Super healthy banana bread

Sheer terror has taken over me this week, it is the first month of Spring which means Summer is coming. I went to a vintage fashion market on the Saturday & purchased the most gorgeous navy & white 1950′s one piece bathing suit & a white scarf to keep my hair up. Only one problem, with my current back-fat & thunder thigh situation I wouldn’t be seen dead in it!

*sigh* Isn't she a beauty?

I have actually lost 10kg this year which is no small feat considering cake is practically my religion. However I could stand to lose quite a lot more. It is with this in mind that I set out to create a super healthy, guilt banishing banana bread recipe. I’m not talking marginally better for you here, I’m talking downright super food that my nutritionist would be proud of.

Hot from the oven

Be prepared.

This one has some pretty out-there ingredients. You are going to be thinking, Shannon, HOW is this going to taste good? Trust me, I love you too much to do you any wrong.  I have included substitutes for several ingredients that may be difficult to procure in your area.

The first thing you’re going to think is…but it has a whole cup of oil & sugar! well, yes..it does. BUT not ordinary oil or sugar. Super healthy coconut oil & sugar. Virgin coconut oil is being touted as the low fat-fat as it has a lower calorie content than other fats & even though is it mostly saturated fat has been proven it does not raise cholesterol the same way other saturated fats do. You can find more information on coconut oil here & here. Coconut palm sugar has a really low GI & is rich in nutrients & minerals, you can find more info here.

I went a little mad & threw in anything healthy

Super healthy banana bread

• 1 cup organic coconut palm sugar (substitute = 3/4 cup firmly packed brown sugar or your favorite sweetener)
• 1 cup organic coconut oil (substitute = sunflower oil)
• 2/3 cup plain flour
• 2/3 cup coconut flour (substitute = 2/3 cup desiccated coconut)
• 1/3 cup rolled oats
• 1/4 cup rolled quinoa (substitute an extra 1/4 cup of rolled oats)
• 1/2 tsp each baking powder & baking soda
• 1/2 cup roughly chopped  pecans
• 1/4 cup flax-seed (linseed)
• 4 mashed lady finger bananas
• 4 med eggs
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 1 tsp vanilla bean paste
• handful dried cranberries
• 1 tsbp pure maple syrup

 Preheat oven to 180c

In a large bowl blend together the sugar & oil. Add eggs & mix until combined. Sift in flours, baking powder & baking sugar, mix & add all remaining ingredients & stir until combined.

Oil a loaf tin with coconut oil or butter & pour in batter. Bake for around 40-45 mins (it is completely useless sticking a skewer in this bread. I gave mine a bit of a shake to check if it was set & it was nicely golden)

 Makes 1 loaf (about 8-10 serves)

You will not believe something this moist, flavoursome & downright tasty is good for you