Before You Begin..

Or if I’m even considering doing anything at all in the kitchen, I would like to make sure my counter-top is clean, food is put away, dishes are washed and the bin is ready for trash. It helps to clear the space as it also helps to clear my mind before I start baking and mixing things together. It makes the process runs so much more smoothly and easily. Next, I will preheat the oven first because the oven is old it takes a while to get heat up. Then I will run down my list of everything I need including utensils, appliances and ingredients and make sure not only do I have enough of everything I need for the recipe but that they’re all within easy reach – no one needs to open a drawer with their hands covered in flour!

Preheat the Oven 180 degrees

Dry ingredients:

1 ¼ CUP OF GLUTEN-FREE PLAIN FLOUR

1.5 SCOOP OF CHOCOLATE/ PEANUT BUTTER PROTEIN POWDER

1 TSP BAKING POWDER

½ TSP BAKING SODA

¼ TSP CINNAMON

¼ TSP SALT

¼ NUTMEG (Optional)

1 TSP CHIA SEEDS (Optional)

HANDFUL OF NUTS/ CHOCOLATE CHIPS (Optional)

Wet ingredients:

1/3 CUP CANE SUGAR*

1 TSP PURE VANILLA EXTRACT

4 MEDIUM SIZE BANANAS

1/3 CUP COCONUT OIL

• MIX WET INGREDIENTS FIRST, THEN SLOWLY TOSS DRY INGREDIENTS ON TOP TO MAKE SURE THE BATTER IS SMOOTH. DO NOT BLEND IT IN THE BLENDER.
• ONCE THE MIXTURE IS NICER AND CREAMY AND SMOOTH.
• OPTIONAL: THROW IN A HANDFUL OF NUTS OR CHOCOLATE CHIPS FOR A LITTLE CHEEKINESS
• POUR IT IN A RECTANGULAR PAN TO MAKE A LOAF LIKE SHAPE OF A BREAD OR YOU PREFER ANOTHER SHAPE, GO WITH THAT SHAPE TOO
• BAKE FOR 50 MINS AT 175 DEGREES

Why gluten-free?

In simple terms, gluten is a type of protein found in wheat, rye, and barley. You see it most often in cereals, breads, and grains. But I chose to make my bread gluten-free because it is better for my digestive health and I tend to bloat more with gluten, and I found out I am sensitive to gluten because I went on a 10 day no sugar fast which also meant no gluten and after that 10 day fast, the first thing I ate was a the most delicious plate of creamy pasta. However, the next day I looked pregnant and my energy levels were low. Thus, if I can choose to make gluten-free anything. I will.

What does vegan means?

Vegan means there are no traces of eggs or products that comes from a fly, an insect or an animal. Yes, you heard me, there are no eggs in there and especially no dairy of any kind.

What are the benefits of Chia seeds?

Chia seeds is small but comes from a superfood family. They are high in nutrients, low in calories. They are high in fiber, protein, calcium, magnesium, zinc and high in antioxidant too! I do not eat Chia seeds enough on the regular basis thus when I bake, I throw in chia seeds whenever to get in as much nutrients in all the food I eat as much as I can.

Coconut oil versus butter

Both products have saturated fat however because this recipe is vegan, and butter comes from an animal and our source is a Cow. Thus, I personally do not want to eat or consume anything that comes from a Cow for ethical reasons. But for explanation purposes I will not be biased. Coconut oil is mainly fats while butter have traces of vitamin A, D, E, and K. it also contains traces such as calcium and proteins in there for obvious reason (it comes from an animal). However, store bought butter may be so highly processed that it is mostly infused with sodium and chemicals. But also, be mindful when buying coconut oil and ensure you are getting unrefined coconut oil for the full flavour bodied and it comes from its most natural state. Coconut Oil has plant-based fats contain phytosterols which help reduce the bad cholesterol. Butter has cholesterol and no phytosterol compounds since it is a dairy product. All in all, both products have their own specific benefit. In conclusion, I will prefer to use coconut oil in baking, and I will use ghee as a substitute of butter.

Cane sugar versus granulated sugar

Even though all kinds of sugar provide sweetness to your tea, food and desserts, they all have vastly different nutritional values. Raw sugar such as cane sugar is still a processed sugar, just a little bit less so than its white cousin. Contrary to popular beliefs, raw sugar is not healthier than refined sugar. It just looks like it is. I will be talking about it a separate blog entry. So stay tune! In the meantime, try to have less sugar or have sugar that comes from fruits!