DOLE

Breakfast, Recipes, Snacks, Vegan, Vegetarian

Quinoa Granola

Ok granola lovers, today is your day! HEALTHY GRANOLA!
Can I get a woohoo?!

Most store bought granolas are loaded with unnecessary amounts of refined sugar and contain nearly no protein. I’m a granola lover, but it’s hard for me to find a good healthy granola, so today, I made my own! Not going to lie, I burned the first batch because I forgot about the altitude here in Denver! It was totally worth it though, this granola is so delish! It has the perfect amount of crunch and sweetness with the addition of protein from quinoa. Oh ya, it’s also vegan and gluten free! I might add some raisins next time!

Quinoa Granola

Let’s talk about why this granola is so excellent!

Quinoa (keen-wah)
Quinoa is a complete protein containing all nine essential amino acids.
Twice the fiber over most other grains.
High in iron.
Gluten free.

Flaxseed
Fich in monounsaturated fatty acids like oleic acid.
Excellent source of omega-3 essential fatty acids.
Contains B-complex vitamins such as riboflavin, niacin,thiamin, pantothenic acid, vitamin B-6, and folates.

Coconut
Great source of manganese.
Improves digestion with dietary fiber.
Contains plant-based healthy saturated fat, monosaturated fat, and Omega-6 fatty acids that promote weight loss and increase HDL or “good” cholesterol levels in the body.

Agave
Natural sweetener.
Lower glycemic value than regular refined sugars.

Quinoa GranolaQuinoa Granola
Makes 2 servings

1/4 cup uncooked quinoa
1 Tbsp whole flaxseed or chia seeds
1 Tbsp shredded unsweetened coconut
1 Tbsp agave
1/4 tsp cinnamon

Preheat oven to 375 F. Combine all the ingredients in a mixing bowl and mix well. Spray baking sheet with nonstick cooking spray. Spread the mixture thinly on a baking sheet. Bake for 10-15 minutes. Once the granola has started to turn a golden brown, remove from oven and let cool (this will let the granola set so you will have different sized pieces). After the granola has cooled for about 5 minutes remove from baking sheet with spatula.

You can portion this granola into halves and eat it as a little mid afternoon pick me up snack, or make it into a filling, protein packed breakfast by combining it with the following:

6oz of plain nonfat Greek yogurt
1/2 banana
1 serving of quinoa granolaQuinoa Granola
Quinoa Granola
Quinoa GranolaThe Rabbit Food Pyramid Breakdown
Produce: banana
Whole Grain: quinoa
Protein: greek yogurt
Plant Based Fat: flaxseed and shredded coconut

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Breakfast, Recipes

Two Ingredient Pancakes

Happy National Pancake Day!!!

I am loving these awesome food holidays! Yesterday I celebrated National Frozen Yogurt Day with my friend Brett at Yogurtland for a free yogi and toppings. The line went well around the corner of the store, but it moved petty fast. I went with plain/tart and topped it with kiwi, yogurt covered raisins, and yogurt chips, mmmm!

Instead of going to IHOP for their oh so tempting free and very caloric pancakes, I have some ultra skinny and healthy two ingredient pancakes for you! Celebrate this tasty holiday with a batch of gluten free, flour-less, and protein packed pancakes! They’re so sweet, you may not even want syrup!

Two Ingredient Pancakes
Two Ingredient Pancakes
Two Ingredient Pancakes
Two Ingredient PancakesTwo Ingredient Pancakes
Serves 1

2 eggs
1 very ripe banana

my favorite additions:
1/4 tsp vanilla extract
1/8 tsp cinnamon

Mash the ripened banana with hands or a fork until smooth and set aside. Beat two eggs and then add to the mashed banana. Add vanilla and cinnamon into the batter if desired. Generously spray a pan with nonstick or olive oil cooking spray and turn the stove to medium heat. Using a 1 Tbsp measuring spoon, scoop a spoonful of batter and pour into the pan. Flip the pancakes once the edges become cooked. Allow the pancakes to cook through. Respray the pan with nonstick spray between each set of pancakes. Enjoy!
Note: Start with a lower heat since the pancakes can burn easily. Each pancake takes a couple of minutes to cook.
Another Note: Nonstick cooking pans help making the pancakes easier to make.

The Rabbit Food Pyramid Breakdown
Produce: banana
Whole Grain: 0
Protein: eggs
Plant Based Fat: 0 (try topping with 1 Tbsp of nut butter!)

Don’t forget my other healthy pancake recipes:
Honey Wheat Chobani Pancakes
Protein Pancakes
Sophisticated PB&J Pancakes
Buckwheat Pancakes with Ginger Pear Glaze

| 56 Comments
Contests & Giveaways, Lunch, Recipes, Vegetarian

Dole Salad Circle Party + Giveaway

Happy Monday, I hope that you had a fantastic weekend!
Motivation Monday: “Eat better, feel better”

When DOLE asked me if I would like to host a Salad Circle Party, I was pumped. Wait… beyond pumped… I was overly excited! Before I could even respond, I had my party completely planned out. I had visions of cute little fruit and veggies balloons hanging from the tree and all of my friends joining together to make one giant Friendship Salad. After my reply to DOLE, “When is the soonest I can host my party?” my vision quickly became a reality. DOLE was kind enough to send me the perfect starter kit and basis of my salad party: a plethora of fresh greens of DOLE Extra Veggie mixes with Snap Peas, Grape Tomatoes, and Garden Vegetables, some gorgeous Dole Hand Picked Selections Red Butter, Green Butter, and Green Oak whole lettuce heads, along with a wooden salad bowl, matching tongs and awesome goodies for my guests! Each guest received a DOLE reusable grocery bag, DOLE salad or cut-vegetable item coupons, DOLE fresh vegetable product or berry coupons, and a Salad Circle Recipe Booklets, and Salad Guides!

When I invited my friends to come over for a Salad Circle Party, I think everyone was a bit confused! Seriously, a party for salad? Oh yes, but not your average party or your average salad. This is the Olympics of salad parties.

Instead of preparing a salad for my guests, I wanted them to be a part of it! I wanted to try something new and have each person take part in the making of a Friendship Salad. I requested that each guest bring an ingredient that began with the first letter of their first name. As the host and official “Salad Guide” (thanks for the amazing apron, DOLE!) I started the Friendship Salad with a bed of fresh DOLE greens. We went around the table in a circle tossing each of our ingredients on top of the crisp mix of DOLE lettuces, and I couldn’t help but wonder what this masterpiece would taste like. I actually cringed at one point… We had quite an interesting ingredient list going on! After everyone put their ingredients into the bowl, I completed the Friendship Salad with a drizzle of dressing and gave it a nice toss. The mishmash of ingredients blended into a gorgeous array of colors and incredible flavor. Hesitant to try the salad, I took my first bite and was pleasantly surprised as to how oddly, but perfectly, the flavors came together. You would not believe that this combination of less than ordinary ingredients was seriously DOLEicious! It turned out so well that I and many of my friends ended up going back for seconds! A Salad Circle Party will definitely be a new summer tradition in my kitchen. It’s a fun, affordable, and healthy way to entertain guests and every salad will always be different!



Catherine/Host: Greens & Dressing
Holding Dole Hand Picked Selections Green & Red Butter lettuce heads.

Anthony: Avocado & Brett: Beets

Cathie: Corn & Jessica: Jicama

Linda: Lentils & Lauren: Lemon

Michael: Mozzarella & Mike: Medjool Dates

Patrick: Pineapple & Sarah: Sunflower Seeds

Tammy: Tangerines & Trevor: Tomatoes













Huge thank you to DOLE for all of the Salad Circle goodies!

DOLE is offering one lucky RFFMBT reader a change to host their own salad party for 10!
The lucky winner will receive a Salad Circle Pack consisting of:
1 DOLE salads apron
1 wooden salad bowl and tongs
10 DOLE reusable grocery bags
10 DOLE salad guides
10 DOLE salad circle recipe booklets
20 DOLE coupons (10 DOLE Salad or cut vegetable item coupons & 10 DOLE fresh vegetable product or berries coupons)

For your chance to win:

  • Leave a comment on this post “Dole Salad Circle Party + Giveaway” telling me what your favorite salad ingredient is!
  • You can earn a second entry by tweeting: “I entered for a chance to host a @DOLESaladGuide Salad Circle Party via @EatRabbitFood http://bit.ly/MrMrWG .”
  • Complete your second entry by leaving a second comment on this post with a copy of your tweet.
  • All entries must use a valid email address.
  • Open to U.S. residents only.
  • All comments must be posted by Thursday, August 9th at 11:59pm (PST).
  • 1 winner will be randomly selected and announced on Friday, August 10th.

For more DOLEicious salad ideas and information, visit their Twitter and Facebook!

* The giveaway has ended, and the winner will be announced on Friday, August 10.
** Congratulations to the winner: Vanessa G. from TN.

| 209 Comments
Breakfast, Contests & Giveaways, Recipes, Vegan, Vegetarian

Banana Bread Breakfast Quinoa + DOLE Bananas Giveaway

A couple of weeks ago, I received an email from DOLE Bananas asking if I would like some coupons for free bananas. After the shock that DOLE Bananas (OMG!) emailed me, of course I immediately replied with a very enthusiastic YES! DOLE Bananas was sweet enough to send me a huge stack of coupons for bananas, and let me say, they were instantly put to good use! I have been going bananas in the kitchen, literally! I picked up tons of bananas and threw a bunch (no pun intended) in the freezer (peeled) for future smoothie use, and started crafting away on some new nana recipes for you guys!

Bananas have so many health benefits, they might as well be called “Nature’s Original Energy Bar!” DOLE sent me some awesome banana facts to show that they aren’t just delicious, but nutritious too!

  • Bananas are a good source of vitamins and nutrients – especially vitamins B6 and C, potassium, manganese and dietary fiber.
  • Bananas replenish necessary carbohydrates, glycogen and body fluids burned during exercise; contain electrolytes; and are the perfect alternative to processed sports drinks and bars packed with sodium and sugar.

Since I am a huge fan of bananas and breakfast, I wanted to try making a banana bread type of oatmeal… without the oats! I love quinoa for it’s amazing health benefits, so I decided to use it as a breakfast bowl/porridge type of meal. It turned out AWESOME, and I will be making this more often, especially when I need a break from oatmeal!



Banana Bread Breakfast Quinoa
Serves 1

1 very ripe banana – mashed
¼ cup dry quinoa
¼ cup almond milk (or milk of your choice)
2 Tbsp walnuts
½ tsp pure vanilla extract
¼ tsp cinnamon

Cook the quinoa on the stove to package instructions. After the quinoa has finished cooking (while over low heat), stir in the almond milk, mashed banana, vanilla, and cinnamon. Mix the walnuts into the quinoa or add on top. Transfer to a bowl and enjoy warm.
Note: You could add additional milk until desired texture is reached.

The Rabbit Food Pyramid Breakdown
Produce: banana
Whole Grain: quinoa
Protein: milk
Plant Based Fat: walnuts

In collaboration with DOLE Bananas, I am hosting a giveaway of  “$1 off DOLE Bananas” coupons for 5 lucky winners! Each winner will receive 5 coupons! 

For your chance to win:

  • Leave a comment on this post “Banana Bread Breakfast Quinoa + DOLE Bananas Giveaway” with your favorite way to eat bananas!
  • All entries must use a valid email address.
  • Open to U.S. residents only.
  • All comments must be posted by Sunday, July 1st at 11:59pm (PST).
  • 5 winners will be randomly selected and announced on Monday, July 2.

Go Bananas Every Day™ and receive daily recipes, serving suggestions and tips by following DOLE Bananas on Twitter and Facebook!

I have complied a list of some RFFMBT recipes that include bananas:
Healthy Vegan Banana Bread
Banana Nicecream
Peanut Butter & Banana Toast
Banana Hazelnut Toast With Ricotta
Protein Pancakes
Chocolate Cake Batter Overnight Oats
Ch Ch Ch Chia Pudding
Carrot Cake Smoothie
Gargantuan Green Giant
It’s Easy Being Green Smoothie

* The giveaway has ended, and the winners will be announced on Monday, July 2.
** Congratulations to the winners: Killian from PA, Jessica from IL, Sara from VA, Elizabeth from TX, and Leanne from CA.

| 173 Comments

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