I’m here to promote better eating. Not perfect eating, just better eating. I try to buy as much locally-grown organic food as possible, but winter season is humbling. Months of cold gray skies and fewer and fewer local fruits and vegetables make those imported bananas look awfully good. While bananas will never be locally grown in Oregon, they are nutritious, affordable, great kid food, and a huge boon to smoothies, a winter staple in our house.
And I am not alone in my banana affection. Our natural foods co-op sells more organic bananas on a yearly basis than any other fruit, in spite of all their efforts to promote local produce. But I have some news that makes me feel better about all my winter banana purchases. The carbon-neutral banana is on its way, courtesy of Dole.
Last summer, Dole announced plans to carbon-neutralize its entire banana supply chain. They intend to lower emissions through altering agricultural practices and transportation methods. They will also work with Costa Rica’s forestry financing fund to cancel out emissions through funding reforestation projects with Costa Rican farmers. Dole, the world’s largest producer and distributor of fruits and vegetables, says that in part they are responding to consumer concerns. And Costa Rica is aiming to be a climate-neutral nation!
So if you, too, live in a place where the first spring fruit is still a ways off, try this smoothie recipe, and consider using Dole organic bananas from Costa Rica.
1 or 2 ripe bananas
6-8 frozen strawberries (from last summer’s U-pick stock)
a handful of ice
about 1/2 cup of apple juice, depending on thickness you like
a glob of vanilla yogurt (I like brown cow)
Put it all together in a blender and blend till smooth. Adjust for desired taste and thickness. Enjoy!
Carla Wise
Carla writes about food, agriculture, climate change, and other environmental topics from her home in Corvallis, Oregon. She lives with her husband, 8-year-old daughter, and 2-year-old Lab, Daisy. She is a biologist with a Ph.D. in plant conservation genetics from the University of Colorado, Boulder. Her work experience includes: organic farming, environmental education, high school and college science teaching, natural resource policy analysis, environmental consulting, and rare plant scientific research. In 2004, after weathering the deaths of three loved-ones and being bitterly disappointed by the election results, Carla resolved to work more directly for the change she wants to see in the world. Currently she writes about the environment, and works on local food issues and climate change. She is especially interested in integrating good scientific information into her writing because she believes in the power of knowledge to save the world. When she isn't working, she is busy being a mom, keeping the house together, discovering local foods, and getting outside.
3 Responses to Better Banana Smoothies help with Spring Fever
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this makes me hungry and i just ate!
Yes, the quantities are very forgiving, and the apple juice makes it sweet, if you like that.
We make this all the time – but I never know the quantities, it’s very forgiving – also great with frozen blueberries too.