It's winter, however, when the light beams across the marina, it's easy to believe it's glorious weather.
Contrarily, when I'm inside my narrowboat with the wood burner, it feels like a sauna. So I have been snug, and busy organising the space to make it homely and comfortable while enjoying the calm and serene vibe of a marina, from my narrowboat Cygnet.
The heat from this fireplace caused my bananas to quickly overripe, and on the verge of turning, so I decided to bake some muffins using ingredients that were already in my cupboard.
To avoid the boat becoming overbearingly hot, I had to time the outing of the fire, before pre-heating the oven to bake my muffins.
The bonus of baking, was the sumptuous aroma that permeated the entire boat and made the evening warm and cosy, while I watched the sunset with soft music playing in the background.
My Ingredients & Utensils
Nutty Banana Muffins with vanilla extract, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
- 3 ripe bananas, peeled and mashed.
- 1/4 cup sugar (add more to your desire)
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1/3 cup butter, melted
- 1 dash of salt (my butter was salted so I went light here).
- 1 lg egg, beaten.
- 1 tsp vanilla extra
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1 tsp nutmeg
- 1/2 cup walnuts
- 1 & 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
Living on a narrowboat means that I'm off-grid, so my appliances are basic and manual. Hence, here I'm using a grater for some ground nutmeg and cinnamon.
Making Banana Bread muffins is a simple recipe that requires minimal ingredients, and simple steps. Method (Pre-heat Oven to my gas mark at 3, which is my oven's highest setting.)
- Peel and remove the skin from the bananas, place in a bowl and mash them until smooth.
👇
- Add the melted butter and stir vigorously to blend it with the bananas.
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- Add all other remaining ingredients.
- baking soda
- vanilla extract
- sugar
- beaten egg
- cinnamon
- nutmeg
- nuts
- flour
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- Grease the muffin tray with butter
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- pour the cake mixture into each cup.
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Of course, you are not going to bake the banana peel, right? It's just for the photo:)
I then sprinkled nuts on top.
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Bake for 55 - 60 mins, then stick a toothpick in the centre of a muffin to test to see if it is baked right through.
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- Put the kettle on, and make yourself or company a lovely cup of coffee or tea
Waste less & Live Simply
As a minimalist, it's important for me to waste less and find creative ways of using food and produce. So, from making my banana bread, I avoided discarding it, and I saved wood by heating the boat with residual heat from my oven.
This is an economical way to heat your living space in the winter.
I trust that you'll try this recipe the next time you have bananas that have gone dotty. This is a fairly healthy recipe that's not too sweet if made with the small portion of sugar that I've used here.
I'll be sure to share more about my life on a narrowboat on a marina in the UK, so thanks for stopping by, and please pop back for more.
See you soon:)
All images were taken by me.
Oh cool, you're in Devizes? If you're still there in a few weeks it might be even possible for me to pop over and see you! That's not too far away from Coleford.
People used think we were freezing living in a bus or truck but man it gets super hot when the wood burner is on!
Oh yeah, that would be awesome. I have obligations overseas from mid to the end of February, but be sure to hook up if you're close by anytime after that. It would be great to see you.
The area is lovely and I'm looking forward to exploring a bit:)))
Yeah I'll be there early March too I think. Ideally straight to Morocco but I reckon we may have some issues getting the car registered.
Early March would be ideal 👍.
The boat was so hot tonight that we had the front and back doors open and summer clothes on.
Oh, dear, do you plan on driving in Morocco? Marrakesh driving is a different kind of crazy 😆
I love the name of your boat and I am excited to see more of your adventures!
makes me think of bananas gone wild
You gave me an early morning laugh 😍😁
Thank you! We liked the name as well 😊
Thanks for stopping by and I'll share more soon:)))
Awwww!... Our dear @millycf1976 friend back in one of those lovely boats!... It augurs a lot of lovely future articles on #Hive! ;)... Beautiful pictures... And that wood cooker is a real beauty! Ahhhgggg... I neet one like this!... (although considering the weather here, I will only use it as a decorative ornament)... Delicious recipe, well explained and with good pictures for the step-by-step!.... I'm happy you're there again, I know you love it and deserve it my dear and "very free soul" friend.... A hug and my best wishes for you always!....
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Hello @jlinaresp Thanks for your lovely comment 😊
I can imagine this wood burner to be just an ornament for you, indeed. This one is not used for cooking also, just for heating the boat with coal and wood. I have a regular oven and grill for cooking which is compact. I'll do a tour of the boat one of these days.
I'm looking forward to the upcoming months a float on Cygnet:)))
Awww... "Cygnet".... In French it sounds beautiful!... A swan for you to sail!... A story to tell!... Blessings! ;)
😍 Good points:)))
😊🤗
OMG, Cygnet, your baby swan! 💜 I had no clue you were looking at getting another narrowboat after parting with Badger a year-and-a-half ago! Or maybe I missed a critical blog of yours talking about it, or maybe you just kept it quiet as a surprise! Anyway, this is quite thrilling — your blogs have always been interesting reading, regardless of the topic, but I have fond memories of your narrowboating blogs from long ago. It was a lifestyle with which I wasn't at all familiar, and your use of space was amazing to see in the photos and videos! I hope you will be very happy aboard Cygnet, and look forward to reading more about what's happening in your life! 😊
Hello there! Thanks for your lovely reply. We do like the name of this boat too. I think we're lucky in that aspect, so there's no need for a name change.
Yes, we've been boat-searching for some time, as it can be difficult to find the right one, despite so many of them being advertised on the market.
In so many ways, we think this boat was meant to be. The two that we had arranged to view, were disappointing, and this boat arrived at the marina the night before and was not even advertised as yet. The minute we stepped on it, we both knew it was perfect for our needs, a massive improvement from Badger, and ideal until we wanted to upgrade in a few years, or so.
I appreciate you checking out my blog, and I do hope that you'll find our future blogs interesting too.
Have a lovely day 😍
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I had banana muffins too during the past weekend, but yours turned out a lot better than mine haha. Might give a try to your recipe soon :)
Also, congrats on living a simple life! We often forget how beautiful it is and that we don't really need all those things that keep us busy during the day for a happy life.
I'd be happy if you tried the recipe 😊
Yes, I'm elated to be back to a simpler life, as I was starting to accumulate unnecessary stuff, which was grinding me a bit.
Indeed! Being back on the narrowboat is the best reminder for me every morning when I wake up, and throughout the day, just how little one needs to live a simple and sustainable life. I'll cherish each day 😍
That’s awesome, back on a boat and off grid. I’m sure I will try this recipe. It looks delicious. Once I have a home again. We are moving countries right now and on the road traveling for almost a month to get there… will be (almost) off grid. Once there we work on it to go fully.
Have fun and a great Wednesday
!LUV
Your life is amazing. Always travelling. I admire your adaptability and way of going with the flow. It feels right to be living this way again, albeit on a marina. However, we will be cruising come Springtime.
I wish you a smooth moving, and I hope that you'll get the chance to settle for a while to recharge, and hopefully be off the grid soon.
Happy Wednesday too 😍
Thanks a lot, it’s amazing yes… to be traveling and seeing a lot. But… it can be exhausting too.
I so need to settle this time for a while.
Thank you so much. Let’s hope 😊
I can imagine… even though in a marina you are close to what you want. The cruising sounds lovely, I am looking forward hearing all about it.
Have a great evening 🤗🥰
Yeah, I understand the exhausting side of your travels.
It does get that way when we are continuously cruising too.
Have a nice evening 😍🤗
You so know… ☺️
Thank you so much, have a great day!
😊😍🤗
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I can feel the love:)
Beautiful recipe beautiful 😻. I will definitely try this one with your detailed step by step. I love ❤️ anything with banana.
And am wishing you a lovely time and stay as you continue explore, sharing how beautiful living a simple and minimalist life could be. What a beautiful boat 🚤, and how beautiful 😻 you look too with those smiles.
Happy New month of February. May the blessings of the Lord continue to overflow in all that you expect and do, with good health, healing ❤️🩹 and abundance.
Don’t forget to take us along as you explore the sea 🌊 beautiful 😍 Lots of Love ❤️.
Thanks for your lovely message.
Bananas are so versatile, and I love that they produce happy hormones, and I always feel great after eating a few of them.
I do hope to share more content about different aspects of boatlife 😍
❤️😍
The last thing I thought was that bananas could become overripe because of the heat--there? ❄️.I love the recipe and can imagine the aroma on your boat, as I myself make banana bread and banana cakes often as they could roast in their shells if I leave them forgotten on the kitchen table for a couple of days.
I hope you get to explore and find beauty and peace in the sea. You can also take us with you from time to time through a couple of photos 🙈 I would love that. Here I have a lot of sea, but even if the world is one, as it is, the seas are different and so are the sailors.
Looking good, as always! ❤️
Thank you 😊
I can imagine your banana cakes to be fantastic.
These narrow boats are designed to be on the canals and some rivers, but not the sea. The engines and power on the boat are slow and only go at 4mph. It's like a floating home.
I'll be sure to share my journey with you, as it's an interesting way of life, especially when cruising ❤️
Oh, I see. I guess one can tell by their narrow structure. A floating home, I like that 😀 Looking forward to your photos ❤️
It will be beautiful during spring and summertime ❤️
Hello my friend. I was very interested in making your banana cookies. Please write the necessary quantities. I would like to make this cookie. Please guide me.
Thank you for being there🙏🤗
Hello @fatemehsohrabiii
I'd be pleased if you tried my recipe.
Here's a screenshot of the ingredients list, it's there in the post, please scroll up higher in the post.
Enjoy 😋
Homo i try and make my dear.
Okay! All good wishes:)
I was really glued to your post from the beginning to the end because it’s my first time seeing someone living in a narrow boat.
I realize you made very little waste from all that did.(even reusing the peels)
This is absolutely great
Hi :)
I'm happy you found the ideas interesting. I remember the first time I discovered about narrowboats, how intrigued I was too.
It's an amazing way to live on the English waterways :)
Back on the water - nice! 👍
That little stove is cool. Being snug and warm inside would be delightful 😊
Must not take much to heat the inside of the boat. Great fuel cost saving I bet. 👍
Muffins look delicious 😋
The stove kicks out some real heat fast, and this boat is way better insulated than Badger, so it retains the heat well and the heat circulates through the entire boat.
😁 Every time I open the door, I say,
"OMG, I forgot that it's winter." 😆
I'm getting used to my morning chores of emptying ashes, and restarting the fire.
Yeah, the muffins are awesome and I'm looking forward to eating them in the morning 😋
That's awesome. Sounds amazing.
Haha! My first duty to empty the toilet has been delayed, cause it is way too heavy for me to walk that far without spilling it. However, hubby will be here within an hour, so it's all good 😆
Lol so is the toilet on a boat just a bucket? And where do you dump it?
No, not a bucket. It's a cassette toilet on our boat. There are different options like a pump out, or compost toilets. Here's a quick YouTube clip to give you an idea.
There's a main "Elsan" at each marina or along the canals where people empty their cassette toilets... I'm not sexist, but it's a job that I think is better suited for males 🤗, so I never robbed my husband of such pleasure.😂 However, I've been told that you can find an odd one that's in a terrible state.
There's a spare one on this boat which is handy, cos we've had close calls while continuously cruising before when we got delayed in getting to Elsans.
Okay I see. That makes a lot of sense.
I could see that being the case lol
I can literally smell the banana aroma in my room now
Hehe! I can't wait to have them in the AM 😋
Welcome aboard! Or… whatever is the term when boarding a boat! 😁
You seem really happy to be on the boat again! My wife also makes banana muffins quite often and the kids just love them. Yours look great!
Happy sailing!
It's the world of chugging, I believe. It's so good to be on the waters again, and I'm enjoying the different lifestyle of being at the marina. I'm not fully off-grid as yet cos I'm hooked up to the main power here.
It's still quiet and relaxed here, as in the countrysides, so I'll enjoy my time here:))
I can see why your kids love the muffins 😋
Now I'm craving banana cake after seeing this. It's my favorite cake with lots of nuts..
It must be cool living in the boat....space is limited, though.. You should go fishing hehe.
Yes, living on a narrowboat forces one to evaluate their possessions and take honest stock of how much hoarding we practice.
It also helps us to become more environmentally conscious.
Banana cake is hard to resist, and I remember purchasing one of the best ones I've ever had at Gaisano Mall.
Thanks for stopping by:)))
This looks like an idyllic way to live from your post, but I'm sure it also has its challenges?
Thank you!
Your assessment is accurate.
Boatlife is off-the-grid life, so yes, there are challenges in maintaining the ins and outs of normal household activities in an alternative way. Ex. Water, electricity, shopping, waste disposal (garbage and human waste), and the neverending list of maintenance.
Still, it's a slow lifestyle that's great for one's well-being.
Thanks for stopping by:)))
The Boat is very unique and perfect place to live in, and the food you serve to us looks very delicious. If I can find all of the Ingredients here in our place Ma'am, I would like to try this also. 😊
Boatlife is indeed great! It's a way to be close and in harmony with nature, and carry out normal daily activities with simplicity. It would be great if you do get to try the recipe. Have a lovely day:)))
That is true Ma'am @millycf1976 by way of close to Nature will make us relaxing and lived peacefully. ☺️
💯
Have a nice day!
Have a nice day too, Ma'am. ☺️
Milly, this is the most badass post lol
Rockin on a boat, making muffins, and chillin 😎
We need more cool adventures. !LUV
Hehe! I will post more about my boat adventures when I return from Jamaica:)
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Hi, I'm a little late getting here, but I couldn't pass up the opportunity to say hello, although it was much better than what I found. I can't believe you are living there and making these delicacies, plus, seeing you smiling, even with your grater made me smile myself because you look quite happy. What I like most about reading you is that I always take away a learning, today I'll keep that phrase "Waste less & Live Simply"...
Hello @jesuslnrs
Your lovely comment made me smile.
I'm glad you enjoyed my post, and that you got a nice takeaway from it.
Have a great day or night 😊
I do love how you made the muffin from bananas. I don't even need to taste it to know that it must have turned out delicious. You seem so happy with how things are so that certainly makes everything worthwhile. Looking forward to more of your adventures and of course more of your recipes, Milly.🤗
Hey Jhymi,
Thanks for your sweet comment. I appreciate you stopping by 😍
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Those muffins look super delicious, I personally like Banana cakes or muffins. I swear, for a while, I thought you were going to bake those banana peels... 😀
Hehe! I almost made a mistake and placed the banana peel in the oven. I'm glad you like it. There are so many versions of banana cakes, and I particularly liked the addition of cinnamon, nut meg and nuts.
Thanks for stopping by:)
Looks fine 😃
You are back living on a boat now?
Hello there!
Thank you!
Yes, I'm back on a boat finally. We're not continuously cruising this time around though, we're moored at a marina 😁
Wao, this is so lovely and beautiful.. I wish I was very early and I would have tasted some of your delicious meal you prepared..But there is always a next time.. The pictures of those boats looks so nice.
Thank you!
I'll give you an invite next time 😁
Oh! Thanks in advance then i will look forward to that invite soon.
😍
😍🤗
Wow what a great ride and show of baked goods on your narrow boat. Very decorative and organized for the space. Oh yes and room to make coffee ☕ coffee and muffins I can almost smell here across the pond, haha
Hehe, thank you!
This boat is lovely and comfortable, and yes, there's somewhere for a coffee station 😍
One day I'll do a tour:)))
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Indeed, #lifehappening on the narrowboat:))
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