Lightened Zucchini Bread

I am part of "Mom Group" (totally out of my comfort zone, but I'm trying) that is run by my friend Erica. She has actually turned the concept of women supporting women, get-togethers, questions, etc. into a legit company that she can still run as a stay-at-home mom mainly through social media/the internet... impressive! Anyway! A lot of the conversations stem from women going back to work- how to balance, whether or not they want to, the tears that come with it and whatnot. It is hard for me to relate to the desire to stay home since I have none. It is also hard for me to relay how I feel without sounding horrible or feeling judged (even though we aren't supposed to judge.) It's like the disconnect I felt with Charlie because of my postpartum depression, I know other people feel the same way. But how to respond? Well, I always say working isn't for everyone and staying at home isn't for everyone. Women as a whole need to support instead of judge other people's choices. 

So first of all, staying home was not an option for me since I was a single parent, but even if it was I know I don't want to. How do I know? Well I stay home in the summer and I am pretty sure I am bad at being a stay-at-home mom. She is my mini and I love her, but I suck at this. I have the ability to control and teach 150 high school students per day, but lack the ability to play a repetitive game for an hour with a 4 year old. This is meant with no-offense to those that do it... I don't know how you do it... you are amazing... you probably don't know how I do it... but I support and respect your decision... I will say what society makes me feel guilty for saying... I love being a mother, but it is not all that I am and I am not satisfied being just a mother/wife. Before you get your panties in a twist- I know- it's not "just a mother," you are so much more than that and it is so incredibly important to raise your children, it's more meaningful than any job I go to... I get it. I don't know how else to phrase that I need to do more than that for my own well-being. I get that it means someone else is "raising my child" and whatever else I get told, but at the end of the day, that choice to work makes me a better mother, just like your choice to not work makes you a better mother. It's not just work, I need to train too, I need to spend time working on myself. How selfish of me to work all day and then need to spend MORE time for myself... but you know what? It makes me function properly as a mom and that's not justification that's the truth. I am in a such good mood when I have worked out and had some of my own time- I am more patient, relaxed and a more decent human to be around. I am a new ambassador for Girl Meets Strong... a website/social media account dedicated to shift the focus of women to being strong- however that looks for you. Our latest campaign is how/why you choose strong- I think my reasoning is a good summary to how I feel- I choose strong to show Charlie what women are capable of. I want her to see that, if she wants, she can train, work, eat well, and have a family. There are no limits. As the commercial I love right now says, "It takes someone strong to make someone strong" and I for sure get that from my own Momma, the best stay-at-home mom I know who went to school on top of raising us.

Onto the food! My garden is in full-swing... Charlie and I pick the veggies and water daily. This year we grew eight-ball zucchini instead of the traditional longer kind. 

They got MASSIVE! Our one looked like a darn pumpkin. 

This bread was made weekly to use up that zucchini- it is delicious as a snack or breakfast. I took out the oil to lighten it up a bit, but it retains its moisture and is best warm with butter. :) 

Lightened Zucchini Bread

(Makes 2 Loaves)

-3 Cups All purpose flour
-2 tsp Baking Powder
-Pinch of Salt
-3 Eggs
-2 Cups Coconut sugar (or Refined)
-1 Tablespoon Vanilla
-1 Banana
-1/2 cup Unsweetened Apple Sauce
-1 Tablespoon cinnamon
~3 Cups Zucchini shredded (give or a take a half cup won't matter)
-1 Cup Blueberries (or nuts or chocolate chips whatever you want)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

1. In a large bowl, whisk the flour, baking powder and salt. Set aside.

2. In a Stand-mixer, or with hand-mixer, beat the sugar, eggs and vanilla. Add the banana, apple sauce, and cinnamon. Mix again until just incorporated. Add the flour mixture in thirds mixing between each addition. Add the zucchini, mix yet again. Add the blueberries and stir by hand.
3. Fill TWO greased loaf pans about 1/2-3/4 full. Bake 45-60 minutes until a toothpick inserted in the middle of the loaf comes out clean. Cool for at least 20 minutes. Eat with grass-fed butter. :)

As written... 

Nutrition Facts
Servings 16.0
Amount Per Serving
calories 210
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 1 g	2 %
Saturated Fat 0 g	2 %
Monounsaturated Fat 0 g
Polyunsaturated Fat 0 g
Trans Fat 0 g
Cholesterol 35 mg	12 %
Sodium 25 mg	1 %
Potassium 51 mg	1 %
Total Carbohydrate 46 g	15 %
Dietary Fiber 2 g	7 %
Sugars 27 g
Protein 4 g	8 %
Vitamin A	2 %
Vitamin C	9 %
Calcium	2 %
Iron	2 %
* The Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet, so your values may change depending on your calorie needs. The values here may not be 100% accurate because the recipes have not been professionally evaluated nor have they been evaluated by the U.S. FDA.