No Monkeyin' Around: Bananas are Blue!

Blue bananas? Apparently so. I was reading an article here about how ripe bananas emit a blue glow when lit with UV light. So what does that mean?

“In contrast to humans, many of the animals that eat bananas can see light in the UV range. The blue luminescence of the banana fruit could give them a distinct signal that the fruit is ripe.” says Bernhard Kräutler.

So put away those crazy psychedelic posters, and party like a monkey -- Break out those black lights and throw an electric blue banana party.

Square roots

Unfortunately I've been too busy this week and didn't have the chance to come up with a "square root" food for today. Root Veggies - you'll live to see another day!

Watch out, pie. Your day is coming...

[Image from Merriam Webster Visual Dictionary Online]

This little piggy had acorns...

The most delicious meat in the world is pata negra (or black hoof in Spanish and Portuguese) from the Black Iberian pig. Pata negra is a type of jamón ibérico de bellota, ham from free-range pigs that roam oak forests along the border between Spain and Portugal, and eat only acorns (thanks wikipedia!).

Jake and I tried pata negra while visiting the Marion Street Cheese Market in Oak Park, IL. Wondering how much this fine ham will set you back? We found it for $160.00 per pound. Our 6 or so thin slices rang in at $10.00. It's very worth it though if you're a foodie-type and enjoy prosciutto.

Pata negra is the best prosciutto you can imagine. It's texture is very similar, but it is so much more deliciously oily. The thin slices exude a rich oil as a result of the acorn diet. Definitely something to try if you have the chance!

[Image from su-lin]

An apple a day...

On October 4, Jake and I traveled up to Oriole Springs Orchard with Joe and Melissa to pick some apples and pumpkins. Tasting an apple straight from the tree is so much better than an apple bought in a grocery store. There's a certain crispness... juiciness.. and satisfaction that the fruit came straight from the source. Although we were too late for Honey Crisp (a great apple we found - but also missed last year at the orchard), we picked a bushel and a half of other tasty varieties. 

Afterward we drove down the road to the cider house where we tried these fresh donuts. They were so good! We sampled an apple cider shake and were just in time to get an unexpected taste of homemade apple wine made by the orchard owners. 

Congratulations on your weeding

Cake Wrecks is a great blog for two reasons. 

1. I love cake. check. I really love cake. 

2. The mistakes are funny, the misjudgments amusing. 

[Image from Cake Wrecks]

Tacos, anyone?

Growing up we always knew if Mom went grocery shopping, we could expect frozen pizza or tacos for dinner that night. Looking back, it's sort of sweet just how predictable Mom's grocery shopping trips were.

Last week I found this picture that a friend drew for me a few years ago. Every time I see it I can't help but laugh. This is my college friend "Bonfig" and me playing Bocce Ball. The Sun has the right idea (and yes, I loved using the word uber)!

I'd love to live in a Carl Warner world...

Who wouldn't want to live on the edge of the great Prosciutto River? This is just one of many amazing "fotographics" by London-based photographer Carl Warner.

Ain't that sweet!

I challenge you to a Candy Bar Quiz!

Try to beat my score - 14 out of 20 correct.