Say it loud and say it proud: I LOVE BREAD.

Cheesy bread, garlic bread, toasted bread. I ain’t got no type when it comes to flour enriched delicacies.

I always saw bread as a cheat, but is it…?

To justify: I am not condoning the idea of stuffing your face with cheesy bread tonight because you read it on some dramatized kale lover’s lifestyle blog, but women should stop fearing the word BREAD. Believe it or not, there are ways to make bread a healthy snack.

Every health kick I have is always a little different than the last. Sometimes it’s strictly paleo. Other times it’s primarily low carb. Once in awhile, I go through phases where I diet for performance in the gym.

Either way, as you can tell, my focus and thoughts are never in one place for very long. (Hence my random little hiatuses). I swear, I’m not hinting at a commitment problem; We are all constantly growing, learning, and evolving.

Right now, I’m in a phase where I just want to fuel my body with nutrient dense food and work a little harder on cutting out the fake sh*t. I ate and drank my way through summer ’16, having a little too much fun and to clarify, I do not regret any of it. But, it’s time to get back down to business, as excessive late nights are not part of a lifestyle that is productive for me.

In order to rededicate to my health, I am deciding to completely cut out alcohol and the majority of artificial sugar for the month of September. I like to call it the ultimate mind and body cleanse. More than likely, you’ll be seeing more recipes posted up on the blog that satisfy my cravings for junk food and binge drinking; if you’d like to tag along in my healthy lifestyle endeavors, join me in Sober September.

Life tip: If you don’t like what you are doing or where you are at, simply change it.

Getting back to the real reason as to why I decided to come out of hiding and write this post; I love sugar and I love bread.

I also love to cook, but baking doesn’t come as naturally to me. Probably because I very rarely measure anything.

So, I did a little research and I came across a healthy banana bread recipe that hits two birds with one stone.

I usually don’t even mess with anything that requires making a topping because I am not Betty Crocker and I really don’t want to be, but the coconut sugar pecan topping is what makes this banana bread recipe better than any I’ve ever made. It is also what makes you feel like you are cheating on homemade coffee cake. *heart eyes*

Bread is not the enemy here, people. Check out this easy Coffee Cake Banana Bread recipe I found on Paleomg:

Ingredients for batter:

• 3 mashed bananas (Hint: the browner the better)
• 1/4 cup maple syrup
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 3 eggs
• 1/2 cup any nut butter
• 1/4 cup coconut powder
• 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• pinch of Himalayan sea salt
• dash of nutmeg
• Optional 1/4 cup of mini chocolate chips

Ingredients for topping:

• 2 tbs coconut oil
• 2 tbs coconut sugar
• 2 tbs almond flour
• 1tsp cinnamon
• 1/4 crushed pecans
• If you’re feeling frisky: A sprinkle of more mini chocolate chips.

Instructions:

1. Heat oven to 350 degrees. Grease a 9×5 baking pan and line the bottom with parchment paper.
2. Grab a large bowl and add your wet ingredients first: bananas, maple syrup, vanilla extract, eggs, and nut butter.
3. Then add coconut flour, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt.
4. Pour your batter in the baking pan and grab a small bowl.
5. Mix your toppings in the small bowl with your hands (Yes, I’m for real. Let’s get physical): coconut oil, coconut sugar,  cinnamon, and pecans.
6. Place chunks of topping on top of batter and pop in the oven for 50 minutes.
7. Remove and let cool for 5-10 minutes.

Comment your thoughts, concerns, or express your passionate love for this banana bread below.

Catch ya on the gram: Follow along with my kitchen and gym shenanigans @AmeliaLovesKale

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