I was listening to a podcast last Wednesday about how it takes us around 45 days to change a habit and build a new one. Our mind was able to create several perceptions, ideas and feelings on how to react on certain situations of stress or anxiety. But we can always change a bad habit by training our brain again. It seems very encouraging information for people dealing with chronic stress or who have a bad habit (like smoking) and it all goes back into the idea that it's all in our mind. Learning how to train our mind is very important if we want to be in control of what happens everyday. If you want to listen to this podcast, it's from Almost30 and you can find it on itunes or Spotify.
It's one of the podcasts that I listen to on my way to work everyday or on quiet weekends. I find that listening to podcasts is so calming and a great way to learn things or educate yourself on matters. Also, it can be crazy fun! There are numerous podcasts out there on so many areas of interest. Politics, lifestyle, wellness, women's health, animals, food and so many more. You pick your favourite and listen to it whenever you want to.
Another thing I like to do these days is eat a bit healthier and tastier. This goes without saying that I enjoy both, a healthy/hearty meal, but also a burger. I believe we need a balance in our live and to enjoy everything in moderation. However, the only thing I pay caution to is ingredients. That's why most of the time I like making my own junk food or sweet snacks. It's all about the quality of the ingredients. And when you use good quality, you can for sure taste the difference.
So, last Sunday, preparing for the week ahead, I decided to make some frozen treats to make the week a little sweeter. Everyone loves bananas or at least everyone I know. Bananas are a great fruit to freeze and it can be eaten quite easily frozen. The idea came to do something like a nut butter cup. But during summer the flavours need to be more fruity and light. Hence, the frozen banana slices, layered with some delicious nut butter and covered with melted chocolate.
The recipe is nothing complicated to feel stressed about. It takes sometime however during freezing and freezing again a couple of times, so you might want to do some prework the night before or leave it for a whole day (with breaks of course) of preparing these treats. It's up to you how you do it. Also, for those mums out there, this can be a fun activity to do with your kids. I know I enjoyed doing the dipping of the bananas into the chocolate...
Frozen Bananas with nut butter covered in Chocolate
ingredients (for 10 to 12 bites)
3 medium to big bananas
2 tablespoons tahini or almond butter
1 tablespoon melted coconut oil
200gr dark chocolate to melt (over 60%)
a toothpick or a thin wooden stick or skewer
toppings (optional)
chia seeds
cacao nibs
shredded coconut
How do I make it?
1. First, start cutting your bananas into 1cm slices. Then in a bowl mix together the nut butter and coconut oil. Place a baking sheet onto a flat tray and start layering half of the banana slices with the nut butter mixture, making sure it's not a lot so it doesn't fall off the banana. Place the banana slices that you cover onto the tray and once you're done with all the half slices (make sure you leave another half to put on top), place the tray in the freezer for 30 minutes.
2. Take the tray out and start topping the naked banana slices with another banana slice on top. Again, when you're done, place the tray into the freezer for 30 minutes.
3. Melt your chocolate by putting it in a bowl and then in the microwave for 1 to 2 minutes. You have to check your chocolate every minute or so, because if you heat it up for longer it might burn. Mix it a little bit with a spoon and if there is still some unmelted chocolate, heat it up for 30 seconds or until everything is melted. You may have to repeat the process of heating and mixing several times. The other choice is to boil some water in a medium pot and then put your bowl on top, so it covers the opening of the pot. What we can a "bain Marie". You choose the best option for you.
4. When the chocolate is ready, place the toppings in seperate bowls. If you're using shredded coconut, place it in a flat plate. Take out the pan from the freezer. Then, take your toothpick or wooden stick and try to catch the banana slices with it. Place the banana slice carefully into the bowl of chocolate. Swirl it around slightly so it covers the whole banana bite. When you take the toothpick out of the chocolate, let it on top of the bowl for a few seconds so the excess chocolate drops again into the bowl. When you feel it's ready, place the covered banana bite vertically onto the tray. If it doesn't slide off the toothpick on its own, use a fork or a spoon to put some pressure on the top so it comes out. If there is a whole on the top, simply add some more chocolate with a teaspoon or add some of your favourite toppings.
5. If you want to cover the bites with coconut, simply before placing the bites onto the tray, swirl them around the coconut you have laid out on the plate. Use your hands to cover all the sides and the top quickly, as the chocolate is still melting and it might end up on the plate and not the banana bit if you're not quick. When you're done, transfer the bite onto the tray and place it with the technique I mentioned on step 4.
6. Repeat the techniques in step 4 or 5 until you're done with all the banana bites. Place the tray on the freezer for at least 4 hours or overnight. Then they're ready, frozen to be eaten!
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