Whole Wheat Sweet Potato and Zucchini Bread

2 cups whole wheat flour (I prefer whole wheat pastry flour)
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 cups date puree (see previous post for recipe)
3/4 olive oil
3 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 1/2 cups grated zucchini
1 1/2 cups grated sweet potato, unpeeled

Preheat oven to 350. Butter and flour 9x5x3-inch loaf pan.  Sift first five ingredients into a medium bowl.  Beat dates, oil, eggs and vanilla to blend in large bowl.  Mix in zucchini  and sweet potato.  Add dry ingredients and stir well.

Transfer batter to prepared pan.  Bake until tester inserted into center comes out clean, about 1 hour 20 minutes.  Cool bread in pan on rack 15 minutes.  Cut around bread to loosen.  Turn out onto rack and cool completely.  Freezes well.

Date Puree

 I use date puree as a sugar substitution when I want to make a healthier version of some of my quick breads such as whole wheat carrot cake, whole wheat sweet potato and zucchini bread.  I'll stir it into my kids' oatmeal in place of other sweeteners, add it to smoothies, spread it on peanut butter sandwiches instead of jam or honey.

I make a big batch of this to store in containers in the freezer.  When frozen it is still pliable enough to scoop and spread.

To make it: place your pitted dates and a cinnamon stick (optional) into a sauce pan, filling it with water about 3/4 way up the dates.  Cover and bring to a boil.  Reduce to a simmer for 30 minutes and keep covered.  Let cool (this is so you don't burn yourself while blending).

Remove cinnamon stick if using.  Puree with an immersion blender, blender, or food processor until smooth.

Pour into freezer-proof containers.  This will last about 3 months in the freezer or 1 week in the refrigerator.

Quotes from Elie

Moises was reading a book on the couch when Elie came up to him handing him a book for him to read.  He tries to shut Moises' book and says, "The end!"

When you tell Elie "no" he always asks, "Why?"
If you ask Elie "why" he'll answer, "Cos."

Quotes from Asher...

After I said thank you to Asher, and gave him a hug for drawing me a picture, he got the proudest look on his face.  He asked, "Did I make your feelings better?"



Asher:  Mommy can we have some ice cream?
Me:  We don't have any left.  Should we text Papi to have him bring us some on his way home?
Asher:  Who ate it all?
Me:  I don't know?!  Who do you think ate it all?
Asher:  Papi?
Me:  No, you and I ate it all!
Asher:  (with a smirk on his face) Because we're ice cream monsters!