Banana Milkshake

Bananas have gotten a bad rap lately, blamed for being too high in sugar. The reality is that the sugar in a properly ripened banana is completely different from the cane sugar and other processed sweeteners in cookies, cakes, and doughnuts. Unlike processed sugar, the fruit sugar in bananas is bonded to critical life-supporting trace minerals such as manganese, selenium, boron, and molybdenum, and large amounts of minerals such as potassium, which is one of the most critical nutrients for neurotransmitter function. Bananas are also high in amino acids that work side by side with the highly bioavailable potassium as a catalyst for abundant electrolyte production. Rather than thinking of bananas as all sugar, we have to remind ourselves that bananas are made up of fiber, pulp, and water, too—and that their fruit sugar content is the very reason bananas have rich supplies of antioxidants, vitamins, and other phytonutrients to help us fight disease. 

Bananas are a powerful antiviral food—so powerful that they have the capacity to repel growth of the retrovirus HIV. High in tryptophan, bananas can help soothe sleep disorders, create calm, reduce anxiety, and alleviate depression. And those who worry about Candida have no need to fear bananas. They are the ultimate fungus destroyers, removing unproductive bacteria while feeding beneficial microorganisms in the intestinal tract. This also makes them B12-enhancing, because microbes in the gut can interrupt the ileum’s rightful process of producing vitamin B12. 

When it comes to digestive aids, nothing beats bananas. They are truly an anti-spasmodic for hyperactive colons and small intestinal tracts. Bananas can alleviate gastric cramps and stress-related gastrointestinal dis- orders; they are a secret weapon in reversing colitis, IBS, and Crohn’s disease. Bananas are also wonderful blood sugar stabilizers, have stress-assist phytochemicals to get you through your day, and help you balance your weight no matter where you are on the spectrum. 

CONDITIONS 

If you have any of the following conditions, try bringing bananas into your life: 

Colitis, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), Crohn’s disease, celiac disease, autoimmune disease, heart disease, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), adrenal fatigue, Alzheimer’s disease, bipolar disorder, diabetes, carpal tunnel syndrome, depression, diverticulitis, gallbladder disease, hemorrhoids, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), infertility, Parkinson’s disease, arthritis, attention-de cit/ hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), low reproductive system battery, sleep disorders, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), fungal infections, shingles, tendonitis, anxiety, hypoglycemia, hyperglycemia, edema 

SYMPTOMS 

If you have any of the following symptoms, try bringing bananas into your life: 

Loss of taste and/or smell, weight gain, weight loss, temporomandibular joint (TMJ) issues, enlarged spleen, blurred vision, fatigue, Candida overgrowth, diabetic neuropathy, bruising, tachycardia, constipation, bloating, diarrhea, headache, apnea, blurry eyes, blood sugar imbalances, food sensitivities, ear pain, jaw pain, muscle weakness, anxiousness, sensations of humming or vibration in the body, abdominal cramping, abdominal pain, Bell’s palsy, back pain, tingles and numbness 

EMOTIONAL SUPPORT 

Bananas strengthen the core of who we are, encouraging us to peel back our false shields and expose our true selves. They can help reverse a state of mind that’s saturated with fear (eating three or more a day can help reduce PTSD), and they help us express our true desire to be productive, overcoming procrastination and other unproductive behaviors in the process. If you think a friend is holding on to resentment, offer her or him a banana, and it will help dissolve the feelings of ill will. 

SPIRITUAL LESSON 

At times of spiritual growth, we may find ourselves feeling indestructible and completely absorbed in the moment. If we’re not careful, though—if we haven’t planned ahead and fortified ourselves for the future—the strong wind of challenge may take us down. 

Learn, then, from the banana plant. Not technically trees, banana plants form thick and wide root mats, with underground corbs (stems) continually surfacing as suckers ready to grow. Because banana “trunks” are not actually wood—rather, they’re formed from layer upon layer of leaves—they grow fast, with new offshoots able to rush to the rescue whenever weather has taken down another stalk. 

As you reach for the sky, blossom, and bear fruit, remember to cast your own root system wide and deep. Let every lesson learned become a spiritual offshoot that may someday rescue you. 

TIPS 

* While you may like your bananas hard and green or mushy and brown, the optimal stage at which to eat bananas for peak nutrition is peak ripeness. When a banana’s skin is still green, enzymes prevent absorption of any of the fruit’s nutrients. And an overripe banana with entirely brown or black skin contains fermented fruit. The safest point at which to eat a banana is when its skin is yellow, with brown speckles. (The definitive test is that the banana won’t give you a fuzzy feeling on your tongue.) 


* Bananas are the best food for travel—whether on long car rides, flights, or errands around town. When you know you have a trip coming up, buy bananas ahead of time so they’ll be at just the right stage of ripeness when you need them. 


* Bananas are also the most powerful exercise food. Eating a banana before and after exercise can replenish the body more than any other food out there. 


BANANA “MILKSHAKE” 



This “milkshake” is the classic childhood favorite without the dairy—and you won’t miss it, because the drink is cold, creamy, and perfect. The hint of fresh vanilla bean and the dusting of cinnamon make it even more incredible. 

• 1 1/2-inch piece of vanilla bean pod, split lengthwise 
• 2 frozen bananas 
• 4 fresh bananas 
• 2 dates, pitted 
• 1 cup coconut water 
• 1/8 teaspoon cinnamon (optional) 

Scrape the seeds from the vanilla bean pod and place them in a blender.* Place the remaining ingredients in the blender; blend until smooth and drink up!

*Save the exterior of the vanilla bean pod for use blended into a smoothie or dessert. 

(Note that a high-speed blender will be necessary to break it down thoroughly.) 

Makes 1 to 2 servings.

Excerpt from the #1 New York Times Bestselling book Life-Changing Foods

This item posted: 19-Dec-2017

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