Baking Banana Bread
I say this every time I make it, but I made the best banana bread last night!
I always use this recipe that I found here. It was originally Gina’s recipe and I just absolutely LOVE it. You better check it out and if you do one thing this week, make this bread! I halved the recipe though because I only had two frozen bananas. I also used soy yogurt instead of dairy and didn’t have any nutmeg so I left it out. I added a touch more cinnamon because I just love it. As you can see, you can make minor modifications to this recipe and it still turns out fab!
Mixing:
Ready to go in the oven:
After 53 minutes (on 150 degrees celcius in a fan assisted oven):
Steve was out golfing when I made this and I couldn’t wait for him to come home and have a taste together. Finally when he was home we dug in. Can you believe he has never had banana bread until he met me?
My slice (still warm!) with a bit of margarine:
It is sooooo good!!!!
Just a note as well, usually I make this bread with sliced banana on top of the loaf, like this photo I took a few months ago from another loaf I made. It just adds to it! This loaf also had slivered almonds on top as well. Sorry for the poor photo quality, it was dark & I needed a flash!
As I said, you can make little modifications any way you’d like. This bread would also be great with added chocolate chips!
This morning, obviously my breakfast HAD to include this bread!!!
I made non french- french toast. Which just means that I didn’t dip the bread into the egg and put it in the pan. But the presentation was much the same as my usual french toast!
I had two slices of the bread. Here is the size of the slice…
I topped each slice with bananas (obviously!) and then drizzled a tiny bit of maple syrup on it. To be honest it didn’t even really need the maple syrup because the bread is quite sweet on it’s own, but it was a nice added touch!!
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Running Woes…
I was just wondering if anyone could help me with this problem i’m having when running! I’m generally injury free and I don’t experience much pain at all, except I find that my upper back/neck area has pain. I thought it was from one of my my sports bras being too tight but that is definitely not the case. I wore one yesterday that is the perfect fit, yet I still had upper back/neck pain. It hurts!!! I don’t know if its from my running form or what. Once in a while I find I have to stop and sort of stretch out my neck area.
Does this happen to anyone else?
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Just wanted to give two shout-outs to two girls who are definitely after my heart with their yoga love!
Polly now has her own yoga DVD out. How awesome is that? You can find a bit more info about it in this post here (scroll down). You guys know i’ve loved doing her 10 minute videos in the past on you tube. This girl knows her yoga stuff!!
Heather is also having a yoga download giveaway! A full year subscription!!!
Go here now, because her contest ends today!!!
I\’ll definitely be making that recipe soon – as you can tell from my blog, I love banana bread. I\’ve never thought to bake bananas on the top though, so thanks for the idea
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How long have you been getting the neck pain? Does it only come on when you\’re running?
http://www.smallchangesaddup.wordpress.com
I have tight shoulders that got worse when I was running a lot–I read an article somwhere that said if you tense your hands/arms a lot while running, it can cause knots to build in the shoulders. I have no idea if that is true, but it might be worth trying to be more conscious of keeping your upper body loose while running? Hope they feel better soon!
Banana bread is just the BEST! Its so moist and you can really play around with the ingredients. Yours looks like it turned out perfect!
YES! I’m so glad you love Attack. It is my absolute favorite class. I teach Body Attack and Body Step. I will probably work towards getting certified in one more Les Mills program at some point in the future too- maybe Pump?
Yum, that banana bread looks so good! I love banana bread!
Ohhhh that looks so good! Banana bread sounds like it would totally hit the spot right now – how is the skincare issue going? I hope things are clearing up
this is perfect timing! I have 2 bananas that need to be used
You should definitely MAKE french toast with banana bread – it’s amazing.
I sometimes have strange pains up in my shoulder area when I run, but it’s not every time. I don’t know if it’s because I’m tensing my shoulders/arms or what, but I just try to relax my shoulders/upper body and it helps sometimes.
Oh the banana bread looks so good. As for running, lets put it this way I have yet to meet a runner who doesn’t have some sort of problem when running. Example 2 guys I know end up with knee problem. A few ladies with back problem and so on. I would say it is the running
Wow – that bread looks awesome!
As far as the neck pain, pay attention to if you hold tension while you run. I often have to consciously roll my shoulders back and down and kindof loosen up the swinging of my arms. Every so often I will just drop my hands to my sides and shake them out. Little things add up once you’re running such high mileage!
I LOVE banana bread! Yours looks like it’s right out of an amazing cookbook photo!!
That’s too bad you have pain in that area when you run! How is your posture while running? Trying standing up straighter when running but not rigid to allow for smoother movement. I also recommend stretching the area well beforehand and rolling your neck. Strength training the area will definitely help too. Those are the weakest muscles on people because we don’t focus on them at all when we train. Seated rows and lat pull downs help. I wish I could remember the names of the other exercises my trainer taught me! I can show you but I couldn’t tell you what they are called.
I hope you have a wonderful day!
Wow, that bread seriously looks insanely delicious!!! I’m always so impressed by your cooking/baking skills.
And I’ll bet it made the entire house smell amazing. Steve is so lucky to be marrying you! 
Thanks for the shoutout Leah!
xxoo
Heather
That banana bread looks fantastic!! Have you had the banana cheerios? I just tried them this morning and they taste just like banana bread – so good
AWESOME banana bread! Love how you turned it into faux french toast!
I sometimes get pain in my neck and into my jaw. I’m not sure what causes it either. I often wonder if I tense up sometimes while running…
I love banana bread! I might try this- I’ve had the most strange craving for a banana bread fluffernutter since Sarah (Tales of Expansion) has been posting about fluff!
Can’t help with running, but am sure others have great advice
have a fab wednesday leah!
I love your idea of slicing bananas on TOP of the bread! I’m soooo stealing this idea! haha
LOVE the smell of fresh baked banana bread! The non-french toast looks great too.
That banana bread with the slivered almonds on top – my mouth is watering!
Can’t help you on the run – I am a walker!
That banana bread does look realllly fabulous!!!
Do you jog/run holding your music player? Or do you run with your elbows at a tight 90 degree angle? Cuz if those shoulders aren’t relaxed, I find myself straining my neck and shoulder muscles a lot more!! Not sure if this is the reason..but hope it helps somehow!
P.s. I’m hosting my very own Big Lucky Giveaway!!! Please come on over and check it out!!
That looks absolutely delicious!
Thanks for the banana bread recipe! As for the pain you’re experiencing (I’m a certified personal trainer), it may have something to do with your posture while you run. A lot of people tend to let their shoulders come forward and their neck slouches creating a lot of stress in that area. Focus on keeping your shoulders back and down for a straight back. Also keep your head up looking straight ahead and not down at the ground. Every so often during your run, loosen up your arms and shake them out at your sides. I hope that helps!
Love your blog!
i love how this is a healthy recipe!!! i will have to try this because i LOVE banana bread!
ooooh! i want to make that PRONTO!
I have no idea, I often get lower back pains after getting into high mileage runs (15+). But sometimes aches and pains just come with the territory, could be your form, could even be your shoes!
Your banana bread looks sooo good Leah!!You must make some when you are home along with the cookies and the pancakes and ……….
Haha oh I will Mom!! I didn’t even make the ginger cookies when I was home last. Must do that! xo
Hey!
Thanks for commenting on my blog! You are right, I shouldn’t say “sorry” for not eating perfectly… that wouldn’t be human!
That banana bread looks heavenly! I’m DEF. trying that ASAP!!!!!
Megan
I LOVE banana bread. It’s something I (who lack baking skills
) can manage to prepare.
Your mom is so cool and sweet to drop by.
stop making me drool. fresh bananas on fresh banana bread? get out.
That happens to my husband all the time. I think he slouches when he runs. Is this recent since you started the Body Attack?