Lunch: Strawberry-Banana Bread

Recipe by The Casserole Queens Our moms are both great bakers who make amazing banana bread. This is our update, with strawberries added to brighten the flavor and in a larger size to feed a crowd." — Crystal and Sandy

This recipe includes fertility superfoods such as:

Cinnamon, Lemon, Nuts, Walnuts

Health and fertility benefits of Strawberry-Banana Bread

Cinnamon is one of the best ingredients that someone with insulin sensitivity can eat. Half a teaspoon of cinnamon per day has been shown to be very effective at normalizing blood sugar levels. Cinnamon contains hydroxychalcone, which is thought to enhance the effects of insulin. It has also been suggested that Cinnamon prevents post-meal blood sugar spikes by slowing the gastric emptying rate - meaning that food digests slowly. (Reference: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11506060). Lemons can help to prevent oxidative damage to the body, which women with PCOS are often susceptible to. Nuts are a natural source of Inositol, a derivative of Vitamin B (which is often prescribed in the form of supplements for women with PCOS). Inositol can effectively control the symptoms of PCOS by reducing insulin resistance and improving insulin sensitivity. Walnuts are low on the glycemic index. What’s more, they also lower the glycemic index of other foods that you eat in conjunction with these nuts. Any kind of nuts provide a healthy source of fat and a great way to encourage PCOS weight loss.

Ingredients

1 c. vegetable oil
3 c. all-purpose flour
2 tsp. ground cinnamon
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. freshly grated or ground nutmeg
1/2 tsp. kosher salt
4 large eggs
1 1/2 c. granulated sugar
1 tbsp. pure vanilla extract
1 tbsp. grated lemon zest
2 large ripe bananas
1 lb. strawberries
1 1/2 c. walnuts
1 c. confectioners' sugar
2 tbsp. fresh lemon juice

Instructions

Heat oven to 350 degrees F. Oil and flour a 9- by 13-inch casserole dish. In a large bowl, whisk together flour, cinnamon, baking soda, nutmeg, and salt.
In a medium bowl, lightly beat eggs. Add granulated sugar, oil, vanilla, and lemon zest and whisk to combine. Mash bananas (you should get about 1 cup) and stir into egg mixture. Add egg mixture to flour mixture and mix just until incorporated. Fold in strawberries and walnuts.
Transfer batter to prepared dish and bake until a wooden pick inserted into center comes out clean, 45 to 50 minutes. Transfer to a cooling rack and let cool for 5 minutes.
Meanwhile, in a medium bowl, whisk together confectioners' sugar and lemon juice until smooth. Spread icing over warm cake, then let cool completely.

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