Well, apparently, winter is not yet done with us yet up here in the northeast…
It decided to show its ugly face again last night and into this morning, complete with snow, freezing rain, and ice.
The ice is covering just about everything at this point. It’s pretty…but gross at the same time, ya know what I mean?
Well, my morning started off with a call informing me that school was running on a 2-hour delay. So I slept in for another 45 minutes and then decided to get up and get goin’ on my Monday morning workout.
I started off with an Exercise on Demand video: 10lb Slimdown Upper Body. Always a good choice! Then, just as I was headed down to the treadmill, I got another call…
SNOW DAY for me today!
So, with a little extra spring in my step, I hopped on the treadmill and completed a slightly different variation of this treadmill workout. I ran for 40 minutes, covering exactly 4 miles. It felt good, especially after taking the whole weekend off from exercise.
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After showering, it was time to take advantage of this snow day…because we all know what snow days are good for…
BAKING! 
I had a couple super-ripe bananas that needed to be used up, so I whipped up a batch of my Honey Raisin Banana Pumpkin Bread. I decided to make a few minor adjustments to the recipe, using some of my favorite healthified baking substitutes. I’m actually quite glad I did, because I think this loaf turned out even better! Here’s the new recipe:
Banana Raisin Pumpkin Bread
Ingredients:
- 2 ripe bananas
- 1/2 cup Egg Beaters (or 2 eggs)
- 1/8 cup unsweetened applesauce
- 1/8 cup vegetable oil
- 1 1/3 cups pumpkin puree
- 1/4 cup brown rice syrup (or honey)
- 1/2 cup white sugar
- 1.5 cups flour* (I used 1 cup whole wheat + .5 cup all-purpose)
- 1 cup oats
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp pumpkin pie spice
- 1/2 tbsp cinnamon
- 3/4 cup raisins
1. Preheat oven to 350F and spray a 9×5 inch loaf pan with cooking spray.
2. Mash bananas and stir in eggs, applesauce, oil, pumpkin, brown rice syrup, and sugar. In a separate bowl mix together flour, oats, baking soda + powder, salt, spices. Add dry into wet mixture and stir until just combined. Add raisins.
3. Pour batter into pan. Bake for 55 mins or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. ENJOY! 
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Of course, I had no patience to wait for it to cool down before digging in…
I had already been smelling it in the oven for the past hour…how was I supposed to wait any longer??? 
I cut myself off the heel, along with one more piece, spread with a little butter.
It’s soooo good! Don’t be surprised if I end up going back for another slice soon…
Or two.
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The winner of my Blueberry Muffin Larabar Giveaway will be announced later this afternoon!! Last chance to get your entries in!
*Just in case you missed this weekend’s blog posts:
Healthified Baking Substitutes
The Whistling Tea Kettle Lunch Date
I hope the weather is much nicer than it is here, wherever you may be!
Welcome to Sweet Tooth, Sweet Life! I'm Courtney, a 28-year old personal trainer living in Upstate, NY. I enjoy all things related to food, fitness, and fashion, as well as feeding my huge sweet tooth. To find out a little bit more about the girl behind the blog, check out my 
{ 32 comments… read them below or add one }
yum yum yum! that looks amazing
I’m so sick of winter, but I guess I can always guarantee its going to give me a good workout because I’m gonna have to shovel the icy snow off my car later to get to class. Can you say bicep workout? haha
hope you enjoy your day off!!
Emily recently posted..how to keep lunch exciting but healthy
Oh how I wish I could have a snow day! I miss those!
We are blue skies and in the high 50′s (cold for Cali) but I’m diggin’ it.
I need to make more banana bread..stat!
Shanna, like Banana recently posted..POM and Kauai weddings are both wonderful!
Our weather got cold again, too – but no snow! Did you ever make bread before you got your bread maker? I’m thinking about investing in one
Colleen @ The Lunchbox Diaries recently posted..Home-Cooked Heaven
Nothing besides bread in a loaf pan, like banana bread.
The bread machine has made such a difference…I LOVE it!
Lucky I wish I had a snowday, bread looks delicious and so perfect for the cold weather!
kate@ahealthypassion recently posted..Saturday Adventure
Mmmmm that looks AWESOME! Just made my tummy grumble a bit
I hope you have a great day off!!
Holly recently posted..Grasshopper Cake
Snow wasn’t done with us, either- yuck!
Jess@atasteofconfidence recently posted..ABCs of me
Yay for the snow day!!! (When does that mean for the rest of the school year for you though???) That bread looks amazing….your recipes are just amazing. In case you didn’t know.
Melissa @ Chocolate & Kisses recently posted..Sleepy Beast
Awwww, thank you, Melissa!
Its chilly here but no snow. Thank goodness! Do you guys have to make up snow days?
Tina @ Faith Fitness Fun recently posted..Self Love Reflection- Desiring Perfection
Any snow days that we could possibly have from here on out, we will have to make up. The first day they’ll take away is the Friday before Memorial Day. But today’s snow day was the last one that was built into our schedule. Thankfully!
That bread looks great!! However, I am not jealous of your snow day… its 67 degrees here
hah
Tara @ The Game of Life recently posted..CHANGE OF PLANS!!
LUCKYYYYY!!!
But a snow day is always nice!!!
I love baking bread! You’ve been quite the bread maker lately
I just saw your post about peanut butter cream cheese! I got some yesterday at trader joes and cant wait to dig in!
Alyssa Kuminski recently posted..Feeling kinda snacky sunday…
Hahaha, I can’t help myself! I love me some bread!
ohhh man I’m thinking that would be delicious topped with some coconut butter! Yum! Yay for baking filled snow days!
Liz @ IHeartVegetables recently posted..Can you milk an almond Yes Yes you can
Oooooo, YUM! I’ve never tried coconut butter!
Hey Courtney, after I tweeted you, I went home and made this bread! HA! Hubs and I went away for the weekend and we got back late last night and in the kitchen were two – exactly two overly ripe bananas. Then I check my google reader and low and behold I find your recipe! I took my lunch break (I work from home) and made this. Holy amazeballs it’s so good! Thanks so much for sharing!
That’s awesome! I’m so glad you liked it!
I’m so glad you posted this! I just bought a jar of brown rice syrup and have been wondering how to use it aside from making granola! Hope you enjoyed your snow day!
Diane recently posted..A Day In The Life
Ugh, sorry about all the snow!!! We’re supposed to get 2 inches of rain tomorrow, which I guess is the equivalent of 8 inches of snow!!!
chelsey @ clean eating chelsey recently posted..preemptive intuitive eating
That bread looks incredible! I would have wolfed the whole thing! I make a version of banana bread that’s called “Banana Split Bread,” and I can put down quite a bit of that stuff–it’s just too too good. I can’t wait to try a new “healthified” recipe!
Melissa recently posted..Running on Fumes
That sounds great!!!
all your baked goods ALWAYS look SO delicious and i instantly want to get in my kitchen and make them!
Sarah recently posted..Baby Steps
Hahaha, thank you!! Well go for it!
Ohh my goodness! You just found a way to combine the three things I love the most into a loaf of doughy goodness… I WILL try this recipe this weekend and let you know how it goes. If I end up posting on it, I will give you alllllll the credit you deserve
I read your blog every day, you’re amazing!
I just made this bread and it smells soooo good! It looks great, too.
Alas, I cannot eat a piece because I am giving it to my parents as a surprise tomorrow but I can guarantee I will be making it again (just for me!) Thanks for the great recipe!
Ohhhh, good!! I hope your parents enjoy it
I just put these into the oven
….Can’t wait to eat one. (I made muffins instead of bread. I like teeny tinny pieces of bread. They’re cute!)
Julie H. of Spinach and Sprinkles recently posted..I can’t wait!!!
I made this recipe last night and baked it up as muffins. Easy portions for my little guy. It was great! I threw in about 1/4 cup of chocolate chips and only did 1/2 cup of raisins. Thanks for a great “healthy” quick bread.
Ooooo, that’s a great idea! I never tried making it as muffins before….so glad they were a hit!
I make a version of banana bread that’s called “Banana Split Bread,” and I can put down quite a bit of that stuff–it’s just too too good. Thankfully!
Cathleen Velasquez recently posted..Gout Tips
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