Food for Thought : Happy Banana Lovers Day!

Have you had a banana today? Today is Banana Lovers Day. Bananas are one of the most popular fruits in the world; the average person eats about 25-30 pounds of bananas per year. Bananas are full of vitamins, minerals and fiber. They are low in fat and sodium, and make a simple 100 calorie snack. Here are a few tips to enjoy bananas in a healthful way:

•1 .  Bananas are a great snack and mid-day pick-you-up. Pack a banana in your lunch bag to have for a mid-morning or mid-afternoon snack. They contain B vitamins that can help you with energy.

2 .  If your bananas are green and you would like them to ripen faster, put the bananas in a paper bag with an uncut apple, pear or tomato. The ethylene gas produced by the fruits will be trapped inside the bag and this will accelerate the ripening process.

3 .  Bananas are great additions to peanut butter sandwiches. Or crush graham crackers in a plastic sandwich bag. Cut bananas into half-inch slices. Place banana slices in bag and shake until coated. These make a great crunchy and sweet snack.

4 .  If your bananas are too ripe to eat, put them in the freezer, whole and uncut. They can be used later for baking or making smoothies.
                            Homemade  Banana Pudding

1½    cup granulated sugar
2       tablespoons all purpose flour
⅛      teaspoon salt
⅛      teaspoon baking powder
2       cups whole milk
4       large eggs, beaten
2       teaspoons vanilla
6-8    ripe bananas, peeled and sliced
1      12 oz. box of vanilla wafers
For whipped topping (optional):
1      cup heavy whipping cream
2      tablespoons powdered sugar

1 .   In a double boiler, whisk together the sugar, flour, salt and baking powder.

2 .   Mix in the milk, beaten eggs, and vanilla. Combine well and cook, stirring occasionally over medium-high heat until thick, about 10-15 minutes. Let pudding cool.

3 .   In a casserole dish, or individual dessert dishes, starting with wafers on the bottom, repeat layers of wafers, bananas and pudding until all ingredients are used.

If desired top with whipped cream.
Refrigerate until ready to serve.

Words of Wisdom :
Blessed are those who give without remembering and take without forgetting.

I may be drunk, Miss, but in the morning I will be sober and you will still be ugly.

We must develop and maintain the capacity to forgive. He who is devoid of the power to forgive is devoid of the power to love. There is some good in the worst of us and some evil in the best of us. When we discover this, we are less prone to hate our enemies.


You cannot control what happens to you, but you can control your attitude toward what happens to you, and in that, you will be mastering change rather than allowing it to master you.

A proud grand-poppa        G.