Eggless Banana Muffins

I always seem to buy bananas and let them sit around. Thank god for banana bread! The ripe bananas were screaming at me, but there was a slight problem - we had no eggs. I jumped on the computer and found several recipes for banana bread that didn't require eggs. I thought I'd try them out. (I turned them into muffins instead, so had to experiment with the time)

Eggless Banana Muffins
1/2 C canola oil or shortening
3/4 C sugar
1 1/2 C flour
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
2 ripe bananas
1-2 tsp vanilla
chocolate chips (optional)
nuts (optional)

I found these pretty easy to make and they didn't take very long.


1) Cream shortening & sugar. Add vanilla. {Don't be alarmed when it looks like a crumbled mess. This is exactly what happened to me, but it will all work out}

2) Add flour, baking soda, and salt. Cut up bananas and blend them into the mixture. Add chocolate chips and/or nuts at this point.

3) Fill the baking cups about 3/4 full. I used an ice cream scoop to measure the dough out. 

4) Bake at 325 degrees for about 30 minutes. Really watch them, though. I took them out after about 20 minutes when the tops started to get golden brown, but then the middles started sinking. I put them back into the oven until a toothpick came out clean.

 The end product was a little dense and seem to be missing something, but I can't put my finger on it. They have stayed fresh for about 4 days, which is always a plus when it comes to home baked treats.
Do you have a go-to muffin recipe?

Smoothie Sunrise

 What's better after a tough workout than an ice-cold smoothie? Well, I could name a few things, like eggs and waffles with peanut butter. It's a great way to knock out your fruit servings in one easy drink. 

I used to love Jamba Juice. The smoothies are filling enough to act as a meal. I stuck with the trusty Orange-a-Peel; a mix of orange juice, strawberries, bananas and frozen yogurt.

 

 I swapped the frozen yogurt for Lite Vanilla Yogurt. This Anderson Erickson yogurt has only 110 calories with 12 grams of sugar and 9 grams of protein.

 I always just eyeball the amount of orange juice and fill it up with frozen strawberries and bananas. Spoon in the yogurt and blend it all up.

These are great to drink on the go. Or you can easily freeze half for later.
Enjoy!