Tuesday, January 27, 2009

Bananas!

What to do with those brown bananas no one wants to eat? Try this "Best Ever Banana Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting". While my "treat" was attending a fun Pampered Chef party this evening, I made this cake for everyone at home to have a treat after dinner. They all gave me a positive, 5 star, thumbs-up, so I thought I'd share the recipe with you. I found it on recipezaar.com.


BEST EVER BANANA CAKE WITH CREAM CHEESE FROSTING

1 1/2 C bananas, mashed, ripe
2 tsp lemon juice

Mix mashed bananas with the lemon juice and set aside.

3 C flour
1 1/2 tsp baking soda

Mix flour, baking soda & salt in medium bowl; set aside


3/4 C butter, softened
2 1/8 C sugar
(I cut the sugar in half and it was still sweet & tasty)
3 large eggs
2 tsp vanilla
1 1/2 C buttermilk

In a large bowl, cream 3/4 C butter and 2 1/8 C sugar until light & fluffy
Beat in eggs, one at a time, then stir in 2 tsp vanilla
Beat in the flour mixture alternately with the buttermilk
Stir in banana mixture

Pour batter into 9 X 13, greased & floured pan

Bake 1 hour at 275 or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.

Remove from oven and place directly into the freezer for 45 minutes. This will make the cake very moist.


FROSTING:

1/2 C butter, softened
1 (8 oz) pkg cream cheese, softened
1 tsp. vanilla
3 1/2 C powdered sugar

Cream butter & cream cheese until smooth
Beat in 1 tsp vanilla
Add sugar and beat on low until combined then on high until frosting is smooth.

Spread on cooled cake.

Sprinkle chopped walnuts over top, if desired






Now for a few banana health benefits from bananasweb.com. Did you know?


Bananas consist mainly of sugars (glucose, fructose and sucrose) and fiber, which makes them ideal for an immediate and slightly prolonged source of energy


Reducing Depression:
Bananas contain tryptophan, an aminoacid that can be converted to serotonin, leading to improved mood


Anemia :
Bananas are relatively high in iron, which helps the body's hemoglobin function


Constipation and Diarrhea:
Due to their content in fiber, they help restore a normal bowel function. In addition, diarrhea usually depletes your body of important electrolytes (of which the most important is potassium, contained in high amounts in bananas). They also contain pectin, a soluble fiber (hydrocolloid) that can help normalize movement through the digestive tract.


Eyesight Protection :
Research published in the Archives of Ophthalmology has proven that adults consuming at least 3 servings of fruit per day have a reduced risk (by 36%) of developing age-related macular degeneration(ARMD), the primary cause of vision loss in older adults, compared to persons who consume less than 1.5 servings of fruit daily.


Healthy Bones:
Bananas are an exceptionally rich source of fructooligosaccharide, a compound that nourishes probiotic (friendly) bacteria in the colon. These beneficial bacteria produce enzymes that increase our digestive ability and protect us from unhealthy bacteria infections. Thanks to fructooligosaccharides, probiotic bacteria can increase both in number and functionality, increasing our body's ability to absorb calcium.In addition, green bananas contain indigestible short chain fatty acids (SCFAs) that are very nutrient to the cells that make up the mucosa of the stomach. These cells, when healthy, absorb calcium much more efficiently .


Healthy Kidney:
About 190,000 cases of kidney cancer are diagnosed each year.Research published in the International Journal of Cancer has shown that daily consumption of whole fruits and vegetables, especially bananas, is highly protective to kidney health. The results show that, over a long timeframe (13.4 years), women eating more than 2.5 servings of fruits and vegetable per day cut their risk of kidney cancer by 40%. Among the fruits, bananas were especially protective. Women eating bananas four to six times a week halved their risk of developing the disease compared to those who did not eat this fruit. The conclusion of the study is that frequent consumption of fruits and vegetables, especially bananas, cabbage and root vegetables, may reduce risk of kidney cancer. This is because bananas and many root vegetables contain especially high amounts of antioxidant phenolic compounds, while cabbage is rich in sulfur, necessary for effective detoxification of potential carcinogens.


Blood Pressure :
Bananas are extremely high in potassium (about 4673mg), yet very low in sodium (1mg), thus having a perfect ratio for preventing high blood pressure. So much so, the US Food and Drug Administration has just allowed the banana industry to make official claims for the fruit's ability to reduce the risk of blood pressure and stroke.


Heartburn :
Bananas have a natural antacid effect in the body, so if you suffer from heartburn, try eating a banana for soothing relief.


Morning Sickness :
Snacking on bananas between meals helps to keep blood-sugar levels up and avoid morning sickness.

Smoking:
Bananas can also help people trying to give up smoking. They contain vitamins B6 and B12 they contain, as well as potassium and magnesium: these substances help the body recover from the effects of nicotine withdrawal.

Ulcers :
This is the only raw fruit that can be eaten without distress in over-chronicle cases. It also helps reduce acidity and reduces irritation. Bananas stimulate the cells on the internal stomach lining to produce a thicker mucus (which protects against acid). Additionally, bananas contain protease inhibitors that help eliminate bacteria in the stomach that have been pinpointed as a primary cause of ulcers.


Nerves :
Bananas are high in B vitamins that have been shows to improve nerve function .


Mosquito Bites :
Many people report that rubbing the inside of a banana peel on a mosquito bite is very effective in reducing itching and swelling .

Stress Relief:
Bananas are high in potassium, which helps normalize the hearthbeat and regulate the body's water balance. During periods of high stress, our body's potassium levels tend to be rapidly depleted: eating bananas is a healthy way to rebalance them without using drugs.

Stroke Risk :
According to a study in The New England Journal of Medicine, eating bananas as part of a regular diet can reduce the risk of death by strokes by as much as 40% .
So grab a banana and have a terrific Tuesday!
Heather

5 comments:

  1. That recipe sounds delish! Thanks for sharing.

    ReplyDelete
  2. I'm gonna have to try that recipe! I love bananas! Wonderfully informative post, Heather. Thanks for sharing all this... I didn't know they were so good for me! :o)

    It is an honor to see my blog name in your sidebar... heartfelt thanks for all your kind words.

    Katrina

    ReplyDelete
  3. That recipe sounds wonderful! This "eating healthy" kick is officially over for me. ;)

    ReplyDelete
  4. I'm moving to South America to grow bananas. I'll be lonely, but I'll be healthy.

    ReplyDelete
  5. I will try that banana bread. It sounds yummie. I eat a lot of banana's. Doylene

    ReplyDelete