Paleo Banana Bread with Streusal Topping

Who knew there were so many different parenting philosophies out there?  My older sister introduced me to Montessori and RIE methods and that is loosely what I look to for inspiration.  I'm constantly reading about different techniques and approaches to raising good children.  Some of it I think is insane, other stuff I like.  Some people say "don't praise your kids", others say, "Be sure to praise them a lot".  Some say "never tell them no", others say "tell them no all the time".  Haha so many different opinions out there.  As parents I feel like we all just have to do what feels right for our families.

Every night Charlie and I have our own little routine.  I kind of recap our day to him and talk about how it went.  Every once in a while he chimes in with random words like "Waffle" or "Book".  Then we say night prayers together...which, now that he can fold his hands in pray position it is even more precious : )  Then I take him to his crib and before I lay him down I tell him that "He is wanted, he is needed, he is appreciated and he is loved."  Who knows if this is emotionally good for him or not, I am his mother and I plan on saying these things to him as often as I can.  I think a lot of people out there feel unloved and unwanted and that makes me sad.  If I can do one thing here on this earth, I want to be sure that I love my husband and kids as best as I can, and that they know without a doubt that they are loved by God and by me.

I heard a good homily this week and Father said something that really stuck with me: "Receive the love and joy of Christ and share it with others - this, this is your vocation."

One way I show people that I love them is by cooking.  Anyways, as I type I have a double batch of this paleo banana bread in the oven - it is so tasty!  Charlie and I love it as a healthy snack option.  I have made it at least a dozen times in the last year.

A few tips to making this bread:

- We always have frozen bananas in our freezer.  If they are a little over ripe and you don't plan on eating them before they are too far gone - peel them and stick them in a ziploc in your freezer.  When you want to bake with them take them out of the freezer at least an hour before you need them so they can defrost.

-  Almond butter is expensive!  Whenever I make this bread I make my own.  Super easy.  Toast the almonds for a few minutes until they smell toasted.  Place in a high powered blender or food processor with a little bit of coconut oil and process until smooth.  Down here in Texas I can get almonds for as low as $3.99/pound - so it is a lot cheaper then buying the almond butter made already.

Paleo Banana Bread with Streusal Topping
adapted slightly from the paleomg.com 

• 3 brown bananas, mashed
• ¼ cup maple syrup
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 3 eggs
• ½ cup almond butter 
• ¼ cup coconut flour
• ½ teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• pinch of salt

Topping Ingredients:

• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, at room temperature (or coconut oil)
• 2 tablespoons coconut sugar
• 2 tablespoons almond flour
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• ¼ cup walnuts chopped

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease a loaf pan and then line pan with parchment paper.
2. In a large bowl, mix together bananas, maple syrup, vanilla extract, eggs, and almond butter until smooth.
3. Then add coconut flour, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon and salt and mix well until smooth.
4. Pour batter into loaf pan. 
5. In a small bowl, add butter, coconut sugar, almond flour, cinnamon, and walnuts. Use your hands to mix the toppings together.
6. Place chunks of the toppings all around the top of the banana bread mixture.Place in oven to bake for 50 minutes.
7. Remove from oven, place on cooling rack and let rest for 5-10 minutes before cutting and serving.