Go Bananas: Celebrating National Banana Day

Apparently, National Banana Day is a thing and I’m here for it. I love bananas. Such an easy, healthy snack. Add peanut butter and it’s basically a meal. Pre-wrapped, delicious, can stand in as a prop for a phone at a moment’s notice.

Get your banana groove on…

You can celebrate with your kids by having a banana singalong to “Day O” with Harry Belafonte, “Hollaback Girl” with Gwen Stafani, or the classic “Bananas Unite” dance.

Bananas deserve this honor for sure, BUT, have you ever thought you were ordering 4 bananas from grocery pick up, and you accidentally ordered 4 POUNDS of bananas? Or do your kids love bananas for weeks then suddenly not want them? What do we do with all those freckled, quickly-turning-black fruits sitting on the counter?

Don’t worry, I’ve got you.

Yummy muffins for all

This is my favorite simple and wholesome banana muffin recipe that all ages of the family can enjoy. Plus there’s no added sugar, so I could even eat these when I had gestational diabetes. Hat tip to Pinch of Yum.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups oats
• 3 extra ripe bananas
• 2 eggs
• ¾ cup pitted dates
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• Pinch of salt and/or cinnamon if you’d like
• Mix in of your choice (chocolate chips, nuts, craisins, etc.) optional

Directions:

• Preheat oven to 350
• Grease or add cups (I usually use the silicon ones) to muffin tin
• Dump all ingredients (except mix ins) into a blender or food processor and mix until smooth (get some help from your kids!)
• Scoop into prepped muffin tin (should make around 10-12 regular sized muffins)
• Add mix ins of your choice on top or stir in
• Bake 15-20 minutes
• Store in fridge for up to 3 days, I usually microwave them for 10-15 seconds and spread with butter

Other ways to use up those ripe bananas include baking bread or freezing them to throw in a smoothie or use to make banana ice cream!

How will you celebrate this momentous day?

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