Feltre Party of Four

My mother is famous (at least in our family!) for her Banana Bread recipe.  Over the years, she has tweaked the recipe to sub out some of the ingredients with healthier options. I’ve further perfected the recipe over the past year or so, with frequent experimentation to try to improve the fiber, protein, or texture. My older son loves Banana Bread, therefore I make Banana Bread frequently!

Here is my Ultimate Banana Bread recipe. I’ve incorporated healthier ingredients, such as Coconut Oil, Coconut Flour, and Chia Seed into my recipe. I’ve found that Banana Bread is better the second day. We store it tightly wrapped in foil in the refrigerator for up to a week, though it rarely makes it that long without being fully consumed!

I started making smoothies for breakfast back when my first son was born six years ago. It was really the only way I could eat breakfast at all with a colicky newborn, and over time it became a habit because of its ease, portability and the fact I could pack a lot of satisfaction and nutrition into the first meal of the day. Since then, it is really the only way I want to start my weekday. Weekends I crave eggs and bacon, but weekday mornings I find that I only want a smoothie. Throwing a bunch of vegetables, a little fruit, a little healthy fat, and some protein in a blender is the easiest way for me to start the day off with as much nutrition as I can get in a glass.

Over the years, my taste in smoothies has changed from being primarily fruit based to being more veggie based most days.  With that change I have also found that I want less sweetness.  The below recipe for my Superfoods Smoothie is my go-to recipe; it includes my favorite superfoods including spinach, coconut oil, chia seeds, cocoa powder, cinnamon, and  bananas.  The only other addition I make somedays is to include frozen blueberries for another superfood boost and a little extra sweetness.