Sweet on Smoothies!

We just can’t stop ourselves: we’re incredibly sweet on smoothies! And why should we stop when smoothies made with fresh California Giant berries provide an incredibly nutritious and energizing boost to your day? These treats can be made with just about any type of ingredient imaginable, so you can conveniently tailor your homemade drinks to fit your palette preferences.

If you need some new equipment to get your smoothie-spree started, you can enter to win a brand new Hamilton Beach Smoothie Smart Blender through July 2^nd. We’re drawing a new winner each week, so make sure to enter WEEKLY in order to snag that state-of-the-art prize, plus share your favorite smoothie recipes with us!

And now, time to get jazzed up about creating smoothie concoctions with a few of our favorite blogger smoothie recipes featuring fresh berries:

Blueberry Yogurt Smoothie
The Pioneer Woman

The Pioneer Woman keeps it simple with this easy, convenient smoothie recipe that you can easily modify to fit your flavor desires! Of course this one uses blueberries because like The Pioneer Woman says – they’re just so darn good for you!

Four Simply Healthy Smoothie Recipes
Around the Plate

It’s true, smoothies are just simply healthy and this list packs a nutritional punch! We’re partial to the last recipe of course, which is a unique flavor combination of berries and mint! Yummy!

Florida Orange Juice Spring Smoothie Recipe
Housewife Bliss

There’s just something about the combo of fresh orange juice, berries, peaches and bananas that make this smoothie recipe simply fabulous!

Green Monster Smoothies
Sing For Your Supper

So maybe these are more like Brown Scary Monster Smoothies, but don’t let the color mislead you. We love this recipe because of all the fresh, healthy ingredients that really make this drink a POWER boost to start your day, or keep it going!

Blueberry Milk
Poor Girl Eats Well

Okay – this may not be a smoothie per say, but you can still use a blender to create your very own homemade blueberry milk that will make you feel like a kid again!

If these berrylicious recipes aren’t enough to keep you satisfied – get crazy in your kitchen and browse the array of smoothie ideas on BlendedRecipes.com – starting with strawberry! Yum! This site is all about everything smoothie and is sure to inspire you to build fresh concoctions in your kitchen in no time!

And now… The Sweet Taste of Spring Reciberry Contest Winners!

From Frittata to ooey-gooey Oreo messes, our Sweet Taste of Spring Reciberry Contest winners are all prime examples of how berry cooking and eating is done BEST!

We were blown away by so many of our entries, but these are a few that really take the cake (or fritter). Check out the winning recipe for each category, and please share with us which one takes home the grand prize with your taste buds. Happy eating!

Best Overall – Grand Prize
Blueberry Corn Fritters
Roxanne C. Albany, CA

Best Strawberry Recipe
Giant Breakfast at Berry Farmer’s Market
Wolfgang, H. West Palm Beach, FL

Best Raspberry Recipe
Fresh Raspberry Tiramisu
Nadine M. Mount Healthy, OH

Best Blueberry Recipe
Blueberry Panzanella Lettuce Cups
Crystal S. Altoona, WI

Best Blackberry Recipe
Blackberry Goat Cheese Brownies
Eden D. Los Angeles, CA

Best Mixed Berry Recipe
Pacific Salmon
Roxanne C. Albany, CA

Best Healthy Recipe
SweetBerry Shrimp Salad
Nancy B. Newport, RI

Best for Kids Recipe
Raspberry Oreo Eton Mess
Judi S. Peachland, BC, Canada

Best Blogger-Submitted Category
Blueberry Goat Cheese Pizza
Jennifer G. Los Angeles, CA

Blueberry Corn Fritters

Ingredients:

1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp chili powder
2 eggs
1 cup fresh California Giant Berry Farms Blueberries
1/2 cup frozen corn kernels, thawed
1/2 cup chopped red bell pepper
1 green onion, minced
2 Tbsp toasted slivered almonds
1 jalapeno pepper, seeded and minced
1/3 cup Cotija cheese, crumbled
2 Tbsp vegetable oil
Garnish – snipped fresh basil and a bowl of sour cream for dipping

Directions:

Combine the flour, baking powder and chili powder in a medium bowl; mix in the eggs until just moistened then gently add the remaining ingredients except oil and mix until well combined. Heat the oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Drop the batter by 1/4 cupful’s into the skillet. Press lightly to flatten and cook 1 1/2 minutes on each side. Serve with garnish. Makes 8.

Original Recipe Submitted by Roxanne C, Albany CA
Photography courtesy of California Giant Berry Farms

Happy Earth Day!

Here at California Giant, we love the Earth so much that we celebrate Earth Day every day! We work to do our part on a daily basis to help keep the Earth happy, healthy and berry-producing by utilizing environmentally-friendly initiatives in not only our fields, but in our facilities and offices as well.

Here are just a few of the ways we are taking care of our Earth:

We recycle and pack our berries in 100% recyclable clamshells!
We use effective water and soil management practices like drip irrigation to only deliver the essential nutrients to our crops.
Working with the Earth requires combating Mother Nature, so we use natural pest control methods to minimize the need for pesticides and prevent infestation.
We produce organically grown berries for our customers who prefer this method, and our organic acreage is currently growing in response to the demand for more organic products!

There is nothing more incredible than the vast, ever-changing planet we inhabit. We are so thankful that we get to work with the Earth each day and harvest some of the greatest things that grow – fresh berries!

What are some of the things you like to do to help keep the Earth healthy?

Berry Smoothie Remix

What’s cooler than award-winning recipes and fresh berry smoothies? Not much, if you ask us! Whether you’re an on-the-go fitness fanatic or not, the Very Berry White Chocolate Smoothie made with California Giant berries is a convenient, energy-boosting snack. This refreshing, homemade treat can be made year-round with any combination of our berries. BUT, with the spring strawberry season in full swing, now is the perfect time to use peak-of-season, fresh strawberries. Before your next outing, whip up a blender full of this creamy deliciousness and you’ll be set with a healthy snack that you can feel good about drinking.

And, stay tuned for another California Giant promotion…. We’re teaming up with the smart folks at Hamilton Beach to bring you the Summer Smoothie Sweepstakes. Starting April 30^th, you’ll be whisked away to the “Realm of Refreshing” and can enter for a chance to win a Hamilton Beach Smoothie Blender, as well as share your favorite smoothie recipe! Check back for details soon!

Very Berry White Chocolate Smoothie

Ingredients

1 cup fresh California Giant Berry Farms strawberries
1 6 oz. package (1 1/3 cups) fresh California Giant Berry Farms raspberries
1 Tbsp orange juice concentrate
1 tsp fresh lemon juice
3 6 oz. containers Light Fat Free White Chocolate, Strawberry or Vanilla yogurt (any combination)
2 Tbsp milled flax seed
1-2 cups crushed ice

Directions

Wash berries and remove stems and leaves. Quarter strawberries. Place in food processor and blend.
Add juices and blend.
Add yogurt and flax seed and blend.
Add 1 to 2 cups crushed ice, depending upon how thick you want your smoothie to be. Pulse until smooth.
Pour into 4 8 oz. glasses. Enjoy!