We all have those last few bananas that sit on the counter needing some attention. I am always thinking of baking something sweet with them but I decided it was time to do something else. We are watching what we are eating since my husband had his heart attack 4 months ago. So I needed something that was good but also healthy. His heart attack was a big reality check for me. Since both of my parents now have to have pacemakers and my husbands heart attack I need to make sure I am taking care of myself. We all know that being a mom, its not an easy task.
We, as a family, are making healthier choices when we are able to. That means we have more fruits and vegetables in the house to choose from. I believe if you have it readily available, your family will reach for it instead of those chips, cakes, or cookies. Yes, we do still have at times those treats but it is much more in moderation.
Sometimes those bananas just get passed over for something else. Then by the time we realize we had not eaten them yet, they are over ripe and almost to the point of no return. I also try to keep frozen berries and fruits in the freezer to make quick smoothies for the family. If I can catch the bananas before they are past their prime, I like to slice them and freeze them too.
Skinny Strawberry Ice Cream
2 cups of frozen strawberries
2 frozen bananas, sliced
2 tablespoons of milk of your choice ( I used 1%)
1/2 teaspoon almond extract
Place all ingredients in a food processor and process until smooth. This may take a few minutes and you may need to stop it and stir a bit. Be patient, it will come together. Once smooth you can enjoy like soft serve or freeze for a few hours.
Cooks notes- my hubby suggested to add yogurt instead of milk to make it a little more creamy. Also, the flavor of "green" bananas will overtake this. Use ripe bananas.
Shared at these great parties:
Tasty Tuesdays @ Forgetful Momma
What do the two of these have in common you ask? You see, when I was a little girl I used to go and spend time with my grandfather during the summer. The summer when I was twelve, I spent a lot of time with him. My grandma was diagnosed with Alzheimer's and he was unable to care for her so she was placed in a nursing home. My grandfather, though he would never admit it, was very lonely. My mom had me stay with him to give him some company. He lived in a small town not too far from where I live now. He would frequent the post office and the local grocery store quite often. Most of my family calls me Lissa, but he called me Lissy. That made me feel so special. One of the times we visited the grocery store he bought me a Wonder Woman Pez dispenser, not that I was a big fan of Wonder Woman but that it is what the store had. That is my most treasured possession. My grandparents had these dogwood trees in the front yard of the house. The house was right on the main highway. I would sit out there on most days and listen to my tape recorder and play "girls just wanna have fun" by Cyndi Lauper while sitting in those trees just waving at the cars going by. I thought that was the coolest thing ever. Life was so simple back then. I spent a lot of time there that summer and I loved it but I also became homesick. A few weeks before we were to return to school I just really wanted to come home. That was the end of August that summer and he became sick in October. I could not help but feel so guilty for leaving him and blamed myself. While he was in the hospital my Mom would not let me go and see him. My Popa died in the hospital and I was unable to tell him goodbye. I know now my mom was only protecting me from seeing him so sick. Back then I felt like my world had ended. I feel so honored that I was able to spend those special moments with him. Those moments that I often refer back to have made me who I am today. My grandparents home had to be sold so my grandma could be cared for. Whenever I ride by there I instantly go back to those days and I feel like I am twelve again sitting in those dogwood trees that are still there.
Lets get to this recipe, shall we....
My grandparents always had coke in the house and Pet ice cream. Every night we would have a bowl of ice cream but every now and then we were treated with Coke floats. Imagine a root beer float but with Coke instead. These are pretty simple but oh so good.
Coke, Vanilla Ice Cream
Scoop vanilla ice cream in a cup.
Pour coke over the ice cream.
You can either use a straw or eat it with a spoon. I have not had this in quite a while and the first bite brought back so many happy memories of my Popa.
This is my Wonder Woman Pez dispenser. It is hard to believe I still have it after all these years. My Popa has been gone for 25 years and what I would do for just one more day to spend with him. If you are blessed to still have your grandparents take the time to go and see them often. Treasure those moments while you can.
Thank you for taking the time to read about my grandaddy. He was my hero and is missed dearly. I love you Popa, one day I will be able to place my arms around you again. Until then I have my wonderful memories of our time together.
This recipe is linked up at:
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