it’s that time of year again, kiddos. it’s National Banana Lovers’ Day!!!!!
(source)
i’ve already gone on and on about my immense love for bananas last year on this wonderful holiday and a couple of weeks ago when i made the fantastic decision to add banana to my oatmeal. this time i’ll just hit you with the facts:
according to the world’s healthiest foods website, “Bananas are one of our best sources of potassium, an essential mineral for maintaining normal blood pressure and heart function. Since the average banana contains a whopping 467 mg of potassium and only 1 mg of sodium, a banana a day may help to prevent high blood pressure and protect against atherosclerosis,” which is when fatty deposits build up on artery walls.
aside from the potassium content and yumminess factor, i love that medium-to-large bananas contain 3-4 grams of fiber, which is awesome for keeping your tummy full longer.
this just in! i’m eating a banana right this very second, and it’s awesome. you should, too. celebrate banananess!
(source)
i could sing bananas’ praises all day long, but i’ll move on to something else that’s going to affect my next week or so.
the minnesota state fair — dun dun duuuuuuuuuuun …
i moved to the twin cities seven years ago, and every year the state fair creeps in and totally throws me off. and i haven’t even been there!!!!!
i’ve lived and/or worked in the vicinity of the fairgrounds every single year, and the traffic gets RIDICULOUS. each year i think, “yeah, this is the year i’m going to the fair.” and then the traffic congestion happens and i need to take new routes to everywhere and the fair becomes my archnemisis once again.
i’m a pattern kinda girl. i like to drive my regular routes, and i DO NOT want to sit in my car longer than necessary during my work commute. it already takes me at least 30 minutes to get to work, so 45 minutes or longer killlllllsssss meeeeeee.
i actually thought this would be the year i would go. i steered clear from it the past two years because i didn’t want to be tempted by fried-everything-on-a-stick. i’m (pretty much) maintaining my weight now, so i figured i could handle the food aspect. i wrote “(pretty much)” because i had a blast being crazybusy all summer … but it was unkind to my waistline. i gained a bit. i’m not beating myself up over it, but i’m not pleased either. i still haven’t gone in for my august weigh-in at ww because i’m out of nonpaying range 
i should just bite the bullet, weigh in, pay the stupid fee and get back in range for september. i’m only a couple of pounds away. gah. whatever. i’ll figure it out. i know that i’ll be back to 149 (and less) within a month, but it still sucks. this never ends, does it??? nope.
ok enough of that. basically what i’m saying is that i’m not going to the fair this year either. i don’t need the food. i’m not a huge fair fan anyway. (i get my fill at oktoberfest in la crosse. what whaaaat!) i’ll go some time — just not this year. i’ll go when i don’t live near the fairgrounds and my routes haven’t been disrupted.
i think i’m the only person who doesn’t like the fair, so happy fair season to the rest of you!!! enjoy the minnesota state fair or other state fair for the both of us 
if i WERE going i’d have cheese curds, corn on the cob, and guacamole. i was incredibly bummed when Tejas in edina closed its doors because they made THE BEST guac in the world. (i actually base my recipe off of theirs.) my hairstylist informed me that Tejas has a booth at the fair! maybe i’ll try it next year …
FAIR WARNING
the star tribune presented some numbers you fairgoers of any state might find interesting. i sure did!
here’s the entire article (Do the math: the calories add up), but i’ve included the pertinent information below. they even estimate how much walking it would take to burn off the calories you’ve ingested!*
CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES
8 to 10 (1/2- oz. each) 580 calories, 26 g fat, 6 miles to walk
PIZZA
5 oz. pepperoni, 404 calories, 17 g fat, 4 miles to walk
CORN DOG
3.7 ounces (regular size), 350 calories, 25 g fat, 3.5 miles to walk
ICE CREAM
Single scoop (vanilla or strawberry), 290 calories, 18 g fat, 3 miles to walk
CHEESE CURDS
7 oz. (1 container), 1,140 calories, 81 g fat, 11.5 miles to walk
FRENCH FRIES
25 medium, with ketchup, 310 calories, 14 g fat, 3 miles to walk
MINI-DONUTS
12 (11/2- in. diameter), 720 calories, 37 g fat, 7 miles to walk
FOOT-LONG HOT DOG
With bun, condiments, 540 calories, 31 g fat, 5.5 miles to walk
ROASTED CORN-ON-THE-COB
1 large ear with 2 tsp. butter, 200 calories, 9 g fat, 2 miles to walk
PORK CHOP ON STICK
4 ounces, 290 calories, 17 g fat, 3 miles to walk
*Calculations based on 180-pound individual burning 100 calories per mile at a brisk walk. From “Compendium of Physical Activities,” Medical Science Sports Exercise, 2000:32 (Suppl): S498-S516. Nutritional information from Bea Krinke, registered dietitian, St. Paul.
totally had this theme song in my head after reading those stats.
whoa, baby. long post.
happy national banana lovers’ day!!!!!!!!!!!!
