Kale Stems, Banana Peels, and the green things on top of strawberrys

[lush]

I am just wondering if I should be juicing these things as well: Kale Stems, Banana Peels, and the green things on top of strawberrys.. or should I just be doing the fruit and leafs?

[Glow Worm]

Kale stems - yes...I've juiced and used in smoothies.
Banana peels - hell no...I wash my hands just handling these things, I'd never eat them. I know the standard ones have a lot of pesticides used on them.
Strawberry green things - yes...I've used in smoothies.

[sport]

I agree.
Be guided by what animals do and they will eat the kale stems and the tops of the strawberries but they throw away the banana skins.

[snowdrop]

i concur!

by the way, banana peels make the most beautiful roses
when dug in around the bush.

then use the rose petals in your raw recipes

[justinesmith]

i concur!

by the way, banana peels make the most beautiful roses
when dug in around the bush.

then use the rose petals in your raw recipes

Oh SNOW! I love that!!! How cool!! We cut up the strawberries for the kids and save the tops for our smoothies. You get the greens and the strawberry flavor. YUMMY!

[Zuri]

Kale stems - yes...I've juiced and used in smoothies.
Banana peels - hell no...I wash my hands just handling these things, I'd never eat them. I know the standard ones have a lot of pesticides used on them.
Strawberry green things - yes...I've used in smoothies.

LOL.......

[trinity082482]

Ever lick the side of an opened banana peel??... *pucker face*

[lush]

Thanks for the replies everyone :)

[Bobbie]

I would have said the same as those above - I always use kale stems and strawberry tops, but would never have eaten banana peel because of pesticides and the "yuck" factor. It had never even occurred to me to eat them, although I had thought of blending them to make a skin mask because I throw away so many. Anyway your post did make me wonder if there would be any benefit to eating them so I googled and found this:

"Feeling depressed? Eat banana peel

Tuesday, September 18, 2007
12:06 IST

Blog this story



Taipei: If you thought banana peels are just cow's fodder, time to change the opinion. Taiwan researchers have discovered that banana peel extract is not only an excellent remedy for depression, but also works great in protecting the retina.


A research team from Taichung's Chung Shan Medical University found after two years of research that banana peel is rich in serotonin, which is vital to balancing moods, the Apple Daily newspaper reported.


A low level of serotonin in the brain is believed to cause depression although doctors have yet to find out the relationship between depression and low levels of serotonin.


The team also found that banana peel extract could protect the retina from damage caused by light because it can cause retina cells to regenerate.


The research team said it believes consuming banana peel by boiling the peel anddrinking the water or by putting it through a fruit juicer and drinking the juice can help ease depression.


It suggested drinking banana peel water or juice in the evening, once a day or several times a week.


The research team planned to launch human tests on the benefits of banana peel extract soon, the newspaper said.


Banana peel contains lutein, an antioxidant from the carotenoid family, which provides nutritional support to the eyes. Lutein can also be found in green, leafy vegetables, some fruits and corn.


In its clinical tests, the research team exposed two groups of retina cells - one a control group and the other group soaked in a solution of banana peel extract - to strong light six hours a day for two days.


At the end of the experiment, the control group of retina cells had died while the group soaked in banana peel extract had regenerated and suffered no damage.


Source: DPA"