Banana Love in a Time of Port Strikes: How I Stocked Up and Gave My Plants a Treat!
Oh, bananas! Those golden, delicious, sweet, and potassium-packed goodies are a staple in my kitchen. Especially now in pregnancy! But, when I heard about the dock strike potentially causing a banana shortage, my banana-loving heart skipped a beat. I couldn’t risk being caught in a world without my favorite fruit! So, in true banana-lover fashion, I decided to stock up and make sure I’m prepared for whatever comes next—and have a little fun while doing it.
Why Bananas Are Great for Pregnant Women
Pregnant women can really benefit from bananas. As a rich source of potassium, they help maintain healthy blood pressure and reduce muscle cramps—something many pregnant women experience. Bananas also contain vitamin B6, which supports healthy brain development for the baby and helps with morning sickness!
The recommended potassium intake for pregnant women is around 2,900–3,000 mg per day. A medium banana has roughly 400 mg of potassium, so having 7-8 bananas per week would help you meet your needs while giving you a tasty snack!
While bananas are great on their own, pairing them with a healthy source of protein or fat—like nut butter—takes things to the next level. Bananas provide quick-digesting carbohydrates, which give you a fast energy boost. However, this energy can also cause a quick spike in blood sugar, followed by a crash. When you combine a banana with protein or fat, such as almond butter, peanut butter, or even yogurt, you slow down the digestion process. This helps stabilize blood sugar levels and keeps you feeling full and energized for longer. My favorite nut butter is Maisie Jane's Organic Crunchy Almond Butter, which is literally just organic dry roasted almonds.
Incorporating healthy fats or protein with your banana is especially great if you're having it as a snack or before a workout because it balances out the sugars and prevents that mid-afternoon slump. Plus, it adds some delicious creaminess, making it the perfect indulgent-yet-healthy treat!
Going Bananas and Freezing for the Future
First things first, I went bananas at the store (pun intended)! I picked up bunches of bananas, enough to make a little mountain. You might think that buying so many bananas would lead to waste, but don’t worry, I’ve got a plan for that. After all, you can never have too many bananas, right?
Freezing bananas is my favorite way to preserve them when I have more than I can handle. It's super simple! All you have to do is:
- Peel the bananas (trust me, freezing them with the peel is not fun!).
- Slice them into rounds or just freeze them whole, whatever your preference.
- Lay them flat on a baking sheet with unbleached parchment paper to freeze for a few hours before transferring them to a freezer bag.
And voilà! Frozen bananas ready for smoothies, banana bread, or just a cool snack anytime I need them. They’ll keep perfectly for months, and I’m not stressing about the dock strike anymore!
Banana Peels to the Rescue – Natural Fertilizer for My Plants
Now, what about those peels? I’m all about using what I’ve got, so I turned my leftover banana peels into something fabulous: banana peel water fertilizer for my plants! It’s like giving them a little banana smoothie treat (minus the blender, of course).
Here’s how I made it:
- Took the banana peels from my batch of bananas (talk about zero waste!) and lopped them into a large mason jar. A 1-gallon mason jar fit 24 medium banana peels!
- Filled it up with water and let it soak for a couple of days. That’s it!
This nutrient-packed banana peel water is amazing for plants. It's full of potassium, phosphorus, and calcium—things my houseplants just love. Once it’s ready, I simply pour the banana peel water around the base of my plants, and they thrive, looking lush and happy all year round. You can use it once a month to keep your indoor jungle looking fantastic.
However, some plants like succulents, cacti, and acid-loving plants (like azaleas and blueberries) don’t need this banana peel love. They thrive in nutrient-poor soils, and too much fertilizer could harm them.
The October 2024 Dock Strike: Why I Did Not Take Chances
So why all the fuss over bananas? The October 2024 dock strike was making waves, potentially affecting the banana supply across the U.S. About 75% of bananas in the U.S. come from countries like Ecuador, Guatemala, and Colombia, and they are imported through the very ports impacted by the strike. If shipping delays occur, we could see banana shortages or price increases, and I’m just not ready to face that reality!
Thankfully, I’ve got my stash safely frozen, and my plants are soaking up all the nutrients from the peels. Not only was I prepared for the possible banana drought, but I’m also turning this into an opportunity to nourish my houseplants naturally. Who knew a simple fruit could bring so much to the table?
The October 2024 dock strike came to a resolution after a brief but impactful three-day work stoppage. The International Longshoremen's Association (ILA) and the U.S. Maritime Alliance (USMX) reached a tentative agreement on wage increases, with dockworkers securing a 62% wage raise over six years. As part of the agreement, the current contract was extended until January 15, 2025, allowing both parties time to finalize long-term terms. This resolution helped avert major economic disruption, including potential banana shortages and shipping delays.
Bananas All Year Long
So, while some may worry about the bananas disappearing from store shelves due to a strike, I’ve got my banana stash safely frozen, and my plants are soaking up all the nutrients from the peels. Not to mention, it's a fun and easy way to reduce waste and keep everything in the house green and happy.
Plus, it feels pretty cool to be a banana-saving, plant-loving hero in my own home! 😄 So, if you’re a banana fan like me and you’re eyeing the news about potential shortages, grab yourself some extra bunches, freeze them, and don’t forget to give those peels a second life with your plants. It’s a win-win!
Here’s to staying sweet and stress-free, even in the time of dock strikes. 🍌💛🌿
That’s my banana journey! How do you make the most of your bananas? Share your tips, and let’s all stay stocked, green-thumbed, and joyful!