!! :) :) :)

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  8. That makes me so happy, my family did too so I made another one, sliced it and froze it as it. So glad everyone enjoyed.

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  9. I also sent the recipe to some friends of mine who are sugar-free but regularly use Stevia and posted it on FB as well. Gotta spread the word to a bunch of my other healthful eater friends when I receive such a great recipe! :)

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  10. Amazing, thanks- do you have a blog?

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  11. I have been thinking of starting one for quite some time but running the family business from home and my 2 year old daughter keep me pretty darn busy. It's definitely on my list of things I want to do! LOL

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  12. P.S. - I received the Veggie Go's mixed box during your giveaway and my family loves them! Unfortunately they do not carry them in MN stores yet, so I will be calling all of my local Whole Foods, Lakewind's. etc. to beg them to carry these delicious snacks! :) Thanks for the awesome giveaway!

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  13. Is matcha different than maca? I'm assuming the answer is yes...
    This bread sounds fabulous. And I just love the title Bananas for Boobies!!!!

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  14. Yes, matcha is a powdered green tea. Unlike tea bags or lose tea you drink or in this case eat the matcha so it's a home run.

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