Soft Baked Banana Nut Donuts
PIN IT!And I’m back again with another post any mama will love – SOFT BAKED BANANA NUT DONUTS.
Yes, they 100% deserve an all caps lock introduction. These moist, melt in your mouth donuts are probably one of the most delicious and decadent things I’ve made in a long time. And the best part? They only taste decadent – these little love bugs are actually lower in fat and calories than you think.
It’s my speciality ya’ll, of course. Making fatty things a little skinnier so we can we nosh without guilt. It’s bathing suit season after all.
At least where I live (humble brag). Moving along from donuts for a quick second, I just have to share my day yesterday. It was one of those perfect Sundays, one where we had no agenda and just did our own thing. We woke up, had a healthy breakfast, went to the beach to kayak and tan, stopped for side-street hotdogs loaded with luscious toppings, smoked fresh and flakey fish and red books on the patio with glasses of red wine. It felt like a vacation day. I didn’t stress at my computer, I barely looked at my phone.
It was the first thing, truly, that I felt like this place is home. And felt so incredible blessed I could hardly stand it. We live in a place people vacation to – and I’ve never had that before. Sure, DC was a huge tourist destination, but it wasn’t the place people escape to for relaxation, coastal breezes, long and leisurely brunches and historic carriage rides. It really hit me last night, on the patio, reading a book with a glass of wine. There was no tv on, no radio. Just the sounds of the frogs bellowing, the late-night birds chirping and the occasional splash of a turtle hopping into a pond. It felt like I was on vacation – but not. This is my home and this is my life. And holy cow – I’ve never felt so lucky and happy.
Okay, back to donuts because I’m sure you guys in colder destinations are building a voodoo doll of me as we speak. I hope this perfect donuts make up for it. They taste like a soft slide of banana bread, in an adorable and delicious donut package. Plus, the icing. THE NUTS. The perfect blend of crunchy, salty sweet. Make a big batch of these for Mothers Day and immediately catapult to favorite child in no time.
Soft Baked Banana Nut Donuts
CLICK HERE FOR THE PRINTABLE VERSION OF THIS RECIPE!
Yields about 8 donuts.
Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 10 – 11 minutes
Total time: 30 minutes
Ingredients:
- 3/4 cup all purpose flour
- 1/4 cup whole wheat flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 large egg
- 1/3 cup sugar
- 2 tablespoons melted butter
- 2 tablespoons unsweetened applesauce
- 1 1/2 medium bananas, smashed
- 1 teaspoon almond or vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoons heavy whipping cream
- 1/2 cup chopped walnuts
For the glaze:
- 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
- 1 1/2 tablespoons heavy cream
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Chopped nuts for garnish
Directions:
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Liberally spray a nonstick donut pan with cooking spray and set aside.
- In a large bowl, whisk the flours, baking powder, baking soda, sugar and cinnamon together. Make a well in the center and add the egg, butter, applesauce, bananas, extract and cream. Mix until batter is fully combined. Carefully add in the nuts and mix just to incorporate.
- Using a spoon or piping bag filled with batter, fill the donut cavities about 2/3 – 3/4 the way full.
- Bake for about 9 – 11 minutes, or until golden brown (they should spring back when you touch them). Let cool for about 10 minutes in pan. Once cooled slightly, remove from pan and let cool completely on a wire cooling rack.
- Meanwhile, mix the glaze ingredients together (except for the chopped nuts). Dip or spread the glaze over the donuts then immediately sprinkle with nuts. Serve and enjoy!
Nutritional information per donut:
Calories: 169
Fat: 5.6 grams
Carbohydrates: 28.5 grams
Fiber: 1.4 grams
Protein: 3.2 grams
Weight Watchers Points: 5
Matcha Power Smoothie
And I win for the most uncreative recipe title ever! But given how many ingredients this mother has, it’s just easier for SEO to put Matcha Power Smoothie.
Now, I’m brand new to team Matcha and I’m 567% addicted to it already. My friends at Aiya sent me a sample to play with a few weeks ago and I decided my first science experiment, I mean recipe test, would be a smoothie. Simple, cost-effective (if I royally eff it up) and a healthy start to my day.
Which given I’ve been eating like a caveman NOT on paleo (extra sides of mashed potatoes, please?) a healthy smoothie is what I need so I don’t die by 32. The great thing about Matcha is that it’s full of healthy AF ingredients, like antioxidants and natural energy. Maybe it’s because I work from home now and am always working, I’ve found I get SO incredibly tired by 3pm. Like, can barely keep my eyes open I need to take an immediate nap kind of tired. I’ve never been a fan of drinking coffee past the morning, so I’ve been sipping herbal teas to keep my eyes open so I can write.
And even that wears off. So I thought I’d give this trendy matcha craze a try to see if it can help with my lackluster motivation after lunchtime. HOLY ENERGY, BATMAN. I’m not going to Dr. Oz you on this stuff, but it truly gave me a boost of energy WITHOUT giving me heart palpitations or giving me an epic crash an hour later. Honestly, it just felt natural. I just felt more awake and more productive. Plus, with a whooping 24 grams of protein per glass, I was full until dinner. LITERALLY.
Now, I’m sure this doens’t happen for everyone (if it did, the world would be a happier, more productive place) so don’t take my claims and write me angry emails if it doesn’t work for you. I’m just conveying how I felt after one of these matcha power smoothies for lunch. To make sure it wasn’t just a fluke (like maybe I had used too much), I made the same one this morning and felt the exact same results.
I didn’t even NEED coffee today, guys. Like, that’s big. Now, I’m not going to fully replace my coffee with Matcha (could you imagine? I travel all the time, people would think I’m effing insane), but I’m going to try to drink it when I’m home to limit the havoc my beloved coffee wreaks on my insides.
If you’ve never tried it, just give it a whirl in this smoothie. The berries, peanut butter and mango give it a beautiful added sweetness, and all you really taste is a slight hint of green tea. I added chia seeds as well for added protein, but you can adapt and omit as you see fit. And let me know how you feel. Honestly, it’s a slight game changer for me, so I’d love to hear how you guys react!
Matcha Power Smoothie
CLICK HERE FOR THE PRINTABLE VERSION OF THIS RECIPE!
Yields about 2 large smoothies.
Prep time: >5 minutes
Blend time: 1 – 2 minutes
Total time: 6 – 7 minutes
Ingredients:
- 2 cups frozen strawberries
- 1 frozen banana
- 1 fresh mango, peeled and chopped
- 1 cups roughly chopped kale
- 2 tablespoons chia seeds
- 2 tablespoons peanut butter
- 1 tablespoons matcha powder
- 1/2 cup organic mango juice*
- 1/2 cup low-fat Greek yogurt
- 3/4 – 1 cups 2% milk ** (add more or less depending on consistency. I added about 1 cup)
- 1 – 2 tablespoons honey***
- Fresh mango and chia for garnish
*If you can’t find this, sub in additional milk or another juice you’d like.
**I added this for a dash of sweetness, feel free to omit.
Directions:
- Place all of the ingredients (from the frozen strawberries to the honey) in a powerful blender. Blend on high until thick, creamy and smoothie.
- Pour smoothies into large glasses and garnish with mango and chia seeds. Serve immediately or store in a sterilized mason jar.
Nutritional information per serving:
Calories: 515
Fat: 13.5 grams
Carbohydrates: 75.6 grams
Fiber: 11 grams
Protein: 24.5 grams
Weight Watchers Points: 13
Soft Peanut Butter Quickbread
This recipe for soft, peanut butter quickbread is one of the best breads I’ve tried to date. Trust me and try it too!
2018 has hit me like a ton of bricks, both figuratively and literally. From the end of the year to now, I had to put my dog down (still the most excruciating pain I’ve felt), moved into a new condo, got two new jobs, traveled to the Caribbean and Cleveland, not to mention a flu sickness that has kept me from working out and, well, leaving my house. It’s been a jam-packed month, and it’s only going to get crazier.
Despite a slower travel schedule this year, I’m still heading out of the country for a few more work trips. I’ll be going to Mexico in February, possibly Japan in March and then maybe a trip to Bhutan at the end of April. My boyfriend and I are also planning a trip to see the tulips in the Netherlands and explore some of Denmark in early may as well. I’m focusing more of my travels on trips that are truly meaningful and life changing, ones that challenge and excite me, and am aiming to spend more time here in this city that I love.
And with that, I definitely mean back to blogging. I finally found a web designer I like and have crossed the ts and dotted the i’s on a new look. One that’ll incorporate my travels, my fitness, my home and food. Something that will grow with me as I move towards a more lifestyle focus – something that I know I can keep up. I’ve got some major life shifts and changes happening this year as well, and I want a place I can openly talk about everything – from a new career focus to decorating and renovating a condo to everything in between. We’ve got a tight deadline of July, but you know me, I’m going to hope and pray it’s done a little sooner. Enough about me, y’all just want to know more about this bread, right?
The title really says it all. This soft, moist and oh-so-flavorful peanut butter quickbread is the freaking BEES KNEES. I got the base from Monique at Ambitious Kitchen (who is amazing, follow her) and updated it with things I can’t live without – like peanut butter, nuts and coconut flour. Y’all, it’s amazing. I’m not doing the paleo diet right now, but I’m still trying to limit my sugar and processed carb intake on this every-changing quest to stay healthy, focused, energized and healthy.
This protein-packed, low-fat, fiber-rich quickbread is the ultimate breakfast bread. Plus, it’s great for grab-n-go, basically the only speed I know.
Soft Peanut Butter Quickbread
Serves about 12. Adapted from Ambitious Kitchen.
Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 30 minutes
Total time: 40 minutes
Ingredients:
- 3 medium bananas, ripe and soft
- 1/4 cup peanut butter
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 large eggs
- 1/2 cup coconut flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon apple pie spice*
- Dash of salt
- 1/2 cup chopped walnuts, pecans or peanuts
- + 2 tablespoons peanut butter for drizzle
Directions:
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease a standard loaf pan ( 8 1/2 x 4 1/2) with nonstick cooking spray and sprinkle with coconut flour.
- In a large bowl, smash the bananas together. Using a mixer or a whisk, mix in the peanut butter and vanilla. Add eggs, one at a time, stirring well after each addition.
- In another bowl, sift the coconut flour, baking soda, baking powder and apple pie spice. Mix in the flour to the wet mixture, Toss in the salt and chopped nuts, stirring to combine.
- Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan, using a spatula to smooth out the top. Bake for about 35 – 40 minutes, or until fully cooked inside. (You can test the inside by sticking a toothpick inside. If it’s dry, it’s fully cooked). Let cool for about 10 minutes.
- Meanwhile, heat the peanut butter in a microwave for about 30 – 45 seconds, or until melted. Drizzle the bread with the peanut butter and serve.
Nutritional information per slice:
Calories: 141.75
Fat: 9 grams
Carbohydrates: 12.3 grams
Fiber: 3 grams
Protein: 4.6 grams
Claire
Tags:banana bread, coconut flour recipes, easy recipes, healthy bread, healthy recipes, paleo, paleo bread, paleo quickbread, quickbread
Now What?
I feel like I’ve been staring at this computer, the cursor’s blink the only thing decorating the blank screen, for what seems like days trying to write this post. It’s funny, you’d think the one announcing my divorce would have been harder to pen, but it’s this story that’s proving far more difficult. I think it’s because the last post was filled with definitives. It was a factual representation of my life these past 7 months. To me, it read more like an informative news story and less like an emotional feature.
That story had an ending. This one? I actually have no clue how this narrative, or really my future, is going to end.
I find myself with my feet firmly planted facing a fork in the road. However, unlike Robert Frost, I’m not welcomed with a path that offers least resistance. Both of the trails I’m faced with come with their own set of obstacles. There’s not one that’s easier to traverse. One comes equipped with tangled tree branches thick with thorns, rocky boulders, staggering mountains and verdant bushes coated in poison ivy. The other? It’s home to slippery mud paths that plunge into rushing rapids and dark caves that offer no visible respite from the stifling darkness. No matter which way I go, I’m going to get my ass kicked in the process of trying to find my way out.
I almost wish I could give that answer when people ask me the careless question, “Now what? What’s the plan for your life?” The question is innocent enough, and I know people don’t ask it with malice intent. But I can’t help but wish they’d refrain, ask me anything else. It’s not just a loaded question, it’s a painful one – one that brings tear-inducing memories of a life I no longer have claim to, a future I willingly gave up.
When I was married, that question was easy. “Oh, we’re moving to Charleston! Or, we’re saving to buy a house on James Island! Yes, kids are in the picture.” The answers flew off the tongue because, in all honesty, I believed them for quite a bit of our 5 year marriage. It wasn’t until the last year that I started to feel this nauseating dread whenever someone asked us over stuffed turkey or Christmas presents, “So, when are you going to have kids!” Once again, a question innocent enough when the rest of your family is pregnant or expecting, but one that comes with a different kind of sadness because deep down, you know you’re not going to have kids together because you’re probably not going to stay together. For the first time in our 9 year courtship, I saw the end of our marriage when I closed my eyes and thought of the future, not a suburban home filled with the sound of kids.
Fast forward to this past October, and the crushing reality of our finalized divorce was raw. Even though we both knew it was for the best, it didn’t make the insufferable loneliness that followed any easier to bare. Saying goodbye to the relationship was hard, but saying goodbye to the future we planned was inevitably harder. I no longer had something substantial to plan for. I found myself alone, living with my parents and with absolutely no clue where I was going to be in the next month, better yet next year.
And that’s where I find myself still, more than 7 months later. Despite a brief, yet meaningful, foray into dating, I don’t find myself any closer to finding love. In fact, I think I’m maybe even further away. And the reason for that is simple – I had my heart broken. But the thing that’s the most surprising is this break hurt (and still hurts) more than my divorce did. Looking back on our time together and how our relationship began, I’m not surprised by how it ended. Before we can get to that story, though, you need to understand the first couple chapters of my post marriage dissolution dip into dating.
When I first found myself ready to get out there, I knew almost immediately I couldn’t stomach something serious. Which is why I entered into every chat, every first date, every kiss and romp in the hay with the same perception – you’re only here to fill a void. And, for the most part, it worked. I was selfish, carefree and completely ridiculous. And I’d be lying if I said every moment wasn’t fun. I’d wake up with a huge smile on my face, the taste of their kiss still on my lips, feeling more empowered, more sexually confidant and stronger than I had in years. I’d walk down the street and people would see me. They’d smile, they’d do a double take, they’d stare from a distance. I felt alive, insatiable, irresistible and beautiful. It wasn’t until the holidays rolled around that those feelings started to fade and I found myself face to the face with loneliness – that haunting feeling I thought I left behind.
The holidays are tough on anyone, but they’re even worse when you’re recently single after being a “we” for the better part of 9 years. Despite my best attempts at putting on the “happiest” face, I found moments when I was so utterly alone I couldn’t breathe. That’s the thing about loneliness that people don’t realize – it isn’t just a feeling or a thought you can push away, it’s physical, visceral, all-encompassing. It can debilitate you in a way you only thought a broken leg or a throbbing migraine could. And I was feeling every single one of those this past December. There were days I’d cry uncontrollably, where I couldn’t stomach the thought of eating a peanut, better yet a healthy meal. There were countless nights I’d spend wide awake, forcing my poor dog to cuddle with me so I didn’t feel so hopelessly alone. It’s easy to see why, then, that I threw everything I had into the relationship that quickly began around New Years.
And like the glisten of an ornament against a pine tree or the sparkle of a string of lights against a frosty window, my days finally had a touch of brightness.
The moment he came into my life, everything changed. As fast as loneliness crept into my days, it dissipated with every conversation he and I had. I didn’t mean for things to happen as fast as they did, but with him, it just felt so natural, which is why I threw my entire self into that relationship. Instead of entering with cautious trepidation, I put my heart on my sleeve and trusted him with an almost blind optimism. We went from flirty chats to texts to hours long phone and Facetime conversations. I told him things I never told anyone before, and he the same. It was one of those storybook romances that you don’t think exist, and when they happen to you, you feel a mix of both gratitude and crippling fear. Of course, as quickly as it began, it ended, and it’s not hard to see why. When things start so passionately, your judgement gets clouded. It’s not until those moments you’re alone together that you realize you didn’t really have that much in common and you’re both going in directions that couldn’t ever possibly align into a realistic future.
At least that’s what happened with us. We both realized that, despite how much we cared about each other and how passionately we felt, a feasible and happy future was never in our cards. It was a hard, gut-wrenching decision – one that brought tears that still pour down my face, but it was the right one. At least that’s what I keep telling myself. See, I’m a hopeless romantic, I’d rather face an uncertain future with someone I could really love than a miserable one without them.
But that’s not the point of this post. The sadness that breakup caused me only solidified one thing for me – I had no idea what a future as a single, successful woman looked like, and I still don’t. I have a job I love (that people envy), a family that supports me and a body I’ve worked my ass off to achieve. On paper, I have it all together. We all know, though, that life is never black and white and, despite these realizations, I’m still more clouded, confused and – if I’m being 100% honest – alone than ever.
When I close my eyes and think of where my life will be 6 months down the line, the visions that appear always have another person in them. Even when I try my best to imagine a life without someone else, a life that’s completely my own, a secondary figure always appears, one that pulls me close and holds my hand when we walk down the street. I don’t know what a life, or a future, without someone to share it with looks or feels like. And until I can, I don’t think I’m ever going to be able to answer people definitively when they ask me “Now, what?”
Unlike my other posts or stories, I don’t have an answer at the end of this one, because I don’t know how to authentically respond to that question. I want to believe that the mismatched puzzle pieces that make up my life will eventually form to create a beautiful picture, but I have no idea. All I can do is continue to try my best to be the strongest ME I can be, and in return, hope I find the closure I need from these heartbreaks to move on, and the strength I so desperately desire to build a future that’s just my own.
Until then, my life is shrouded in “now, whats” and my future is as foggy as a San Francisco morning. And for now, that’s just going to have to do.
Claire
Tags:dating, divorce, finding happiness, how to deal with divorce, moving on, real life
Melon & Kiwi Sangria
You know what mom really wants for Mothers Day? I’ll give you a hint – it’s boozy, filled with fruit and can help mama relax like nothing else. It’s this melon & berry sangria!
I’ve always had a very strong appreciation for my mom. I wasn’t an easy teenager (understatement of the century) and she still put up with me. Fast forward to a few rough college years, and she probably didn’t see an end in sight. Luckily, I grew up, found myself and like to think I’ve since redeemed myself for those awful words, acts and ridiculous angst I put her through. At least I hope.
Now, I’m not a mom yet, but it definitely seems hard. We had some friends over this past weekend from out of town and they brought their sweet, bubbly 4 month old boy. He’s a darling kid – so happy, vibrant and freaking adorable. But he’s still a baby. He doesn’t sleep for more than 5 hours and can go from happy to sad in 20 seconds flat. But my friend? She handles it so gracefully. She’s calm, sweet and so patient. I don’t know how she does it. Having her here gave me even more of an appreciation for mothers.
Also having them here made me realize I’m definitely not ready for a little human just yet. I need sleep – and anything less than 6 hours has me stabby. Also, I’m clumsy and forgetful – there’s no doubt in my mind that I’d be that one mom who leaves her screaming human in the backseat of the car, in the grocery store, at home on the way to the grocery store, in a mall, on an airplane. You name it.
Oh and don’t even get me started on how selfish I am. Give up my sleep and food for a wailing baby? ahh! All jokes aside, I know I want to be a mother – just not sure this moment is the right time. Which is fine. I know you’re never “ready” to have a baby, but I’d rather be a little bit MORE ready than I am now.
But, rant aside, I have so much love and admiration for all the mamas out there. And to salute them, I’m serving up a big cup of delicious sangria filled with fresh, beautiful and bold fruit.
Melon & Kiwi Sangria
CLICK HERE FOR THE PRINTABLE VERSION OF THIS RECIPE!
Serves about 6. Adapted from Laylita.
Prep time: >10 minutes
Chill time: 30 minutes
Total time: 40 minutes
Ingredients:
- 1 cup cantaloupe (scooped into balls)
- 1 cup watermelon (scooped into balls)
- 2 kiwis, shaved and sliced
- 1 large orange, sliced
- 1 lemon, sliced and de-seeded
- 1/2 cup cranberry juice
- 1 (750 ml) bottle white wine (I used Skinny Girl Pinot Grigio)
- 1 1/2 cups flavored fizzy water
- Fresh basil leaves for garnish
Directions:
- In a large bowl or pitcher, mix the cranberry juice and white wine together. Add in the melon balls, kiwis, orange slices, lemon slices and fresh basil. Chill for about 30 – 60 minutes.
- Once chilled, serve and garnish with fresh basil leaves.
Nutritional information per serving:
Calories: 147
Fat: >1 gram
Carbohydrates: 18.5 grams
Fiber: >1 gram
Protein: 1 gram
Weight Watchers Points: 2
Claire
Tags:boozy recipes, cocktail recipes, easy cocktail recipes, fruit recipes, mothers day brunch, sangria recipes
