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Dole Banana Blogger Party and Banana Party Pack Giveaway

  • Kerrie

I suppose it’s impossible to hold a party celebrating bananas without keeping a That’s What She Said tally. However, much to my surprise, there were only six. It’s possible that one or two didn’t get recorded, but I guess this shows that me and my friends are a lot more mature than I thought.

A Banana-Themed Party?

So what exactly is a banana party, you might ask (while giggling – stop it). Well, that’s what I wondered when Dole contacted me. Turns out, there are a number of cities across the United States that Dole considers Top Banana Cities, as in the population consumes more of the yellow fruit than other cities. Dole named Seattle as a Top Banana City! Seattle’s a pretty active city, so I’m guessing one reason we recognize the health benefits of bananas. (The other reason: We are drawn to the color yellow since we rarely see the sun?)

So, to promote this fantastic fruit, Dole held banana nutrition parties in their Top Banana Cities. One of those parties was at my house last Sunday! Dole gave me a generous budget for the party, and since I haven’t thrown a party in 4 or 5 years, I went all out. I decorated in a yellow/monkey/banana theme and I even made a banana-themed soundtrack (see end of post for the banana playlist). And I decided to make five of the recipes that Dole sent me, plus smoothies and dessert!

I don’t like to cook (or clean, which I had to do – yuck), so this was sort of a huge deal for me. BUT, all of the Dole recipes were easy, and as it turned out, delicious. Dole Banana Party attendees agreed, much to my delight. They were Mel from Tall Mom on the Run (@tallmomontherun), Zoe from Run, Zoe, Run (@runzoerun); Chelsea from Will Run for Food (@chelsea_c); Nicole of Ricole Runs (@ricoleruns); and Lauren from Marathon Lar (@marathonlar).

Zoe, Lauren, Chelsea, Mel, me and Nicole

It’s kind of perfect that Dole asked me to have this banana party because I’m a big believer in the banana – I generally have one every single day. And I always like to have one before a race (with a little peanut butter).

My favorite shopping moment for this party was buying up all the Dole bananas at Fred Meyer. The banana section was actually a little bare and I was slightly freaked out that I would not have a enough bananas (I needed 14 for recipes, and then I wanted to send everyone home with their own bunch.) But, as I was piling them in my cart, a produce guy appeared with a cart full of bananas!

“Oh good!” I said. “More bananas!”

He looked at me like I was weird. Probably because I already 4 or 5 bunches of them in my cart.

Bananas! Bennie is circling the table -- it's his favorite fruit!

The Dole Bananas Party

I went with the yellow theme, and put yellow balloons tied to yellow pinwheels out in front of my house. Actually, Chelsea and Mel arrived early and helped me with this. Thanks girls!

Mel looking sunny.
Chelsea looking summery!

Inside, I had these fun shiny palm trees (yes, Mr. T, I know bananas don’t grow on palm trees, but they complimented the monkeys, okay), more yellow balloons (expertly tied by Mel and Chelsea), and a monkey balloon that T Junior couldn’t be more excited about. Dole sent some sweet swag (more on that later) that I tied together with a golden-yellow tulle ribbon, and lined up on my mantel.

I even painted my nails yellow – a color I never would’ve chosen, but that I am sort of loving now.

Sally Hansen Insta-Dri in Quick Canary.

I made a banana centerpiece on the table and surrounded it with yummy food. The Dole recipes I made were: Classic Banana Bread, Protein Pick-Me-Up Cakes, Banana Oat Bars, Banana Tea Sandwiches, and Banana Curried Chicken.

Banana Raspberry Smoothie time!

I also blended their Banana Raspberry Smoothie. Of course, I had to put out some peanut butter and banana sandwiches, too, because they’re one of my favorites. (Look for all the recipes next week!)

Yummy food and the Yonanas machine, along with some conversation starters (which we didn't need, of course).

For dessert, we had banana-chocolate “sorbet” using the Yonanas machine Dole sent for us to try out.

Using the Yonanas machine was simple once I got the hang of it!

It was easy once I got it going: insert frozen bananas and dark chocolate chips. Yummy!

Banana "sorbet" made with the Yonanas machine. Just put in the frozen banana and some chocolate pieces, and voila! Healthy "ice cream"!

The Banana Curried Chicken was a huge hit with my guests, and I was surprised that the Banana Tea Sandwiches were so good. I thought they’d be spicy with watercress (which I’d never used before) and horseradish, but the cucumber and the banana balanced it out, and the sandwiches had a tongue-pleasing tangy flavor instead. My favorite, though, was probably the Protein Pick-Me-Up Cakes. Don’t forget to check back next week for all the recipes!

Lauren and Nicole cheesin' it up at the banana party!

After eating our weight in banana food, we headed out in the heat of the day to the trail I run regularly across the street from my house. Yes, the downhill/uphill gravel trail (actually the Green to Cedar Rivers Trail). The plan had been to run before we ate, but it was in the 80s and we were all melting. I am not complaining, but none of us are used to that warm of weather, so we ditched the running idea, and walked instead for more than a mile (I’m guessing 1.5).

Bloggers in their natural state (except for Mel who caught me taking a picture). L-R: Zoe, Chelsea, Lauren and Mel.

Luckily for everyone, my house has air conditioning. Before everyone left, they checked out their swag: a great Dole water bottle, recipes, banana coupons, a bread pan, and at last, a banana-keeper, over which there was much laughing and many, many TWSS jokes.

I guess we aren’t as mature as I thought.

For more information on Dole and the banana party, click the links below:
Marathon Lar’s Recap
Dole Yonanas Machine
Dole (@Dole and @DoleNutrition)

My Banana-Themed Playlist

  • Yes, We Have No Bananas – Louis Prima
  • The Monkey’s Uncle – Annette Funicello
  • Vendedor de Bananas/Cosa Nostra/Bich Do Mato – Jorge Ben
  • Funky Monkey – Siedah Garrett (from the RIO soundtrack)
  • I’m Going Bananas – Madonna
  • Cuban Pete (In the Style of “Jim Carrey”) – Done Again (not really a banana song, but fit the sound)
  • Day-o (Banana Boat Song) – Harry Belafonte
  • Brass Monkey – Beastie Boys
  • Peanut Butter Jelly Time – Chip-Man & The Buckwheat Boyz (okay, the song doesn’t have bananas, but it’s sung by a dancing banana on the video!)
  • Hollaback Girl – Gwen Stefani
  • Go Bananas – The Banana Splits
  • Fried Bananas – Dexter Gordon (instrumental – jazz)
  • Monkey Man – Kylie Minogue
  • Bananaphone – Raffi (gotta have this one)
  • Tra La La – The Banana Splits
  • Bananas – The Fresh Beat Band
  • Monkey Eats Bananas – Princess Chelsea
  • Grow Bananas – Greensky Bluegrass
  • 30,000 Lbs. of Bananas – Harry Chapin
  • Banana Pancakes – The Hit Co.

Win Your Own Banana Party Pack!

Banana party packs from Dole!

The party pack includes 1 24-oz. Dole water bottle (that is perfect for smoothies!), a banana keeper, a banana bread pan, and Dole banana coupons. I have 3 to give away and there are five ways to enter (do all five to increase your chances)! Please leave a separate comment on this blog post for each entry:

  1. Like Mom vs. Marathon Facebook
  2. Like Dole Bananas on Facebook
  3. Follow Mom vs. Marathon on Twitter
  4. Follow Dole Nutrition on Twitter
  5. Share this giveaway via your blog, Twitter, Facebook, email, billboard, etc.

(Contest open to US residents only until 11:59 p.m. PST on 7/20/2012. Winners will be announced on 7/21/2012. Winners please respond by 7/26/2012 or a new name will be chosen.)

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47 comments
  1. Kates says:
    July 13, 2012 at 11:57 am

    Of course I “like” you on FB!

    Reply
  2. Kates says:
    July 13, 2012 at 11:58 am

    Liked Dole on FB!

    Reply
  3. Kates says:
    July 13, 2012 at 12:00 pm

    Posted to my blog 🙂

    Reply
  4. abbi says:
    July 13, 2012 at 12:16 pm

    I like you on FB.

    Reply
  5. abbi says:
    July 13, 2012 at 12:17 pm

    I follow you on Twitter

    Reply
  6. abbi says:
    July 13, 2012 at 12:18 pm

    I follow Dole on Twitter.

    Reply
  7. Kates says:
    July 13, 2012 at 12:27 pm

    Posted on my FB page…There She Runs

    Reply
  8. Becky says:
    July 13, 2012 at 12:39 pm

    I’m a facebook liker.

    Reply
  9. Kim @ (Just) Trying says:
    July 13, 2012 at 3:08 pm

    I like you on FB.

    Reply
  10. Kim @ (Just) Trying says:
    July 13, 2012 at 3:08 pm

    I follow you on Twitter.

    Reply
  11. christy h says:
    July 13, 2012 at 6:06 pm

    I like you on facebook

    Reply
  12. christy h says:
    July 13, 2012 at 6:06 pm

    I like dole bananas on facebook too

    Reply
  13. Jen says:
    July 14, 2012 at 9:14 am

    I like you on FB

    Reply
  14. Jen says:
    July 14, 2012 at 9:14 am

    I follow you on Twitter

    Reply
  15. Laurel C says:
    July 14, 2012 at 4:14 pm

    I like you on FB!

    Reply
  16. Laurel C says:
    July 14, 2012 at 4:14 pm

    I like Dole on FB too!

    Reply
  17. Laurel C says:
    July 14, 2012 at 4:14 pm

    I’m a twitter follower!

    Reply
  18. Laurel C says:
    July 14, 2012 at 4:15 pm

    And I follow Dole on twitter!

    Reply
  19. Laurel C says:
    July 14, 2012 at 4:17 pm

    I tweeted!
    https://twitter.com/pace_of_laurel/status/224281318933008384

    Reply
  20. Louise Cunningham says:
    July 14, 2012 at 5:39 pm

    Like you on Fbook!

    Reply
  21. Louise Cunningham says:
    July 14, 2012 at 5:40 pm

    I Like Dole on fbook!

    Reply
  22. Louise Cunningham says:
    July 14, 2012 at 5:41 pm

    Following you on twitter! @lcunningham8332

    Reply
  23. Louise Cunningham says:
    July 14, 2012 at 5:41 pm

    Following Dole on twitter! @lcunningham8332

    Reply
  24. Salmon Runner says:
    July 15, 2012 at 7:54 am

    I liked you on Facebook

    Reply
  25. Salmon Runner says:
    July 15, 2012 at 7:54 am

    I liked Dole Bananas on Facebook

    Reply
  26. Salmon Runner says:
    July 15, 2012 at 7:55 am

    I follow you on Twitter

    Reply
  27. Salmon Runner says:
    July 15, 2012 at 7:57 am

    I follow Dole Nutrition

    Reply
  28. Salmon Runner says:
    July 15, 2012 at 7:57 am

    I shared giveaway via Twitter

    Reply
  29. meredith says:
    July 18, 2012 at 4:01 pm

    I Like Mom vs. Marathon Facebook

    Reply
  30. meredith says:
    July 18, 2012 at 4:01 pm

    I Like Dole Bananas on Facebook

    Reply
  31. meredith says:
    July 18, 2012 at 4:01 pm

    I Follow Mom vs. Marathon on Twitter @mermont84

    Reply
  32. meredith says:
    July 18, 2012 at 4:02 pm

    I Follow Dole Nutrition on Twitter @mermont84

    Reply
  33. meredith says:
    July 18, 2012 at 4:02 pm

    tweeted https://twitter.com/mermont84/status/225727280243146752

    Reply
  34. Alyssa says:
    July 18, 2012 at 10:29 pm

    I love banananananananas. I love this post. I wish I could have attended your party. I wish I could throw my own party! WHERE DID YOU GET THAT BANANA SHIRT?

    Thanks for the enty,
    One who never throught twice at giggling at a banana party idea

    Reply
    1. Kerrie T. says:
      July 22, 2012 at 9:47 pm

      I saw the shirt at Target for like $6 about 2 years ago. Big Rachel Zoe fan, so I bought it. LOL

      Reply
  35. Alyssa says:
    July 18, 2012 at 10:32 pm

    Poop, I did this wrong. I follow you on the twatter, so I guess that’s good for one entry. 🙂

    Reply
  36. Julie says:
    July 19, 2012 at 6:03 am

    like u on fb Julie Scott Laws
    thanks

    Reply
  37. Julie says:
    July 19, 2012 at 6:03 am

    like dole on fb Julie Scott Laws

    Reply
  38. Amanda - TooTallFritz says:
    July 19, 2012 at 6:12 am

    I already “like” you on facebook (Amanda Fritz Carey).

    Reply
  39. Amanda - TooTallFritz says:
    July 19, 2012 at 6:12 am

    I follow you on Twitter. (TooTallFritz)

    Reply
  40. Amanda - TooTallFritz says:
    July 19, 2012 at 6:13 am

    I am now following Dole Nutrition on Twitter (TooTallFritz).

    Reply
  41. Amanda - TooTallFritz says:
    July 19, 2012 at 6:13 am

    And I have now “liked” Dole Bananas on Facebook (Amanda Fritz Carey).

    Reply
  42. Harmony says:
    July 20, 2012 at 5:14 pm

    I follow you on FB

    Reply
  43. Harmony says:
    July 20, 2012 at 5:15 pm

    Follow you on Twitter

    Reply
  44. Harmony says:
    July 20, 2012 at 5:17 pm

    Liked dole on FB

    Reply
  45. Harmony says:
    July 20, 2012 at 5:19 pm

    Followed on Twitter

    Reply
  46. Harmony says:
    July 20, 2012 at 5:20 pm

    By the way…looks like your party rocked.

    Reply

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