Dessert first + Fair Trade giveaway

Hi friends! Hope your weekend is off to a wonderful start. 

This afternoon, I have a delicious dessert combo to share + an awesome giveaway from my friends at Fair Trade. Once again, they’re hosting a virtual Mother’s Day brunch, and asked us to create a recipe using fair trade ingredients. The first things that came to my mind? Chocolate, coffee, and bananas.

Brownie with banana soft serve a delicious and super healthy dessert


Don’t get me wrong: I LIVE for egg dishes at brunch. It’s one of my favorite foods ever, and this is the recipe I submitted last year. As much as I go crazy for egg dishes, especially topped with a ton of salsa, dessert is #2. If I could have eggs and chocolate all day (ok, and wine), that would be a dream come true. 

But for today, let’s have dessert first.

Brownie with bana soft serve 3

I wanted to create something on the healthier side that tastes like a decadent treat. It feels indulgent, but this dessert is packed with healthy fat from almond butter, protein from fresh eggs, and a deep cocoa flavor. The banana ice cream tastes wonderful with the rich almond butter brownie,

Almond butter brownies

and to finish it off, sprinkle with your favorite crumbled candy or chocolate chips.

Brownie with bana soft serve 2

 Here’s the recipe if you’d like to give it a try! (* = ingredients you can find that are Fair Trade)

-1 batch of almond butter brownies, using almond butter*, cocoa powder* and espresso powder*

-3-4 frozen bananas*

-1/2 tablespoon cinnamon*

-1/4 cup of your favorite chocolate candy. I used Marich Salted Caramels*

 1. In a food processor, process the bananas, cinnamon and chocolate candy until a smooth “ice cream” forms.

2. Top the brownies with the ice cream, and sprinkle with extra candy or chocolate chips.

3. Serve and enjoy!

Brownie with bana soft serve

If you’re interested in learning more about the Fair Trade mission, here’s what it’s all about:

-Fair Trade seeks to empower family farmers all over the world. Funds are used in a democratic basis (so each community determines how to allocate the funds) to improve farmers’ quality of life. Here are some of the benefits:

Farmers learn and implement sustainable farming practices

Workers are fairly compensated, and able to work in safe conditions

Women are guaranteed health care, rights, and freedom from harassment

Revenues are set aside to build schools and help maintain enrollment

Farmers are given market-based tools to lift themselves out of poverty and

workers and their families gain access to health care, medicine and proper nutrition.

As much as I admire their mission, I especially love that they support and empower women in the farming industry. 

FairTradeWomen Full Infograph

5 Ways FT Empowers

Once again, they paired me up with an inspirational farmer to learn more about her story.

This is Isabel Uriarte Latorre, 58, from Cajamarce. 

2013 02 CECANOR 31

Isabel is CECANOR‘s Finance and Commerce Manager, and checks the coffee plants of a local Agua Azul member. Isabel has been involved in social justice movements in her native Peru since the 1970s, having been part of a student movement and later numerous labor unions. She is one of the founders of CECANOR and developed the revolutionary Cafe Femenino, a select brand of coffee made only by women.

2013 02 CECANOR 68

She states: “The purpose of Cafe Femenino is to make visible the contribution women make not only to the household economy, but the community and to the umbrella organization CECANOR.”  Through Isabel’s leadership, CECANOR has developed wonderful assistance programs. Health, education and tech assistance projects all benefit the female farmers and their families through introducing new farming techniques, providing health screenings, sex-education campaigns in rural schools, and improving the productivity of credit programs. 

Isabel Uriarte Latorre

When asked about the advantages of being certified by Fair Trade, Isabel explains: “The certification and subsequent prize money is vital for our success. It allows us to provide rural coffee growers a steady price that sets a solid base for economic budgeting both at the family and community levels. In addition, positive results turn into incentives for the growers to produce higher quality coffee, and many are also seeing the positive aspects of organic farming – economically and health wise.” Cafe Femenino currently has 645 producers.

You can read more about her incredible story here and the Fair Trade FairHer campaign, celebrating the women of fair trade.

And now, it’s giveaway time! 

FairHer Giveaway Photo

One lucky winner will receive the same goodie package they sent me with treats from all of these companies:

Wholesome

Allegro coffee

BarkTHINS

Lake Champlain chocolates

Nutiva

Numi Organic tea

Guittard Chocolate Company

Frontier Natural chocolates co-op

Marich chocolates

Barefoot & Chocolate (this tastes like frosting in a jar…)

Alter Ego (my fave truffles)

Nourish Organic (this lotion is my newest obsession)

Eco Lips

Spectrum Natural

TCHO

Fair trade goodies

The lucky winner will be chosen Monday night at midnight EST and announced in Tuesday’s morning post.

Emter here:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Ready, set, go!

xoxo

Gina

I was not compensated to write this post, but I received a giant box of goodies that we’ve been enjoying quite a bit. 😉 I’m always thrilled to spread the word about the Fair Trade mission.

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220 Comments

  1. Kate on May 7, 2016 at 3:13 pm

    All the eggs!

  2. regina parks on May 7, 2016 at 3:15 pm

    Veggie egg white omelet with grilled potatoes

  3. Christine T on May 7, 2016 at 3:57 pm

    I haven’t been to brunch in years but I always loved the fresh shrimp and crab!

  4. Beth on May 7, 2016 at 3:58 pm

    I love chocolate banana combo!

  5. Laura W on May 7, 2016 at 4:02 pm

    Pancakes, hands down. There’s an amazing Colombian restaurant that serves Cachapas with cojita cheese… I would do anything for those pancakes!

  6. Jenn on May 7, 2016 at 4:20 pm

    My go to brunch order would be a spinach, feta omelet. Yummy! Maybe a little bacon thrown in there for good measure:)

  7. Nikki S on May 7, 2016 at 4:30 pm

    That looks delicious, though I’d put my brownie and ice cream side by side, I’m weird and don’t like the texture combination of having ice cream on top of brownies or cake.

    My fave brunch item is something savory, preferably basted or poached eggs on top of toasted sourdough with salsa or hatch chili and a side salad. Or the eggs directly on the salad with baked tortilla strips.

  8. Jennifer on May 7, 2016 at 4:32 pm

    Breakfast burrito New Mexico style — with extra green!

  9. Allison on May 7, 2016 at 4:59 pm

    I’m a sucker for French toast. I also love a good oatmeal!

  10. Anne on May 7, 2016 at 5:06 pm

    Over easy eggs any day and all day!

  11. Sarah r on May 7, 2016 at 5:08 pm

    Eggs & bacon & hashbrowns!

  12. Ashley V on May 7, 2016 at 5:09 pm

    Eggs are my love language forever and always!

  13. Annie B on May 7, 2016 at 5:26 pm

    Huevos rancheros or a pitaya bowl!

  14. Kristen M on May 7, 2016 at 5:28 pm

    Eggs! I panic at home if I have fewer than a dozen in the fridge at any given moment (only sort of joking). When eating out, I also love pancakes with maple syrup and walnuts.

  15. Shannon on May 7, 2016 at 5:43 pm

    I LOVE eggs benedict and any variation of it! I live in the South, so I’ve had some awesome variations including buttermilk biscuits, country ham, or crab cakes. 🙂

  16. masala girl on May 7, 2016 at 6:00 pm

    once again, one of my favorite parts was hearing her story 🙂
    i would most look forward to the spices and tea and lotion here!
    my favorite brunch… hmmm.. i like sweet and savory 🙂 yogurt bowl with fruit & a big veggie hash!

  17. Sarah on May 7, 2016 at 6:17 pm

    My favorite brunch is at Las Brisas in Laguna. Great omelets and the best view of the CA coast ??

  18. Laura H on May 7, 2016 at 6:34 pm

    Pancakes! Yes!

  19. Tanya on May 7, 2016 at 6:38 pm

    fair trade coffee is so delicious!

  20. Dandi D on May 7, 2016 at 6:44 pm

    My favorite is Pumpkin Overnight French Toast Bake.

  21. Claire on May 7, 2016 at 7:13 pm

    wow- I always try to find fair trade products. thank you for promoting their mission!

  22. Kailey on May 7, 2016 at 7:15 pm

    I love a good omelette with spinach and tomatoes! (and lots of coffee! 😉 )

  23. Danielle on May 7, 2016 at 7:55 pm

    Broccoli Cheddar Onelette is my fav!

  24. Sarah on May 7, 2016 at 8:03 pm

    Definitely an omelet.

  25. Jacky on May 7, 2016 at 8:03 pm

    Tofu scramble with tempeh bacon, biscuits, and mushroom gravy!

  26. Healthuoso on May 7, 2016 at 8:08 pm

    My favourite brunch?

    Egg, bacon, beans, heavily buttered toast. A sausage or two.

    Maybe not the healthiest thing I eat!

  27. Jessica on May 7, 2016 at 8:23 pm

    I love French toast for brunch!

  28. Rust on May 7, 2016 at 8:31 pm

    An omelet smothered in crawfish etouffee with a side of cheese grits.

  29. Anna on May 7, 2016 at 9:54 pm

    Pancakes are my fave! I love fall when there are pumpkin pancakes

  30. Kristy E. on May 7, 2016 at 11:58 pm

    Sourdough French toast!

  31. Katie G on May 8, 2016 at 12:26 am

    Smashed avocado on toast with poached eggs!

  32. Eric on May 8, 2016 at 12:28 am

    Chicken and waffles! Preferably topped with maple syrup and bananas.

  33. Jodie on May 8, 2016 at 3:04 am

    Fav brunch order is vegetable omelet with goat cheese and hot peppers, fruit and coffee on the side. Yum!

  34. Jeffrey on May 8, 2016 at 3:39 am

    My favorite brunch is buttermilk pancakes topped with caramelized bananas, candied walnuts and maple syrup!

  35. Katie on May 8, 2016 at 3:54 am

    Waffles with all the toppings!

  36. ashley d on May 8, 2016 at 5:05 am

    usually loaded veggie omelet

  37. Holly Daniell on May 8, 2016 at 5:07 am

    Coffee with cocoa powder and thick oatmeal and eggs!

  38. Kelsey on May 8, 2016 at 5:34 am

    I love a breakfast sandwich. With avocado and a perfectly runny egg. Drool.

  39. Sarah on May 8, 2016 at 5:38 am

    I love eggs benedict.

  40. Naomi on May 8, 2016 at 5:44 am

    Such a fun giveaway for supporting a good cause! Egg sandwich with avocado is my favorite!

  41. Melissa on May 8, 2016 at 6:08 am

    Egg white and veggie omelet

  42. Maggie on May 8, 2016 at 6:17 am

    I love a little savory sweet combo at brunch!

  43. Julia on May 8, 2016 at 6:30 am

    Sweet potato hash with greens and sunny side up eggs – yum! If I’m feeling crazy indulgent then texas toast french toast, please.

  44. Anna on May 8, 2016 at 6:37 am

    Deep dish quiche

  45. Michelle on May 8, 2016 at 6:42 am

    Something with a mix of sweet and savoury! I can never choose between the two and life’s better with both.

  46. Tina sneed on May 8, 2016 at 6:58 am

    Yum!

  47. Sue on May 8, 2016 at 7:01 am

    Scrambled eggs fruit and toast!

  48. Vera on May 8, 2016 at 7:48 am

    I love pancakes and a good yummy cheesy omelet 🙂

  49. Annette on May 8, 2016 at 7:58 am

    My favorite brunch order is quiche.

  50. Jenn on May 8, 2016 at 8:10 am

    Pancakes!

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