I’ve been married to the Kiwi (aka husband) for almost 6 years now. That means I’ve been a Sherpa wife for almost 6 years actually let’s make that almost 8 years with dating. Every day I get up and I make him breakfast lunch and dinner with snacks and between. And every day I’m pretty much thankful for what I get to do. Find joy in the little things and I really loved the dreams we are going for. As hard as they are it is rewarding each day. That is how I know that this is gods plan for us. When you find joy in the journey.
![image[9]](https://www.cottercrunch.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/image9.jpg)
“Don’t sell your dream short. Go BIG. There’s more riding on this than you know.” @jeffgoins
I guess that’s another reason why I keep blogging. Heck, I’ve been doing it for over 5 years too! It all started when I started posting recipes on my husband’s old blog. And here we are today, still sharing our journey. Sharing our trials, sharing our JOY in the everyday, and sharing what we learn from the ups and downs of DREAMING BIG together.
Well this week is no different, it’s race week. A little taper, good fuel, and mental prep for this weekend. I’m doing my best to keep our week stress free (trying) as well as having a budget friendly, yet well stocked kitchen.
Extra protein, omega’s, iron sources, anti-inflammatory rich foods, and our favorite oxidative stress fighting supplement (Rebootizer).
And when it comes to protein, Designer Whey has been a great addition to our diet. Gluten free, no additives, and no MSG! I’m so glad they introduced us to Smari yogurt as well because now we have two great sources of protein to add to our diet. Perfect timing!
The following is sponsored by FitFluential LLC on behalf of Designer Whey and Smari. All opinions are my own, always always!
- Smári is an Organic Icelandic Yogurt available in 4 flavors. It’s very high in protein and very low in sugar.
- Icelandic Yogurt is strained yogurt, just like Greek yogurt. But Smari is a little different, it’s thicker with more protein. 4 cups of milk make 1 cup of Smári, versus 2-3 cups of milk per cup of Greek yogurt. .
- Oh did I mention it’s made from GRASS FED cows? YES! –> organic milk from grass-fed cows from small family farms. “Our fruit comes from Oregon and has no preservatives. We use organic cane sugar, which we believe is the best type of sweetener and much better than agave, which is hard on the liver.”
Okay, so now that I’ve got some extra protein sources, it’s time to utilize them.
You see, my Kiwi husband loves his sweets. And he loves his carbs. This week I wanted to make sure that he had that craving met, but in a more nutrient dense way. With the help of smari and designer whey I made this grain free blueberry banana nut sticky bread.
[print_this]
Ingredients:
- 1 small ripe banana
- 2 scoops whey Vanilla protein (around 60grams)
- ¼ cup coconut flour
- ¼ cup almond meal (can use regular GF flour)
- 2 tablespoon molasses
- 4 oz blueberry greek yogurt (I used Smari)
- ½ teaspoon cream of tartar
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- 2 – tablespoon nut/fruit trail mix
- 1 egg
- 1 teaspoon liquid stevia (optional)
- butter or coconut butter
Directions:
Mix your flour and dry ingredients first. Set aside. Mash you banana, egg, and blend with flours. Add molasses and yogurt and mix again. Pour into a greased bread pan (i used 9×9). Bake at 350F for 20 minutes or so. Remove from oven and pour a little melted butter or coconut butter on top, then let it cool. This bread does not rise, it’s a think batter with a sticky middle, which tastes amazing. You could bake in a square brownie pan and it would still be great as bars!
[/print_this]
The banana is a great source of potassium, the molasses is a natural sugar and a good source of iron, it’s grain free so there’s less inflammation on the gut and body, the yogurt/whey combo boosts immunity with probiotics, and of course extra the protein helps with keep lean muscle mass, etc.
Maybe this sticky bread will be good luck for Kiwi this weekend. That’s my thought process. Thank you again for all the support. The journey is not the same without friends and family that push us along.
What’s your favorite sweet bread recipe?
What one thing brings you JOY on your personal journey? Come on, Corny Cotter here wants to know.
Cheers,
LC
Love it! Might try this recipe this weekend! We’ve been married almost 6 years too…in December! Joint Hawaii anniversary celebration one year?! 😉 One thing that brings me joy is also caring for Mikey…I love making him breakfast and coffee and serving it to him. I also have a lot of joy when God shows his faithfulness – that happened in a neat way when we tithed this week. 😀
Hope the race goes well! You are an awesome sherpa wife!
yes, let’s do it!! Hawaii time! hugs and love ya!
I need to find some of that yogurt! And try that bread. I have yet to buy almond meal or flour so I’ve never baked with it or tried a recipe, hopefully I can add it in the budget soon!
My joy on my graduate journey are the small breakthroughs. I’m hoping to have one SOON on my last project because it is loooong overdue.
i found it at whole foods! and good luck with grad school, you got this friend! <3
uhhh from the looks of it, THIS is my favorite sweet bread recipe! and i’m gonna make it and report back. love you.
oh yes, do it, report back!
I’m constantly working towards finding joy in the journey and not just only only thinking of the end result. Step by step, day by day 🙂
amen sista! step by step we move forward!
I’m like you: I love caring for my husband and feeding him well! Makes me very happy. 🙂
Good luck to the hubby this weekend! And I am definitely going to have to try Smari, although right now I am on a Siggi’s kick.
Here we go corny cotter…I’d have to say that I have grown She Rocks Fitness all on my own. I’ve taught myself the ropes of social media, blogging, and taking a leap of faith to move to a new state to try to do it all over again. Jot and NUTS…LOL
I think the sticky bread will be perfect for the hubs this weekend- wish him good luck for me and I totally wish I was there racing and cheering him on in person.
i wish you were here. xxoo but i know you will be, in spirit!
I’ve seen three recipes this week with molasses- it must be ingredient of the month 😉
LOVED the sound of the loaf when you teased us with it earlier on and now I’m even more intrigued to try it out- although I’ll have to sub chobani in it- Greek yogurt has JUST become slightly popular here.
Something that brings joy are the little accomplishments that after time, enhances something great!
chobani is awesome! that will work too! and molasses is like vegemite of america. haha
mmmmm hey so can i omit the protein powder and will it still come out? i get plenty of protein and well..don’t have any powder lol. i don’t really do much ‘baking’ at all since i’m gluten free. i just tend to avoid all baked goods anyhow but this looks super tasty! also really curious about that new yogurt..i’ve had siggi’s and skyr brands before.
siggis and skyr are very similar. same method of making the yogurt. Lower sugar, high protein, etc. I just like smari uses grass fed cows.
And yes, totally use something else here if need be. I’d use some kind of flour though or nut meal. Or maybe use 1/2 cup coconut flour instead. Try it!
First, good luck James on the race!! where is it? Praying praying!!
Second, this bread looks AWESOME! is there anything you recommend substituting the whey powder for if I don’t have any or don’t want to use it?
do you have peanut flour, or any other kind of flour? grind up oats?
This looks amazing <3 I am loving the Smari yogurt and I obviously live the DW.
hehe yes, we always share the same loves.
Oh my goodness, I first think of family and friends (ahem!) who bring me joy, but really, it’s the Lord working through them. He is speaking to me in so many ways lately, like little sparks throughout my day. And I’m so very grateful for my family and those friends (AHEM!) who allow themselves to be a vessel for Him. (see? you’ve turned me into korny king!)
Much love and prayers to you both this weekend. So glad the race is close to home…getting to sleep in your own beds and use your own kitchen makes such a difference!
oh i love you friend! God is working in you, always! Corny Cotter to Korny King
You are an awesome wife!!
That sweet bread looks really yummy!!
Hearing you talk about your passions always makes me feel warm and fuzzy inside. I love that you love what you do, and I love that you share that with us. Oh, and the delicious recipes don’t hurt either 😉
I’m sure I’ve had sweet bread before, but it’s not coming to mind. Yours looks absolutely amazing – I would love a slice! I think this is one I might have to tackle after competition and make a few small dairy-free modifications. 🙂
You are lucky to do what you do and he is VERY lucky to have you doing it for him.
XOXO 🙂
i am lucky to have him!
looks like an amazing, recipe babe! i can’t decide which recipe/bread i want to make of yours first! i don’t bake much, but when i do i love the outcome. like, i made a pumpkin buckwheat bake from edible perspective and omg it was so delicious, however, i just really have a hard time finding the time to actually do the baking, which is why i don’t do it much. it’s so sad because it tastes so good 😉 i bet i would love this bread since i love banana bread!
i’ll come bake, you brew tea. k?
I hope to be considered a FRIEND OF THE SHERPA’S WIFE!!! 😀 If so, does that mean, if I come knocking on your door, you will welcome me with open arms and Healthy Bites….! ! ! 😀
Seriously, what sweet bread ISN’T my favorite?! 😉 This one look fabulous! I received the Smari yogurt too, and I’m loving it. Good thing I haven’t eaten the blueberry one yet – I’m going to save it for this recipe!
The best thing about any journey is feeling accomplished even with the littlest things. You must feel good knowing you’re a great SHERPA wife at the end of the day. It’s hard but once you get through it, the reward is totally worth it!
Favorite sweet bread -> Anything banana-ey!
My family is my source of joy in my life, for sure…I still live close to the majority of my immediate and extended family and cherish every minute I get to spend with them!
P.S. That bread looks so yummy!
oh i love that! so special.
mmm I want this bread! but I need to sub the coconut flour, do you think it will still taste as good!?
Can you be my Sherpa Wife too?! haha You always have the best food ideas!
Joy in the journey… hmm, the quiet moments when I can take a step back and see and appreciate the blessings in my life. Your sticky bread, yummo!! I need to get some coconut flour. I’ve been baking more with almond meal but it’s too dense by itself.
I love your outpouring of joy. I get so much pleasure from being at home, making meals for my husband (!!!) too and yet, I don’t often say it out loud, because women have a way of tearing you down for embracing housewifery (although I work two jobs, I dream of the day when I can be at home, taking care of my family, because that makes me so happy). Love this.
And I LOVE that yogurt! I tried it a couple months ago in the plain and just love it!
we were made to be help for our men. I love it, it is part of who we are as women. I think society needs to embrace that. <3 i'm venting. LOL!
When you say sticky bread it makes me think of Chinese Sticky Buns (yet totally different!)
The joy in seeing what we really CAN accomplish.
p.s. Your Sherpa skills totally amaze me. Like, totally.
p.p.s. Good luck to Kiwi Cotter!
Oops – I forgot to add this in since the link luv does not work for me….
Would You Buy This? What Motivates You to Buy? A Message to All You Magazines/Advertisers Out There! http://truth2beingfit.com/2013/10/22/would-you-buy-this-what-motivates-you-to-buy.aspx
That looks amazing! I have to search out that yogurt!!! More protein is a good thing for me! 🙂 Yes to DW! 🙂
i knew you would like it!
Will you be my sherpa? Minus the whole sherpa thing, emphasis on the cooking ;)? I love me some good banana bread!
Since it’s fall, I”m going to have to go with pumpkin chocolate chip as my favorite sweet bread. But…yours sounds wonderful, too. And I hadn’t heard of that yogurt brand. Now I must hunt it down!
I think you probably already know this, but God’s Word is the thing bringing true joy to me these days. It’s so amazing to me how He puts just the right thing in front of my eyes when I need it the most, or a song that I love, or a beautiful friend like you in my life 🙂
That yogurt sounds awesome–I’m going to have to try to find it! As for sweet bread, nothing beats a classic banana bread (preferably made with a nutrient-rich flour and packed with nuts)!
Recipe looks awesome! I definitely want to try it; it looks so moist in the pictures!
The yogurt is quite interesting as well. I am going to have to try some!
mmm… I so want to come over and just eat and ENJOY together! I’m usually not a fan of sweets, but this looks awesome. I’m a more savory girl! 🙂
You are such a fabulous sherpa wife! Are you able to go to his race this weekend? Sending positive vibes his way!
I don’t think I make too many sweet breads except for banana. My all-time favourite is sticky buns from a small bakery in Jasper National Park, the Bear’s Paw.
I get joy through the smiles of my littles. Their joy in discovering life brings me so much joy.
The recipe looks great! 🙂
and the are joyful because of their beautiful mama!
Mmmm…love this sweet bread recipe! My favorite sweet bread recipe involves anything with pumpkin. Love it!
Waaant! That sticky bread looks and sounds so delicious, I definitely need to give it a try. I even have almost all the ingredients at home! Your kiwi is such a lucky man!
Thank you so much for sharing this recipe, and I’m very glad to see I already have all the ingredients on hand!
That yogurt is very intriguing – I didn’t know “Icelandic Yogurt” was a thing. I’m interested now to try it! Do you know if it is available in conventional stores, or would I need to special order online? Any clue as to the probiotic advantages over other types of yogurt?
Anyway, thanks again for the recipe, and good luck with the race this weekend!
it should be at whole foods! let me know if you can’t find it. It has more protein than most greek. You’ll like it!
I’d like some balls with a side of sticky bread. Seriously – this looks so very good. I wonder if pumpkin would work for the banana? I’m on a kick… 🙂
i bet it would. but you might add a little more flour to even it out.
I don’t make many sweet breads so I think this one will be come my favorite quickly 😉 That yogurt looks so yummy…Wish they sold it around here. P.s. I now add molasses to everything! I have always loved it but only used it when baking!
Yum this look DELICIOUS!
It is race week for my hubby to so I know just how it is to make sure you are getting everything right It’s a bit stressful during race week here, but I love every minute of it! It’s part of what I signed up for when I said “I do”
oh good luck to him! and you sherpa wife!!
What a wonderful view you have on the journey. Dreams can definitely be daunting, but finding the joy in the journey is certainly a huge motivator and help.
And the sticky bread just looks so delicious!
DROOL! Another amazing recipe!! I want to try DW’s vanilla almond protein and today is the first I’m hearing of Smari. I like how itz low in sugar and high in protein!
Hey Lindsay, that bread looks delicious. I’m trying GF again. It’s been two days. Hehe! I’m getting a cold, so I’m about to scour your website for cold remedy ideas. 🙁
oh lots of homemade chicken broth and spices like lemon grass, ginger, and any other spice! feel better
MY CHILD’S JOY.
You are THE best sherpa wife I know 🙂 and for corny Cotter: making other people smile brings me joy.
you bring me joy. Did you know that? xxoo
Mmmm that sounds so good. I’ve only had the Sigi’s brand of Icelandic yogurt. I need to pick up bananas by Friday for my race Saturday. Wishing James so much luck this weekend! Wish we could be there to cheer him on. Though, you’re staying home right 😉
the race is here. I will be going. let’s hope i improved on my good luck charm skills this month! haha
I have to say I find joy everytime a client realized how far they’ve come. It’s one thing for me to see results it’s another for them.
Sticky bread? Dies monkey bread count. Yum!
that’s the best feeling! and yes, monkey bread counts. xxoo
I use a recipe from HungryMeetsHealthy for banana bread that is soooooo tasty!