Interesting food
May 2, 2012 (Wednesday)
Bananas. Do you like them? Many people do. A lot of folks have been told to eat bananas as a source of potassium. Actually there are a number of foods richer in potassium content than bananas, but I suppose a banana is easier to eat and requires no preparation. Besides, it has a delightful taste that most people enjoy. Did you know that bananas are radioactive? But, of course, all organic foods are. Nuclear experts love to use the banana index to describe how little radiation may be present in suspicious environmental situations.
We humans almost always peel a banana by bending the stem end until it breaks. Then we grasp the broken peel and proceed easily. Chimpanzees and gorillas, however, peel their bananas from the other end. Why, I don’t know. Maybe we ought to find out. We may be missing something.
Bananas have many uses. The giant leaves of the plant can be used for umbrellas and rain coats if needed during a sudden tropical downpour. Various medical uses have been suggested. And bananas are foods with a plan A (eat it fresh) and a plan B (make banana bread). Plan B usually is applied when the bananas have grown dark and soft and no one wants to eat them. But banana bread is delicious and almost everyone enjoys eating it.
I haven’t had a banana in ages, but after re-reading my blog today, I think I may try one. I need to be active, radio or otherwise.
I discovered a delightful use of bananas on a web site devoted to such things. It is “breakfast on the go.” It involves removing the center of the banana and filling it with cereal and milk. (Click here to go to the web site). Probably not practical, but may be loads of fun for kids.