Banana Date Nut Shake

This is a great after school snack and would make a great breakfast.  Thanks to 30 Days of Amazing Paleolithic Breakfasts by Lisa Stewart and Jeremy L for this recipe.  We've incorporated into our repertoire quite of few recipes from this book.

Photo: aida mollenkamp

Here is my adaptation of this recipe.

Ingredients:

1 cup frozen banana pieces
1 cup pitted dates
3/4 cup coconut milk
a handful of soaked, dehydrated raw walnuts*
dash of cinnamon

Directions:

Add all ingredients into the blender and blend until smooth.

Carly loved it but she LOVES walnuts.  My Coop, he's a bit picky.  I made it for him for breakfast and prepped him with, "keep an open mind".  I also omitted the walnuts because I didn't think he'd like it.  I think he drank most of it.  When I made it for Carly after school I used the walnuts (duh).  I gave Coop and his friend a little bit.  His friend asked what flavor it was and Coop, after tasting it said, "chocolate banana".  They gobbled it up and then I told them what it really was.  Both boys were surprised but decided they still liked it.  I'm keeping the recipe.

*Since my husband started soaking and dehydrating nuts we've discovered they really do taste better and we are digesting them better.  For the why's and how's check out the link - why should I soak nuts?

Frozen Bananas

I have a new favorite blog, stir it up.  She's a paleo wife and mom, like me, and I think we'd be friends.

Today I made the frozen bananas I found on her site.  I adapted it for my preferences and thought I'd share it with you.

Photo: stir it up

For two bananas you'll need:

a heaping tablespoon of almond butter
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
3 tablespoons cacao powder
1 tablespoon coconut oil
1 tablespoon raw honey

• Slice bananas in half lengthwise
• Stir together almond butter, cinnamon and vanilla
• Divide almond butter mixture between two banana halves
• Add a popsicle stick and but bananas back together
• Place in freezer, on waxed or parchment paper, until frozen
• When bananas are frozen, melt chocolate, coconut oil, and honey
• Pour chocolate evenly over both bananas, covering every inch
• Place back in the freezer until frozen, about 30 min.

 Both of my kids were beside themselves excited about this new treat.  I think I'll be making them again very soon.