Healthy, Natural, Banana Bread Pudding
This weekend wore me out.
Starting Friday night, up until yesterday, I had four birthday bashes to attend.
Have you heard of the Berenstain Bear’s Too Much Birthday? That’s what it was. If you haven’t heard of it, I highly suggest you watch the YouTube video. Great cautionary tale.
This celebratory weekend wasn’t great timing with my two-week Coachella Clean-Up in full swing.
However, I did manage to stick to mostly healthy meals, continued smuicing, and even came up with an amazing, natural ingredient recipe for my classic Healthy Banana Bread Pudding.
Unlike the old recipe, this new one uses homemade vanilla pudding with stevia and banana for a natural sweetener instead of boxed Sugar-Free Jello, which is full of all kinds of things I can’t pronounce.
I also used Back to Nature’s Vanilla Wafer Cookies instead of Nilla Wafers since the ingredients looked a little more wholesome.
Before I jump into that recipe though, let’s do a little birthday weekend recap.
Friday night we celebrated my good friend and former roommate Sarah’s birthday with some Korean BBQ and karaoke.
If you’re a fan of the show Giuliana & Bill, you probably recognize Sarah as G’s long-time assistant/wing-woman. Sarah is uber-stylish as evident from her adorable outfits on-screen, so naturally I stepped it up a notch for her b-day.
Rebecca Minkoff Becky Jacket // Flowered Harem Pants (similar here) // Rebecca Minkoff Crossbody “Mini MAC” Bag // Stella + Dot Rebel Pendent // Zara Orange Heels (similar here) //
If you’ve never done Korean BBQ before, it’s pretty fun. We went to Chosun Galbee, where you pick your meat and then they cook it at the table in front of you, served with all kinds of interesting sides that you’ve probably never seen before.
I kept it light with some Tiger Shrimp.
After dinner, we worked off all the meat with an intense karaoke/dance party in Koreatown.
If you never done karaoke in a crowded little room with your closest friends, while shaking tambourines and trying to follow choreographed routines from Asian boy bands, you’re missing out. It’s a blast, and it only costs about $20 an hour for the whole group.
Side note: Lady Gaga’s Alejandro is pretty much the best karaoke song ever.
We finished up the night with a drink at Palihouse in WeHo for my friend Kristine’s 30th before I raced home to make my self-imposed midnight curfew.
Naturally I missed it, and had a lot of explaining to do to Mr. Chow.
Saturday was a little less hectic.
After my weekly 7-hour Organic Chemistry class (snooze), I took Mr. Chow for a hike at Runyon Canyon, then grabbed some radish-wrapped sushi at Echi with my pal Shenae.
Sunday was back to the birthday grind, this time celebrating for The BF and our pal Laura.
I set up a big brunch at Areal Restaurant in Santa Monica (the same spot as the recent SoCal Blogger’s Brunch) where we enjoyed mimosas and some amazing meals.
The plan was to head to the beach post brunch for a little volleyball but the weather took a turn for the worse so those plans got nixed.
When we got home, the BF and I shared our favorite Sunday night special — sushi & pizza — then I presented him with my new natural Banana Bread Pudding.
The classic version is one of his favorite desserts so I figured it was the perfect bday treat.
Banana Bread Pudding
Ingredients:
2 C. Unsweetened Vanilla Almond Milk
1/2 Banana
1 T. Xanthan Gum
1 T. Stevia (liquid preferably)
1 tsp. Vanilla
15 Vanilla Wafers (I used Back to Nature)
2 Bananas
Directions:
1. Puree everything up until the wafers together in a blender. It should achieve a pudding consistency.
2. Slice the remaining two bananas.
3. Layer bananas…
…and wafers until you reach the top.
5. Pour pudding into the dish, coating everything. Since the pudding is so thick, it may have a hard time getting into all of the crevices. Tap your dish gently or use a knife to get it to seep into the whole dish.
6. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes. Optional: top with extra bananas, wafers, and chia seeds.
7. Enjoy!
Total Calories: 185 (serves 4)
I thought this new version was just as tasty as the old one. I must admit though, the BF said he did prefer the old version, but that this one was good too.
Either way, this dish is a major hit with guests. If your friends care about avoiding super-processed food, I would go with this one. If not, try out my old version. Both are low-calorie, creamy, and totally awesome (if I don’t say so myself).
***One last big birthday shout out to Sarah, Kristine, Laura, and my main man: Love You Guys!***
Alisia says:
This recipe looks so good! And your weekend looks like a success :)
Brittany @ Barr & Table says:
What a fun weekend and I absolutely adore your outfit. This recipe looks so delicious, I’ll definitely have to make it soon :)
GiGi Eats Celebrities says:
NO BARNANAS IN THAT THING?!?!?!? I am SHOCKED – SHOCKED I tell you!
And please please please do tell Abe Happy Birthday from me! :) Did he like his shoes!?
ANNNDDDD – THANK GOD FOR TIGER SHRIMP! lol!
Kim says:
Love your floral pants – so cute!!!
Sounds like a full weekend of birthday partying – fun but definitely tiring!!!
The vegan 8 says:
The banana bread pudding looks just perfect and so pretty! Love your outfit too, so colorful and cute!!
Bethann says:
Okay, that recipe looks great, but can we talk about your outfit? I LOVE it. Your harem pants are so fun and that Becky totally adds some sexy sophistication. Loves! BA
Kristy @ Southern In Law says:
That banana bread pudding looks INSANELY good.
My weekend was actually pretty boring – we spent Saturday shopping and at a craft store where Jesse wanted to buy ALL THE THINGS and then Sunday was jam packed with church, a training course and a bible study group.
Usually on the weekend we bake something as we have more time – and often have more complicated dinners because I’m not totally worn out and lazy when it comes to dinner time haha.
Katy says:
Ha! LOVE the Berenstain Bears reference. Bummed we missed you this weekend for birthday celebrations! That pudding looks ah-mazing. Can’t wait to try it myself!
Jody - Fit at 56 says:
HOW FUN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! That recipe looks to die for!!! ;)
Courtney @ http://www.harnessyourenergy.wordpress.com says:
I have got to try this! My BF loves, loves, loves bananas! Now if only I can find a way to re-create this in a hotel room…
Whitney English says:
Where there’s a will there’s a way!! :)
cj says:
What a great recipe & some great food photos :)
Jana @ Happy Wife Healthy Life says:
Great recipe and what a fun night out! That is awesome that you know Sarah! I watch G & B all the time and I always thought she was just adorable and has the best job ever! You look so pretty in your going out outfit too!
Linz @ Itz Linz says:
wow this recipe looks amazing!!
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