John thinks we should eat more Bananas for their health benefits. And I had no idea that I wasn't very fond of them. I always chose any other fruit, when presented with a choice, and when there is no other choice, I just skip the fruit course - but I never really noticed that unless you bake them into Banana Bread, I'd just as soon skip them entirely. So this new Banana Consumption Regime was about to end before it even began for me. Then I discovered the ease of the Banana Smoothie - except they aren't really "Banana" per se, since I always flavor them with some other fruit - strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, peaches. But today, I was all out of alternative fruit and looked my True Banana Smoothie in the eye and found it unappetizing, but knew that by the time I returned from the store with rescue fruit, it would be brown sludge. With the clock ticking, I dug through my refrigerator, when I spied my Tazo Chia Tea concentrate. Directions tell you to mix it 50/50 with milk and either heat or serve cold. I use way less, probably a 20/80 mix (or aternatively a 5:1 ratio, with milk being the 5). I few tablespoons of this and I had the most delicious Chai Banana Smoothie, with just the lightest of caramel colors. I going to make this again. But it might be better without the Banana. (1 cup plain yogurt, I banana, 1/2 cup nonfat milk, 2 tbsp Tazo Chai Tea Concentrate - blend until smooth and foamy. If you like thing sweet, add sugar or Splenda, or use sweetened vanilla yogurt.)
The only health benefit I'm aware that is particular to bananas is potassium replacement, useful for runners, etc. who sweat a lot. Other than that, I'm not sure why other fruits wouldn't suffice. I eat some things that I'm not terrifically fond of for their health benefits: beetroot, squash, sweet potatoes, but if I really hated them, I wouldn't make myself. Maybe this will make it moreso, but in any case, 'life's too short'. Must try Chai tea sometimes...sounds...different.
ReplyDeleteHi Shelley - Well, eating more bananas was my husband's idea. Maybe it's a hint that I've been sweating a lot lately. It is much hotter here than in Seattle. But, I think it's something like a clinical trial to do with vision. Since I'm a joiner (and a follower), I'm eating them everyday too. I do like Chai tea, and will probably get a recipe and just mix up the spices myself now that I know I like those flavors in other things.
ReplyDeleteI love sweet potatoes, but agree about beets - to me they taste too much like the soil they were grown in. But I'll eat them roasted.
I love bananas, but only if they are still a bit green. Once they turn all yellow, I don't like the taste of them. I know it is a bit weird. People probably think I am nuts when I go to the grocery store and exclaim " Oh, green bananas!"
ReplyDeleteHi Debbi - You are the first person I have known that only liked their bananas green. Pretty funny! I really only like them in baked items, but am getting used to them. The texture of green ones is better, though.
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