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Introduction
It was supposed to be a routine flight—three hours in the sky with nothing but a book, a podcast, and my thoughts. But life has a way of surprising us at 30,000 feet. A stranger in the window seat, a comment made mid-sentence, and suddenly I was rethinking how I handle boundaries, kindness, and the quiet power of saying “no” with grace.
Oddly enough, this reflection has taken root in one of my favorite comfort recipes: banana bread. As I’ll explain, this recipe—simple, flexible, and forgiving—became a metaphor for my new outlook on emotional boundaries and intentional kindness.
Ingredients:
3 ripe bananas, mashed
1/3 cup melted coconut oil (or butter)
1/2 cup honey or maple syrup
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 tsp baking soda
Pinch of salt
1/2 tsp cinnamon (optional)
1 3/4 cups whole wheat flour (or all-purpose)
1/2 cup chopped walnuts or dark chocolate chips (optional)
Instructions:
Preheat your oven to 325°F (165°C). Grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan or line with parchment paper.
Mash the bananas in a large mixing bowl. Stir in the melted oil, then the honey (or syrup), eggs, and vanilla. Mix until smooth.
Sprinkle in the baking soda, salt, and cinnamon. Stir to combine.
Add the flour, mixing just until incorporated. Don’t overmix—like in life, sometimes the best results come when you don’t force it.
Fold in any optional add-ins, like nuts or chocolate chips. These are your personal boundaries—entirely optional, but they add texture to your life (and loaf).
Pour the batter into the prepared pan and smooth the top.
Bake for 50–60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
Cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
Serving and Storage Tips:
Serve warm with a little butter or nut butter. It’s perfect with a morning coffee or shared during a vulnerable conversation.
Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days, or refrigerate for a week. It also freezes beautifully—just like good lessons, they’re worth saving.
Variations:
see more on the next page
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