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Banana and Walnut muffins |
This is the first batch of anything sweet I've baked this year, because I am trying to be true to my promise to shed the final 5kg. I haven't jumped on the scales yet, but I'm still getting the calls from the counselor as paid for by NSW health on the Get Healthy Program and she thinks I'm doing OK.
Do you remember this book, published in 1996? My mum put me on to her and I actually visited her as a patient too. She solved an on going problem I'd had, which other doctors hadn't been able to. It had nothing to do with liver cleaning, but my respect for her grew so much, that I thought I'd give her food a go too.
I made quite a few of the recipes from Sandra's book and must share a few of them here with you at some point. But the banana and walnut muffin recipe is one I have made over and again the last 17 years and it is da bomb in terms of a healthy treat. No it's not as good as a cake laden with sugar, chocolate and all manner of naughtiness, but if you want to cleanse your liver this is a way to do it with something sweet.
I often serve these as a breakfast muffin accompanied by a fruit platter. They are best served straight after baking. As the boys walked in from sailing on Sunday, they caught me shoving a batch of these into the oven. This was owing to the fact that I had two over ripe bananas, which were beyond eating and I find food waste abhorrent. It's probably a money thing, but also I hate to think of all the resources that have gone into producing and transporting something, only to throw it out. No thanks.
Before I give you the recipe, lets talk styling for a sec. The Chinoiserie plate I bought at an estate auction in a job lot, the linen was a side of the road find and the mug was bought for the big Beach House brat at the Titanic exhibition held some time ago in Melbourne Thanks mum. It is a replica of a steerage mug (third class) and the BHB loves it.
Oh and the roses and babies breath were from a valentines bouquet from Mr Beach House. God love him. I don't want to sound ungrateful, but I probably will. That flower lady who appears at Mr Beach House's factory on all the big ones, Valentines Day, Mothers' Day etc really sucker punches him every time, $25 for five roses and a bit of babies breath, that were dead by the 16th. I have told him he is under no obligation to purchase, even though I very much appreciate the sentiment. I think he's scared of her.
Banana and Walnut Muffins to Cleanse the Liver
2 ripe bananas, mashed
4 dessert spoons honey
4 dessert spoons olive oil
2 teaspoons vanilla essence
1.25 cups wholemeal self raising flour
3 tablespoons walnuts
Oil spray for greasing the muffin pan
You can add a tablespoon of LSA, but I rarely do. Although I do believe this stuff has great liver cleansing properties.
Preheat oven to 180 C or 375 F
Mix bananas, honey, oil in a large bowl. Fold in remaining ingredients and mix. Spoon heaped dessert spoons of the mixture into a non stick muffin pan.
Bake for approximately 20-25 minutes. Make 10 Muffins.
Post script: I made another batch of theses the other day, but had I no wholemeal self raising flour. Instead, I used 1.25 cups of plain wholemeal flour, with 1 teaspoon each of bi carbonate of soda and baking powder. The result was a beautifully golden, light and delicious muffin. I also topped this batch with some colourful seasonal fruit. So dang healthy.
For all my other backing delights go here. Although I cannot guarantee they are healthy, only delicious.
Here's to a healthy week beach dwellers.
Today I am linked up with
Essentially Jess
Table Top Tuesday
Wow Us Wednesday
Home Sweet Home
Feathered Nest Friday
Show and Tell Friday
Pink Saturday
Weekend Wrap Up
Sundae Scoop
Sunday Showcase
Metamorphosis Monday
Tabletop Tuesday
Take a Look Tuesday
No Minimalist Here
Foodie Friday
Chef in Training
Crafty Soiree
Today I am linked up with
Essentially Jess
Table Top Tuesday
Wow Us Wednesday
Home Sweet Home
Feathered Nest Friday
Show and Tell Friday
Pink Saturday
Weekend Wrap Up
Sundae Scoop
Sunday Showcase
Metamorphosis Monday
Tabletop Tuesday
Take a Look Tuesday
No Minimalist Here
Foodie Friday
Chef in Training
Crafty Soiree

Wonderful muffins and so easy. Will try them out. I need healthy sweets.
ReplyDeleteI'm forever freezing bananas - the girls won't eat them when they pass a point (and it happens quickly up here). I'll bear these in mind next time I'm wondering what to do with them!
ReplyDeleteCheers, Amanda
I too have overripe bananas at the moment, even past the smoothie stage. Will try this recipe today. Thanks!!
ReplyDeletei think i will try this recipe as I always have over ripe bananas thanks oh and i love your photos they look so different from what you normally do i think it is the colour red they looked great-love dee x
ReplyDeletethey look delicious! i've long been an admirer of sandra cabot & have some of her books. i go to integrative medicine drs who have been connected to her practises.
ReplyDeletex
No sugar! That's impressive for a muffin. I've got a couple of bananas in the freezer, so I will have to give these a go
ReplyDeleteMy sister and her husband have done the LCD a number of times over the last four years to great success. I remember my sis making these ages ago and thinking they weren't sweet enough for me. Now I've had a few goes at quitting sugar I can see that these muffins would be yum. I could leave out the nuts too and they'd be ok for my niece who is egg, dairy, sesame and nut allergic.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing!
Ohhh that looks yumm, and only honey and no sugar EVEN BETTER!! x Karen #teamIBOT
ReplyDeleteI remember reading that book once (probably when it first came out) when my liver probably needed a good cleansing. I think bananas and walnuts are a perfect flavour combination. (You found that linen beside the road? Let me know when the next road side collection is on. LOL)
ReplyDeleteAnne xx
Hey, I remember Dr Sandra Cabot from when she was a regular guest on The Midday Show when I worked there in 1988 - 89. I haven't tried any of her recipes, this does look great, and so much more nutritious than the post I am just preparing now.
ReplyDeleteLove your styling, especially the gorgeous deep red rose petals.
Hi!!!
ReplyDeleteBack for your well rested cruise I see!!!! I'm glad that you had a great time.
My mister loves banana bread with walnuts in them, so, I'm going to try these
out this weekend. They really look delicious!!!
Thanks!!!
Pam
xox
Banana and walnuts! Yum! Two ingredients I love! These muffins look really delicious!
ReplyDeleteOh I make banana bread all the time, need to make them into muffins. Great recipe. Thanks for joining TTT. Hugs, Marty
ReplyDeleteThese type muffins would be good for all of us to try.
ReplyDeleteThose muffins look very tasty! HPS to you and enjoy the weekend!
ReplyDeleteNope, I have never heard of the Liver Cleansing Diet. However, if these muffins are part of it, I want the book now. HA! Lovely with the rose petals. We have experienced bad flower deliveries as well. The grocery store flowers are better and fresher. Lesson learned.
ReplyDeletexo, Jeanne
Looks like a great recipe! I would love if you link this wonderful post to my party. It is open until Easter and I will Feature as we go on Facebook and Pinterest. XO
ReplyDeleteIsabelle
http://lechateaudesfleurs.blogspot.com/2013/02/death-by-chocolate-recipes-and-link.html
Great recipe, I love Banana muffins. Thanks for sharing and joining TTT. Hugs, Marty
ReplyDeleteBeautiful presentation of the muffins! Thank you for joining Home Sweet Home!
ReplyDeleteSherry
These look delish- I love healthy recipes! Found your blog through tuesday talent show and I'm a new follower!
ReplyDeleteChristi
http://the-not-so-perfect-momblog.blogspot.com/