THE GREEN BANANA

Here's a little recipe to put that electric juicer of yours to good use.  I used my beloved Omega 8005 all-purpose juicer.

Perfect on a sweltering hot summer day (like today), this green ice cream recipe is about as natural as ice cream gets.  It doesn't melt nearly as fast as regular ice cream, and it's so much healthier for you!

THE GREEN BANANA

1/2 ounce fresh wheatgrass juice
4 ounces frozen overripe bananas

Juice wheatgrass and set aside. Remove pulp residue from auger and juicing cups. Swap out strainer piece on juicer for its solid attachment. Press frozen bananas through the juicer into the juicing cup. Gently fold wheatgrass juice into the frozen, pressed bananas with a fork.  Place serving dish at the end of the attachment and send the banana-wheatgrass mixture through the juicer again for a smooth, consistent blend. Add a few sprigs of wheatgrass for garnish.

It's a lot easier than it sounds and really only takes a few minutes.  The final taste is truly that of a refreshingly cold unripened banana.

WHEATGRASS-LAVENDER CENTERPIECE

I had the pleasure of providing centerpieces for a USANA Spa Party yesterday afternoon.  Easy to grow and decorate, these simple centerpieces provide classic spa ambience to any room.  Fill a 10" round glass dish (purchased at Michael's) to 1" from the top with a 3 parts soil/1 part peat moss mix.  Sprinkle soil evenly with 2/3 cup Hard Spring Wheat Berries purchased from Wheatgrasskits.com (first soaked in water for 8 hours).  Lightly water seeds after sprinkling on the soil. Cover loosely with plastic wrap.  Water lightly once daily each morning.  Remove plastic wrap when grass reaches the height of the plastic and continue to water lightly once daily each morning.  Keep under an even light source, NOT in direct sunlight.  Remember that grass will tend to lean toward its light source, so your best bet for centerpieces is to keep them under a flourescent shop light, preferably full spectrum. Grass reaches optimal centerpiece height at around 4-5".  A general rule of thumb to know when to start soaking your seeds for your event is to allow one extra day for every inch.  For example, if you want your grass to be about 5" high for your event, plan to start soaking your seeds 6 days before the event.  If you want your grass to be about 6" high, start your seeds 7 days before the event.  Remember that wheatgrass will not start taking on that lush, thick look until around day 5, so you really don't have the option to plan for anything shorter than a 4" grass.  It will start to yellow and grow weak past day 10, so it shouldn't be planted too early either.  This particular centerpiece was finished off with dried lavender sprigs from last summer's garden.

ORANGE WHEATZINGER RECIPE

Here's a drink I love at any time of day.  Very simple to make, and the energy boost is almost instantaneous.  It actually makes my body tingle...but I can only speak for myself.  Orange juice alone and wheatgrass juice alone just cannot do for me what these two ingredients can do together.  Try it and post back your thoughts on this flavor combo.

ORANGE WHEATZINGER

1 ounce fresh wheatgrass juice
4 ounces freshly squeezed orange juice (pasteurized just does not have the same kick)

Pour orange juice over ice to give it a quick chill, then add the wheatgrass juice.  The temperature difference is what separates the color and makes for an attractive drink.

GOT FOAM?

Foam in your wheatgrass juice is caused by phytonutrients called saponins. Saponins are natural foaming agents that are added to things like beer and root beer to create a stable, frothy head. Your first instinct may be to spoon the foam from your wheatgrass juice, but think twice. Saponins from most plants have beneficial effects on cholesterol, cancer, bone health, and the immune system.

Sunflower Greens Recipe

In addition to wheatgrass, The Wheatgrass Grower also sells scrumptious sunflower greens. Here is one of my favorite recipes:

THE SUNNY CAESAR
1- 5.5 Oz. package Wheatgrass Grower Sunflower Greens
1 small clove of garlic, pressed
2 Tbsp Cardini's Caesar Salad Dressing
Freshly ground pepper
1 tsp sunflower seeds
Shaved Parmesan cheese

Lightly toss sunflower greens, garlic, and dressing in large bowl. Do not use hands so as not to soften the tender greens. Transfer to serving plate. Add freshly ground pepper and sunflower seeds. Top with shaved Parmesan cheese.

Wheatgrass Grower Sunflower Greens can be purchased online at www.wheatgrassgrower.com or in Clarks Summit, PA, at Caravia Fresh Foods and Everything Natural.