 Banana bread was on everyone’s menu in lockdown. Banana bread, however, has been a firm favourite of mine since I was a child.
I remember when my mum used to bake it for me - the urge to eat the entire loaf in one sitting, not leaving a crumb for anyone else. When I began eating vegan, I was determined to find a version that would bring me the same joy. After a great deal of trial and error, I have landed on this recipe… You will need:
Method Preheat the oven to 200C and grease the inside of your baking tin. I also like to line the bottom with grease-proof paper. Mash three large black peeled bananas with a fork, and then mix in the margarine and sugar before adding a dash of vanilla essence. Sieve in 225g plain flour, a little at a time. Once blended, add in the baking powder (with a pinch of salt to activate the aeration) along with the cinnamon and hazelnuts. Bake for twenty minutes. Check and cover with foil if the cake is browning. Pop it back in the oven for another twenty minutes. Dip a knife into the centre of the loaf - if it come out clean, you’re done, if it comes out gooey, bake for a further ten minutes.  By now, the negative effects, on both our physical and mental wellbeing, of spending long periods of time sitting at a desk are no secret. You only have to spend a day or two at a desk job to feel it for yourself. According to The Irish Times '21 "data suggests that many of us are more inactive now than in 2019." What can we do about it? We've got to work! It doesn’t have to be overwhelming or unattainable. The smallest of actions can create huge changes. There are so many simple actions you can take to improve how you feel. 1. Get some fresh air Take a stroll around your neighbourhood on your lunch break. Just twenty minutes can totally boost your mood and your energy levels. If this is not possible, try to have a fresh air source, such as an open window, in the room. 2. Achy legs Our bodies don't like to be stuck in any one position for too long. At your desk, you may feel the blood "pool" in your feet. Take ten minutes to lie on your back with your legs up the wall, at a 90 degree angle from you. Let gravity do its thing. 3. Tingling in your fingers Take a moment, at regular intervals throughout the day, to open out your elbows, stretch your arms out, wriggle your fingers, and rotate your wrists. 4. Eye strain Staring at the artificial light of a computer screen, straining to read, is exhausting for our eyes. Headaches, eye redness and blurred vision are just some of the unpleasant side effects. Dr. Jeff Anshell developed The 20-20-20 Rule. The rule advises that, for every twenty minutes you spend looking at a screen, you should look at something twenty feet away for twenty seconds. 5. Stiff neck and shoulders Hunched over a screen, our head is pulled forward and our shoulders become rounded. Our bodies are capable of great adaptation but, while no posture in particular can be labelled as "bad," it is once again the length of time we spend in this posture that becomes the issue. It's not long before we feel the strain on our necks and shoulders. Take ten minute breaks to perform simple back-strengthening exercises that help open out your chest and draw tension away from your neck and shoulders. You can find simple video tutorials on my on-demand service. 6. Wake up your legs In a seated position, our glutes and hamstrings are lengthened. This can lead to that sensation of your glutes "falling asleep". Take a ten minute break to perform some simple exercises that encourage the glutes and hamstrings to contract, and allow your hip flexors to lengthen and stretch open. You can find simple video tutorials on my on-demand service. What is with this obsession to exercise for our outward appearance? Even as I was googling articles about breaking this cycle, the sponsored ads that popped up included How to get a bikini body at my age and New Japanese Weight-Loss Method. I can't count the times I've had curious souls reach out to me to enquire about attending classes only to follow up with "but I'm so 'out of shape'" As an instructor, I wish I could shake that feeling off them and show them that we're all here to learn, to play, to challenge ourselves. We're all in the same boat together. I do, however, understand the apprehension. Take me for example, I hold an EQF Level 4 PT certification. I have been awarded the National Qualification in Health, Exercise and Personal Training and yet I am often terrified to walk out onto a gym floor. It's easy to scoff "oh it's all in your head" but those feelings are very real for the person who is feeling them. When I began my training as a fitness professional, I was so disheartened to see the huge focus that was placed on the "purpose" of each exercise being to change the outward appearance of the body. That was never the reason that I fell in love with exercise. I was miserable in school and exercise (dancing, running) gave me an escape; a release. Exercise made me feel good. I want to be clear that not all studios, gyms, instructors/PTs will place such a focus on physical appearance. This is also neither “good” nor “bad.” This is empowering for some and, if that's you, then please continue to enjoy what you do. I merely want to show people that it doesn't always have to be the case. "People should know that there are places where the teachers are more interested in showing someone who doesn't think they belong that they are capable of doing amazing things with their bodies" - Maiberg https://www.wellandgood.com/this-stunning-photo-project-will-make-you-rethink-what-a-pilates-body-looks-like/ There is more than one road to Rome. Heck, you don't even have to go to Rome if Ibiza is more your vibe. Play around with different approaches and, I promise, you can find a way to move that makes your mind and body feel absolutely fantastic. |
