Mother's Day is right around the corner and it's truly a day to celebrate and give thanks to all of the wonderful moms in our lives.
In that context, we have teamed up with the amazing people over at Fair Trade USA to celebrate how Moms Make a World of Difference.
I was thrilled at the opportunity to be part of spreading the word on the importance and positive impact of Fair Trade. If you're not familiar or have heard the term 'Fair Trade' but aren't totally sure what it's all about, this is a global movement to alleviate poverty in the developing world, while ensuring consumers quality products that improve lives and protect the environment.
If you see products that bear the Fair Trade Certified Logo, that means they come from farmers and workers in the developing world who are justly compensated for their work and goods. This allows them to build sustainable businesses that will positively influence their families and communities.
What is awesome, but sometimes little known, is that many of these farmers and workers are women and moms who work hard, and because of the Fair Trade movement, are able help provide for their families in ways they weren't able to previously.
Today, Fair Trade USA is giving away a beautiful package of Fair Trade goodies to one lucky Food Fanatic reader! Many of these products were created and grown by incredible Fair Trade moms.
I was fortunate enough to receive my own package of goodies to review and let me tell you, these products are delicious! My husband and I inhaled the Larabars (the chocolate raspberry torte was to die for) all the while enjoying a cup of the Allegro Coffee. I'm not kidding, as soon as I opened the bag of coffee, I sighed with pleasure. It smells heavenly and tastes even better.
Besides snacking on all the treats, I wanted to create something special with these beautiful products and decided to whip up a healthy and delicious Chocolate Coconut Quinoa Granola. As a bonus, t's gluten free, for all of my gluten free friends! The granola turned out incredibly flavorful - nutty and sweet with a fine, slightly seedy texture. It's not a big clumpy granola because the quinoa lends itself to a more delicate texture. My husband and I couldn't stop eating it. Plus, it's full of chocolate and coconut and that's a dynamite combination.
Now, on to the giveaway!
Here is a list of all of the goodies in this amazing Mother's Day package from Fair Trade USA:
Choice Tea (@ChoiceOrganicT): 1 box of Choice Tea Decaf Green Tea - In 2000, Choice Organic Teas became the first tea crafter in the United States to offer Fair Trade Certified tea, making them true pioneers in Fair Trade tea!
Allegro Coffee (@AllegroCoffee): 1 bag of whole bean Cafe La Duena - This medium bodied coffee is balanced, sweet & chocolaty. Cafe La Duena is a blend from small-holder women farmers in Oaxaca, Mexico and San Ignacio, Peru. Organic, Fair Trade Certified Cafe La Duena gives focus and celebrates women coffee farmers.
Alter Eco Cane Sugar (@AlterEcoSF): 1 package of Alter Eco Cane Sugar - This sugar has all the versatility of everyday granulated sugar, plus an amazing depth of flavor that makes it the ultimate secret ingredient.
Alter Eco Rainbow Quinoa (@AlterEcoSF): 1 package of lLter Eco Rainbow QUinoa - This super food protein powerhouse is packed with loads of minerals and vitamins, and also delivers a diverse flavor and textural experience: the light and fluffy, toasty pearl balances perfectly with the nutty red and the crunchy black. Choosing Fair Trade Certified quinoa is one of the best ways to support quinoa farming communities. With their Fair Trade Funds, farmers are able to invest in quality and productivity, ensuring that there will be enough quinoa for all who want and need it for generations to come.
Alter Eco (@AlterEcoSF): Dark Coconut Toffee Bar - crunchy, toasted texture with a buttery finish. Need more? Youíll find the Dark Coconut Toffee bar, as well as several other delicious varieties, at your local natural foods store or Whole Foods Market.
LARABAR (@larabar): Four different Larabar flavors! Made from whole foods, each flavor of LARABAR contains no more than nine ingredients. The cocoa and coffee used in LARABAR is Fair Trade Certified, meaning your afternoon snack or treat not only tastes good, but does good too!
Bhakti Chai (@BhaktiChai): Don't miss the coupon for a FREE 16 oz Iced Bhakti Chai inside your box of goodies! Get your spice on with this delicious brew of Fair Trade Certified black tea, fresh-pressed organic ginger, fiery spices and non-GMO soy milk.
Happy Mother's Day!
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Quinoa Granola Recipe
Print This Recipe
Ingredients
1 cup alter eco rainbow quinoa, uncooked
3 tablespoons alter eco cane sugar
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
4 tablespoons unsalted butter
1/4 cup cashew nuts, chopped
1/4 cup almonds
1/4 teaspoon salt
4 tablespoons flax seed
4 ounces sweetened dried coconut
1 alter eco dark coconut toffee chocolate bar, chopped into small pieces
Directions
Preheat oven to 350°F. Line baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.In a small saucepan, melt butter over medium heat.
Allow butter to cook for several minutes or until it becomes browned and takes on a nutty aroma. Be careful not to let it burn.
Whisk Alter Eco Cane Sugar and cinnamon into the melted butter. Set aside.
In a large bowl, place quinoa, cashews, almonds, salt and ground flax seeds. Pour melted butter and sugar mixture over quinoa and nuts. Stir well to coat evenly. Spread granola mixture onto prepared baking sheet in a thin, even layer.
Bake granola for about 30-35 minutes or until mixture is nice and toasted, stirring every 10 minutes.
Remove from oven and stir in chopped coconut. Allow mixture to cool completely (at least 1 hour). Stir in chopped chocolate bar.
Quinoa granola can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for about 1 week. This granola is a very finely textured (does not have large clumps) and is perfect for topping yogurt or serving with milk as you would cereal.
Enjoy!