Wednesday, March 21, 2012

Are Half of Your Grains Whole?

March not only is the month where spring begins but also can be a beginning to eat healthier and feel better! One of the focuses was on making half of your grains whole. Are half of your grains whole? Boosting your whole grain intake can help to prevent heart disease, high blood pressure and diabetes. Here is an easy recipe in which you can incorporate half whole wheat flour and half all-purpose flour. What a great way to start making half your grains whole!

Easy Banana Bread Recipe

3/4 cup Splenda
3/4 cup flaxseed meal
5 ripe bananas, mashed - brings out more flavor
1/4 cup skim milk
1/4 cup low-fat sour cream (or try plain Greek yogurt, low-fat)
2 tsp. egg whites
2 cupss whole wheat flour or do 1 cup whole wheat/1 cup all-purpose
1 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Grease a 9X5 inch loaf pan.
2. In a medium bowl, mix together the Splenda, flax meal, bananas, milk, sour cream and egg whites until well blended. Combine the flour, baking soda and salt; stir into the banana mixture until moistened. Spoon into prepared loaf pan.
3. Bake for 1 hour and 10 minutes in the preheated oven, or until a toothpick inserted into the crown of the loaf comes out clean.

I just made this recipe last night and it goes really well with a regular or natural peanut butter.

A quick tip on peanut butter is to choose the RIGHT peanut butter! Regular is healthier than reduced-fat peanut butter as there is less sodium, less sugar and more fiber. Eat those healthy fats with regular peanut butter!