Earth Day Snack – Banana Bread

 

A fun way to celebrate Earth Day with kids is to head into the kitchen and get baking. This banana bread recipe is a delicious way to upcycle!

 

 

When I was thinking about how to kick off the week leading up to Earth Day, banana bread popped into my mind. Why banana bread you might ask? Well, when I think of living an eco-friendly life I think about all the food that goes to waste in my fridge. How many times have I thrown out uneaten and expired food…many. How is it that I went to the grocery store, spent money on a food item, brought that food home only to see it rot in my crisper. Not very eco-friendly. There has to be a better way, a way to waste less food. We have decided to enlist these three steps in our house in attempt to eat ALL the food we purchase.

 

Make a weekly meal plan – With a plan in hand, we will purchase only the foods that we require for that week.

 

Use the freezer – Freezing left overs is a great way to extend their life. If I know we are not going to eat the end of the chilli this week, why not freeze it for another day.

 

Have a weekly “clean out the fridge” meal – I am not advocating eating rotten food…no food poisoning here. Rather, I have found that I can clean out the fridge with a good curry dish or stir fry. These dishes can use up cooked meats, rice, pasta and veggies in a healthy way.

 

So, where does banana bread fit in? It uses older bananas that would otherwise go into the compost! Here is my favourite recipe from Canadian Living.

2 cups all purpose flour
1/4 cup granulated sugar
2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 cup chocolate chips
3 large bananas, mashed
1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
1/4 cup milk
2 large eggs

 

Whisk flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt and chocolate chips together in a small bowl.

 

Combine mashed bananas, butter, milk and eggs in a large bowl. Add dry ingredients to wet ingredients. Stir until completely combined.

 

Pour into a buttered loaf pan. Bake in 325°F oven for 1 hour. Until skewer inserted in the middle of the bread comes out clean.

 

 

 

This banana bread is easy to make and is so yummy! Who doesn’t love banana bread. And what a great way to use up those old bananas. Having less food waste means being a conscious eater. It is important to be aware of what we purchase and what we do and do not consume.