Husband - "Jackson is really grumpy tonight."
Me - "How can you tell? He's sleeping."
Husband - "Just the way he's acting. I think he's mad it's dark out."
I stare quizzically. "What?"
Husband - "Well, when I got home it was dark and he looked like a grump. I think he's mad that it's dark out all the time."
Me - "Are you saying that Jackson has seasonal depression?"
Husband - "No, I said he's grumpy. You are ridiculous."
This actually happened. The husband and I contemplated why the cat sleeps so much and acts "grumpy", I suggest seasonal depression and I'm the crazy one?
Lord help us.
What is not crazy, and might (or might not) cure your cat's seasonal depression? Oats. Bananas. Cocoa powder. Brown sugar.
Bake it up.
Put it in your belly.
Oatmeal cocoa banana bread
[ adapted from Joy the Baker ]
1/2 cup spelt flour
3/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 light brown sugar, packed
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1 cup rolled oats, not quick oats
2 tablespoon dutch-process cocoa powder
3 tablespoons olive oil
2 eggs
3 large bananas, extra ripe
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Preheat oven to 350 degrees, grease and flour a standard loaf pan, set aside.
In a large bowl, combine both flours, brown sugar, salt, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon, oats and cocoa powder. Mix until well combined, set aside.
Using your mixer, handheld or stand, mix together on medium speed, the oil, eggs, bananas, and vanilla. Beat for about 2 minutes, until bananas are really mashed and the ingredients are well blended. On low speed, slowly add the dry ingredients and mix until just combined.
Pour batter into the prepared loaf pan and bake for 45 - 50 minutes, or until a tester inserted into the centre comes out clean. Let cool in the loaf pan for 10 minutes before inverting. Cool completely on a wire rack.
