Workout wise, it was a solid week, unless you count the single, barely-better-than-nothing swim I did Wednesday:
Monday: Rest
Tuesday: Run 7 miles
Wednesday: Strength & Swim
Thursday: Trail Run 6 miles
Friday: Bike 20 miles
Saturday: Run 8 miles
Sunday: Bike 15 miles
Just last week snow, ice and wintry temps caused me to bag my race. Since then mom nature threw us a big bone with instant summer and temps in the 70s and 80s. Unbelievable but I’ll take it!
We’re rapidly getting to that time of year when it all hits the fan, especially the end-of-school year stuff. Thing 1’s track schedule is gaining steam with more meets, more practices and an ornery hamstring that won’t quit. I’ve been dragging her to Dr. Miracle, my amazing sports med guru but the sherpa-ing is getting really old.
Save the date. We got one of these a few weeks ago for a blowout party in the middle of June. Nice right? Yeah not if you have a triathlon that same weekend. One that stresses you out and keeps you up at night. Then another save the date card arrived. This one for a wedding. Sweet. In the middle of June. The very same weekend as the blowout party and the triathlon. To be fair, the tri was planned and scheduled waaay before the other two events and it’s non-negotiable. The Caveman seems to think we NEED to go to the blowout party. Oh did I mention it’s in another state?
Back update. My achy breaky back continues to move (slowly) in the right direction. It doesn’t bother me at all during a run but gradually stiffens up afterward. This morning though, all is well. It used to be quite ornery the morning following a run day so I’m calling that progress.
Enough complaining…
Let’s get to the bread with benefits.
Tricked Out Banana Bread. Everyone makes a killer banana bread, right? Personally banana bread is something I like to experiment with and do stealth”healthifications”, if you will. The kids asked for banana bread the other day. Without chocolate chips (gasp!). Can you believe the nerve? That was my signal to open the test kitchen. I’ve used avocado instead of butter or oil in my banana bread for years. Have you tried it? You should. I’ve been using Omega Triple Seed Mix from NOW Foods in my protein bites and recovery fudge so why not banana bread? I also gave NOW’s coconut sugar a try. Coconut sugar is lower on the glycemic index than cane sugar and has more vitamins, minerals and amino acids so why not? Turns out it’s a total winner. This bread turned out moist and delicious.
| Tricked Out Banana Bread | | Print |
- ½C Mashed avocado
- 1C Sugar, reserving 2T (I used NOW Foods Coconut Sugar)
- 1t Vanilla
- 2 Eggs
- 2C Flour (I used white whole wheat flour)
- 2T NOW Foods Triple Omega Seed Mix
- 1t Baking powder
- 1t Baking soda
- ¼t salt
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- Grease a 9x5x3-inch loaf pan.
- Cream avocado and sugar, reserving 2T for topping.
- Work together until light and fluffy. Add eggs and vanilla, beating well.
- Sift together flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt.
- Add dry ingredients to the creamed mixture, stirring until well combined.
- Fold in mashed bananas and Triple Omega Seed Mix.
- Pour batter into the greased pan. Sprinkle 2T sugar over top of loaf.
- Bake 60 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool in pan for 20 minutes then remove to a cooling rack.
How was your week? Chocolate or no chocolate in banana bread?
I’m linking up with Holly and Tricia for the Weekly Wrap…
…with Deb and Sarah for Meatless Monday…
…and Ilka for the Sunday Fitness & Food Linkup!
I have never thought about putting avocado in my banana bread… hmmm will have to try.
I completely cut out the sugar though (hardly no one notices), but use a few chocolate chips, which gives some sweetness.
Glad your back is feeling better…if you registered for the race BEFORE the events, race definitely has priority. We have a wedding in September and that happens to be the weekend of two big races I am dying to do. Wedding comes first as we knew about it way in advance. And it is my niece.
I don’t think I have ever made banana bread, but I always opt for adding chocolate chips to recipes when possible! I love the idea of adding avocado, I’ll have to try this recipe if I ever decide to make banana bread! Glad you’re back is starting to feel better!
That pic of that puppy is too cute! I would never think of adding avocado to banana bread. I bet it makes the bread super moist.
I like anything with benefits 😀 I’m glad that your back is getting a little bit more cooperative. Maybe you just need more banana bread? We are missing Chicago Marathon weekend because I am in a wedding in Richmond, so at least there is no chance that I will sign up for it, lol.
I’ve started baking with avocado more often too but haven’t tried it in banana bread- awesome idea! Glad the back is slowly improving too.
This looks delicious!
I”ve got all these brown bananas on the counter just calling to be made into banana bread. Sounds like a yummy variation!
I hope your back calms down. And I hate when life gets in the way of running (or in your case that tri!) What is the blowout?
We had some crazy temperature swings too but I’ll take it! Love the addition of the seed mix in here. Banana bread is a crowd fave around here. Thanks for linking up today!
Benefits are a bonus!! What may I ask is a blow out party?
You know you’re a runner/triathlete when you skip things for training or for a race. That’s the way it goes and of course the party and wedding both HAD to be the same weekend as your race.
I’ve never baked with avocado – might have to give that a try! No chocolate in banana bread for me because I don’t like chocolate. 🙂
I’ve also never baked with avocado but it sounds like it would work great. Thanks for sharing!
Glad your achey breaky back is on the upswing!
I love playing with banana bread too! I’ve made cookies with avocado but can’t believe I never thought to make banana bread with it. I’ll have to give it a try! My girls have asked for plain banana bread before and I laugh too because there is even times they are upset I added chocolate chips.
Thank you for linking up with us, happy Meatless Monday!
I’ve never thought about putting avocados in anything beyond guacamole. I’m still new to this avocado thing, and my banana bread just has bananas.
If your race was first, then go to your race (how’s this for runner’s logic?). My time management is always first come, first serve. If you committed to the race first, then it’s the race.
Chocolate in Banana bread for sure! I’m going to give this a try…my son loves his chocolate chip muffins, time for something healthier! Thanks for sharing the recipe.
Avocado is an interesting replacement “) but i like chocolate!
A party and a Tri all the same weekend…oh boy…I say stick with the plan 🙂 the TRI came first.
WTH is a blowout party? Who is having a blowout and why do we party about that? I LOVE banana bread so if the kids don’t like it -send it my way 🙂 ugg you have big decisions for June!
Chocolate in everything, LOL! Well, not everything. Since I stopped putting it in everything whether the recipe called for it or not, I have dropped a couple of pounds, although that could simply be because I’m at peak mileage, too. I’m always so happy to taper, but sad that I have to eat less. Life just isn’t fair.
I’d say your back not being sore after a workout is definitely progress. I’m kind of the same way with my ankle, only that obviously is taking its own sweet time.
My poor SIL tweaked her back — somewhat badly — right before they flew across country to be here this past weekend. And THEN had to sleep on the godawful bed at my parents. She was a real trooper!
I am really happy to hear your back is making a little progress, hopefully another week and you’ll be back to as good as new:)
The break looks amazing, I have some banana’s starting to turn brown on my counter, you know I think I’ll just let them keep going, and I may just give your recipe a try later this week! Thanks for sharing!
Glad to hear your back is feeling better! I hope you get back to 100% very soon. That banana bread looks AMAZING. What a great idea to add avocado to the recipe! Isn’t it crazy how plans always coincide on the same dates? I can go weeks with no major plans, then all of a sudden I’ve got events in three cities all on the same day. It’s like the universe planned it out just to confuse our calendars, right???
Ah sorry to hear about your blow out party/tri/wedding dilemna! I’m sure you’ll figure something out. Love banana bread but have never tried substituting avocado in for the butter or oil. Looks good and will give it a shot! Thanks for sharing!
Glad your back is on the mend, nothing worse that being sore. That bread looks lovely, really like the avocado idea. Will have to give it a try
I love using avocado in my banana bread, too, Marcia. Your recipe looks really delicious. You’re so right I always experiment with my banana recipes, too, always trying to make them more healthy. Pinning, trying and stumbleing it! Happy Healthy Baking!
I’m glad to hear your back is improving! Why is it that everything hits at one time? I missed the wedding of a good friend this weekend. Oops — I had a half! June is always so busy for us too. I think chocolate in banana bread sounds yummy! I used to make banana bread all the time to salvage the ripe bananas. Now, I never have any. Thanks for linking with us Marcia!
Oh dear, you just need clone yourself and that will take care of both the obligations….
I’m with you progress is progress on your back even if it’s small.
It’s no secret I’m not much of a cook but I’m really really good at eating and yes to chocolate in banana bread!! Thanks Marcia for your support. I’m a little overwhelmed with how big our link up has gotten and struggle to get everyone’s post read in a timely fashion. I hope to re-organize some things to free up some time to support the others.
Awesome training week & this banana bread looks fabulous! I just started using coconut sugar & love it, so I am looking forward to trying this recipe, Pinned 🙂 thank you so much for sharing at the Sunday Fitness & Food Link-Up!