Saturday, November 28, 2009

Tanzanian Banana and Coconut Milk: A Stress-Relieving "Simple Saturday Sipper"

Despite measures taken to remain calm and relaxed, such as not doing any shopping during Black Friday and hiding from all the crowds by hanging out and studying at home, I still woke up feeling tense and slightly worried and the feeling didn't go away all day. Whether it was the fact Christmas is fast approaching, or a few incomplete school assignments, or just stuff around the house that I wasn't getting done, I was stressed. 

I decided to pull out my "Drink to Your Health Book", all about "Delicious Juices, Teas, Soups, and Smoothies That Help You Look and Feel Great" to see if I could find something other than alcohol to take the edge off. The book notes that "Foods such as bananas, dates, figs, almonds, cashew nuts, coconut, avocado, mango and papaya all have a calming and strengthening effect on the nerves. Spices, including cardamom, cinnamon, ginger, coriander, and cloves, are great relievers of stress." There were several different recipes for drinks to relieve stress and anxiety, but the one that sounded the best was the Tanzanian Banana and Coconut Milk.

"Drink to Your Health" says, "Many recipes in Tanzania, including soups, stews, and desserts, are based on bananas and plantain and often combined with coconut. The mixture of the two sweet tastes in this recipe is wonderful. Both bananas and coconut are highly nutritious, rich in B vitamins, calcium, magnesium, iron and potassium. They are strengthening, even rejuvenating and with the grounding and calming effect are ideal foods for relieving stress."

Tanzanian Banana and Coconut Milk
"Drink to Your Health", Anne McIntyre
(Makes 1-2 Servings)

3 ripe bananas
1 cup coconut milk
a little ground cinnamon

Place the bananas and coconut milk in a blender and blend until smooth. Sprinkle cinnamon on the top when serving. (I mixed mine in)

Notes/Results: Really good--creamy and comforting. The simple pairing of the banana and coconut with a touch of cinnamon is perfect. I used half water / half coconut milk to make it lighter, and it was still thick and delicious. Did it relieve all stress? Maybe not, but it was very relaxing to sip on (especially in one of my favorite "fishy glasses"), and with a Blueberry-Cranberry Granola Bar Muffin (more on that next week), it made a great lunch. I would make this one again.

What is your favorite stress reliever?

18 comments:

  1. Bananas! I love them for how thick and creamy they make a blended drink. Great idea to use coconut milk and spices. The cardamom would be good too, for a switch-up. This would be great for my daughter who craves creamy things once in a while and then gets sick from the milk.
    My stress reliever: curling up with pups on the couch with a little lamp on, blankie, and foodie mag.

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  2. I make a delicious banana drink, but yours sounds fantastic with coconut milk.

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  3. Yum- bananas and coconut milk sounds like a soothing drink, much more soothing than some of the alcoholic drinks that people have been indulging in ;D Hopefully you can find some time to destress.

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  4. This sounds really good! For some reason Ive been craving coconut lately. My favorite stress reliever is a nice, warm cup of Earl Grey

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  5. I hope you are feeling less frazzled, it's understandable after days of planning and constant cooking. This sounds like a terrific stress reliever. I like to take a walk to alleviate stress, I always seem to return in an improved state of mind.

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  6. Deb, this drink looks smooth and delicious. As for stress on Black Friday ~ I just stay away from the store and shop on-line that day.

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  7. I think this has to be my favorite saturday sipper that you've made so far! I love coconut and bananas - what a tropical combo! And the cinnamon is the cherry on top. I bet you could also put a cherry on top. And that would be good.

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  8. I hate that "stressed out" feeling - and I hope that you are feeling better now. After a few sips of that drink, though, I think I would be better. If all else fails, though, just add a shot of vodka. :)

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  9. Ya know, a bit of rum in that and you will relax right down!

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  10. hope your feel less stressed Deb, oh i love this banana and coconut milk Yummy, Rebecca

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  11. I think it needs a little rum :-) I'm a very vocal advocate of Tai Chi for relaxation.

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  12. favorite stress reliever...dark chocolate!

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  13. This is sooo exotic...I love the whole concept, sounds perfect to replenish those energy levels...

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  14. I wish I was sipping this right now! In Hawaii.

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  15. MMM, what a yummy combo, so simple, it sounds delightful. I must try this one..

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  16. Don't you just hate that "feeling" I had the same thing happen Saturday a.m. Woke up at about 2 a.m. feeling anxious and worried. I think mine was work related. And no black friday for me either. Great looking beverage! Love your drink recipes.

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  17. I'm loving this banana drink with coconut milk! So nice!

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