Chocolate Chip Banana Bread. Vegan, plant based and ridiculously delicious!
Chocolate Chip Banana Bread (Shhh! They’re plant based and I’m not!), Best Memorial Day Movies, & “This Land is Your Land”
All of us has endured those awkward classroom presentations as a child, showcasing our class’ “talents” for our parents. One of the weirdest moments of my childhood was standing on a stage with my classmates, blinded by theatre lights, singing “This Land Is Your Land” in third grade. I remember singing it over and over and to this day, I remember most of the lyrics. We had just moved (again!) and I was attending a Christian school, where everyone thought I was from the Bible Book “Philippians”. I remember the white lights, my striped turtleneck, and it was my first encounter with spaghetti with meat sauce with BELL PEPPERS, when I was staring at my teacher’s lunch, while she was quizzing me on the lyrics. I had NEVER seen that before. It’s up there along with the first time a neighbor gave us a gelatin mold. Why is it green, jiggly, and with fruit and cream?
Memorial Day is upon us and as much as I love an elaborate backyard BBQ, I prefer simple things on long weekends, to maximize "nothingness". I’d much rather have a long run, veg out, eat, sleep, read a book, position myself in front of the TV, and watch mindless entertainment. In honor of coach potato-tis, I’ve included a list of Memorial Day movies that I would actually watch.
22 Best Memorial Day Movies to Commemorate the Holiday
And… of course, here’s a relic of all of our “American” childhoods (without the blinding lights and all of our classmates singing it in front of our parents). Suffice to say, with all of the personal and national upheaval we’ve all endured, regardless of where you stand, “This Land Is Your Land” is a classic national anthem. Written by Woody Guthrie, the history and meaning of the song is laced with controversy and innuendo. I almost feel like it’s akin to the the motto, “You spot it, maybe you’ve got it.” Lol! Obviously, I don’t take myself too seriously. Life’s too short to not laugh (at the ridiculous, including, hopefully, yourself).
“This Land Is Your Land,” America’s Other National Anthem
The original. Written as a counterpoint to Irving Berlin’s, “God Bless America”, in a way, I feel this one speaks closer to my heart. Folksy, honest, stripped, and true, it’s like when someone comes to you with their heart and asks you, “take it or leave it.”
This Land is Your Land
Woody Guthrie // Woodys Greatest Hits: My Dusty Road LP (FULL ALBUM)
Because, how can you not have a National holiday commemorating “America” without “The Boss?”
Bruce Springsteen: THIS LAND IS YOUR LAND
Thanks for reading! I hope this made you laugh, smile, think and hopefully get a little bit more creative. I hope you have a lovely week. To all of our service members and veterans, from a family that was liberated by you all (Philippines, WWII), we are forever grateful for your dedication and service! Have a wonderful Memorial Day weekend! "This land is your land, this land is my land...."
Chocolate Chip Banana Bread (Plant Based). So moist and easy! Forget about creaming butter, eggs and sugar. It's delicious!
Chocolate Chip Banana Bread
by Deliciously Ella from, “Quick & Easy” Plant Based Deliciousness: Over 100 Vegan Recipes
Makes 1 loaf
I am totally not vegan and I devoured this. It's now one of my favorite banana bread recipes and the ease of mixing coconut oil and coconut sugar, instead of creaming eggs, butter and sugar, has made my life simpler. It's a great change of pace when you want something yummy and fast! You can do this on a weekday morning or evening. Go you!
Ingredients
3 large ripe bananas, peeled (about 10 1/2 oz., peeled weight)
2 cups spelt flour (or all- purpose flour; we use gluten-free)
1 cup coconut sugar
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 cup almost or oat milk
3 tablespoons coconut oil, melted
3 1/2 oz. dark chocolate, coarsely chopped (She likes 70% cocoa solids. We used Guittard bittersweet 70% baking bars.)
Directions
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line a 9 x 5 in. loaf pan with nonstick parchment paper.
Place the bananas in a large bowl and mash using a fork until smooth.
Place the flour, coconut sugar, baking soda, baking powder, and cinnamon in a separate bowl and whisk together to remove any lumps.
Pour in the almond milk or oat milk, and coconut oil, and mix well.
Add the mashed banana and chocolate, and give everything a good final mix before pouring into a loaf pan.
Bake for 45 to 50 minutes until cooked through but still a little soft.
Let cool in pan before slicing.
#chocolatechipbananabread, @deliciouslyella, #vegan, #plantbased, @woodieguthrie, @brucespringsteen, #memorialday, #nationalholidays,
