Chia Seed Banana Bread

So my kid eats like they ley me eat when they were in the womb: hot Costco chicken, dairy, carbs, fruit, and Orgain protein shakes. Except now, they barely eat any of that and wanted an ice cream cake for breakfast this morning.

And look, I put my heart and soul into my baking for this kid. My kitchen is a mess. And I no longer have the energy to feed myself anything but a protein shake or maybe some black bean and cheese dip and chips. I might even get lucky enough to have some energy leftover to make dinner. And they'll eat a slice when it's fresh and that's enough for them. But I take the little wins where I get them because at least I got a little protein and a little fiber in them because poop is good. We like poop.

For this recipe, the best thing is to let the ripe bananas freeze and let the chia seeds soak in the frozen banana juices. But it's not always going to happen that way.

Ingredients:

4 very ripe bananas

1/4 cup dry chia seed

1 1/2 cup milk of choice

1/2 cup neutral oil of choice

1 cup whole wheat flour (sub 1 1/2 cup all purpose flour)

1 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp salt

Optional: 1 1/2 cup Chocolate Chips (I find this entices the sweet tooth to eat healthy things)

Instructions:

1. Mash bananas.

2. Add in Chia seeds and milk. Let sit for at least 20 minutes but if you can give it up to an hour and a half, that is best.

3. While Chia seeds, milk, and banana are soaking, mix dry ingredients (flour, baking soda and salt) in a separate bowl and set aside. (If you're like me, and you don't have time, you'll just add all this in together and not have the extra dish. That's cool too. Whatever works for you.

4. Preheat oven to 375.

5. Once Chia seeds are done soaking, add in oil and dry ingredients. Whisk together. (stand mixer, hand mixer, whisk.. whatever makes sense to you. This is going to a toddler. They eat food off the floor.)

6. Add in the Chocolate chips if adding.

7. Find whatever cake pan you have on hand. I think it's fun to make it in a bundt pan because it makes me think of My Big Fat Greek Wedding. But it also makes a fairly thick cake in a 9x9 pan too. You could do cupcakes too. I only make them if I have that kind of energy. Everyone is different. What shape is palatable for you and your kid? Just grease it.

8. Put in oven till a toothpick inserted comes out clean. For the bundt pan, that is about 45-50 minutes depending on your oven.

Do your dishes when it makes sense for you. Even if they're sitting in the sink for a bit, the world won't end. I promise. Your energy and your space come first. Do what makes sense to you. Do them right away or wait. There's no right answer except the one that works for you.