Kiwi and its power...

***K*I*W*I***

For shoppers in Chicago area, there's a grocery store, Stanley's Fruit Market, that has great deals on organic veggies and fruits-though you have to pay attention for the frozen and moldy ones. Few days ago I ended up with 40 kiwi fruits...and now I'm dealing with "how on earth should I eat all these in 4 days?" (a new trip is coming).

First, few interesting things I found about kiwi:

-kiwi is a flightless bird endemic to New  Zeeland, whose people are also called kiwi

-kiwi is also the nickname of New Zeelanders and the national symbol of New Zeeland

-kiwifruit is native to southern China (its also called "Chinese gooseberry"), being declared the national fruit of this country

-it grows on a woody, twining vine or climbing shrub reaching up yo 27 feet

-its most important nutrients: vitamin C, dietary fibers, potassium, copper, magnesium, vitamin E, vitamin K and manganese

-with high content of fiber, kiwifruit can stimulate intestine’s movement, improve constipation, and increase good bacteria in the intestine

-it produces a burning sensation on the tongue, like pineapples, tomatoes, concord grapes; however, it depends on each person on how soon this reaction will occur

-this is called by some an "oral allergy syndrome" (OAS)

-my opinion, the plants are just letting us know when to stop eating them

-for example, if I eat a green kiwi, after just one bite my mouth is on fire; but when I eat a ripped one, I'm fine eating 2-3 fruits; or I can eat it in smoothies, with a straw, and I have no OAS! :)

-kiwi works as a blood thinners, so don't eat it before surgery

-oh, and kiwi can be eaten with the skin (but remove the stem), just make sure it's organic and washed/rubbed properly.

Here are some recipes I found online.

Kiwi, Celery, Banana smoothie

-2small kiwis

-2 stalks celery

-1 banana

-1/2 C water (or no water if your blender can manage it)

It tastes so good. And the brown spots from the kiwi's skin resembles nutty content -don't even tell your friends is in fact the skin...:)

Kiwi -Apple-Pear Smoothie                                                                                                                       
-1 gala apple
-1/2 Bose pear
-1/2 cup flax
-nutmeg
Add slices of kiwi

Tropical Smoothie

-2-3 kiwi

-1/2 banana

-1 mango

-1 Cup papaya

-1 avocado

-cinnamon

Mango Bliss (Victoria Boutenko)

-2 mangoes
-1 bunch chard, stems removed
-1 pear
-1 banana
Blend and serve with slices of kiwi.Yields 3 cups.

Kiwi and Banana smoothie

-1 banana

-2-3 kiwifruits 

-few raw cacao beans

-1 Cup coconut meat

-water

-optional: carob powder, cinnamon, or nutmeg

Kiwi and Grapefruit salad

-2 kiwis

-1 red grapefruit

-ginger and cayenne taste

Rocket Fuel Smoothie (Victoria Boutenko)

2 cups green or red seedless grapes

3 golden kiwis, peeled

1 ripe orange, peeled, seeds removed

1 small leaf of aloe vera, with skin

5 leaves red leaf lettuce

2 cups water
Yields 2 quarts

 Kiwi & Blueberries Smoothie 

-2 kiwis

-½ cup blueberries
-1 banana
-¾ cup nuts milk (I used hamp milk)

-water or ice

Kiwi-Cucumber-Lime Smoothie 

-1 Cucumber

-1 Cup mint leaves (remove stems)

-juice of 2 limes

-½ avocado

-2 kiwis

-2 tablespoon sunflower seeds

-1 cup water

-optional: pinch cayenne pepper; chopped ginger

Kiwi & Raspberries Smoothie

-water from 1 young coconut or water

-1 Cup raspberries

-2 kiwis

Kiwi & Strawberry Pudding

-1 avocado

-3 dates, pitted and soaked

-1-2 kiwis

-1 Cup strawberries

Blend and for dipping use slices of apple or pear.

Kiwi Salsa

-1 avocado, mashed or cubed

-1/2 Cup finely chopped red pepper

-1/4 Cup finely chopped onion

-chopped cilantro, to taste

-1 kiwi cubed

-1-2 Tbs. lime juice

-salt, pepper to taste