BANANA

Ollyaga Magazine

Welcome to the interactive, entertaining and informative online magazine! We're all about Healthy Fun! Join Team Ollyaga as they go on an adventure for secrets about the plants that are right under our noses. Also be sure to take advantage of the free downloads and activities that we’ve provided for you. In this issue of Ollyaga Magazine, we are focusing on BANANAS! We hope you enjoy!

BANANA SONG

This is your opportunity to get up and dance! See if you can keep up with Mr. GoRilla as he dances to his new HIT single, Banana Song!

SIMPLY BANANAS | Charleston, SC

Believe it or not there’s a banana farm in, "Charleston, South Carolina!" It's called “SIMPLY BANANAS.” So Team Ollyaga took a visit there to take a closer look on what it takes to grow bananas. There we met Mr. Frank Fleming, the owner of the banana farm. Mr. Frank taught us so much about bananas! Everything below shows what Team Ollyaga learned when we visited Simply Banana. We started with a tour where Mr. Frank showed us the different types of Bananas that he grows. We never imagined that there were so many types of Bananas!

BANANA SEEDS

Unlike most fruits, banana typically don’t have seeds. When they do have seed they are the size of bebes and just as hard. Mr. Frank explained that bananas that have seeds are not even edible because of how hard the seeds are. When harvesting, there may be one out of every one hundred thousand (100,000) bananas that will have seeds.

BANANA LEAVES

Despite what some may think, bananas don’t actually grow on trees. Bananas Plants are actually the fruit of the world’s largest herb, the Banana Plant. Some people even use the banana plant’s oversized leaves to wrap food and cook with it, adding extra flavor to their dish. Some restaurants may even use the banana leaves as plates.

BANANA COLORS

When arriving to the banana farm we thought that there were only one or two different types of bananas but after interviewing Mr. Frank we found that there are thousands of different bananas. This includes bananas that are different colors such as the blue java banana. Watch as Christina's alter-ego "Chrissy" is amazed by the many colors of bananas.

PLANTING BANANAS

As we mentioned earlier, bananas don’t typically have seeds. So how are there so many bananas? Well, it’s simple. Bananas start off with a mother plant and from the root of that plant grows a pup (or a baby banana plant). When the pup grows to about a foot tall, the farmer digs it up from the ground and replants it where it can have more room and sunlight to grow. The pups can be potted but when they are, they require a lot more attention and water.

GROWING BANANAS

It takes about 18 months (one and a half years) for a banana plant to grow from a pup to a full grown plant sprouting bananas. In order for the banana plant to successfully grow bananas, the temperature must stay above 60 degrees. If the temperature drops below 60, it’s like putting the growing process on pause, which makes it a little more difficult to grow bananas in places like South Carolina which makes the Simply Banana farm that much more impressive. The banana fruit comes from the center of the plant and it starts off as a leaf which grows a flower and from the flower grows the bananas.

THROWING SHADE

In order for banana plants to grow they need plenty of sunlight. Mr. Frank explained that he created a Shade House (not to be confused with a greenhouse) to hinder the banana plants from getting as much sunlight which prevents them from growing as fast. That way they can stay pups longer so that he can sell them at farmers markets. If the banana plant gets too big, too fast, people may have a hard time transporting them from the farmers market to their home. So, throwing shade in this case can be a good thing.

Ironically, if someone throws “shade” at another person they are attempting to stop them from growing but instead they are actually stunting their own growth.

HOW TO PROPERLY

PEEL A BANANA

with Dr. GoRilla Ph.D

Have you ever had a hard time opening a banana? I know I have. Maybe we should learn from the experts of eating bananas, the Gorillas. We talked to Mr. GoRilla about bananas and this is what he had to say:

“You know how you are always struggling to open the stem of a banana, well I have a question for you;

What kind of key opens a banana upside down? You give up? …..a monKEY! Ha ha ha!

That’s right! The stem is actually a handle for monkeys and apes. We actually open it from the other end because it is SO MUCH easier! The next time you get a banana, try opening it like me, Mr. GoRilla!”

SCIENTIFICALLY SPEAKING

What Are Bananas?

Bananas are fruits, with the classification of “berry.” That’s right, a banana is a berry! So they are in the same classification as blueberries and strawberries. The reason they are classified as a berry is simply because they stem from a flower. Feel free to do more research, it's quite interesting.

In addition to bananas being a fruit, the banana plant is actually an herb. Not only is it an herb but it is the world’s largest herb. Banana are so much more than what meets the eye.

BENEFITS OF

BANANA PEELS

After reading this you may rethink throwing out your banana peels. Below you’ll find a list of the many thing that banana peels can be used for according to "Living Natural Ideas."

TEETH WHITENING

Whitening your teeth can be expensive! On top of that, teeth whiteners are usually filled with chemicals that are potentially harmful if applied incorrectly. So instead of paying a lot of money to a dentist or buying a potentially dangerous whitener, you could just use banana peels to whiten your teeth. Just rub the soft inside of a fresh piece of banana peel on your teeth once per day for two weeks to remove stains and shine them.

WART REMOVER

Sick and tired of that nasty wart that just won’t go away? Tried everything at the pharmacy and the natural health store, but nothing seems to work? Don’t despair! You can use banana peel to get rid of these persistent blemishes. Simply rub a piece of ripe peel over the wart each night before bed and watch it fade.

BUG BITES

Rub moist banana peels on bug bites, stings, and other skin irritations. The fruit acids, vitamins, and minerals will not only help to soothe away pain and itching. They’re also great for your skin! These are just a few ways to reuse banana peels, try thinking of ways you can reuse them in your everyday life

DOWNLOAD

GO BANANAS!

Whether I'm happy or sad, art always makes me feel better. Download this issue's of Ollyaga Magazine's , "CUT IT OUT" and hopefully it'll make you feel better too. Even if you're not sad. Try it, and see if it works!

Print it, Color it, Cut it out and take a picture of it , then post it online with the hashtag #Ollyaga.

Think about this:

We can't always control what goes on around us but we do have control over our own actions. So the next time you get upset, try doing something artistic to help you feel better. Go bananas in art so you don't go bananas in emotions.

THANK YOU!

There is so much more information about BANANAS that we couldn't fit it all in this issue but you can research to find out what else there is to know about BANANAS. When you do post it on social media with the hashtag #OllyagaBananas.

We are so happy that you spent time with us! As always, we are happy to see you come and sad to see you go. Be sure not to miss the next issue Ollyaga Magazine!