Healthy Banana Pudding from Jack LaLanne

Jack LaLanne is my health and fitness hero! He's 96 and still going strong. His advice from 50-years ago is as valid today as it was back then.

Recently, I found his "10 Point Plan". While I'm not in total agreement with all points, if we followed his plan, we'd be a healthier and fitter America. You can check it out here: http://bit.ly/a0Dkva

You might get a "kick" out of point #5 ... keep in mind, this was about 50 years ago! It will bring a historic smile to your face.

One quote of Jack's that I am fond of: "If man made it, don't eat it." Think processed foods.

Ken

Yep, he has been around a LONG time. I remember him from when I was a kid.

Anne

Jack knew what he was talking about and long before it was in fashion. this recipe sounds yummy

disco dotty

I remember watching Jack Lalanne as a little girl. I thought he was cute, but I was so little, and went 'outside to play', so I thought the exercising with a chair was funny. Who knew that list of 10 would be so far ahead of the game!?

I have a banana dessert hint, too. One of my big joys is vanilla ice cream with a sliced banana, chocolate sauce and a sprinkle of nuts. I've realized (one of those 'doh' moments) there is another way to do this with a lot less fat/calories.

Let a banana get to the perfect ripeness for your taste and slice into little single serving plastic tubs. Pop them into the freezer. When you're craving that ice cream sundae with bananas, pull out a tub. It's very tasty if you leave out the ice cream entirely and put a very small squirt of a non-hfc chocolate sauce and a few tablespoons of nuts. If you crave the creaminess of the ice cream, just a small amount (1/4 c.?) mixes in well.

I've always loved the fairground frozen bananas on a stick and this is really easy.

Susan Gayle

i love your update of the recipe! it's hard to tell from the video, but i'm thinking he might have been using some of that shredded coconut, which was so popular back in the day (and which my mom skillfully dyed and used to make my favorite pink elephant b-day cake back in the 60s). you are quite right about kids: my four-year-old loves this clip of jack and the banana dessert. now, i have to say, i would love a video of you and your kids making the new version of the dessert! and, what about that great frozen banana idea?

susan fine

I think #6 is one of those easy ones that seems to be missing from everyone's life. How easy it is to smile at someone.... it makes you feel better and possibly the person that receives it as well. It's a dying sight.

Anne

Anne

To go a little farther with the banana idea, you can actually make "ice cream" out of the frozen bananas. I put a recipe for it on my website. I made it with yogurt for the post, but it's also good without the yogurt. Here's a link if you're interested: www.recipes.foodcookfun.com/?p=18

I remember watching Jack LaLanne as a kid, too! We should all be so fit when we get to be his age.

J

Before there was Bally's, Family Fitnessbor 24 hour fitness, in Inglewood California there was Jack LaLannes European Health Spa! As an 11 or 12 year old I would go to the Spa with my mom and sit at the Juice Bar while my mom worked out!! That was over 25 years ago and I never forgot that experience! He was way ahead of his time!!

Tywana

Yay Jack LaLanne still keeping on Going strong Big up This sounds yummy TY for posting

news_junkie

This sounds like something I could make at work, in the afternoons, when I need a pick-me-up! Yum!

Alta

I was surprised when I tried it. It tastes different and better than just eating a banana as is.

doug - Heart Healthy Foods

I'm 12 years old, and I think we should've listened to Jack LaLanne! Oh how I love healthy living :)

Kathy

I'm 71 years old and remember Jack from way back before there were all these other fitness gurus in confusing abundance. He had it straight from the beginning, along with Gaylord Hauser, my first healthy eating book before healthy eating was a popular concept. I was raising a child by myself on a limited budget and was interested in feeding both of us as healthy as possible! Also watched 'Lilias Yoga' on PBS - she was a wonder, calming and gentle, with lots of hints for staying healthy. Now there is almost too much, it's a bit confusing at times - life was truly simpler in the day.

JaneG

Jack has it right all the time. People think and act as if heart disease is something you just get. No, you get it from poor food choices. It's that simple. You can reverse it by making better food choices as well.

http://www.prevent-heart-attack.com

david

I do this (mash up a banana) all the time. (Hat tip to Ken Leebow for the idea!)

It takes all of thirty seconds and I can add whatever I like (usually lots of cinnamon, a little nutmeg, and a few raisins). I eat it with a spoon!

When I was a kid, my mom used to take ripe bananas and fry them up with some butter and a sprinkle of sugar. My wife's birthday was a few days ago, so I found an even healthier recipe:

Ingredients: one banana, a little honey, cinnamon, and a little lemon juice (adds a little kick)

Steps: Get the honey all liquid-ey in a pan over medium heat, cut banana into rounds (I found that about 3/4" slices is just right) and put in pan. Cook for five minutes, flip each round to the other side, cook for five more minutes. Remove from heat, add cinnamon and lemon juice, and serve.

The test batch was delicious and my wife liked her banana "cake". :)

(I'm probably gonna go a little longer on the last "fry" so that they get more caramelized.)

@Susan Gayle- great tip about frozen banana slices. I wonder if mashing up a banana and then freezing "slices" of that would be even yummier... :)

Andy D

I saw on the Drs. Show a new little machine just for bananas. All you do is put a ripe, frozen banana in this machine and it comes out like ice cream, smooth and creamy.I don't work for this company or even know the name but it looked delicious The cute doctor put on a little cinnamon and voila.

Julie

Anytime I think I wont be able to eat my bananas before they get tooooo ripe, I cut the bananas into slices & put them in the freezer. When you're craving ice cream just grab the frozen bananas & throw them in the blender or food processor! SO yummy! Sometimes I even add cocoa powder & a little honey. Yum.

Robyn

I really love banana's.This sounds really appetizing.

and thank you @Andy D, for sharing the recipe

sheep

I remember watching Jack LaLanne when I was a kid and I did his chair exercises faithfully up into my late teens and early twenties, but than I found other things more interesting to do. Looking back I should have stuck with Jack!

Ruth Cyr