Super Ripe Bananas

Overripe Bananas? You may have a few sitting on counter right now. Don't throw them out! Bananas are natures candy bar satisfying your sweet tooth and providing your body with loads of healthy potassium, fiber and vitamin B6. The potassium can help soothe your tummy when morning sickness hits or help balance electrolytes when your child has had a bought of the stomach flu. At any rate, even overripe bananas can be useful. Here are my top 3 favorite ways to use them up!

1. Smoothies! Who doesn't like a smoothie? Great way to increase the fruit and veggies content of your family's diet, but buying frozen fruit can be expensive. Just peel your over ripe bananas and store them in the freezer for future use. They make smoothies thick and creamy and you don't need to add extra ice. Try this combination:

1 frozen banana
2 C. orange juice
1 Cup frozen wild blueberries
1 Cup fresh strawberries

Blend and serve. Serves about 4.

2. Banana Pancakes: smash up that ripe banana with a fork and add to your pancake batter. They are so sweet and yummy, you really don't even need syrup. Try the breakfast tab to the right for a Banana Bread Pancake recipe.

3. Banana Muffins: make a healthy muffin with your bananas. They add SO much sweetness without having to add too much extra sugar. Under the muffin tab, you will find a recipe for Blueberry Banana muffins that have been a family and playdate favorite.

Happy Cooking!