Go Bananas With These 4 Frothy, Frozen, Raw Food Recipes for Summer
by Guest Blogger
Go Bananas! What a wonderful way to pack a quick snack. Just grab one and go. But, did you know that bananas give us a lot more than a convenient, pre-packaged by Mother Nature snack? Well most people know that athletes often reach for a banana following a strenuous sport. But why? Read more to learn all about the amazing benefits of bananas!
The Amazing Benefits of Bananas
Bananas are an excellent way to replenish lost potassium. Bananas are also high in B6, and offer vitamin C and manganese, which are both touted for their role in protecting cells from free-radical damage. Being potassium-rich and a good source of B6 puts bananas right up there in the heart-healthy spotlight. Bananas also contain phytosterols, which inhibit cholesterol absorption.
Bananas also offer protection for the stomach through activating cells in the stomach lining to produce thicker protective mucus, a barrier against stomach acids. Plus, H.pylori, one cause of stomach ulcers, is eliminated by protease inhibitors found in bananas. The pectin found in bananas aids in elimination and assists the digestion tract.
Bananas are highest in nutrients and flavor when they are plump, evenly colored and with a few brown spots. Wow, how easy we forget that one of our kids’ (and us adults) quickest and favorite snacks is so nutritious!
Yummy Ways to Enjoy Bananas
Peel and eat! It doesn’t get any easier or yummier than that. Bananas are a perfect take along snack for little ones and big ones.
Freeze large batches of ripe bananas to use in smoothies. This is my secret weapon when it comes to smoothies. The sweetness and creaminess from the frozen bananas can transform any green smoothie into a delicious treat through the eyes (and taste buds) of my daughter.
Raw Food Recipes With Bananas!
1. Brazil Nut Milk
Both the Banana Brazil Nut Frosty and Green-a-Colada Recipes use Brazil Nut Milk… so here’s how to make it!
Ingredients & Directions:
Soak 1 cup of Brazil nuts overnight; next morning drain, put in blender and add enough about 4 cups of water; blend well; strain through a nut milk bag, panty hose foot or and old (clean) sock. Voila! You’ve got Brazil nut milk.
2. Banana Brazil Nut Frosty
Ingredients:
- 1 cup Brazil nut milk
- 2 Tbsp raw cacao powder
- 3-4 bananas (enough to get the “four-pillow” effect in your blender)
Directions:
After rinsing out blender, add back one cup of Brazil nut milk and the rest of the ingredients. Blend until you get the “four-pillow” effect in the blender. If looking into the top of your blender, the smoothie will be thick and creamy and have the appearance of four pillows across the top. Then, you know it is perfect milkshake thickness! Depending on your blender, you may need to user a tamper to push the frozen bananas into the blade.
3. Green-a-Coloda
Ingredients:
- 1 cup Brazil nut milk (or any milk or kefir you desire)
- 1 large handful of greens (spinach, kale or whatever mix you desire)
- 1 cup pineapple
- 2-3 bananas (enough to get that “four-pillow” effect in your blender)
Directions:
Toss everything in your blender in order listed and blend. Use tamper if needed to push frozen bananas into the blade. YUM!!!
4. Banana Popsicles
Ingredients:
- Bananas
- Raw cacao powder
- Honey (agave nectar or maple syrup)
- Coconut oil
- Coconut shreds, chopped nuts, etc.
Directions:
Cut bananas in half and place popsicle sticks through one end. Freeze for at least 4 hours. Make chocolate sauce by mixing 1/2 cup each of raw cacao powder, honey (or your sweetener of choice) and coconut oil. Dip frozen banana into chocolate sauce and quickly roll in toppings (coconut shreds, finely chopped nuts, etc.). Return to freezer until ready to eat.
What a wonderful way to cool off in the summer!