Fair Trade Mother’s Day Brunch and giveaway
Hi friends! Happy humpday! Hope you had some fun Cinco de Mayo adventures. I’ll be back later today with a recap of ours, but in the meantime, how about a little brunch date??
When my friends at Fair Trade asked me to participate in their virtual Mother’s Day brunch, I definitely wanted to join in the fun. I picked a recipe that’s quick to put together yet special enough for holiday. This one includes two of my savory favorites: California toast and sweet potato hash.
Sometimes the most delicious breakfasts are the simplest. The best part: the company surrounding you at the table. <3
For the California toast, I grabbed some brown rice bread to put in the toaster, pico de gallo, goat cheese and avocado. Next, I chopped two small red bell peppers, 1/2 a sweet onion, and 8 very small sweet potatoes.
(You can find Fair Trade avocados and bell peppers at Whole Foods)
I boiled the potatoes for about 5 minutes to soften them, then drained.
Next, I added them back to the same pot with 1 heaping tablespoon of coconut oil, the onion, 2 minced garlic cloves, the chopped bell pepper, 1/2 teaspoon of smoked paprika, salt and pepper. I cooked these on medium while the Pilot made perfect poached eggs.
To get each toast ready, I topped with sliced avocado, salt and pepper,
added the poached egg, then pico, crumbled goat cheese, and cilantro.
It’s my dream perfect savory brunch: something I’d happily order at a restaurant, but simple enough to make for a weekday quick breakfast.
My friends at Fair Trade kindly sent me a box of goodies, packed with treats from some of my favorite brands.
Here’s some more info on the Fair Trade mission, which has a significant positive impact on fair wages, safe working conditions, and environmental sustainability across the world.
Similar to my last post, they paired me up with a Fair Trade mom so I could learn more about her story and experience with Fair Trade. This is Basingwa Maria, an inspirational coffee farmer & member of the Dukunde Kawa Cooperative in Rwanda.
(doesn’t her beautiful spirit just radiate from her smile?)
Basingwa Maria started farming in 1974. She says that after her husband died in the war she poured her heart into her coffee trees. Coffee was her family’s sole source of income, and she had to make it profitable. She joined the cooperative in 2000, and with the increased income she has received from her fair trade coffee over the years, she has been able to bring running water to her home and invest in solar panels on her roof. She hopes to bring electricity to her house soon.She has also been able to diversify her family’s nutrition. They used to eat potatoes and beans everyday with no change, and they could not afford food at the market or oil for cooking. Now her family is able to buy food from the market and do not have to soly rely on growing everything they eat.
While she never attended school, she says that because of the cooperative all of her children were able to attend school and two of them are currently in university.
“After the war I never believed we could get this kind of life. Having this beautiful house, sitting with my children having discussions of how to improve our lives.”
She has twice won the cup of excellence award from her cooperative, and she says that her high quality coffee is due to following the agronomist’s advice and also from investing in cows which provide organic fertilizer.
My friends at Fair Trade offered to send one lucky reader the same package they sent me, filled with these awesome treats:
(Thank you to Simple Truth, Vosges, Cascadian Farm, Near East, Arrowhead Mills, Prana, Unreal, Eco Lips, Numi Organic Tea, Nutiva, Wholesome!, Lake Champlain, Bark Thins, Just Love Coffee Roasters and Whole Foods!)
Here’s how to enter:
Leave a comment below with your all-time favorite brunch spot or order
Pin an image from this post, and leave an extra comment with the link to your pin
I’ll pick a lucky winner this Sunday (5/10) at midnight (EST) and will announce the winner Monday morning.
Ready, set, go!
xoxo
Gina
This post is not sponsored. I’m just excited to spread the word about fair Trade and share some fabulous goodies with a lucky winner. xo
494 Comments
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That California toast looks AMAZING!!! I can’t wait to try that!
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/286189751298003673/
My favorite local brunch spot is The Breakfast Nook. They have the fluffiest eggs, freshest OJ, and the dudes all love the Mama’s Hash. 🙂
I love brunch!! I try to order something that’s going to make me feel awesome all day (nothing too sweet, plenty of greens and whole grains and of COURSE eggs!) and make sure to have a really great coffee. Hope I win!!
Oh the toast looks so yummy, might have to try that soon! I am a Maryland girl so eggs benedict with crab is my all time favorite 🙂
Eggs benedict is my go-to brunch order!
And I will be trying that California toast!
My favorite brunch dish is banana stuffed french toast with PB maple syrup!
My favorite brunch order is either an omelette with spinach and feta or poached eggs.
My favorite brunch spot is a little hole-in-a-wall place called Grumpy’s. Best omelettes ever!
Here is the link to my pin: https://www.pinterest.com/shaynawiesenfel/vegetarian-recipes/. Going to suggest hubby make that hash for this Sunday.
I love a good bowl of steel cut oats!
Haute Cakes Caffe in Newport Beach. I try to order something different every time I go. Seriously delish.
https://www.pinterest.com/theairibreathe/pin-it-to-win-it/
Eggs Benedict is always my favorite.
jslbrown2009 at aol dot com
My favorite brunch order is whatever quiche places have for the day
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/277675133251867660/
jslbrown2009 at aol dot com
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/174866398008301795/
My favorite bruch spot is a restaurant called Fishers, Farmers, and Bakers in Georgetown (Washington D.C.). I’ve only had the opportunity to eat there once, but they have an amazing variety (from french toast to hummus and roasted veggies) made with fresh, local ingredients.
The brunch that is burned into my brain was at Olive and Finch in Denver. I had the sonoma hash (roasted veggies, potatoes, arugula, goat cheese with two poached eggs), an almond milk latte, and a fresh juice. I dream about it.
I love to order Eggs Benedict! I especially love when it is a unique spin-off from the classic Canadian bacon!
I love a massive pancake order — after every race I’ve had, I’ve gotten this great blueberry almond pancake order that dyes my teeth blue for quite a while — but worth it!
Breakfast burritos…all day, every day.
Fave brunch spot: Urban Table
I love eggs Benedict!!! And since i live in NYC i cant have a favorite spot! The city is filled with awesome place to have brunch!
My all time favorite brunch spot is this little cafe back at home called Katy’s Korner. Excellent food and excellent service. It’s my go to when I am home visiting
My all time favorite brunch spot is Coffee Cup in La Jolla!
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/71987294020531177/
my pin 🙂 loved your recipe
Pinned it, Fair Trade, wooo!
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/546413367266763728/
What an awesome post! I nearly started crying when I read about your fair trade mom in Rwanda.
I need to make that toast…yummzzz! My all time fave brunch spot is Yolk in Chicago…it’s byob, the portion sizes are awesome and their corned beef hash and cinnamon rolls are to die for!!!
I’m also a bit spoiled since DC has so many awesome brunch spots with unlimited mimosas…(i.e. Scion & Zenga)!!
Blueberry pancakes with a side of fruit is my go to order 🙂
Mina
Cafe on the Oval in Milford NH… Mostly because their breakfast sandwiches and coffee are impossible to beat…
Yummmm this sounds so good!! I always go with a basic choice.. two scrambled eggs, hash browns, and a little turkey sausage!
My favourite brunch EVER is Eggs Benedict. But since moving to SoCal, it’s constantly been breakfast burritos (I mean HOW are they so good). Especially at Cafe Los Feliz on Hillhurst in Los Angeles… best food, croissants, coffee, patio… oh man.
I pinned, too. Fabulous giveaway! Loved reading Basingwa Maria’s beautiful story.
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/190628996704127064/
I love pancakes. Anything from Snooze in Hillcrest (San Diego) makes a memorable brunch experience.
My favorite brunch place is in Albuquerque, NM – The Grove!!! its a counter service place with great coffee (Direct Trade standards).
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/210684088794907136/
Mina
I love brunch! I usually opt for something savory like eggs benedict. Yum!
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/169025792241147371/
My favorite brunch place is penny cluse in Burlington VT.
I”m that annoying person that always orders substitutions and modifications with my meal 🙂 Even so I love going to High Hand Conservatory and ordering Eggs Benedict over tomatoes rather than muffins with fruit on the side. Yum!
My favorite brunch spot where I live, Philadelphia, is a tiny little restaurant called Morning Glory in south philly. You have to stand outside and wait, sometimes close to an hour, but its worth it. Some of the best coffee I’ve ever had and incredibly reasonable prices. But don’t try going there with a group! Keep it small to get a seat faster!
My favorite order is eggs, orange juice, and sweet
Potato hash!
I love brunch in any form…I usually end up ordering something involving eggs/sausage and rye toast…but the most enjoyable part is the never empty coffee cup!
Pinned it!
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/361906520032430093/
Oh my yum! This looks delicious! And I love eggs benedict with scrambled eggs!
My favourite brunch spot is Eden in Pittsburgh! They have absolutely delicious vegan brunch items! Waffles!!:)
Plantation Cafe in South Carolina!
Northern Spy for poached eggs on an amazing pecorino kale salad. Side of hash brown
My favorite brunch order to pick when we go out to eat is coffee, a smoothie and then some sort of special salad with delicious toppings.
I love this concept!! What a fantastic way to promote fair trade food, and make cooking easier. My mom would love this! I will have to make her a belated version when she comes to visit in July? 😀
xx Jill
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