one bowl chocolate chip banana bread + self-care

What self-care rituals are important to you? I’ve been thinking a lot about the importance of “self-care” recently. The last 3 months or so at work have been extremely busy and stressful and have consequently meant that I leave the office feeling like a less tough, slightly worn version of myself. I often come home in not-the-best mood and sometimes I can be a really shitty partner. Sometimes I say things I deeply regret, or end up kind of whiny or naggy. Sometimes I find myself less patient on a phone call with my mom, or less polite to fellow travelers on the streetcar. Sound familiar? This is a sign that I need to do more self-care.

For me, self-care includes things that make me feel relaxed, that bring a smile to my face, that allow me to shrug off the weight of a hard day. One of my go-to self-care rituals is cooking. At the end of the day, chopping vegetables for a giant stew, or creaming butter and sugar together makes me feel relaxed, and in control. Other self care rituals include picking up a burrito bowl from our local tex-mex joint and eating it on the couch while watching The Great British Bake Off or taking a long bath while listening to a favourite podcast with lots of lavender oil in the diffuser. Organizing my bookshelf. Going on a walk and taking photographs. Going to the gym. Not going to the gym. These things help bring me back to my best self. Fundamentally, self-care is about tiny acts of selfishness that actually help make you a better partner, and a better human being to be around.

This season’s self-care rituals are so often about coziness, and the warm feeling of being inside when outside it might seem grey and miserable. Putting on a nice pair of socks and watching a nice moody film. Making chili. And what a better way to cultivate that cozy, self care thing, than with a big mug of tea and a slice of chocolate chip banana bread, quickly prepared in a single bowl with a wooden spoon?

The best one bowl chocolate chip banana bread
Adapted from Epicurious

• 4 ripe bananas
• 1/4 cup melted butter (cooled completely)
• ½ cup sugar
• 1 cup all purpose flour
• ½ cup whole wheat flour (I used whole spelt)
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 egg, beaten with a fork
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• ½ cup chocolate chips

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Spray a loaf pan with cooking spray and if you want, line with a piece of parchment paper with the ends hanging over (this makes it easier to lift out of the pan)
2. Mash the bananas in a bowl with a fork until there are texture is almost uniform with minimal large lumps. Add all the remaining ingredients and mix well with a spoon.
3. Bake on the middle rack until a toothpick comes out clean, 55 to 60 minutes.
4. Cool for approximately 15 minutes in loaf pan on a rack. Remove loaf from pan and allow it to cool completely on the rack. Banana bread keeps well for 4-5 days, well wrapped.