Foodie Friday - Zucchini/Carrot Bread

This is one of my favorite healthy 'treats' and I don't feel bad letting P eat half a loaf in a day! I got the initial recipe from my friend Jeni and have adapted it over time to suit our food 'rules'. It's delicious and lucky for me P LOVES it and doesn't know how many vegetables I am tricking him into eating! ;)

Here is the original ingredient list:
- 2C coarsely shredded zucchini
- 3C all purpose flour
- 1 3/4C sugar
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp baking powder
- 3/4C applesauce
- 1/2C egg substitute
- 1/3C vegetable oil
- 1 T vanilla extract
- cooking spray
- 1 cup chopped walnuts

Here's how I made it tonight, and last week:
-2 medium sized organic zucchini - grated
-2-3 medium/large sized organic carrots - grated - I added a handful of spinach tonight too
- 1C organic whole wheat flour
-1C organic WHITE whole wheat flour
-1C organic unbleached all purpose flour
- 1/4C raw ground wheatgerm*
- 3 T whole flaxseed*
-3/4C organic cane sugar
- 1 1/4 tsp aluminum free baking soda*
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- 1 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/4-1/2 tsp nutmeg - I just shake it over the bowl
- 1/4 tsp ground cloves
- 1/2 tsp aluminum free baking powder* - this is harder to find than Al. free baking soda, I got mine from Amazon
- 3/4C organic applesauce
- 2 free range brown eggs
- 4 T coconut oil - melted slowly on the stove before adding, since it is a solid at room temperature. *
- 1 T organic vanilla extract
- stainless steel sprayer with olive oil in it
- no nuts for us, P has a peanut allergy
- 2 stoneware loaf pans

Directions:
- Preheat oven to 350
- Use food processor to shred zucchini and carrots. I don't feel either of them. Just give them a good wash. Lay out on a dry, clean tea towel to remove excess fluid
- Combine dry ingredients. Make a well in the center and add all wet ingredients. Mix until just combined
- Add grated zucchini and carrot. You might need to get in there with your hands to get it all combined now. So make sure your loaf pan is ready to go before doing this, you'll only have to wash your hands once this way
- Put half the mix in each loaf pan. I unfortunately only have one stoneware loaf pan so I have to bake one at a time :(
- Bake for 55 minutes or until wooden pick comes out clean. Let cool in pans for 10 minutes and then turn onto a wire rack and let cool.

*Wheatgerm - a wonderful source of omega 3 fatty acids, B vitamins, calcium, fiber, iron and lots of other vitamins and minerals

*Flaxseed - great source of fiber (also a GREAT natural laxative), omega 3 fatty acids and may help fight cancer, diabetes and heart disease
*Coconut oil - This should be organic extra virgin coconut oil to get all the benefits. Coconut is a healthier replacement for other oils and butters, it is high in medium-chain fatty acids (MCFAs) which have many benefits over other fats, and may even help you lose weight
*Aluminum free baking soda and baking powder - aluminum is a neurotoxin in high amounts and may be associated with Alzheimer's

And while I am at it, here is my new Rice Cooker!

It is 100% stainless steel so it is free of all chemical nasties and non-stick additives. It arrived a few days ago and I finally got to try it out tonight. I love it. It made 2 cups of brown rice very very quickly, it was cooked well and it was easy to use. Better yet, I got it completely free using amazon gift cards that I got from swagbucks and other online survey sites!