365 Inspirations—25: Banana Bread (Grain and Sugar Free!)

"The smell of good bread baking, like the sound of lightly flowing water, is indescribable in its evocation of innocence and delight."—M.F.K. Fisher

Since my husband and I decided to go Paleo, I can't seem to stop trying out new recipes in the kitchen. I've done this recipe many times, but it's so delicious! Who says you can't have bread for breakfast? Why not try a grain free, sugar free banana bread? Add a little butter on top and perfect!

As some of you may know, I also blogged for 365 days in 2010. That time I did lessons! It was quite different from the inspirations I'm doing this year. The year I did lessons was a big year for me and I learned quite a bit. That year of lessons is also going to become my second book. I'll let you know more about that when the project is underway.

I'm finding, once again, that it is quite a challenge to blog every single day, teach full-time, do yoga 3-4 times a week and begin working on a second book, but so far I'm still here. That is a good thing. The truth is, I'm always up for a challenge and writing inspirations on my blog every single day helps me keep focused on the good things in my life. There's always something I can find that I'm inspired by.

Healthy banana bread is one of them. And it's ready to come out of the oven RIGHT NOW. Wish you could smell it! It smells divine. Just a minute while I take it out.....

I just put it on the counter top and cut a slice out while it's still hot!

Mmmmm.. Super moist and you simply can't believe that there is no sugar or grains in this.

Here's the recipe:

Two very ripe large bananas
1/2 cup of honey
3 Tbs. of coconut oil
2 eggs
1 tsp. vanilla
3 cups almond flour
1 heaping tsp. of baking soda
handful of walnuts and raisins

Mix together the almond flour and baking soda and set aside. Mash the banana with a masher and add in honey, vanilla, eggs, and melted coconut oil (olive oil will do too). Mix this with a mixer. After that, slowly add in the dry ingredients with a mixer. Grease a bread pan and pour in. Bake at 350 for 15-20 minutes or until brown on top and firm.

Enjoy!

I also cooked a Crockpot of Italian sausage, sweet potato, lentil, onion and brussel sprout soup.

This was intuitive and completely on the fly. I did not use a recipe. Just saute everything in olive oil with a bit of cumin, a dash of Chinese five spice and a dash of cayenne. Add to beef broth in Crockpot. Cook lentils separately and rinse and add those to Crockpot too. Slow cook everything for about 4 hours.

Off to my classes at the college. Here's my question for today:

Have you ever tried doing an activity (besides the regular sleeping, eating, etc.) for 365 days? If you could choose one thing, what would it be?

365 Inspirations—23: Paleo/SCD Diet

"We must avoid the temptation of 'food as a source of cheap, nutrient-devoid entertainment' and instead make conscious, deliberate and wise choices about what it is we mindfully incorporate into our living matrix."—Nora T. Gedgaudas, Primal Body Primal Mind

Have you been feeling tired? Chronic fatigue? Do you have digestive issues? You might want to try the Paleo or SCD (Specific Carbohydrate Diet). They are very similar and do just about the same thing for a person. In the past, I have felt sluggish and foggy-headed. I also have extreme digestive problems. I thought I had parasites and went to many doctors to try and figure out what was wrong with me. This has been a problem that has been going on for years. Finally, several friends who studied nutrition recommended I try the SCD diet or Paleo diet.

I tried it for one month in October 2012. Basically I had to eliminate all grains and refined sugar. It also helps to eliminate alcohol, coffee and other stimulants. I don't drink alcohol, but I stopped drinking coffee. I felt so clear headed on this diet. I did not feel heavy. I felt light and healthy. I had energy to do all the things I wanted to do. Thanksgiving and Christmas rolled around and I was feeling so great, I thought What would happen if I just went back to pumpkin pie and Christmas cookies and all that good stuff?

I went back and ate all the stuff I used to eat. Cakes, cookies, candy, wheat, rice, pasta, breads, pastries, etc. While they tasted good, all my symptoms came back and I felt horrible again. Finally in mid-January I just couldn't take it. I literally felt sick and tired.

I made a vow to stay on the Paleo/SCD diet for one year. My husband, a yoga teacher, also felt foggy and tired from eating grains and sugar. He saw how much I had improved and now he's on the diet too. The best part about it is that I am now more aware and mindful of what I eat. I pay attention to the food that goes on my plate and in my mouth. I've stopped craving carbs and sugar and have found alternative ways to make delicious desserts that are grain and sugar free.

When we eat a diet that is rich in carbs and sugar, we initially feel energy and then we crash. Grains turn to glucose in the body creating a "crash" response if not immediately used. Grains and sugar are hard for the body to break down if ones digestive system is weak because they are complex (disaccarides). If these sugars are not broken down or properly digested, they remain in the small intestine and can cause a host of other problems (yeast, parasites, Crohn disease, ulcerative colitis, etc.)

The truth is, we don't need grains or sugar in our diet. All the nutrients in grains can be found in many other foods! In fact, in Paleolithic times, before agriculture became part of our lives, people were hunters and gatherers. They did not live on grains and sugar. They lived on meats, fish, berries, fruits and vegetables.

I highly recommend the book Breaking the Vicious Cycle by Elaine Gottschall if you have digestive problems and/or have any diseases related to Autism. This book changed my life. This woman spent her life researching the SCD diet after her daughter went through years of excruciating pain due to digestive issues. She has a huge section in the back of the book with lots of delicious recipes for Thanksgiving and beyond for those who still want to eat traditionally and love desserts.

I'm not a doctor, but I can share what I've studied and what works for me. All I can say is, "Give this diet (Paleo or SCD) a try and see how you feel after ONE month." If you feel different and good, keep it up. So far, it's the only thing that has worked for me and I'm so grateful for it!

(Above picture is garlic kale and sweet potatoes. Potatoes generally are too starchy for the Paleo diet, but many Paleos say sweet potatoes are fine—still some debate about that, but I eat them!!)

Have you ever heard of the Paleo diet or SCD diet? What do you know about these diets? Do you have any of the symptoms above?

365 Inspirations—17: Homemade, Fresh Juice

"One cannot think well, love well or sleep well, if one has not dined well."—Virginia Woolf

 My juicer is a wondrous thing! It's one of the BEST things I've ever purchased. Recently I'm not able to eat much refined sugar or grains due to digestive issues. Instead, I eat lots of fruits and vegetables. I also eat meat, so I guess I'm sort of on the Paleo or cave man diet, though I haven't read up much on these. My body needs the protein, but can't process grains and refined sugar very well.

Today I got out my trusty ol' juicer and while my husband napped on the coach, I made juice. Here's my recipe for the best tasting and healthiest juice ever:

1. half of a pineapple
2. one large beet
3. one large apple
4. 1/8-1/4 of a cabbage
5. two carrots
6. one orange
7. about one square inch of fresh ginger

You don't need to slice anything too much. Just get it to the size that it will fit in the juicer. I take the peel off the orange and pineapple, but the rest can go in whole.

This is absolutely delicious and so healthy. The pineapple has bromelain in it which is a good anti-parasitic ingredient. It is also good for the heart, immune system and is anti-inflammatory. Cabbage is also a veggie that helps with any inflammation and has lots of fiber.

The combination of the earthy taste of beets and cabbage with the sweet taste of the fruits is so delicious. Ginger is an excellent natural digestive aide.

After drinking this pure juice, my whole body was tingling and felt alive!

I was so inspired in the kitchen today and wanted to prepare a nice dinner for my husband before I have to go to the college and teach my evening ESL classes.

While juicing, I also made a huge Crockpot of curry, sausage and lentil soup.

I also roasted sweet potatoes in the oven in coconut oil and added a dash of curry and some sliced ginger.

All I need now is to throw together a big, green salad and TA-DA! Dinner!

I am a full-time teacher and blog every single day. On top of that, I am working on my second book. As busy as I am, I still hope I find time to exercise, meditate and prepare healthy meals at home. It's not always easy to find time to do this, but I feel so much better when I do.

Do you like to cook or make your own fresh juice at home? Do you have any recipes to share?