Banana Bread versus Sugar

Have I mentioned that I have just completed a 40 day "sugar fast"?  Basically just abstaining from sweets, deserts, candy, and treats for other reasons. It was a fabulous experience after the first week or two of "withdrawal"... however much to my dismay after ending the fast and realizing how fabulous I felt the discovery has been made that me and sugar are NOT friends.  Makes me angry:  a blood boiling kind of angry.  Or sad:  a weepy, emotional "absolutely no reason" kind of sad.  Very terrible.

After going through a process of mourning and experimentation I am coming to a bit of grips with this fact of life.

Now don't get me wrong, I am still having my occasional "one pump mocha, one pump peppermint, non-fat, no whip", and I do still steal the tiny butterfingers bites out of my kid's Halloween baskets; however my baking and desert eating is taking a drastic change.  Since a few of you out there share my pain, when I stumble upon a fabulous recipe or trick I have decided to pass it on, and I would appreciate the return favor for any recipes and tips you may have.  For you:  Hillary, Heather, and the rest is a recipe for a fabulous banana bread that I've tricked out:   Enjoy!

Oatmeal Banana Bread
1/2 cup unsalted butter
1/2 cup honey
2 eggs
1 tsp. vanilla
3/4 cup white flour
1/2 cup whole wheat flour
1 cup regular oatmeal
3/4 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
1 tsp. cinnamon
3 large bananas

Mix together the first two ingredients, gradually adding the rest - two ingredients at a time.  Beat until well mixed.  Pour into greased 9x5 loaf pan.  Bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour 15 minutes.  Cover 15 minutes after removing from oven, and then remove from pan to cool completely.  Try serving it without butter - super yummy by itself.

LOW altitude alterations (under 3,500 feet):  Decrease white flour to 1/2 cup, Increase baking soda to 1 tsp. Decrease baking time to 50 minutes.