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 Motherโ€™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


Donโ€™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, letโ€™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

 Hereโ€™s the recipe if youโ€™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 โ€œice creamโ€ 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 youโ€™re interested in learning more about the Fair Trade mission, hereโ€™s what itโ€™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 farmersโ€™ 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.โ€  Through Isabelโ€™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, itโ€™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 jarโ€ฆ)

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 Tuesdayโ€™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 weโ€™ve been enjoying quite a bit. ๐Ÿ˜‰ I’m always thrilled to spread the word about the Fair Trade mission.

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220 Comments

  1. Kat on May 9, 2016 at 6:59 am

    My ideal brunch order is split with another person so I can have an egg-based dish AND something sweet like pancakes with blueberries. Yum!

  2. Laura on May 9, 2016 at 7:04 am

    My favorite brunch item is a Greek omelet with extra crispy hashbrowns! And, of course, COFFEE!

  3. Monica on May 9, 2016 at 7:11 am

    I love a good BLT!

  4. Jen on May 9, 2016 at 7:18 am

    I love omelets with cheese and ham. And of course pancakes!

  5. Kristin Bowers on May 9, 2016 at 7:21 am

    Brunch is my all-time fav meal. Eggs of any kind along with buttery toast and COFFEE can’t be beat!

  6. Jordan K on May 9, 2016 at 7:24 am

    Eggs benedict!

  7. Emily on May 9, 2016 at 7:30 am

    I love brunch, I usually prefer savory dishes and all the coffee.

  8. Genna on May 9, 2016 at 7:31 am

    Mexican food is always great for brunch! Spicey egg dishes, yum! And can never go wrong with chocolate!

  9. Katie on May 9, 2016 at 7:35 am

    Yum! My favorite meal for brunch is an egg white omelet with spinach, kalamata olives, feta, and tomatoes. A side of home fries doesn’t hurt either!

  10. katie on May 9, 2016 at 7:40 am

    an omelette, always. i change on the ingredients though- usually lean toward spinach& feta, cheddar/avocado/salsa, or goat cheese with really anything. and homefries, of course

  11. Amanda on May 9, 2016 at 7:41 am

    I almost always order something egg related: eggs benedict, an omelet, or a local restaurant has a vegan tofu scramble with tempeh bacon (so good!)

  12. Maria on May 9, 2016 at 7:53 am

    Eggs Benedict or French toast- preferably both! With lots and lots of black coffee

  13. Beth R. on May 9, 2016 at 7:57 am

    Anything with yolk-y eggs!

  14. hillary on May 9, 2016 at 8:06 am

    What an awesome giveaway! I usually go savory at brunch with an omelet and lots of potatoes. Yum.

  15. Kate Z. on May 9, 2016 at 8:32 am

    My go to lately has been an egg scramble with sharp cheddar and whatever veggies we have on hand. That basket looks incredible! thanks for the opportunity!

  16. Jessie Reeves on May 9, 2016 at 8:38 am

    I could live on brunch foods! I don’t have it often, but I do love brunchy foods. I’m usually split between sweet and savory, but I think I go for sweet more often ๐Ÿ˜€ .

  17. Jess on May 9, 2016 at 8:40 am

    Pancakes or eggs benedict are my go to brunch items!

  18. Amber on May 9, 2016 at 8:45 am

    I always gravitate towards something with lox! I love eggs with them, on a bagel, basically any way!

  19. Sarah on May 9, 2016 at 8:58 am

    Banana pancakes with nutella!

  20. Jyoti on May 9, 2016 at 9:03 am

    I always get some type of egg dish for brunch – usually with a side of something sweet!

  21. Stephanie on May 9, 2016 at 9:09 am

    Egg dishes!!

  22. Bonnie on May 9, 2016 at 9:20 am

    Thanks for the giveaway! One of my favorite brunch items has to be sourdough toast with eggs on top… Just love that kind of toast and always get it as a side even though waffles are pretty tasty too!

  23. Melissa on May 9, 2016 at 9:28 am

    Veggie egg white omelet, whole wheat toast, lots of coffee!

  24. Alicia on May 9, 2016 at 9:40 am

    biscuits and gravy for SURE

  25. Christina.vd on May 9, 2016 at 9:44 am

    pancakes! I rarely make them at home but I love them.

  26. Ali S on May 9, 2016 at 9:53 am

    Waffles!!! I am all about sweet at brunch, and the topping options are endless!

  27. Haley on May 9, 2016 at 10:04 am

    I’m such a sucker for potatoes… Love me some hash browns!

  28. Sara M on May 9, 2016 at 10:15 am

    Blue corn pancakes

  29. Erin M. on May 9, 2016 at 10:28 am

    Poached eggs with toast and coffee!

  30. Sarah on May 9, 2016 at 10:39 am

    Love this Fair Trade initiative! My idea brunch has to have good hashbrowns or home fries!

  31. Melissa on May 9, 2016 at 10:47 am

    For brunch I could go sweet or savory depending on my mood, but I do love a good bloody mary!

  32. Nikko on May 9, 2016 at 10:56 am

    Breakfast all day

  33. Tracy on May 9, 2016 at 11:07 am

    Brunch: Veggie omelet with goat cheese & avocado ๐Ÿ™‚

  34. Janna on May 9, 2016 at 11:14 am

    I love eggs!!

  35. Anna on May 9, 2016 at 11:26 am

    I love shopping Fair Trade for gifts, home goods and jewelry but I haven’t yet tried many Fair Trade foods, so I was excited to see your post! I can’t wait to try these brownies!

  36. Alexa on May 9, 2016 at 11:27 am

    how can one even pick a fav brunch order!!? maybe if i’m trying to be healthy, I’ll choose a huge yummy omelette or eggs benedict with sauce on the side, but i’m a sucker for pancakes too.

  37. sogjdc on May 9, 2016 at 11:31 am

    I love the Fair Trade mission!

  38. Alana on May 9, 2016 at 11:37 am

    I’m with you, I looooove eggs (especially where green and/or red chile is involved).

  39. Emily on May 9, 2016 at 11:38 am

    I actually hate brunch – why eat one meal when you can have two instead?! My favorite breakfast order is definitely french toast though…

  40. Julie on May 9, 2016 at 11:38 am

    Pancakes! Love to make them at home for brunch or brinner!

  41. Maryz on May 9, 2016 at 11:49 am

    Veggie omlete with feta cheese and a few bites of my husbands french toast!

  42. Lynn on May 9, 2016 at 12:23 pm

    Definitely an omelet with loads of veggies and ham. Sounds delicious just talking about it! ๐Ÿ™‚

  43. Kate on May 9, 2016 at 12:24 pm

    Love fair trade chocolate!

  44. Sarah on May 9, 2016 at 12:28 pm

    I usually go with a veggie omelette with extra veggies or chilaquiles and eggs. And now I’m hungry.

  45. Sara on May 9, 2016 at 12:30 pm

    Yes- such an amazing giveaway!

  46. CB on May 9, 2016 at 12:50 pm

    Eggs! with bacon and potates!

  47. Dominique on May 9, 2016 at 1:26 pm

    A restaurant in town does a whole bunch of variations on Eggs Benedict. I love the Eggs Charles with avocado and artichoke hearts instead of Canadian bacon.

  48. Lindsay on May 9, 2016 at 1:34 pm

    An omelet with veggies and cheese plus a pancake or two with real maple syrup!

  49. Allison D. on May 9, 2016 at 2:01 pm

    Love it when I will someone who will split pancakes and egg dish.

  50. Liz on May 9, 2016 at 2:12 pm

    I’m loving avocado toast lately. Also love acai and pitaya bowls. And French toast is always a winner in my book ๐Ÿ™‚

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