Eggless Banana Loaf Recipe

first attempt

I enjoy cooking but I find baking to be a little anxiety-producing especially with how precise you need to be - so after getting sent this complimentary bag of Bob's Red Mill All-Purpose Flour, I thought I would give it a whirl and see if I could make something tasty, like a banana loaf.

It got a bit messy because the flour has such a fine powdery texture but it mixed well with the other ingredients. 

This was my first time making a banana loaf and it turned out pretty well - although I think I might have used a bit too much flour (I followed most of this lovely and step-by-step recipe) *Note: I also omitted sugar to keep it a bit more healthy, no glaze, and used oat milk not buttermilk).  I also thought maybe I'd add some frozen blueberries but my husband didn't like the texture from that - so I noted that for my next loaf.

Also another mistake, I got too excited after my husband said "wow that smells really good!" as it was almost done in the oven and he could smell it from his office room. I took it out, and I didn't let it rest properly so slicing was a bit of a mess.

Proud to say that my second loaf turned out well and now I've baked my third banana loaf. This was the outcome so I wanted to make sure I got a photo! I made this one for my parents to enjoy - although for added sweetness they can spread on some jam.

third loaf

While I'm still not that keen on baking and rather be cooking, I'm definitely proud at what I was able to accomplish with happy tummies all around!

Social Nature Review: Primal Kitchen Caesar Dressing & Marinade

I was able to try out a new brand called Primal Kitchen, thanks to being part of  Social Nature.  Here are some of my thoughts on the Caesar Dressing that I purchased at the grocery store. Note, it was tough finding the brand in the natural food section and the selection was really limited.  #trynatural #gotitfree

The Caesar Dressing & Marinade has quite a strong flavour, and I can definitely taste the black pepper and the acidity from the vinegar.  Wow! It packs a punch, at least for me, as I am used to mild flavours. The ingredients are decent and there will be a lot of uses from salads to sandwiches and even as a dip with veggies or chips.  It definitely made my tuna fish sandwich tasty.  I like how it comes in a glass bottle and with just a little shake, the contents are easy to pour out. 

The only negative is that it is very expensive for such a small bottle - 236 ml. This would not be something I would be able to buy on a regular basis as a consumer.  

PROS

✔flavourful

✔good ingredients

✔versatile for many dishes

CONS

❌ expensive for size of the product 236 ml

💜Shop Primal Kitchen
💜Find great new products at Social Nature

Iron Vegan Product Review: Sweet & Salty Caramel Protein Bar

This protein bar will definitely keep you full for many hours, however the amount of fibre is a little overwhelming for the digestive system at 17 g!  The caramel flavour tasted ok and having 3 g of sugar is always a benefit.

Surprisingly, there was no "salty" component to it.  It only tasted sweet. The texture was very sticky, and overly chewy, basically feeling like eating a very dense overstretched piece of caramel. 

I cannot see purchasing this particular flavour of protein bar for myself or family. Perhaps there are other flavours from Iron Vegan that may be a better fit. 

SocialNature  

#trynatural #gotitfree

If you are interested in purchasing anything from Iron Vegan, visit their website at www.ironvegan.ca

Please use the discount code for 35% off: Social35

Happy snacking!

Quench Your Thirst: Flow Alkaline Spring Water Review

I was able to purchase Flow's Cucumber & Mint Flow Alkaline Spring Water, thanks to being part of Social Nature. #gotitfree #trynatural

Below you'll find my honest review!

2 - 500 ml tetra pak cartons of Flow Water

I really like the tetra pak cartons, as they are easily recyclable. The twist off plant-based cap was easy to open, unlike some other water product caps that can be rather difficult. It also was a good size that fit well into my purse and in the cup holder of the car for travelling.

The water had a very heavy cucumber taste, however I couldn't taste one drop of the mint flavouring. This was a bit of a disappointment as it clearly mentions the mint flavour!

I like that there was no added sugar or any type of sweeteners. However, reading further, the "alkaline" spring water claim felt like a trendy marketing label to justify a higher price point, as there is no evidence of real health benefits from drinking alkaline water.

Overall, it was a refreshing drink, especially now that summer is in full-swing and any form of hydration is essential. I did like the cucumber taste, or rather "essence" as they called it,  but wish it could have been toned down because I couldn't drink something that tasted so cucumber-y  on a regular basis, especially if there was no mint flavour combined with it.

Some of the other Flow flavour combinations look intriguing, so it may be worth scoping out another flavour to try, especially the watermelon + lime.

Flow Water (this particular flavour - Cucumber + Mint) gets 2/4 Muse's

Have you tried any of the Flow water products? If so, drop me a line and tell me what flavour you tried out and would you buy it again!

Goodbye Chapped Lips with Satya Organic Skincare Review

I got this free Satya Organic Skin Care at a perfect time since my lips have been extremely chapped and dry without relief from any of my usual go-to lip balms.  The ingredients, particularly the sweet almond oil and colloidal oatmeal were very soothing.  This also left a nice sheen on my lips that didn't irritate or dry them out further.  The Eczema cream is said to be gentle enough to be used for all over the face and body and not just for eczema, but other ailments too, including those itchy bug bites that I think we all have gotten!

 I do like the cute sliding travel-size tin that it comes in, but the only negative for me is that I don't like having to use my finger to apply the product. For hygienic reasons, I would have liked to see more thought put into this issue, so I used a q-tip which seems to be the best way to apply on the skin for this type of product. 

With a few tweaks, I think this would be a good product to add to your skincare routine! Thanks Satya and Social Nature! #gotitfree

Spicing Up Your Life: A. Vogel Herbed Sea Salt Review

It’s always a bit of a panicked feeling when you realize that you’re pretty low on spices and yet in your head there are numerous dishes that you want to make. I received a complimentary bottle of A. Vogel Herbed Sea Salt from Social Nature, which came to the rescue today for lunch!  I will admit that i’m not usually a big fan of sea salt, but lately it’s been really growing on me.

The blend of organic spices (rosemary, thyme, basil, chives, etc...) mixed in is quite tasty. I added only a sprinkling to my veggie/hummus wrap and a little bit on the sweet potatoes, which was the perfect amount.  I can envision putting this in mashed potatoes, meatloaf, and all kinds of soups! I honestly don't think I would like this as much without the herbs.

My lunch - Mixed veggies with hummus on a tortilla wrap,
side salad with blueberries, roasted sweet potatoes and pickles!

The bottle design was a bit tricky to figure out with opening at the top, but I really like the sliding feature that allows you to put in the desired amount and then just gently slide back into place to seal and stay fresh.

Instead of having the salt shaker around, I think this Herbed Sea Salt by A. Vogel, has earned a place on the table.

A few extra bits of product information claims:

Free from artificial flavors, additives, and preservatives
Free of top 11 allergens
Certified Organic
Non-GMO Project Verified
MSG and Gluten-Free

#trynatural  #howdoyouherbamare #gotitfree

Chocolate Heaven with So Delicious & Social Nature

I've been mostly dairy-free now for a few months now (with the occasional, oops did I just eat something with milk in it moment!) and although I am not seeing huge changes in my digestive issues, I am really enjoying experimenting with non-dairy products that are making my tummy feel happy.

I belong to a great site called Social Nature and so I was very excited when I opened up my e-mail to get a note saying that I was chosen to receive a complimentary voucher to try out any of the So Delicious Non-Dairy Frozen Desserts!

Heading to the natural foods freezer section of our local Zehrs, there were several flavours to choose from, but the Dark Chocolate Truffle really caught my eye.

Being non-dairy, the cashew milk works well and it very subtle. I also love the organic tapioca starch that seems to be a staple in a lot of dairy-free products. The fair trade cocoa is extremely decadent, so you don't need to finish off the whole container (even though you probably want to - YES it's that good!) I also love the smooth and creamy-like texture, which makes you feel like you're eating regular ice cream. The bonus is without the digestive upset.

The only downside is that it is tough to scoop out right away. You need to wait a bit until it is thawed more and then just dive right in with your spoon. However, a small price to pay for such goodness!

Highly recommended and I cannot wait to try more products!

#frozengoodness #trynatural #gotitfree

Snack Review: Berry Goodness with Patience Fruit & Co

Dried cranberries usually have a distinct tart taste but these ones by Patience Fruit & Co are quite the opposite, which I believe is from the sweetened apple juice. I am also amazed at how plump and juicy they were compared to just a regular dried cranberry that you'd buy at the grocers or at the bulk food store.

These were tasty in my oatmeal this morning and due to their sweetness, only a few were needed, mixed with some apples.  I would definitely recommend this product and would enjoy trying out the other varieties, like the blueberries.

Thanks to Social Nature for this yummy treat!
#trynatural

Morning oatmeal breakfast.
Look at how plump those cranberries are?!