So I’m on major kickstart-the-year mode at the moment. It’s all guns blazing on the work front as well getting myself back into a routine. My eating has reverted to it’s usual healthy balance following a Christmas full of treats and frankly, just too much food! (I see you nodding along). My workouts are leaving me with a few aches too, but that’s what you get for not keeping up your regular gym time over the holidays!
The weather in Dubai now is perfect for training outside, so my clients and I are reaping the benefits of these few months. Although…with that said, one of my early sessions this week was all rain and no sun. When it comes to rain in Dubai, everyone goes into panic mode…it’s kind of like the opposite to when the sun is shining in the UK; people are suddenly frantically running around in tiny shorts showing off some really pasty skin (I’ve been there so no judgement!) to catch any glimpse of sun they can and pulling sick days like you wouldn’t believe! And in our case, it’s hoodies and sweaters with a mission to avoid any single rain drop. I do question my adjustment to Personal Training in the UK again. If you’re interested in our solution to the rain out here…we worked out in the living room. There was a slight ounce of English guilt but it didn’t last long.
So with that said, baking healthy and yummy treats was inevitably going to start pretty quickly, and 2016’s lifted off with a good-un! This absolutely wonderful sugar-free and guilt-free banana and blueberry loaf gives a hit of goodness with every bite. The blueberries are warm, juicy and sweet and burst in the mouth with the most amazing flavours. The ripe bananas add natural sweetness to the loaf and remove any of the refined-sugar that’s typically used. It’s really soft in texture so I ate it on its own without the need to add jams or spreads…but if they tickle your fancy feel free to dollop on!
It’s the perfect morning on-the-go snack or afternoon tea treat…just LOVE!
It was inspired by the brilliant Baker by Nuture, whose recipes really make the mouth water! A few of the recipes are a little less health conscious than mine, but in many ways we look at food the same. It’s all about balance and not restricting yourself to boring diets! 80/20 is what I live by, and I feel very happy and very healthy – I know everyone else can too! If you’ve got some questions on this then feel free to comment or send me an email.
But most importantly, ENJOY THIS DELICIOUS LOAF!
Nikita
May 20, 2016Hi.. silly question but I don’t like measuring using cups. Am keen to make this – can you provide measurements in grams? Much easier!!
Lean Living Girl
May 22, 2016Hi Nikita,
No worries, I’ve updated the gram amount for the dry ingredients for you. I don’t have blueberries and apple sauce to hand to weigh right now but especially with the blueberries, a little change in quantity won’t make a huge difference. Go for half a punnet of blueberries and 7 tbs of apple sauce (that’s a proper cooks measuring tablespoon if you have one?).
Hope that helps and let me know how it turns out! xx
Alex
January 17, 2016Can this be made gluten free at all? If so what flour would you recommend?
Thanks!
Lean Living Girl
January 17, 2016Hey Alex,
Coconut flour would be my first choice, it’ll just take a little playing around with to get the quantities right so it rises nicely! Guessing off the top of my head – try 3/4 cup of coconut flour and add in another egg.
Let me know how you get on! xx
Vicky
January 19, 2016I tried the recipe with coconut flour, but somehow it’s very dry and not fluffy at all.
Any tipps on how to improve?
Lean Living Girl
January 20, 2016Hi Vicky,
Hmm coconut flour can be difficult in baked goods like cakes and loafs so sorry it’s not great but as mentioned I hadn’t tried it with coconut flour yet. I would suggest getting a gluten-free flour like this one https://glutenfreegirl.com/shop/all-purpose-flour/?v=ea8a1a99f6c9 which doesn’t contain preservatives or added sugar like some gluten-free substitutes and giving it another go.
Let me know if that works and if you have a personal favourite gluten-free flour that you can recommend and share with people! xx
Alexandra Paton
January 15, 2016Hey Carly
Want to make this but don’t have any apple sauce is there any alternative you can suggest?
Thank you
Lean Living Girl
January 15, 2016Hi Alexandra,
Try swapping the apple sauce for equivalent amount of virgin coconut oil and add in a tbs of honey for sweetness. I haven’t tried it but should work!
Let me know :)
Carly x