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Have I ever told you about my idiosyncrasies? I have a few…
I’m an anxious person by nature. A hypochondriac. I overanalyze EVERYTHING. I’ve been this way since I can remember, but you’d never really detect it unless you know me incredibly well. I keep it in, and don’t let is show, which is probably why it gets so out of control every once in a while. It’s just that…I don’t want to sound like a crazy person.
The strange thing about it all, is I really have no reason to stress like this, and never have; my whole life has been pretty picturesque, carefree, blissful, perfect even. Knock on wood. Of course, there have been the common life tribulations, but those things are normal.
In high school I would get horrible stomach aches from stressing over nothing. I mean what does a 16-year old high school student have to stress about? Zilch.
A few years ago, I got a rash on my hand that lasted for a month and I thought I was dying. For real. Dying. I later found out it was a chemical burn from getting a little clumsy with some Draino. My parents will never let me live that one down.
Side note: Don’t ever WebMD anything.
Anytime Kevin comes home later than he says he’s going to, I start panicking and immediately assume the worst. Car wreck! Mugged! Murdered!
Told ya. Kookoo…
For me, stress manifests itself in the form of two things: Horrible stomach pains and a tightened throat. When I start feeling anxious, not only do I try to remind myself to take a deep breath, but I do other things to try and manage it, like drink lots of chamomile tea (decaffeinated), exercise, get plenty of sleep and eat healthier.
So what exactly does ice cream have to do with my anxiety? Well, it just makes you feel better! Duh. And since I try to eat a little bit healthier when I’m feeling that way, a healthier ice cream is mandatory.
Enter: 3 ingredient banana nutella ice cream. It’s literally made out of three ingredients: bananas, vanilla and nutella.
The one ingredient banana ice cream has been floating around the internet for the last year or so, but I was never really sold on it. Buuut I kept hearing about it over and over and over, so I decided, eh what could it hurt to try?
Verdict?
It tastes just like ice cream! I mean, the texture is just uncanny.
All you do is slice the bananas into one-inch pieces, freeze them for twenty minutes or so and then pop them into a food processor and turn her on. You’ll have to stop every once in a while and use a spoon to scrape down the sides, but after a few minutes you’ll see it transform into a creamy, smooth ice cream dream. It’s like magic!
At this point you can throw in whatever additions you want, I went with a vanilla and nutella mixture that was phenomenal, but peanut butter would be amazing or raspberry jam, or coconut or, melted chocolate – the options are endless.
Kevin who was also unsure of it, loved it, like love love LOVED.
Next week I’m going to try my hand at turning it into the strawberry malt I’ve been craving for weeks… But until then, I’ll be eating my anxiety away with this stuff.
- 5 bananas
- ½ teaspoon vanilla
- ¾ cup Nutella
- Cut bananas into 1-inch slices. Place on a cookie sheet and freeze for 20-30 minutes until completely frozen.
- Transfer to food processor. Turn on, scrape down sides every 30 seconds. Process until mixture becomes completely smooth and looks like ice cream.
- Add nutella and vanilla. Pulse until combined.
- Eat right away or store in airtight container.
gerda says
Seriously…..its unbelievable Yummy tasty lekker devine….the list goes on!!! I’m not big on Bananas, but this is Super!!!!
Nicole says
Thanks!!!
Samantha says
Do you think if I cut the bananas and freeze them until after work tomorrow they’d be too frozen? I have several that are probably going to be too brown tomorrow, but my Nutella is at work!
Nicole says
Absolutely!!!
Sue/the view from great island says
This looks and sounds amazing, I love simple ice cream recipes that don’t need an ice cream machine — perfect for Valentine’s Day!
Nicole says
Thank you Sue!!!!
Elena says
Nicole, we loved this recipe! My kid ate it up, which is great. Anything to sneak in healthy fruits and veggies is perfect. Loved the simplicity.
Nicole says
Awesome! So glad you guys liked it Elena!
Sara says
I made this and it was yummy but by no means is it low-cal. Still about 300 cals per about 1/2 cup.
Nicole says
Glad you liked it Sara! It’s really just meant to be a healthier alternative to ice cream!
Giovanna says
How can this be called skinny icecream. Your recipe says it serves two, that is 2 1/2 bananas and a little over 1/4 cup of Nutella per person. Hardly skinny icecream! Add the calories. You might as well eat the real stuff right out of the container.
Nicole says
Sorry Giovanna! It’s just meant to be “lighter” than a typical ice cream, which it is. I’ll modify the title to say lightened up instead. Thanks for stopping by!
K says
Calories don’t particularly matter, it’s the macros that count. Sure, it says it serves two, but if you put it in comparison to regular ice cream, 1/4 cup or 1/2 cup of this would easily offer 4-5 servings. Less calories than regular ice cream, no milk fat. Take it or leave it, there are plenty of recipes out there. Try Halo Top or something.
K says
Or you could try Nutilight. Is has less sugar. Or no sugar depending on which one you get. The sweeteners used don’t raise your glycemic index either.
Erica says
Can I use a blender instead of food processor?
Nicole says
Absolutely!! It may take a little bit longer, just pulse, and stir every so often and it should work perfectly.
Jamie says
Wow. I was getting to the bottom of my Nutella container and was wondering how much I needed to make this (saw a recipe for it awhile back), searched for it and your blog came up. I started reading and you sound just me (or rather the former me)! I ditched eating wheat a couple months ago and anxiety was GONE! You could try it for a week or two — you never know…
Nicole says
I’m always looking for natural ways to reduce my anxiety!! I might have to give that a go, although it will be SO hard!!! I like my wheat…. 🙂
Zoe says
Can you taste the banana in it? I can’t stand the taste of bananas and I can always taste them in smoothies. I’m keen to try this ice cream as I’m dairy free and the only thing I truly miss is ice cream.
Nicole says
You can a little bit, sorry Zoe!!
Guila says
this recipe is PERFECT. Loved it! And yes, I’m the same. I’ve had everything from brain tumours to carpal tunnel syndrome because of it
Nicole says
That is so good to hear Guila!!! Hahaha I’m glad I’m not the only one!