Wednesday "Word"... Jar

http://www.pinterest.com/savorthethyme/food-in-a-jar/

http://www.pinterest.com/mom_md/food-in-a-jar/ 

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/07/25/meals-in-a-jar_n_1699545.html 

     I use a lot of jars to store my food in, in an effort to use less plastic. Some are Mason Jars and some are just jars that I've cleaned out after the peanut butter, salsa, jelly is gone.  I also like to use them to carry my snack or a meal when I am going out. The links above gives you lots of ideas for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and even gifts that can be made and stored in a jar.

      Its about trying new ideas, experimenting with new ways to "play" with your food. Let it be fun and exciting and as always, if it this doesn't work for you... take what you like and leave the rest. But try one or two recipes and see what you think. This would be a fun project to do with some friends or your kids. Or plan your family and friends birthday gift - in a jar!

Friday "Food Facts"... Banana's

 

 http://www.endlesssimmer.com/2010/05/17/100-things-to-do-with-a-banana/

http://recipes.sparkpeople.com/recipe-detail.asp?recipe=2663272 

ww.yummly.com/recipe/Warm-Banana-Roll-Ups-963914?columns=3&position=5%2F59 

http://www.yummly.com/recipe/Plantain-Chips-My-Recipes?columns=3&position=9%2F59 

 ~ A banana tree is not a true fruit at all but a giant herb and the banana is actually it's berry. A banana plant only produces one bunch or "hand", in its life, but that bunch may have between 100 to 400 banana's. 

~ Bananas contain no fat and are low in calories. They contain magnesium, calcium, phosphorus, iron, zinc, copper,selenium, vitamins - A, B1, B2, C, E, K, niacin, pantothenic acid.

~ Worldwide, bananas are the forth largest fruit crop.

~ The banana peel is edible, but not very palatable unless cooked.

~ There is actual a banana museum located in Mecca California with the worlds largest collection devoted to one fruit. It contains more then 17,000 banana items.

~ About 75% of the weight of a banana is water.

~ Bananas are the only fruit that contains amino acid tryptophan plus Vit. B6. They help your body produce serotonin - a natural substance that alleviates depression.

~ Wrapping bananas in cling wrap will make them last three to five days longer.

~When you put a banana in the refrigerator, the peel will turn dark brown or black but will not affect the fruit inside.

The links above are some recipes to try: Banana roll ups, Plantain chips, plus 100 other ideas to do with ripe or over ripe bananas.