Going Banana's for Cancer Support Community

 The Cancer Support Community-Benjamin Center in west Los Angeles provides support groups, stress reduction classes, individual counseling, educational workshops, and social activities for people with cancer & caregivers - all free of charge! 


When my Mom was diagnosed with Cancer in August of 2009, I was an active member of the community participating in the caregivers's support group along with other programs. When my Mom died, 9 months later, I spent the following year processing through her death as a member of the bereavement group. Both groups proved to be invaluable to me. Two years later,  I am privileged to return to the community as an MFT Trainee, now co-faciliting support groups. 


So how do we go from a chapter in my book of life to bananas????? Often times, people will drop off fresh fruits or flowers at the community. This week some generous person dropped off a huge case of bananas. Just before I was getting ready to leave, I heard a community member say, "I wish someone could make banana bread out of these bananas".  It was music to my ears so I found my favorite banana bread recipe and have been going banana's all morning.

Ingredients

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup butter (1 stick)
• 3/4 cup brown sugar
• 2 eggs, beaten
• 2 1/3 cups mashed overripe bananas
• 1/2 cup finely chopped walnuts (optional)

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Lightly grease a 9x5 inch loaf pan.
2. In a large bowl, combine flour, baking soda and salt. In a separate bowl, cream together butter and brown sugar. Stir in eggs and mashed bananas and walnuts until well blended. Stir banana mixture into flour mixture; stir just to moisten. Pour batter into prepared loaf pan.
3. Bake in preheated oven for 60 to 65 minutes, until a toothpick inserted into center of the loaf comes out clean. Let bread cool in pan for 10 minutes, then turn out onto a wire rack.

All Dressed Up!