- Disclosure: I am an official ambassador for Dole Fresh Fruits and Vegetables. Dole provided me with Free Salad and Free Banana coupons for the purpose of this post, as well as compensation for my time. As always, all opinions expressed in this post are mine.
Calling all fruit and veggie lovers (and even those of you that aren’t – now is the perfect time to try!) I know I love this time of year because produce is at it’s best and there is delicious fresh fruits everywhere you look! I know as a family, we try to consume as many fruits and veggies as possible – from smoothies, to veggie heavy meals and of course veggies and fruits as our snack! We’ve tried to ensure our kiddo has loved veggies from the start, and you’ll often see him snacking on kale chips or happily eating banana ice cream! Because I think healthy living is so important, I am so excited to be apart of this awesome initiative to get North Americans eating more fruits and veg and pledging to make a healthier life for themselves!
WHAT IS THE GET UP AND GROW TOUR? It’s an 11,700-mile, 115-day journey organized by the Dole Food Company and Blue Diamond Almond Breeze to give North Americans a number of tangible ways to make 2015 their healthiest and happiest summer EVER! They are directly challenging local residents to eat better this summer to receive some exciting health and wellness rewards. They will be stopping at 480 supermarkets and special events throughout the U.S. and Canada through September.
GREAT REASONS TO JOIN IN ON THE FUN? The Get Up and Grow Tour Caravan is a wrapped van and trailer with kitchen and sampling tent that offers free recipe samples, a DIY smoothie bar, free giveaways for the kids, expert nutritional advice by our resident RD or produce expert and other surprises. Visitors can also create their own customizable, interactive pledge that gives them the chance to receive wellness rewards like free DOLE fresh produce, Fitbits® and a wellness getaway in California. Visitors can sample a variety of fruit, vegetable and salad recipes created for Get Up and Grow! – ranging from the Banana and Blue, Breakfast Smoothie, Power Punch Smoothie and Spinach-Avocado Hummus to the Grilled Banana Parfait, Southwestern Gazpacho, Caesar’s Bounty Salad and Charred Summer Salad, which has been proclaimed 2015’s “Official Salad of Summer.”
HOPE TO SEE YOU! This event sounds incredible and will be on Vancouver Island at the Parksville Beach Festival on August 8th & 9th! You can check out the schedule and other locations on their website (make sure to click the locations tab)! I know our family will try to make it, so if you see us – make sure to stop to say HI!!!
CAN’T MAKE IT BUT WANT TO JOIN THE FUN? I highly recommend checking out their website http://dolegetupandgrow.com/ where you can take your healthy living pledge, find INCREDIBLE recipes (including many dairy free ones), and even register for some great rewards!
Now of course I can’t leave you hanging without a recipe! Check out this super fresh, fast and delicious one from the Dole website, which I can’t wait to make as soon as my new crepe maker arrives!
Spicy Banana & Shrimp Crepes
Entrees
PREP: 20 MIN
MAKES: 4 SERVINGS
2 tablespoons sesame oil
1/4 cup sliced DOLE® Green Onions
1 teaspoon minced garlic
1 teaspoon thinly sliced red chili
12 jumbo shrimp, peeled and deveined
2 firm DOLE Bananas, peeled and sliced diagonally
6 cups DOLE Spring Mix
16 DOLE Asparagus, cooked
Ginger Dressing (recipe below)
4 store-bought or homemade crepes (try a Dairy Free Betty tried and true recipe here)
- Heat sesame oil in sauté pan over medium-high heat. Sauté green onions, garlic and red chili, about 2 minutes or until tender. Add shrimp and banana slices, cook 4 minutes or until shrimp turns pink. Remove and set aside.
- Toss spring mix and asparagus with ginger dressing, set aside.
- Place crepes on four serving plates. Position the spring mix and asparagus over half the crepe. Arrange the shrimp-banana mixture on top and fold over the crepe. Serve immediately.
Sesame-Ginger Vinaigrette: Combine 3 tablespoons sliced DOLE Green Onions, 2 tablespoons chopped cilantro, 1 tablespoon sesame oil, 1 tablespoon rice vinegar, 1 tablespoon grated fresh ginger, 1-1/2 teaspoons honey, 1-1/2 teaspoons water, 1 teaspoon minced garlic in a small bowl. Makes about 1/3 cup.
