Paleo Banana Bread

I love banana bread... And for some reason I was craving it today! I wanted to make some that was grain free and low in sugar. Most traditional banana breads are full of white flour and refined sugar. One slice of Starbucks's Banana Walnut Bread, for example, has 490 calories, 19g fat, 75g carbs, and a whopping 46g sugar! Woah. It also has hydrogenated  oils, the unhealthy fats. My banana bread, on the other hand, is under 110 calories, has only 12g carbs, 6g fat, and 5g of natural sugar. And healthy fats from coconut and almonds that your brain needs! This banana bread is also grain free, also know as paleo! That means gluten free and dairy free! So, which one do want eat now?? Hopefully mine, right? I used a mix of coconut flour and almond flour, and it turned out perfect! Moist and just enough sweetness! So, ready to get baking?!

Paleo Banana Bread

(serves 10)

• 1/2 cup coconut flour
• 1/4 cup almond flour
• 2 large mashed bananas
• 3 eggs
• 1/2 tsp. baking powder
• 1/2 tsp. baking soda
• 1 tsp. cinnamon (or more if you like)
• 1 Tbs. honey or coconut sugar (more or less if you like)
• 1 tsp. vanilla extract
• 1 Tbs. coconut oil, melted (could also use organic butter)

1. Pre-heat oven at 350.

2. Mix dry ingredients in a bowl, and mix wet in another.

3. Combine wet and dry ingredients, mix well.

4. Pour batter in a greased loaf pan.

5. Bake for 35-40 minutes.

6. Let cool. Enjoy!

If you've never used coconut or almond flour, you can find it in the organic sections of most grocery stores. You can also make your own by grinding up almonds and coconuts in your food processor. Just google it. ;)

This made a small loaf, so if you want it to be taller and fill out the pan, just double the recipe!

You could also add walnuts, almonds, blueberries, cranberries, or chocolate chips for some yummy variations! Top with a little of my raspberry chia jam, a spread of almond butter or just plain as a great snack or breakfast! 

Nutrition Facts: (1 slice)

calories: 110

fat: 6g

carbs: 12g

protein: 4g

sugar: 5g 

I also have a Vegan Banana Bread recipe!

Let me know if you try it out! Hashtag #beautyandbananas on Instagram or tag me @beautyandbananas! 

XoXo, Stephanie

Maple Pecan Cinnamon Raisin Protein Waffles

Ingredients

• 1 scoop Perfect Fit Protein (or choice of protein powder)
• 1/2 a mashed banana
• 1/4 cup eggwhites
• 1 Tbs. ground flaxseed (optional)
• 1-2 Tbs. raisins
• 2 Tbs. Pecans
• 1 tsp. cinnamon
• 2-3 Tbs. almond milk
• Organic pure maple syrup for topping

Directions

1. Mash banana and mix in protein and other ingredients. Save 1 Tbs. of pecans for the topping.

2. Add almond milk a tablespoon at a time to get the batter to the right consistency

3. Pour batter into the waffle maker and cook for a few minutes.

4. Topp with crushed pecans and a drizzle of maple syrup! Enjoy!

Xoxo, Stephanie

Vegan Quinoa Chili

There's nothing like a nice big bowl of chili on a chilly fall day! Instead of meat, I added extra beans and quinoa to really "beef" up the recipe! Without any meat, this recipe still has a whopping 10-13 grams of protein per bowl! Usually chili isn't associated with the words healthy or "clean", and certainly not vegan. However, the whole family can enjoy this chili totally guilt free! So if your vegan, or just want a healthier chili, your going to love this super easy recipe! 

Vegan Quinoa Chili

• 1 tsp. olive oil 
• 1/2 to 1 chopped onion
• 3-5 cloves of garlic 
• 1 28 oz can of diced tomatoes 
• 1 14 oz jar of your favorite organic salsa
• 3 cans of beans of choice: I like to use one of each of the following (for more color): black, red kidney, and white/canelli beans
• 2 cups cooked quinoa **
• 1 Tbs. chili powder 
• 2 tsp. cumin
• 1/4 tsp. cinnamon (optional, but I think it gives it a little extra "somethin")
• *Vegetable broth- use as needed to thin out the chili. I start with 1/2 a cup and add more if needed. This depends on how thick you like it. I reccomend looking for an organic low sodium broth.

** I usually have a big pit of quinoa already cooked up for the week in the fridge, but if you don't- just follow the regular cooking time for quinoa, then add to your chili. :)

1. First sautée the onion and garlic in the olive oil in a large pit until golden.

2. Add all the other ingredients and stir well.

3. Continue to cook on medium heat until everything is mixed well and heated through.

4. Add your favorite toppings and enjoy!

Some of My Favorite Healthy Toppings!

• Chopped Onion
• Avacado
• Parsley
• Cilantro
• Greek Yogurt (healthy sour cream alternative and not vegan haha)
• Shredded Cheese (again not vegan, and don't go crazy with it! Haha)

Enjoy with some Mary's Gone organic wheat free crackers! They're gluten free, vegan, non-GMO and are made with great ingredients like flax and quinoa!

Hope you enjoy! Tag me on Instagram if you try it out!

XoXo,

Stephanie

Pumpkin Spice Muffins

Hey everyone! Going along with the whole Pumpkin craze, I thought I should make some pumpkin spice muffins! These are the perfect fall treat! And guess what? They're under 70 calories and only have one gram of sugar, but you would never guess! This recipe is also gluten and dairy free! Hope you enjoy!

Pumpkin Spice Muffins
(Makes 12 muffins)

• 1 cup canned pumpkin
• 1/2 cup coconut flour
• 2 scoops Vanilla Protein Powder (I use Perfect Fit)
• 3 whole eggs
• 1 tsp. cinnamon
• 1 tsp. pumpkin pie spice
• 1 tsp. vanilla extract
• 1/2 tsp. baking soda
• 1/2-1 cup almond milk (depending on how moist you like them)
• 1/4 cup stevia (optional)*
• Optional: add dark chocolate chips or dried cranberries

Combine and mix all ingredients in a bowl, slowly stirring in the almond milk. The batter shouldn't be to runny. Fill muffin tin with batter and bake at 350 for 25-30 minutes. Let cool and enjoy! Frost with greek yogurt, peanut butter, or even better....my Pumpkin Butter!
* I didn't add any stevia and I thought they were delicious but, if you want them sweeter, go ahead and add it.

Nutrition Facts: (for 1 plain muffin)
calories: 64
fat: 2 grams
carbs: 5 grams
protein: 5 grams
sugar: 1 gram

I added some Enjoy Life Chocolate Chips (which are gluten, nut, and soy free) to a few of my mine!

Enjoy with a nice glass of cold almond milk! If you try out this recipe, make sure to post a pic on Instagram and hashtag #beautyandbananas or tag me @beautyandbananas!

Xoxo, Stephanie