creating healthy habits: Whole Grain Chocolate chip banana bread

CREATING HEALTHY HABITS RECIPE
WHOLE GRAIN CHOCOLATE CHIP BANANA BREAD

The most important thing I have learned over my past 12 years of teaching programs is how much preschool age children really take in.  The good and the bad - really nothing gets by them!

This goes to show you how much using the right kind of language with them is an important part of their learning process.  Whether you are trying to teach them social skills (using words like sharing and kindness) or if you are teaching them verbal skills ( pointing out their surroundings).  Using positive language is just as important when teaching your children how to make healthy choices regarding their own nutrition.  Giving them the tools they need to make healthy food habits as preschoolers will not only help you give power to your child that may be hesitant to try new foods and it will also set up life long positive healthy habits.  Proper nutrition really is a valuable life skill to start instilling in your child at an early age!!

Today at cooking class we highlighted the values of starting your day off with a healthy breakfast.  As busy parents it’s an important to find a nutritious but easy breakfast.  Extra bonus is that it can work for both you and your child! 

In comes this fiber & potassium packed banana bread!

Be sure to note the highlighted words as language to use with your child when cooking or even just serving this recipe at home.

Whole Grain Chocolate Chip Banana Bread
(you’ll have your kiddos at chocolate chips!)

Ingredients:
1/3 cup olive oil or coconut oil (we used olive oil in class - I love the flavor of olive oil in a sweeter bread)
2 tbsp honey
2 eggs
2-3 ripe bananas (TIP: put overly ripe bananas in the freezer and save for banana bread making time!)
1/4 water
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp vanilla
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1 1/2c whole wheat flour
1/4 c dark chocolate chips

Instructions:

1. Preheat over to 400 degrees F.  Grease loaf pan. Kids love to be part of the greasing of the pan. It’s a great time to let them know the reason we need to do that is so that the bread won’t stick to the pan after it bakes.
2. Stir together olive oil and honey. Olive oil is a healthy fat that is good for our bodies.
3. Add eggs, bananas, and water. Whiskingredients together.
4. Add baking soda, vanilla, salt and cinnamon.  Baking soda is important to measure exactly.  It will help the bread rise. Stir.
5. Fold in whole grain flour until well blended and then add chocolate chips which are a special treat.  You won’t need a lot of them because the bananas are a fruit that have natural sweetness.
6. Pour batter into the greased pan and bake until golden on top and baked through - about 30-40 min.

As you share this healthy breakfast with your kids be sure to reiterate some of the highlighted areas.  Remind your children about the ingredients they used.  Ask them what ingredients they can taste.  Remind them what ingredients are extra healthy and how they are making them extra strong!!

Have fun cooking and sharing healthy food with your child!! By doing this you are not only providing them with the proper nutrition for their growing bodies but instilling life long healthy living habits that they will carry with them into adulthood!!