Monday, June 13, 2005
I don't know if it is because I'm pregnant or if it's just a plain old craving, but lately I can't get enough bananas. So in honor of the wonderful yellow fruit I am dedicating this blog to them and challenging all of you to eat at least one banana sometime this week. They are so good for you and there are so many great ways to eat them. . . just look!
Banana Facts
A banana contains 88 calories and 0 grams of fat and they are a good source of vitamin c and fiber. The average person eats 33 pounds of a bananas a year and over 4 million bananas are imported into the US every year. Legend has it that the forbidden fruit offered by Adam to Eve in the Garden Of Eden was in fact a banana. In some parts of the world, green bananas are cooked and eaten as a vegetable. A banana doesn't come from a tree but rather a giant fruiting herb (the world's largest.) A banana contains all eight amino acids that our body cannot produce itself, including Tryptophan! Tryptophan, an amino acid, stimulates the production of Serotonin. About 45% of people suffering from depression are found to have a low level of serotonin in the brain. Anti-depressants, such as Prozac, work by regulating the body's serotonin levels. According to Peter D. Kramer, author of "Listening to Prozac," raising a person's level of serotonin seems to enhance "security, courage, assertiveness, self-worth, calm, flexibility, and resilience." He says, "It makes people feel safe." Potassium is essential to mental function, brain power and nerve impulses. According to certain biochemists, no new brain cells can be made without potassium. Bananas, one of natures richest sources of potassium, are also one of the easiest ways to give your body this important mineral. Potassium plays a crucial role in fluid balance and enables your cells to maintain correct blood pressure and remove fluid retention.
Banana Websites
Fabo's BananaLand
Dole's Kid Site
Ideas for Eating Bananas
Slice some bananas on your cereal.
Mash up some bananas (or slice them) and mix them into vanilla yogurt.
Spread some peanut butter on toast and top with sliced bananas.
Have a Nutella Banana sandwich for lunch--just spread nutella on two pieces of bread and place some sliced bananas inbetween.
Make pancakes and add a mashed banana to the batter.
Make some banana bread, banana cake or banana pudding.
Have a Frozen Banana Pop for FHE--Just cut some bananas in half, insert a popsicle stick and freeze for at least one hour. Dip in melted chocolate and sprinkle with chopped nuts or candly sprinkles.
 
posted by Shana # 12:45 PM 
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