October 29, 2013

State Recap + Crazy Good Banana Bread

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Hi everyone!  I'm back, after a weekend of volleyball!  I got up at 5:30 Friday morning and got back at 10:30 Saturday night.  Our State volleyball tournament was worth every minute of missed sleep.

State kicked my tail.  Either I'm crazy out of shape or we just played really hard!  I think we played eight games over the two days and some of them went to three sets (one ended up going 21-19, when it was only supposed to go until 15 ... that was fun and we did win!) Also, I think we all pulled 18-20 hour days ... also fun! :)  Since you don't want to hear the play by play of State and since I really can't talk about State without talking about teams I did or didn't *cough* like, I'll just say I had so much fun (up until the last game) and that we took fourth overall.  
A couple highlights were getting to hang out with another team at the gym and at the hotel and cheer each other on during games.  They were like our buddy team!  Such sweet girls.  Now we know all their names and we know theirs; there is something special about hearing your name specifically being cheered from the stands.  And I got a block - all by myself.  That felt good.  Overall, our team played really well and we finished about where I thought we would.  Can't believe by next week it'll
be over! 


Yes, I did smile in the middle of the game at my mom.  Don't judge me, who wants bad photos of themselves?!  She laughed at me, though:)


Just about to crash from lack of sleep:)  I think we did go to Starbucks after this picture and get some caffeine ... and rest ...


I LOVE this picture.  Hannah, you do have a serious-er face!

Sooo, aside from lots of volleyball, I had to eat, and so in the name of this food blog, I'll talk about the food I liked:)

Greek yogurt and peanut butter.  Hannah, sweet girl, let me have some of her greek yogurt, which was great for the sore throat I had.  Funny story, I thought it was vanilla and was going to mix peanut butter in it, but NO, it was key lime!  So I had my yogurt and then my peanut butter, separate.  It was a great snack before one of our games.

Pumpkin spice latte from Starbucks. It was hot and sweet and tasted really good after all that water and Gatorade. Plus, the atmosphere was relaxing;)

HUMMUS.  Oh my goodness, I love hummus, I really do, and Anna brought some.  It is incredible on turkey sandwiches and with peppers, just saying.  It made my lunch for sure.

Jellybeans!  Who doesn't like jellybeans?  One of my teammates older sisters (Hi Erin!) came and stayed with a couple of us "parentless" girls and we did facial masks and guessed jellybeans and talked for several hours on Friday night at the hotel.  Such good memories!   Erin brought a big bag and we spent a good 30 minutes eating it; guessing flavors, picking favorites, letting our masks dry.  My favorite was tiramisu, although mango was really good, too.   

Chocolate Chip Banana Bread.  Yep, I'm giving you the recipe, too.  This is really good banana bread.  Crazy good, hence the title:) 

 
It's dense and moist and the mini chocolate chips mean there is more melty chocolate spread throughout the bread.  The banana flavor is the strongest, but compliments the chocolate nicely.  It's not overly sweet and was great for in between games, midnight snacking, and then sharing with my siblings (I prefer the midnight snacking to sharing:) 

 
I love using yogurt in baked goods, because it adds moisture and avoids the rubbery feel applesauce can give.  It also adds density, something good quick breads have to have.  Finally, it adds protein!  And getting protein in my banana and chocolate chip bread is always a plus and totally justifies eating more than one slice. 
 
 
 
Breakfast, snack, or dessert, this banana bread is incredible.  I've made it twice in the past four days!
 

Greek Yogurt and Mini Chocolate Chip Banana Bread
Recipe Source: The Sweet {Tooth} Life
Yield: 12-16 slices

1-1/2 cup flour
3/4 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon vanilla
3/4 cup sugar
3/4 cup plain greek yogurt (I used nonfat)
1/4 cup butter, softened
1 cup mashed ripe banana (I used 3 medium)
2 eggs
1/2 cup mini chocolate chips {plus more for sprinkling on top}. 

Beat softened butter and eggs together.  Stir in yogurt, sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, and mashed banana and beat until smooth.  Add flour, salt, and soda and whisk until just combined.  Pour into a greased and floured loaf pan (I think ours was 10x6 or something like that.)  Bake at 350 for 55 minutes.  Let cool for 10 minutes in pan before removing and letting cool on a wire rack. 

More banana bread recipes:


Nutella Swirled Hot Chocolate Banana Bread


Nutella, banana, quick bread,

Orange Raspberry Banana Bread


Beernana Bread Muffins

 
What are your favorite banana bread recipes?  Leave links or names!
Hugs,
Mary Frances

8 comments:

  1. CONGRATS !!!! on making fourth. I thought your first picture was so funny I showed it to my brother and sister they laughed as well. I didn't know that you could mix peanut butter and greek yogurt together. (might have to try that). Banana bread is good in muffin size, then you could eat one with and little(or a lot) of greek yogurt. Since I know you like that stuff sooo much :) It's fun to get to know you even though we have never met. So if we ever do I will know so much about you!!

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  2. Yay!! Congrats on the tournament. I don't know how you are not exhausted and resting for days. You work so hard girl and I'm always in awe. The tournament looks like a lot of fun too!!
    Glad you shared this recipe. I don't have a good banana bread recipe and I need on that's crazy good badly!

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  3. It was fun to read about your volleyball experience (and food experience)! :) I make a banana bread with plain (or vanilla) yogurt, but I"ve never tried Greek yogurt! After both your and Hannah's posts, I think I need to try some...

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  4. You guys are too cute! Congrats on the tournament. Sounds like you played hard and deserved copious amounts of banana bread!

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  5. Congrats on the tournament, I'm so proud of you!! ;) And so happy to hear you had a great time, your weekend (yet super exhausting) sounds really fun. And if banana bead is around, you know it's going to be awesome! x

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  6. Good job girl! Looks like it was a blast too! :)

    Banana bread is a favorite, it reminds me of my childhood. I haven't made any in quite some time so thanks for the reminder! Can't wait to try this!

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  7. Mary Frances, you are the cutest! You had time to pose for a picture AND get fourth! :)

    I love banana bread, and I especially love adding chocolate chips! My usual recipe doesn't have yogurt--I'll have to give this one a try!

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  8. Dear Mary Frances, Banana Bread is always a favorite!! Looks delicious!
    Please come and join my giveaway for the Cookie Book.

    Blessings dear. Catherine xo

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