This is food costume number three in my ongoing series this month showcasing costume ideas for vegetarians and vegans. Let me know what you think of this one and if you’re planning on wearing it?

Speak your peace in the comment area below.

Banana Costume, Plus Adult

An Ode To The Banana

Why do we love bananas so? Is it because they’re full of Potassium and other nutrient goodness, or is it because it’s a mystical fruit which has a shape and taste like no other.

I ask you, what is it about the banana that compels us to take it home and shower it with precious counter space. What has this fruit done to us that we use it in all sorts of baked goods and casseroles.

Why oh why has the banana taken on this other worldly status as a fruit to behold and praise. Oh the power of a yellow banana!

Banana Costume For Men (Or Women) is from groovy vegetarian

Prickly Pear Cactus is grown in the western United States and Mexico.  Long a staple of traditional Mexican cuisine, the benefits of this cool plant are just starting to be discovered.  Virtually every part of the plant — its flat plate, its flower, and its fruit — are edible and nutritious.

The cactus is packed with flavonoids, the compound also found in red wine which is known to improve the body’s response to allergens and viruses.  Flavenoids are also believed to fight cancer.

However the healthful journey doesn’t stop there — the cactus pads are packed with minerals like:

• potassium
• calcium
• iron
• and magnesium is found in the pads as well as beta-carotene (a form of vitamin A) and vitamin C, making them a rival to spinach in healthfulness
• The juice from the cactus can heal cuts like aloe vera

According to a recent University of Arizona study, the plant’s fruit contains a special pectin which decreases LDL cholesterol levels and may help the body stabilize its glucose response.  The aforementioned study also found its pads to be effective in warding off Type II Diabetes, the adult onset type.

The prickly pear cactus is a delicious addition to pasta salads, soups, and more.  Next time you’re in the market – give this super food a chance.

Have you ever tried Cactus? If so, how. If not, will you be trying it.

Weekly Super Food Spotlight – The Cactus is from groovy vegetarian

North American Indians were enjoying many different varieties of squash before the Europeans arrived. The Indians grew their squash together with corns and beans on little hills because these three food plants actually grew healthier this way. The squash is enjoyed for its delicate flavor and its incredible nutritional value.

image via City of Holland

1. Squash is officially a fruit and the smaller the squash, the more flavorsome it will be.

2. There are both winter and summer varieties of squash so you can get “squashed” year round.

3. The winter varieties produce more beta carotene after storage than when the squash is fresh from the vine.

4. When spaghetti squash is cooked, it forms delicious strands that can be covered with your favorite spaghetti squash or just butter and salt.

5. The sweet dumpling squash is so sweet that all you have to do remove the top and the seeds, bake whole and serve with butter and cinnamon as a dessert.

6. Many parts of the squash plant, besides its flesh, are edible including the seeds, leaves, tendrils, shoots and flowers.

7. The tradition of lighting candles inside a carved pumpkin at Halloween is originally from Ireland where lit vegetables were hung in the window to ward off Jack O’ Lantern, a wayward soul condemned by the devil to walk the earth for all eternity.

8. George Washington, the first U. S. president, loved to grow squash.

Many gardeners enjoy growing squash because, depending on the variety, one squash plant can produce much fruit and it is very easy to grow. You practically just have to bury the seed, water occasionally and watch the squash grow.

Any variety of squash will provide loads of fiber, beta carotene, Vitamin A, Vitamin C and protein.

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8 Fun Facts About Squash is from groovy vegetarian

The low calorie snack bars feature the delish combo of fruit chocolate and nuts. Yum!!!

The Quaker True Delights free sample is only available for a limited time and while quantities last. So grab one while you can.

Hope you like this weeks freebie. Do let me know in the comments section.

Freebie Friday: Sample Of Quaker True Delights Snack Bar is from groovy vegetarian

Well they do and i just found this out via the awesomely awesome giveaway over at Veggie Chic. Michelle who runs the blog is giving away not one not two, but 10 boxes of Cutie’s mandarin oranges. Can you say wow?

The catch is you only have till tomorrow (Thursday) to enter to win. So head on over to the mandarin oranges giveaway post and leave a fab comment. That’s it, that is all you have to do and you will be entered in the giveaway. Wait, don’t go yet. Read below.

To hear about other fruit and veggie giveaways, subscribe to my RSS feed or follow Groovy Veg on twitter. You use Twitter, right? Of course you do. My readers are hot hip happening folks, and that’s why i love you all.

Till nex time.

Win A Box Of Cutie's Mandarin Oranges! is from groovy vegetarian