The kids started school this week but there was only two days scheduled. We have three schools in our small town and there is one child in each school. The entrees for the first week included hot dogs, chicken patties, pizza and chicken nuggets. Side dishes included lettuce/tomato (for the sandwiches), chips, fries, salad and my favorite corn….it’s a grain yet is always considered a vegetable. Corn is usually served as the vegetable on days when the side dish is french fries. It makes for a totally carb-tastic meal. That, along with the processed foods are probably the reason why most kids are sleepy or cranky or both by the end of the school day.

We have a few set rules for school lunches. The kids may pick one meal to buy during the week. The younger two usually go for pizza. The older one likes the steak and cheese subs. When they bring lunch they can take one snack (cookies, chips, etc). They must take at least one fruit or vegetable. Other than that I’m pretty flexable with what they want. 

On the weekends I try to make something different to pack or have as an after school snack. The previous weekend it was homemade Lara bars  and a banana bread. Bananas are not a fruit that any of us actually care for but this bread is great! This time I split the batch after it was made. In one half I mixed tiny chocolate chips. In the other blueberries. The batter is thick enough that I can spoon the two batters in one pan like this:

Here’s the baked bread:

Banana Banana Bread

3 cups all purpose flour (I used 1 cup all purpose, 1 cup wheat and 1 cup spelt)

1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

3/4 cup butter, melted

1 1/4 cup brown sugar or your favorite type of sugar

3 eggs, at room temp

3 1/2 cups mashed bananas (I used 5 medium sized bananas)

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

* Preheat the oven to 350F. Lightly grease a 13 X 9 pan with butter or coconut oil.

* In a large bowl combine flour, baking soda and salt.

*In another bowl mash bananas. Add the eggs, sugar, melted butter and vanilla extract. Mix 1 to 2 minutes with a hand mixer.

*Stir banana mixture into flour mixture. Stir until just moistened.

*Other ingredients can be added at this point. Try adding in one of the following:

- 1 cup chocolate, butterscotch or peanut butter chips

- 1 to 1 1/2 cups of frozen blueberries

- 2 teaspoons of cinnamon

- 1 cup chopped walnuts or your favorite nut

- 1 cup of dried fruit

* Bake for 60 to 65 minutes or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean. Let bread cool for 10 minutes before removing from pan.

Once cooled this bread can be sliced, wrapped in plastic, placed in freezer bags and frozen. You can also put the batter in muffin tins to make muffins.

This moist bread holds up well in lunch bags. Eat it just as it is or slice in half and add a filling. Butter is our favorite but the kids have occasionally asked for peanut butter or some type of jelly.

This post is being linked to the following blogs. Stop by and check out all the other great recipes, tips and ideas.

Two For Tuesday which is hosted at A Moderate Life, Girlichef, Hunger and Thirst and FrugalCrunchyChristy.

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