Hi my loves!
Life is pure craziness right now! I picked up a huge graphic design job for Beckley Boutique and have been working like a madwoman recently. I’ve also been MOH (Maid of Honor) of the century organizing all sorts of fun things for the bride (my sister)! I’ve been so busy that I wasn’t able to work on my new batch of “Eat More Rabbit Food” shirts until last week. Ughhh I feel like such a slacker, but not haha. Yaknowwhatimean? I’m trying my hardest to get them completed this week so I can have them listed in the store and ready to ship before christmas!
Now for a recap of my trip to Yuma, Arizona for the Medjool Date Festival. Be sure to read all the way through for your chance to win some Natural Delights Medjool Dates!
Last month Natural Delights asked me if I would be a guest judge for the recipe contest at the Annual Yuma Medjool Date Festival! Me, a guest judge? WHATTT?! So cool! I love everyone at Natural Delights and I loveeee dates, so I was really excited to visit Yuma again for the festival. Brett (my lovely bunny model) also came along for the festival!
The trip started off with necessary bathroom mirror selfies (should I say us-ie?). We’re such girls.
Then we boarded the plane and prepared for takeoff.
Unfortunately our plane had different plans as our right engine started smoking! Sooooo we deplaned waited for a new aircraft.
I don’t know if I have talked about my bad luck with planes before, but I am literally always delayed, cancelled, or end up with a broken plane!
After our new plane arrived we were off to Yuma, AZ!
First cactus sighting at the airport!
The next morning, Brett and I woke up to a gorgeous Arizona sunrise and enjoyed coffee and breakfast at our hotel before heading to the festival.
We got to meet Miss Medjool! SO FREAKING AWESOME!
Brett and I had some free time to roam around the festivals so for our first stop, we explored the gallery where they had gorgeous photos of the Medjool date growers from Natural Delights.
They even had Medjool date art created by local kids! Seriously too cute for words!
Had to take a photo with the giant fork in downtown Yuma, because Im cool like that.
Brett and I made our way to the Imperial booth for fresh date shakes. Imperial is part of the Bard Valley Growers Association and also grows for Natural Delights!
Our shakes were to die for! We downed them within minutes.
Standing with the recipe contest sign! Eeeeeeek!
Then it was time for the main event; the recipe contest. Look at the excitement on my face, it just screams “DATESSSSSS!”
We got to try so many incredible recipes submitted by local date enthusiasts.
And the winner wasssssss: the most incredible salty sweet cheese loaf with date and nut coating. The judges and I couldn’t get enough!
All of the Judges and the winner of the 2013 Recipe Contest!
To end an already amazing day, I did an on camera interview speaking about using dates for natural healthy sweetener in lightened up recipes! Brett and I had so much fun sampling dates from all of the vendors and getting to hangout with the Natural Delights team. It’s always a tasty and fun time visiting Natural Delights!
READ BELOW FOR YOUR CHANCE TO WIN SOME NATURAL DELIGHTS MEDJOOL DATES.
In collaboration with Bard Valley Natural Delights™ Medjool Dates, I am hosting a giveaway!
One lucky RFFMBT winner will receive: Two 1 lb packages of Fresh Medjool Dates!
For your chance to win:
1. Comment on this post telling me your favorite way to eat Medjool dates.
2. Follow Natural Delights on Twitter.
– Leave a separate comment with the url to your tweet!
3. Like Natural Delights on Facebook.
– Leave a separate comment letting me know that you liked them!
This means you can earn up to 3 entries!
Contest ends on Thursday, December 12th at 11:59pm PST.
Winner will be announced on Friday, December 13th.
Must use a valid email address when entering. Open to U.S. residents only.
I have complied a list of some RFFMBT recipes that include Medjool Dates:
Cashew Cookie Larabars
Date & Olive Tapenade
Campfire Kisses
Medjool Date BBQ Sauce
Valentine’s Day Cookie Sandwiches
Chocomole
Raw Bites
Chocolate Chip Chickpea Cookies
Chickpea Cookie Dough Dip
Healthy Vegan Banana Bread
Black Bean and Spinach Brownies
Hail To the Kale Salad Dressing
For fun & fresh holiday recipes using Bard Valley Natural Delights™ Medjool Dates, be sure to download their free Holiday eZine!
*This giveaway has ended. A Winner will be announced on Friday, December 13.
** Congratulations to the winner: Victoria F!
Natalie
December 10, 2013 at 5:00 am (11 years ago)I’ve never tried them, but would love to! 🙂
Kate Conneen
December 10, 2013 at 5:00 am (11 years ago)Liked on Facebook!!
Kate Conneen
December 10, 2013 at 5:01 am (11 years ago)Might sound boring, but I love to put dates in my cereal or oatmeal, always livens it up!! 🙂
Victoria F.
December 10, 2013 at 5:32 am (11 years ago)https://twitter.com/NDmedjooldates/following
Victoria F.
December 10, 2013 at 5:32 am (11 years ago)I love experimenting with dates in recipes and simply eating them raw =)
KMM
December 10, 2013 at 5:32 am (11 years ago)I love dates with a bit of almond butter and dark chocolate chips. Best dessert ever.
Jennifer
December 10, 2013 at 5:33 am (11 years ago)Medjool are the best straight out of the container-only brand of dates I will eat that way, but also love to make date balls!
Victoria F.
December 10, 2013 at 5:33 am (11 years ago)Liked Natural Delights on Facebook.
Jennifer
December 10, 2013 at 5:33 am (11 years ago)Also liked on fb!
Hilda
December 10, 2013 at 5:39 am (11 years ago)My favorite way to eat Medjool dates are by themselves, as a snack… 🙂
Hilda
December 10, 2013 at 5:39 am (11 years ago)Following on Twitter: https://mobile.twitter.com/ndmedjooldates
Hilda
December 10, 2013 at 5:40 am (11 years ago)Liked on Facebook! 🙂
Karen I
December 10, 2013 at 5:50 am (11 years ago)I chop them up and mix into my overnight oats-it’s just like caramel bits!
Karen I
December 10, 2013 at 5:51 am (11 years ago)Liked on Facebook
Christina P.
December 10, 2013 at 6:06 am (11 years ago)I love making my own Larabars with dates!
Christina P.
December 10, 2013 at 6:06 am (11 years ago)I also liked on Twitter! (@clpatters)
Christina P.
December 10, 2013 at 6:07 am (11 years ago)I also liked on Facebook! (Christina Patterson)
Abigail
December 10, 2013 at 6:08 am (11 years ago)I love making dates into a granola bar!
Abigail
December 10, 2013 at 6:11 am (11 years ago)Followed on Twitter and liked on Facebook!
Laura
December 10, 2013 at 6:17 am (11 years ago)I love them sliced with some almond butter!
Laura
December 10, 2013 at 6:18 am (11 years ago)I follow on Twitter (@LBe_Hoff)
Ashley G.
December 10, 2013 at 6:31 am (11 years ago)I love using dates to make a raw caramel dip for fruit, it’s amazing!
AnnDee
December 10, 2013 at 6:34 am (11 years ago)I love them plain as a snack!
Nancy A.
December 10, 2013 at 6:41 am (11 years ago)I love Medjool dates and never have them on hand when I need them! This would be great to win! I open them, take out the pit and put a spoonful of almond butter or cream cheese or whatever you want in the middle. Makes a great snack. I just love to eat them out of the package, too. Going to try some of these recipes!!
Nancy A.
December 10, 2013 at 6:42 am (11 years ago)I “liked” Natural Delights on Facebook!
Christin
December 10, 2013 at 6:43 am (11 years ago)Date nut bars! And I just found a recipe for oatmeal date cookies (instead of raisins), which I am excited to try out
Christin
December 10, 2013 at 6:44 am (11 years ago)“Liked” Natural Delights on Facebook
Valerie
December 10, 2013 at 6:54 am (11 years ago)I love them to make raw bites (thanks for the great recipe!), but my new favorite way to use dates is in a sweet/savory combination. This year for Thanksgiving I brought an appetizer of goat cheese stuffed dates and everyone loved them!
jenna
December 10, 2013 at 6:54 am (11 years ago)I love making raw energy bars or even desserts with medjools, they are so much softer and stickier than a lot of the other dates that I’ve tried! and sweeter too!
jenna
December 10, 2013 at 6:55 am (11 years ago)I like them on facebook as well
Valerie
December 10, 2013 at 6:55 am (11 years ago)Also, liked them on facebook! 🙂
jenna
December 10, 2013 at 6:55 am (11 years ago)I follow on twitter. @jmaribuchholz
Clarice
December 10, 2013 at 6:59 am (11 years ago)I’ve never tried them but would love to! I’ve always been curious.
D @ The Kosher Cave Girl
December 10, 2013 at 7:04 am (11 years ago)I love dates. I bake with them ALL. THE. TIME. Looking good in those pictures, Catherine!
Valerie
December 10, 2013 at 7:05 am (11 years ago)Followed and tweeted! https://twitter.com/valmirz/status/410424764818128897
Donyel @ The Kosher Cave Girl
December 10, 2013 at 7:08 am (11 years ago)https://twitter.com/koshercavegirl
Donyel @ The Kosher Cave Girl
December 10, 2013 at 7:09 am (11 years ago)‘Liked’ on Facebook (Donyel M)
Jasmine
December 10, 2013 at 7:24 am (11 years ago)It’s a tie between dates in my Banana smoothies and my superfood date balls that I
Make! 🙂
Jasmine
December 10, 2013 at 7:25 am (11 years ago)Followed on Twitter!
Twitter.com/_jgbriones
Jasmine
December 10, 2013 at 7:27 am (11 years ago)I don’t have a Facebook so I liked it with my brothers account! Cwbriones@gmail.com 🙂
Kate S.
December 10, 2013 at 7:39 am (11 years ago)I love them in raw energy bites!!
Becki @ Bites 'n Brews
December 10, 2013 at 7:51 am (11 years ago)I love using them in banana bread instead of brown sugar!
Shaunna
December 10, 2013 at 7:55 am (11 years ago)I make balls with dates all the time combined with nuts and coconut butter. 🙂
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
December 10, 2013 at 7:59 am (11 years ago)I have actually never had dates before!
Mariah
December 10, 2013 at 8:34 am (11 years ago)I like to eat dates, right out of the bag! 🙂 They are sooooo good, I don’t like to mix their amazing flavor with anything else really. 🙂 However, I do like having dates so I can make some recipes that call for them – such as homemade protein/lara bars. Also, one of my favorite bloggers uses them a lot in her recipes, so they are nice to have on hand. 🙂
Dates are so amazing, they are a snack and dessert in one. Yum! 🙂
I am so excited for this giveaway. Thank you soooo very much for a chance to win some of that amazingness! God bless you always!
Mariah
December 10, 2013 at 8:36 am (11 years ago)Just Liked the Natural Delights Facebook page! 🙂
Mariah
December 10, 2013 at 8:37 am (11 years ago)Oh- and how could I forget to mention… you look so beautiful in all of these pictures! And your friend, Brett, is so gorgeous! The desserts you tasted look incredible. I loved reading this post, so thanks for sharing your date date. LOL 🙂
Jess
December 10, 2013 at 8:40 am (11 years ago)Cashew Cookie LaraBars!
Silvia
December 10, 2013 at 8:42 am (11 years ago)Birthday twin!! I love all your posts!!! Keep em’ coming!! <3
Jess
December 10, 2013 at 8:43 am (11 years ago)I liked them on Facebook! 🙂
Kira
December 10, 2013 at 8:59 am (11 years ago)I love to eat them plain or in DIY larabars. Sometimes I throw them in the oven for a couple minutes to warm them up and sprinkle a little sea salt on them. So delicious!
Bianca @ Sweet Dreaming
December 10, 2013 at 9:18 am (11 years ago)i love to use them as a sugar replacement in recipes!
Bianca @ Sweet Dreaming
December 10, 2013 at 9:19 am (11 years ago)i liked natural delights on facebook!
Helen
December 10, 2013 at 9:47 am (11 years ago)Straight for the package! 🙂
Rebecca Wright
December 10, 2013 at 9:55 am (11 years ago)I used them to make a pecan pie bar that turned out amazing!
Katie @ Produce on Parade
December 10, 2013 at 9:59 am (11 years ago)Haha, oh my, I love Miss Medjool. That’s awesome! I love medjool dates used with nuts to make crusts. I also use them in smoothies to sweeten a healthy way. I love medjool date caramel. There’s so many fantastic uses!
Virginia
December 10, 2013 at 10:11 am (11 years ago)I love to eat dates right out of the package! Great way to start your morning! I also cut up dates in my oatmeal, and of course I use dates as a sweetener in my smoothies. Dates are the only sweetener I use, no other sugars for me thanks! So dates are an integral part of my vegan life.
Cori H
December 10, 2013 at 10:13 am (11 years ago)So yummy! They are my new dessert. I have a sweet tooth and these help keep it in check!
Cori H
December 10, 2013 at 10:16 am (11 years ago)Tweeted! https://twitter.com/corjamham
Cori H
December 10, 2013 at 10:17 am (11 years ago)Liked on facebook, now crossing fingers!
Sarah Shelton
December 10, 2013 at 11:08 am (11 years ago)Honestly I just love eating Dates by themselves they are just so yummy! Everytime I see them anywhere I crave them!
Sarah Shelton
December 10, 2013 at 11:09 am (11 years ago)I liked Medjool Dates on Facebook as well!
Kaylin
December 10, 2013 at 11:20 am (11 years ago)I just love to eat dates on their own! They’re yummy
Dena @ 40 Fit in the Mitt
December 10, 2013 at 11:51 am (11 years ago)I just love to snack on them as they are (perfect) or dip in nut butter. Just a perfect food all around.
Nikki
December 10, 2013 at 12:09 pm (11 years ago)I love to blend 3-4 medjool dates with frozen banana, a handful of spinach, 1 C of almond breeze, 2 tbsp of raw cacao powder and a pinch of cinnamon for a healthy version of Chocolate Milk shake! Yum yum!
Nikki
December 10, 2013 at 12:15 pm (11 years ago)https://m.facebook.com/MedjoolDates?id=85919396802&_rdr
Liked it on fB!
Heather
December 10, 2013 at 1:37 pm (11 years ago)I’ve never even eaten dates before but now I’m wanting to make one of those milkshakes. It looks delicious!
Wendy
December 10, 2013 at 1:54 pm (11 years ago)I like them just as they are or with some peanut butter. So yummy!
Vanessa
December 10, 2013 at 1:59 pm (11 years ago)Liked on Facebook!
Vanessa
December 10, 2013 at 1:59 pm (11 years ago)I love dipping dates straight into a jar of almond butter. So delicious!
Melanie Hook
December 10, 2013 at 3:23 pm (11 years ago)I love medjool dates! MY favorite way to eat them is in a bar, a la Larabars 🙂
Also I don’t know if you will see this because I don’t know if you read the comments, but I won one of your last giveaways months ago (vegan makeup bag) and I never received it.
Catherine
December 10, 2013 at 9:51 pm (11 years ago)Melanie, I just sent you an email! I am so upset that you never received your prize from Love True Natural. I will fix this ASAP! xo
Courtney
December 10, 2013 at 3:25 pm (11 years ago)I love medjool dates so so much! I just eat them straight up 🙂
Courtney
Courtney
December 10, 2013 at 3:26 pm (11 years ago)I like Natural Delights!
Courtney
Ashley Smith
December 10, 2013 at 4:28 pm (11 years ago)I love dates on my salad! I also just like snacking on them 🙂
Marie
December 10, 2013 at 4:39 pm (11 years ago)Like to eat dates best straight from the package!
becky sangiacomo
December 10, 2013 at 4:48 pm (11 years ago)I love them to make a date paste…use in cookie/baking recipes. soak with some water & blend. sometimes I just like them chopped up in my salad or yogurt!
Melissa
December 10, 2013 at 5:31 pm (11 years ago)I LOVE Medjool dates. I love to eat them just on their own, but I also like to use them to sweeten baked goods, like a deep dish chocolate chip cookie pie (from chocolatecoveredkatie.com) that I just made this weekend. Oh, and I love to sometimes eat them straight up with some crunchy peanut butter stuffed in there. Delicious.
I also followed on Twitter and Facebook 🙂
Jeanne
December 10, 2013 at 5:42 pm (11 years ago)I make date paste and then use it in banana bread. Love it!
Beth McCarthy
December 10, 2013 at 6:06 pm (11 years ago)In my Aunt’s date balls! My fave Christmas treat!
Chelsea Ortiz
December 10, 2013 at 6:08 pm (11 years ago)I like to use them in raw desserts 🙂
Chelsea Ortiz
December 10, 2013 at 6:08 pm (11 years ago)I also liked natural delights on facebook!
Audrey Kate
December 10, 2013 at 6:20 pm (11 years ago)I like to eat them plain, or in homemade energy bars (with almonds, chocolate, cherries, coconut and almond butter).
I am almost 7 months pregnant, and I’m trying to remember to eat at least six every single day. Why? — Because I read a study recently saying that it can dramatically improve your labor. This is my first kid…I’m slightly terrified. 🙂 I live in Alaska, and they don’t have any here; I have been going to extensive trouble to get more. 🙂 (So I hope I win!)
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21280989
Audrey Kate
December 10, 2013 at 6:23 pm (11 years ago)I liked them on fB.
Some of these recipes look delicious!
Aja Frost
December 10, 2013 at 7:50 pm (11 years ago)I like using dates to make homemade bars!
Aja Frost
December 10, 2013 at 7:50 pm (11 years ago)My twitter is @ajavuu
Aja Frost
December 10, 2013 at 7:51 pm (11 years ago)I liked them on Facebook 🙂
Becca F
December 10, 2013 at 9:09 pm (11 years ago)I love blending them up and making caramel sauce out of them.
Melissa
December 10, 2013 at 9:30 pm (11 years ago)homemade date bars!
Melissa
December 10, 2013 at 9:30 pm (11 years ago)Following Natural Delights on twitter (@justtellmewhen)
Jennifer
December 11, 2013 at 5:35 am (11 years ago)I love eating them as desserts or snacks. I can never stop at just 1!
Karen P Dunn
December 11, 2013 at 6:04 am (11 years ago)Love to eat them right out of the box. Plan on trying some of your receipes, they sound wonderful!
Happy Holidays!
Jasmine
December 11, 2013 at 6:12 am (11 years ago)Medjool dates stuffed with almond butter and topped with coconut is my weakness!!
Jasmine
December 11, 2013 at 6:15 am (11 years ago)I tweeted!
https://mobile.twitter.com/_jgbriones/status/410774735773900800
Jasmine
December 11, 2013 at 6:17 am (11 years ago)I liked them on Facebook on my brothers account, as I don’t have an account (Christian Briones).
Megan Cooley
December 11, 2013 at 8:09 am (11 years ago)My favorite thing to do with dates is make pale Rx Bars. Normally, to buy these delicious little bars, they are $4 each! so I looked at the ingredients on the back and make them myself! Dates, Almonds, vanilla protein powder, dried cranberries and coconut. They are amazing and packed with protein!
Megan Cooley
December 11, 2013 at 8:11 am (11 years ago)….And I liked them on FB. no twitter account though 🙁
MichelleH
December 11, 2013 at 9:09 am (11 years ago)Looks like a fun time and those shakes look SO good!
My favorite way to eat dates is very simply. I shove a whole almond inside, then cap both ends with a dark chocolate chip. Nature’s candy bar! lol
MichelleH
December 11, 2013 at 9:12 am (11 years ago)I’m following NaturalDelightsDates on twitter. (@thefiveharts). I happily found their Pinterest, too. yummy looking recipes
Taylor
December 11, 2013 at 9:31 am (11 years ago)I love dates on my salad, with walnuts!
Nicole H
December 11, 2013 at 10:20 am (11 years ago)My favorite ways to eat dates are to split them open and insert a pecan. Boom! Instant pecan pie! I also loooove making date shakes with almond milk, dates, vanilla extract, and a frozen banana. Tastes like ice cream! 🙂
Nicole H
December 11, 2013 at 10:21 am (11 years ago)I liked Natural Delights on Facebook! 🙂
Nicole H
December 11, 2013 at 10:26 am (11 years ago)I followed them and tweeted about them on twitter! https://twitter.com/nicoletonesitup/status/410837732408033280
Jennifer
December 11, 2013 at 12:12 pm (11 years ago)I absolutely love to mix dates, almond milk, cinnamon, half a banana, and a scoop of vanilla vega protein powder into a blender and enjoy in the afternoon! Make the banana a froze banana- even better!
Alison
December 11, 2013 at 2:52 pm (11 years ago)I have never tried them but would love to!
Alison
December 11, 2013 at 2:52 pm (11 years ago)I liked them on facebook
sharon
December 11, 2013 at 3:17 pm (11 years ago)My favorite recipe using dates is a date nut roll, with pecans.
sharon
December 11, 2013 at 3:18 pm (11 years ago)I follow Natural Delights on Twitter. @rusthawk
sharon
December 11, 2013 at 3:18 pm (11 years ago)I follow Natural Delights on facebook as rust hawk. thank you!
Sierra Phillips
December 12, 2013 at 4:13 am (11 years ago)Blended into smoothies and energy balls!!
Millicent Jones
December 12, 2013 at 7:17 am (11 years ago)Followed on Twitter
Millicent Jones
December 12, 2013 at 7:17 am (11 years ago)Love making homemade Lara bars with dates!!!
Shannon
December 12, 2013 at 6:20 pm (11 years ago)I love just eating them right out of the container! They are so delicious!
Jody
December 12, 2013 at 6:21 pm (11 years ago)Date rolls…dates with coconut! Yumm
Jody
December 12, 2013 at 6:23 pm (11 years ago)Liked on fb!
Allison
December 12, 2013 at 6:24 pm (11 years ago)I LOVE DATES!! I eat them plain, but I also make homemade Larabars weekly. Another fav is chocolate cream caramel bars from This Rawsome Vegan Life!!!
Allison
December 12, 2013 at 6:27 pm (11 years ago)https://twitter.com/sknnybetch/status/411321075562065920
I tweeted about the giveaway!
Allison
December 12, 2013 at 6:28 pm (11 years ago)I liked Natural Delights on Facebook! Allison Litten
Jenee
December 12, 2013 at 6:30 pm (11 years ago)I make fruit bowls and add dates whenever I have them. I found some at Fresh Market recently and was so excited I posted on fb (complete with Indiana Jones reference) and instagram!
Jenee
December 12, 2013 at 6:32 pm (11 years ago)Liked on Facebook!
Jenee
December 12, 2013 at 6:36 pm (11 years ago)I follow on Twitter – @JeneeORama
karina
December 12, 2013 at 6:39 pm (11 years ago)I’ve never had dates before but have been curious to try them!
Jacqueline
December 12, 2013 at 7:06 pm (11 years ago)I just love eating dates plain!! They’re so good!
Chelsea C
December 12, 2013 at 7:09 pm (11 years ago)I love dates straight out of the package, dipped in some peanut or coconut butter.
Samm Rich
December 12, 2013 at 7:34 pm (11 years ago)I love eating dates stuffed with an almond and wrapped in bacon! The sweet and salty are a perfect mix 🙂
Samm Rich
December 12, 2013 at 7:34 pm (11 years ago)I also like them on Facebook 🙂
Leslie Shriner
December 12, 2013 at 8:21 pm (11 years ago)I love to eat the dates plain or with a little bit of almond butter!
Leslie Shriner
December 12, 2013 at 8:22 pm (11 years ago)I liked on Facebook.