Coconut Banana Bread with Lime Glaze

So it turns out that having only 1 job leaves me with a lot of free time. I haven't had free time in 3 years so this is new for me. Basically I'm just trying to figure out what I like to do... and that is a crazy concept. I've been cooking, which means you guys get lots of nom nommy recipes to try. I started doing Yoga 5 times a week which is really good for my back, and for my mind that never stops. It's helping me relax and just be present, something that doesn't come naturally to me. I've been shopping, but trying not to. I started painting again. I read Jayne Eyre, Tinkers, The Help, and Franny and Zoey, which would be more novels than I've had time to read since I started college. Moral of the story, expect a lot of hobby blogs coming your way.

Now for the bread:

This bread is AMAZING. I loved the contrast of the lime glaze to the sweet bread. I used the plain yogurt instead of sour cream, and milk rather than apple juice. I found the recipe on Our Best Bites, and they have tons of other good recipes as well. I love this because it's very simple, but different than your traditional banana bread. Enjoy -

Coconut Banana Bread with Lime Glaze2 C flour

3/4 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1 C sugar
1/4 C (4 Tbs) real butter, softened
2 large eggs
1 1/2 C mashed ripe bananas (about 4 large bananas)
1/4 C sour cream or plain yogurt
3 Tbs apple juice or milk*
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 C coconut

Topping: 2 Tbs additional coconut
Glaze: 1/2 C powdered sugar whisked with 1 1/2 Tbs fresh lime juice

*as in: don’t go buy apple juice just for this recipe. If you don’t already have some, just use milk!

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Whisk flour, baking soda, and salt together and set aside.

In a large mixing bowl, beat butter and sugar until blended. Add eggs and beat to combine. Add banana, sour cream or yogurt, apple juice (or milk), and vanilla. Beat until blended.
Add flour mixture and beat at a low speed until just combined. Stir in 1/2 C coconut.

Pour batter into a 9×5″ loaf pan that has been sprayed with non-stick spray. Sprinkle additional 2 Tbs coconut on top.

Bake in the oven for about 1 hour or until a knife or skewer inserted in center comes out clean.Note: Check bread after about 40 minutes. If the top has browned and the coconut pieces are looking toasty, cover top of bread lightly with a piece of foil. Continue baking until done.

When done, remove pan from oven. Let cool on a cooling rack for about 10 minutes and then carefully remove from pan. Whisk powdered sugar and lime juice together for the glaze and then drizzle over top. Cool for another 15 minutes before slicing.

Couscous and summer veggies

My roommate Alaina works at a farmer's market and always brings home pounds and pounds of squash, apples, peaches etc. I steamed squash, zucchini, peppers, onion, cubed garlic, and mushrooms with a bit of olive oil and red wine vinegar. The couscous was only seasoned with lime juice, and at teaspoon of olive oil was added so it wasn't dry. Healthy and delish!

Hiked Timp, again

Jamie and I went for our 2nd annual hiking trip on Friday. Refer here for the details of the hike last time. Such a fun hike to do with my Jamers. It was crazy how different everything looked this year, because we went about the same date as last year. The glaciers were much bigger and everything was a lot more green.

You can see how beautiful everything was. We learned our lesson last time and brought a lot more food along, which made the hike that much more enjoyable. There's probably only a couple weeks (if that) left of no snow up there so now's the time to do it :)

The new house

You've been asking and here they are; pictures of my new place :) My roommate Jelissa owns this house and she's done amazing things with it as far as finishing the basement and refinishing everything. I love this house so much and it's such a comfortable place to live. Pictures honestly do this house no justice. Enjoy!

The front of the house

The living room to the left of the entry way

Dining room with mismatched chairs, all the same color

The TV room and comfiest couch

The basement living room with a really awesome exposed stone wall original to the house

My bathroom, how much do you love the vanity?

My room finally all settled. I still need to make myself a head board but I'll save that for a rainy day

Our fun backyard. It was just begging us to have people over. Saturday night my roommates and I had a BBQ which was a birthday party/my house warming. It was fun to finally have friends come see the house.

My chicks

Thanks for still loving me when I live far away!

Zach back in Utah with his brother

Sista sis and Matty

I owe you two a big thank you for ALL of the help you gave me when I had no car and when I was in the process of moving.

So into my veggie burger nom nom nom

And last but not least and the one I owe the most thanks to, Jonathan. We really felt like this night was such an accomplishment after many months of stresses and changes in my life. Moved cities, started my career, ended my job at RLob, had a car break down on me, borrowed a car from my parents, got rear ended in that car, bought a NEW car (pics to follow soon), and so much more.

I honestly couldn't have survived the last 8 weeks without J's help, as well as Teddy, Matt, Jamie and my parents. I know there are even more of you who have helped me whether it was through helping me move, or just keeping me in your thoughts and prayers. I have amazing people in my life and I'm grateful!