Blueberry Banana Bread with Toffee Peanut Topping

I don’t know why I don’t bake as much as I cook.  I guess it’s because baking is more of a science – it’s a perfect ratio of ingredients, and if one of those are off, it just doesn’t turn out.  I much prefer cooking to baking.  But, with the millions of food blogs out there, I think I am in the minority on that one!  Let’s just say that I can count on more than one hand the times I’ve made muffins, only to serve them to my family and realize I’ve forgotten to add any sugar.  Seriously.

But, I decided to make my boss something for her birthday.  I had two very ripe bananas, and a cup of frozen blueberries so that was that.  I also don’t adhere to the fact that you have to separate the dry ingredients from the wet ingredients – I am a one bowl baker!

• 1/2 cup shortening (I used Crisco sticks)
• 1 cup sugar
• 2 eggs
• 2 teaspoons vanilla
• 2 cups flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 2 medium bananas
• 1 cup frozen blueberries (no need to thaw)
• 1 cup unsweetened vanilla almond milk
• 1/4 cup butter toffee peanuts, pulsed in a mini chopper to a powder

Start with the shortening and sugar – beat with a mixer just until creamy.  Add all the remaining ingredients (except nuts) and mix just until combined.  Pour into a cake pan greased with Pam.  Top with ground peanuts and press to the batter.  Bake at 350 for an hour.

I ended up cutting the bread into 8 slices – um, one slice is 402 calories, so this is a special treat, but this was delicious if I do say so myself.  The bread was moist and the peanut topping was perfect.  Still with my Chobani, breakfast was 530 calories – so not too bad!

My blood sugar was a perfect 200 before working out.  I decided to do the arc trainer and I loved it!  My feet didn’t get numb like they do on the elliptical.  I just chose one of the workouts on the machine and did that for 30 minutes, followed by 10 minutes of upper body with the weight machines.  The gym is getting closer to being done – only about 4 pieces of equipment still need to be put together.

I watched The Chew while I was working out.  The theme of the show was “bucket list” meals and Michael Symon made corn flake crusted french toast with a banana maple syrup sauce that looked amazeballs.  If I ever host a brunch I would totally make these!

When I got done working out, I could feel my blood sugar dropping like a stone.  Even after my shower I was sweating –  I ended up buying and eating a Nature Valley granola bar on my walk to the car – when I got back to my desk I tested my blood sugar and it was 61!  Luckily lunch was simple to put together.  Dish #3 of the $5 rotisserie chicken – chicken tacos!  With 1/4 cup of salsa brown rice and 1/4 cup of my stove top refried beans.  I love the crunch of the red cabbage and carrots.

Later in the afternoon it was birthday treat time for my boss.  I wish I could say that I made this fruit tart, but I bought it at Mariano’s.  I restrained myself and didn’t have any, but with each slice I cut it was more than tempting to cut a slice for myself!

When I got home from work, our neighbor was outside chatting with Tony.  We talked for a good hour – it was kind of nice to come home and just relax before making dinner.  I actually didn’t even start making dinner until nearly 7!   Dinner was quick though – my chicken marsala for two.  I just added baby spinach to mine.   Not the best picture because the sun was setting, but this was tasty!

Stats for the Day:

• 1671 calories, 201 carbs, 85 protein, 55 fat and 24 fiber
• 29% of calories from fat, 20% from protein and 48% from carbs
• average blood sugar 139
• just over 10,000 steps!

If you want to be my friend on Fitbit, leave a comment and I’ll add you by email.  I’ll need to “step” it up to beat Fran!  Make it a great day!