Paleo Fried Bananas

I recently visited the beautiful island of Puerto Rico. While I was there, I tried to eat only authentic foods because, well, when in Rome...

One of my favorite dishes was the fried banana. It was so simple but it was something that I had never even considered before. So of course, I had to put a Paleo spin on it when I made it myself.

Paleo Fried Bananas

Ingredients

• Bananas, slightly green (as many as you feel like eating. 1 per person)
• Cinnamon
• Honey
• Coconut oil
• Ghee, optional

Steps

1. Add 2 tbsp coconut oil and 1 tbsp ghee (or 3 tbsp coconut oil) to a pan on medium heat, or 1/4 inch of oil in your pan. (I used a small pan)
2. While the oil heats, peel your bananas.
3. Slice bananas into coins, about 1/4 - 1/2 inch thick.
4. Gently place them in the oil. The slices can touch.
5. Let them 'fry' for 3-4 min. per side. If you try to turn them and they are sticking, they aren't ready.
6. Gently remove them from the pan and place them on a plate lined with a paper towel.
7. They will be a little soft but as they cool and dry, the banana slices will crisp up.
8. Sprinkle the slices with cinnamon and drizzle with honey. Serve as dessert or skip the cinnamon and honey and serve them alongside your meal.

So simple. I made them on a whim and my boyfriend LOVED them. It's not a typical american dish but it's not so 'weird' that people won't be willing to try it... and love it!

Try it out and let me know what you think!

Weekly Meal Prep

Disclaimer- I focus on REAL food. I am not 100% Paleo, but I strive to eat quality ingredients, 100% of the time.

When I am prepping my meals for the week, I start off by sitting down and writing it all out. I write down my weekly schedule so I know if meals or snacks need to be ready for on-the-go or if I'll be eating them at home. I also try to plan out what days I know that I will be eating meals out so that I don't buy too much at the grocery store. So here's a snapshot of my meal plan for this coming week:

Sunday

Breakfast- Green Smoothie

Lunch- Turkey burger patty with a tomato, cucumber and onion salad (make extra for 2 more meals)

Snack- Pate with cucumber slices

Dinner- Crockpot roast, red wine

Monday

B- Smoothie

L- Turkey burger patty with a tomato, cucumber and onion salad

S- Trail mix and a piece of fruit

D- Chicken breast (cook 2 more for future meals), black beans, 1/2 an avocado, wilted spinach, red wine

Tuesday

B- Bacon, eggs and 1/2 an avocado

L- Turkey burger patty with a tomato, cucumber and onion salad

S- Trail mix and a piece of fruit

D- Chicken breast, black beans and broccoli, red wine

Wednesday

B- Smoothie

L- Shrimp cocktail, broccoli and 1/2 sweet potato

S- Trail mix and a piece of fruit

D- Grilled chicken breast salad, red wine

Thursday

B- Smoothie

L- Pack of tuna fish, veggies and guac

S- Trail mix and a piece of fruit

D- Steak stir fry with quiona, red wine

Friday

B- Bacon, eggs and 1/2 an avocado

L- Leftover steak stir fry 

S- Trail mix and a piece of fruit

D- Dinner out

Saturday

B- Smoothie

L- Tuna pack and pate with cucumber slices

S- Lara Bar

D- Dinner out

Once I have each meal planned out, I make a grocery list around it. Then when I go to the store, I'm not buying anything extra that will not get eaten. This is essential when you are only buying fresh, raw foods as they do not last nearly as long as processed foods. Also, make your life easier by preparing as much as you can for a meal ahead of time. For example, if you're cooking a chicken breast for dinner one night, cook a couple extra for lunches or dinners later on in the week! You'll thank yourself later!

Do you meal plan for your weekly meals? Any tips or suggestions to share?