Moving Makes for Great Banana Bread

Ahoy there!  (Told ya I’d greet in many different languages)

Truly truly, I missed posting and conversing with all of you in the past few days!  You sure make a difference in my life, did you know that?

I have been oh so preoccupied with packing, unpacking, organizing, trying to get internet somehow somewhere to do some work, and attempting to fuel properly.  The latter is not so easy to do when it comes time to move–especially if that means that you are moving to an apartment of a smaller size and 3 stories high.

I think that more than the physical aspect, the process of moving takes a greater toll on the emotional and mental aspect of our lives.  It is easier to get drained by the littlest things.

I really do like our new place though!  Yes, it is smaller and higher [with no elevator], which means that groceries will be carried up the stairs time and again until the task is accomplished.  I believe however, that this was a great choice my parents made, because it saves our family a great deal in regards to finances.  And after all, we don’t need such a large house as the previous one anymore.

Also, do you know what one of the quirks is about living in a new space?

Why, you get to use your brand new kitchen, of course!!   (We also have a kind-of-a-walk in pantry)

Although this particular kitchen is half the size of our previous one, it has the potential to birth beautiful and delicious creations such as this one…

Before you say anything!! I am really satisfied with how this picture turned out.  *ahem*  That’s another benefit of living in this apartment–the lighting in my photography is even better than before, yay! 

Honey-Vanilla Bean Iced Banana Bread

Makes about 10-12 slices

Ingredients for the Bread:

• 3/4 C oat flour (I processed Coach’s Oats in the machine)
• 1 C white all-purpose flour
• 1 1/4 tsp baking powder
• 3/4 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 tsp sea salt (or regular)
• 2 TBSP pure raw sugar (or white, or brown)
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 3 TBSP honey (I used raw Manuka honey)
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 2.5 medium, mashed bananas
• 1/4 C Greek yogurt
• 1 whole egg+1 egg yolk
• 3 TBSP coconut oil (Can be subbed with softened butter/other oil)
• 3/4 C~1 C chopped walnuts

Ingredients for Icing:

• 1 C powder sugar
• 2 TBSP honey
• 1/2 tsp vanilla bean powder
• 2 TBSP almond milk

Directions:

1. Preheat your oven to 350 F.
2. Grab a large bowl and combine all of the dry ingredients in the “bread” list.
3. In a separate small bowl, whisk the eggs together.
4. To the large bowl with dry ingredients, add the honey, vanilla, banana, yogurt, eggs, and coconut oil.  The coconut oil should go in last so that it doesn’t harden right away.  Pour in the chopped walnuts.
5. With a wooden spoon or rubber spatula, gently and carefully mix everything.  Don’t over-mix the ingredients  as it will rend a hard and chewy textured bread.  Mix just enough to roughly incorporate everything.  
6. Line a loaf pan with parchment paper, or simply use PAM spray.
7. Pour the batter into the pan and bake it for 55-60 minutes.  The toothpick should come out pretty clean.  The whole house will smell amazing!
8. After it’s done, let it cool for more than 30 minutes.
9. Now, for the icing….In a medium bowl, mix the powder sugar and vanilla bean powder.
10. Add the honey and milk.  Whisk until it’s smooth and somewhat runny.  Drizzle it over the bread and enjoy.

***The oat flour can be subbed with any other flour.  If you prefer not to have icing, then add a bit more sweetener to the bread mixture.***

Clearly I can’t get enough of these shots

Mmmm this is truly good bread!  It is so full of moisture, and I assure you that at least 2 slices will be consumed by anyone who tastes it.  My dad and I did that.

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Since I am living 3 stories high now, I have to be more cautious about making noise while exercising.

This means that I can do some jumping exercises like Mountain Climbers (so long as I leap gently like a feline), and routines such as this one.  Yesterday called for one of my first times ever at the gym!  It was a really good experience in that there is a myriad of weights and options.  I decided to work out inside the room where group classes are held, and I ran through this routine:

Suck Your Energy Workout

I did as many reps of each exercise as I could, just a little bit short of failure. 

1.)  Full Bicep Curls- 15 lb. each arm

2.)  Burpees with Pushups

3.)  Alternating Hammer Bicep Curls- 15 lb. each arm

4.)  Lying leg raises-  5 lb. weight between both of my feet

5.)  Alternating Backward Lunges with Side Lunges-  40 lb. barbell

I completed this as a circuit for 3 sets.

Then, I performed an addition of 20 knee tuck/pushups on a swiss ball, lying leg curls on the swiss ball, and 80 high knee runs.  It was intense!

However, even after all this, I am not sure if I want to join a gym because I just love to exercise at home!  It takes at least 1.5 hrs out of my day if I want to attend the gym–and not to mention, it is $30 out of my monthly expenses.  I am not sure if I’m ready to use that much money on myself as of now.  Oh, and please don’t take that as a judgment!  This is just where I find myself at this point in life, and I am still in the process of making a decision.

Do you work out at home or at the gym?

What do you like/not like about the gym?

-I didn’t like that there are so many males colonizing one specific area!

What’s your fave bread recipe?

Love,

Ellie <33

Tagged as: apartment 3 stories high, baking, banana bread, gym, honey vanilla bean icing, moving, transition