Gluten Free Almond Spiced Banana Bread
Everyone loves bananas. Who wouldn’t? With their creamy texture and sweet flavor, bananas are the world’s 4thmost valued crop and are enjoyed by almost 96% of the US population. They are loaded with potassium, an essential mineral for proper cardiovascular function and quick energy as well as vitamin C and vitamin B-6. Bananas are also helpful with reducing acid secretion, making them beneficial for people suffering from ulcers.
With a large chunk of the US (and, in fact, the world)eating a banana a day, it is important to ask how these sweet treats get to us. Unfortunately, the banana trade has quite a checkered past when it comes to workers and farmers’ rights. The majority of this monstrous business is run by only 5 large companies, which have made it nearly impossible for small farmers to receive a decent wage. Thankfully over the last two decades, many small banana farmers have created co-operatives and partnered with companies like Equal Exchange, which allows them to sell directly to markets. Goodbye large companies and middle men! These farmers sell fair trade fruit, which promises both farmers and workers a fair wage and safe work conditions. Though the giant corporations still own a majority of the market, fair trade bananas are becoming more common place and now have greater access to American markets.
So next time you are looking for that perfect bunch of bananas, make sure it has a fair trade sticker. If you are feeling particularly eco-conscious that day, go for fair trade AND organic. Organic bananas promise that both the fruit and workers have not been subjected to harmful chemicals. Just think, you can support local farmers and save the environment all while shopping at the grocery store. Pretty amazing!
Gluten Free Almond Spiced Banana Bread
This is one of my favorite ways to make sure not one delicious banana goes to waste. This bread comes together in no time and the spices add a nice holiday inspired punch.
1-2 TBS. organic honey
3 eggs, beaten
4 mashed extra-ripe bananas
3 cups Big Tree Organic Farms ground almond flour
½ teaspoon cinnamon
¼ teaspoon nutmeg
Pinch of ground cloves
Pinch of ground ginger
1 tsp baking soda
Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Mix together the eggs and bananas in a large bowl and stir until well combined. Mix almond flour, all the spices, and baking soda into the wet ingredients. Pour into an 8×8 glass pyrex dish and bake for 25-30 minutes. (The top should be golden brown and the bread will have pulled away from the sides.)
Note: Don’t expect this bread to puff up like regular banana bread – it stays dense and moist. So yummy!
Jamie G. Dougherty is the owner and founder of JAMIE|LIVING, Health and Lifestyle Counseling. She is an AADP certified Holistic Nutrition Coach with a private and corporate practice that offers assistance nationwide. She is passionate about deliciously healthy food and specializes in helping her clients transform their lives through the power of nutrition and self-care.
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