Needled!

Today, for the first time in CCNM history, first-year students preformed acupuncture. That's right, I needled (a classmate) and was needled (by the same classmate). It wasn't scary and was actually a pretty fun process. Thankfully, we started with very basic points just so we could practice the process of inserting a needle and practice "clean needle technique".
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I never understood why most banana bread recipes call for added sugar. Banana bread contains bananas aka super-sweet fruits! The natural fructose provides lots of sweetness. Here is my sugar-free take on banana bread (but it is still sweet due to all the fruit and chocolate/carob chips). It's made chunky by the addition of oats, walnuts, and chips, and is the perfect dessert after a long day of needling :P

Chunky Banana Bread

2 cups flour (I used white kamut)
1/2 cup oats
Pinch salt
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda

3 mashed ripe bananas
1/2 cup apple sauce or date puree (1/3 cup dried dates soaked in 1/3 cup water overnight, puree/blend until smooth)
1/4-1/2 cup of water (only add if necessary to get a batter-like consistency)

1/2 cup chocolate/carob chips
1/4 cup chopped walnuts

Mix the dry. Mix the wet (blending makes this super easy). Combine dry and wet. Fold in the add-ins. Bake in a parchment paper-lined or greased loaf pan for 45-60 minutes at 350F. Makes one loaf or twelve slices.