Go Bananas, and EAT THEM TOO!

Did you know that bananas were America's #1 fruit? Turns out they are! They aren't necessarily my all time favorite? (Cherries, Pineapples, Strawberries, Raspberries, are on top, but they are not a sure thing, year-round!) But they are the most consistent and EASY to eat! I love them...(Please note, that I take them from breakfast at hotels and never eat them during the day...for some reason, if I don't eat my banana immediately? I don't eat them...) Did you also know that a cluster of bananas is called a "hand" and consists of 10 to 20 bananas, which are known as fingers ("Banan" is also Arabic for "Finger"...now, I know two words in Arabic!) They are amazing...healthy...and come in their OWN packaging. God...is awesome. Down to every banana! And get this staggering factoid...."Over 96% of American households purchase bananas at least once each month." WOW!! That is a HUGE percentage! Bananas for president! What if we agreed that much over anything important! IMAGINE! My last, and favorite factoid about the banana is this...."bananas contain tryptophan, a type of protein that the body converts into serotonin, known to make you relax, improve your mood and generally make you feel happier." So....lesson here? EAT BANANAS!!!! (Incidentally, I had a rather uneventful great day, slept in, did some returns, saw "Black Swan", and hung out with Momma Bear, so when it came blog time, I wasn't feeling so inspired, and I attempted a "this time last year", and I had no photos! But then my small banana picture caught my eye...taken the week that Caleb Junda was born! So, in doing research about bananas? Or looking for quotes about bananas? I've found some bloggers that have blogged about bananas as well! CRAZY! So...pick a fruit...do some research...and EAT IT!)

Is a peanut a nut???

Wiki says....."The peanut, or Groundnut, is a species in the legume family! A legume is a plant in the family Fabaceae, or a fruit of these plants. A legume fruit is a simple dry fruit which develops from a simple carpel and usually dehisces (opens along a seam) on two sides. A common name for this type of fruit is a "pod", although pod is also applied to a few other fruit types. Well-known legumes include alfalfa, clover, peas, beans, lentils, lupins and peanuts. A peanut is not a nut in the botanical sense; a peanut is an indehiscent legume, that is, one whose pod does not split open on its own."

I GET that Wiki is not the end all be all....thanks to those of you spoiling my life with that tidbit...but none the less...can you counter any of these facts mentioned above??? NO! So...in honor of the LEGUMES....which an awesome word....here is a picture of Annie and I at the giant LEGUME in Chicago. Affectionately known as the "Bean"...though it's real name is "Cloud Gate"...BOoooooring! Also, you should know...Annie has a dog named Bean...who is misunderstood, fat, and completely loveable. You also should know that she "peers" at you...which is really just Annie's justification of her lazy eye. LOL! Go see the LEGUME of Chi-town...it's fabeanlous!

Hoppy Easter!!!

Here are some facts about this year’s Easter. One of the factors determining the early date of Easter in 2008 is the leap year. Since February, 2008 had 29 days instead of the usual 28, the vernal equinox arrives a day earlier, on March 20 instead of March 21. It also so happens that the Full Moon in this month lands on March 21, earlier than in most years. Since March 21 is a Friday, the following Sunday is March 23, and it is on this date that Easter is celebrated in 2008. The earliest theoretical date for Easter is March 22, which would happen in a leap year if the Full Moon were the day after the equinox on a Saturday. Easter has not landed on March 22 since 1818 and will not fall on that date again until 2285. And Easter will not again fall on March 23 until 2160! So 2008 will be the earliest Easter for everyone alive today, since it will not fall this early again for another 152 years! So kids, be sure to tell your great-grandchildren about the early Easter of 2008! There you have it! Have a great weekend!