Dole Bananas and Fit & Healthy Mommy: Special Event

Psst!  Yes, I'm talking to you!  You have GOT to read this.  I am so excited I can barely sit still.

I have been chosen by Dole Bananas to host a super exclusive event this month.  I know - how exciting, right?!?  I'll tell you more about the event in a moment.  But first, here's some really neat information regarding Baltimore and bananas.

Did you know that residents in Baltimore and the surrounding area consume more bananas than most other cities in the United States?  Baltimore has been named a 2012 "Top Banana City".  Pretty fantastic, right?  Have you ever walked into a grocery store and not seen a beautiful pile of sunny yellow bananas?  Maybe you slice them and put them in your cereal, make an ice cream sundae with them, eat them before or after a workout, grab one and toss it in your briefcase or lunchbag for a mid-morning snack.  However you choose to eat your bananas, you're helping our area to be one of the highest in banana consumption in our country!  Go you!  Read more about Baltimore being named a top Banana city here:  Baltimore and Bananas on Bloomberg

Here's another little factoid.  Dole has coined the phrase "Bananas - Nature's Natural Energy Bar".  Bananas are super healthy and are packed with nutrients such as vitamins B-6 & C, potassium, manganese & dietary fiber.  They're a natural, sweet treat and can be enjoyed in many healthy recipes.  They're also an amazing choice pre & post workout (hint, hint).  More on that in a minute.

First, a few more tidbits for you.  More than 90% of U.S. households buy bananas regularly - they're our nation's most popular fruit AND the #1 item sold in supermarkets.  Dole is the #1 banana brand in the world.

Studies have shown that bananas are an excellent energy source and they also help to replenish lost carbohydrates & glycogen that are burned off during exercise.  They contain electrolytes and are great for a post-workout boost without the added sodium and sugars of popular sports drinks - plus, they're a fraction of the price!

Now - what you've been waiting for - The Main Event!
*When: Saturday, July 28th at 8:00 PM
*Where: My house - please contact me for my address & directions

I'll be serving up several treats and we'll also be making some together.  All will include Dole bananas and each recipe will be healthy!  Do you think bananas are only best used in sweet baked goods, ice cream or smoothies?  Think again!  I'll share some savory snacks and dishes that would make wonderful main dishes at parties and gatherings (just like the one I'm hosting).  I'm even going to share 2 things that are from my recipe vault.  Exciting!

Even more exciting than that, though - yes, it gets even better - is that Dole is giving away tons of GOODIES to YOU!!!  I'm going to keep those top secret until you arrive at my house for the event.  There needs to be some element of surprise and awe, right?

Be sure to RSVP as soon as possible.  In fact, step away, go check your calendar and mark the date & time.  There, now you're all set on your end.  Next, email me to reserve your spot.  They're filling up quickly and I want to make sure you get on the list.  You can reach me at Debi@FitNHealthyMommy.com or message me on Facebook here:  Fit & Healthy Mommy on Facebook

Before the sneak peek of the delicious recipes you'll be tasting, please find Dole Bananas on Facebook and Twitter.  Like & follow them - post, share, discuss - and tell them how much you love me.  Okay, maybe not that last part....well, unless you want to!

Dole Bananas on Facebook: Dole Bananas
Dole Bananas on Twitter: Dole Bananas
366 Ways to Go Bananas in 2012: Banana-A-Day

~ Go For The Gold ~

What:
2 week Fitness & Nutritional group challenge to enhance your summer routine and jumpstart your fall fitness & nutritional goal planning

When:
July 27th through August 12th 2012

Where:
Facebook (secret group) and
Telephone (live or recorded calls depending on your availability)

Cost:
$12 per person (via Paypal - link below)

Prizes:
Gold, Silver & Bronze “Medals” and grab bag prizes
(Skakeology packets, DVDs, Books, and more!)

Set your sights on the Gold.  For two weeks I will lead a group of participants (that’s YOU) through an Olympic Challenge.  You will be given recipes, meal planning, grocery lists, fitness & nutritional tips and advice, mini Olympic challenges (both fitness & nutrition-related) and a variety of other tools that you can take from this challenge and apply towards your fitness & overall health goals going forward.

The value comes not only in the tools and tips provided in the unlimited Q&A and support by me in the Facebook group, but also in the conference calls (or, if you are unable to dial into a live call, in the recordings of those calls).  Having a group of peers to work with has been proven to be invaluable due to the support and accountability!  Not only will I support you with the fitness & nutrition, but I’ll help you set goals – clear, structured, attainable goals - that you can start working on during this short challenge, and carry into the fall & remainder of 2012.

Really?  Only $12?  YES!  After all, we are celebrating the 2012 Summer Olympics.  Additionally, I want to make this easily affordable for anyone who would like to participate.  It's the cost of a couple of lattes or a lunch at Subway.  You have little to lose and much to gain with this 2 week challenge.

Can you do this on your own without the support & accountability of this challenge?  Sure, if you're easily self-motivated.

Would you be more apt to stick to it and follow the program for two weeks if you spend $12 and participate in the group?  100% YES!!

Here’s some added incentive.  I will offer the following prizes based on a point system.

Gold Medal:
3 x 1 hour phone health coaching sessions with me
between August 13, 2012 and October 30, 2012. 

Silver Medal:
2 x 1 hour phone health coaching sessions with me
between August 13, 2012 and October 30, 2012. 

Bronze Medal:
1 x 1 hour phone health coaching session with me
between August 13, 2012 and October 30, 2012.

*These sessions generally run upwards of $50 each via my health coaching program.
*Additional grab bag giveaways will be awarded throughout the challenge and these range in value between $3 and $15.

Working one on one with a holistic health coach can result in increased energy, reduction of food cravings, deeper sleep, weight loss and improved personal relationships.

Questions?  Please email me at Debi@FitNHealthyWholeBodyWellness.com or message me on Facebook at Fit & Healthy Whole Body Wellness or Fit & Healthy Mommy.


Pay securely via Paypal using the link below.  A new window will open and you will be directed back to my website once you have completed your payment.

Mexican Quinoa Bake Recipe

Mexican Quinoa Bake Recipe

Yes - it's as good as it sounds.  Thank you to Healthy Bitch Daily for sharing this recipe on June 29th.  I pinned it and vowed to try it soon.  Tonight was the night - I had pretty much all of the ingredients on hand.  Sweet!  I love when that happens.

Here's how I made it - you know me, I tweak everything!

• 1 cup cooked quinoa
• 1 can no-salt fire roasted diced tomatoes
• 1 cup organic frozen corn
• 1/4 small red onion, diced
• 3 small spring onion bulbs, diced
• 1 can no-salt black beans
• 1 medium sweet potato, shredded
• 1T Trader Joe's taco seasoning (it's SPICY!)
• 1 tsp granulated garlic
• 1.5 tsp dried cilantro
• 1 cup non-dairy "cheese", divided (I used almond based "cheddar")

Preheat oven to 400.  Since I already had the quinoa cooked, I sauteed the onions in a little bit of coconut oil and added the frozen corn to thaw a bit.  Once the onions were translucent, I added those and the corn to a large mixing bowl with the cooked quinoa, shredded sweet potato, beans, spices & herbs and 1/2 cup of the cheese substitute.

I oiled a baking dish (I think it's 9x6) and added the mixture, then topped that with the remaining cheese substitute.  Bake at 400 degrees for approximately 35 minutes, until bubbling.  I love that the almond based "cheese" got crispy instead of melted.  It gave the bake a really nice crunch on top!

You know it's a good meal when my husband has seconds!

I served this with mixed greens (a combination of mustard greens, chard from my garden, and a mystery green from my CSA) which I sauteed in coconut oil and then added a few drops of Bragg's Liquid Aminos.  I also mashed some avocado which was a welcome addition with the Mexican flavors - and it helped to cool the spice from the quinoa bake.  I loved it so much I had seconds too!  I'm really glad there's leftovers for tomorrow!

And, now for the pictures!

After adding everything to the mixing bowl

Before putting it into the oven

After coming out of the oven

The whole plate - Mexican Quinoa Bake, mashed avocado & sauteed mixed greens

The Mexican Quinoa Bake - front & center!