Let's Mick's up Some Bananas!

Are you bananas about bananas?!  

Even though they are higher in the glycemic index (you know, the natural sugar they contain), they do have many good nutrients in them.  Plus, they are filling and are a healthy, quick snack.  That sugar content thing I mentioned first... well... that's one reason some personal trainers recommend them for a pre-workout boost.

I received an email once that listed out numerous benefits of and uses for bananas.  (Thanks, Mom!)  For example, the email says:  When you compare it to an apple, it has four times the protein, twice the carbohydrate, three times the phosphorus, five times the vitamin A and iron, and twice the other vitamins and minerals.  Some other vitamins it contains are the B6, B12.

It is also rich in potassium and is one of the best value foods around.

When our church had a lot of bananas in their pantry from generous merchants who donate food, some of us had fun talking about different uses for the bananas, like in smoothies, breads, etc.  I was excited to share my pancake recipe!  I found it from one of the Paleo-food groups I am connected with on Facebook.

This is such a simple and yummy menu item.  I finally found something my kidderz and hubby will eat every day for breakfast, if I let them.  (Not that I prepare it every day, because I don't want them to end up getting tired of the monotony... but even if I don't prepare it, one of them will!)  My teenage son even said, "Really?!  That's it?  That's all there is to it?!  Well, I definitely found the breakfast I'm going to live on as a bachelor."

I promised a friend I'd send her this recipe, so I'm getting it out to all of you now.  Besides, I was already planning to type this up, in honor of National Pancake Day and/or Pancake Day, both of which I missed (February 5th and 12th, respectively).

Ready?  Grab your pencils!

Here's the banana pancake recipe:

Blend together (in a blender) 2 eggs and 1 very ripe banana.

That's it!!

REALLY!!!

That is all there is to it!

Well, of course, you'll want to cook it.

That info is right here:

Fry up the pancake batter in a pan on the stove (greased with coconut oil or butter), just like you would any pancake.  Top with your favorite pancake toppings.  (We like no-sugar berry sauce or natural Maple Syrup.)  You may also add vanilla to the pancake batter, if you'd like to, and/or berries, etc.

Granted, they might not be the prettiest, nor the fluffiest pancakes you've ever made, but I can almost guarantee they are the easiest.

Is that too easy for you?

Are you feeling like you're cheating by using such a simple recipe?

Have no fear.  You're not!

However, if you want to get a little fancier, here's another Paleo-food recipe I read and tried.  Instead of bananas, it uses plantains (another favorite in our house).  Simply blend together these ingredients and fry up in a pan like any pancakes:  2 large green plantains (approximately 2 cups pureed), 4 eggs, 2tsp vanilla, 3 tbsp coconut oil, 1/8 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp baking soda.

There you have it.

Happy Pancake Day a little late.  With these recipes, it's most certainly better late than never!  Mmmmmmmm....

^"Then he lay down under the tree. And he fell asleep.

Suddenly an angel touched him. 

The angel said, “Get up and eat.” 

Elijah looked around. 

Near his head he saw a flat cake of bread.

It had been baked over hot coals.

A jar of water was also there.

So Elijah ate and drank.

Then he lay down again.

The angel of the Lord came to him a second time.

He touched him and said, “Get up and eat.

Your journey will be long and hard.”

1 Kings 19:5-7 (NIV)

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Mick’s up With Apples

A favorite and easy breakfast (or anytime) dish at our house is what we call “Bakes Apples.”  They aren’t as yummy as the baked apples my Grammy made for us, all those years (and still does), but that’s what I call this dish anyway.


Since it’s so simple, I want to share it.  Maybe you'll find it helpful to add to your healthy lifestyle menu.

I recently heard variations on this type of baked apple dish, some healthy, others really not healthy at all (cringe!).  This one is healthy and offers a little protein sustenance, which is why I like to serve it in the mornings.

This is all there is to it:
Ideally, use organic apples (to avoid the pesticides, etc.) and of the Granny Smith variety (to keep the glycemic level low).  However, if you have the capability of none or only one of these suggestions, do what you can, and enjoy what apples you have.

Once you core and slice the apples, place them in a casserole/baking dish, and get ready to mix up some fun crunchies for the topping.  Do you have shredded coconut (unsweetened), flax seed, sliced almonds, protein powder, butter or coconut oil, almond or coconut flour, cinnamon, stevia, and/or coconut crystals? Put any or all of those items (and whatever else you can throw in) in a bowl, and mix together to make a delicious crumble on the apples. 

Place the entire mixture in a 350-degree oven for 45 minutes or long enough to soften the apples.

It’s as easy as that!  If you have a yummy, healthy whipped topping, go ahead and put some on top.  Maybe you have found some of the healthier ice cream available, too, like So Delicious coconut ice cream or Clemmy’s.  Any of those will turn this breakfast dish into a heavenly dessert, and with the protein added, it’s a dessert with a boost!  It can’t get much better than that.

Enjoy!!

“Keep me as the apple of your eye;

    hide me in the shadow of your wings” 

(Psalm 17:8 NIV)

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How to Mick’s up Fries

Mmmmmmm…. French fries!  Yum!

Is that your opinion?


I can’t lie.  I’ve always loved fries.  I even remember a time when I was pregnant (before healthy living), going through the drive-thru of a fast-food restaurant, and being handed a note passed on from the car ahead of me (via the cashier at the window), reading, “Baby is hungry for fries?”  I hadn’t realized a family friend was in that car.  What a fun surprise!

Even though I've lost my craving for French fries and other greasy foods, now that my body isn't addicted, it’s still nice to have a treat reminiscent of the “old days.”  So, once in a great while, I get some sweet potatoes in the house.  I make sure I have a good amount of coconut oil, and an extra half hour or so.

Give it a try!  It’s simple.

Cut up some sweet potatoes in the style and thickness you like.  (Beware of the cooking time difference for thinner vs. thicker cuts.)

On medium heat, have enough coconut oil in a medium-sized sauce pan to fill it approximately half way.  The key is to be sure the pan is large enough in diameter to fit the size (length) of your fries, and to be sure the coconut oil covers the fries to cook them evenly. 

After a few minutes, the oil should be ready for the potato slices.  Add salt to taste.  Allow the fries to cook for several minutes, turning them once.

When the fries are done to your desired consistency, it’s a good idea to place them on a paper towel, when you take them out of the oil, and allow the oil to drain off.

I must admit:  One night, after over-cooking sweet potato fries for the family’s dinner, I went to an event, where a lady asked who had fries.  She could smell them!  The “aroma” was lingering around me.  I guess that proves the coconut oil can cook just like the nasty, unhealthy greases, without the deadly side effects.

Coconut oil does have many health benefits, but there are better ways to ingest it, and since there are healthier and more nutrient-rich food choices than potatoes (sweet potatoes are one of the better potato choices, though), I do not recommend these be a staple at your dinner table.  However, it’s fun once in a while! 

Nowadays, if there are sweet potatoes in the house, the big question I  hear is, “Are we having fries?!”

You might also like to try roasting the sweet potatoes in your oven, especially if you do not want to mess with frying.  Another of our favorite special occasion recipes with sweet potatoes is mashed and/or casserole.  Just have some fun experimenting!  If you have more ideas and/or questions, please post them here in the comment section.  I'd love to hear from you!

"Do not crave his delicacies, for that food is deceptive."

(Proverbs 23:3) NIV

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