RaspApple Cooler- Sam's Club Challenge and Giveaway

When Sam's club contacted me about a summertime cooler challenge I was immediately on board. This summer has been a hot one! Nothing soothes like fresh fruit and no one does fruit like Sam's Club.
I stocked up on my favorites like mangoes, pineapple, cantaloupe, apples, bananas and raspberries, excited to see what I could do with all the fresh fruit, you just can't buy pineapple, mangoes or bananas cheaper any where else.

I did not know, and I don't know how I missed it, but Sam's has a 200% guarantee for fresh meat, produce and bakery items. That is right, if it is not fresh they will refund double the Member's purchase price or refund the amount and replace the product.

 Raspberries- need I say more?
I think we all love berries, colorful bursts of juicy ripe berries is the key to any fruit cooler in my book. Rich in antioxidants and high in fiber they add a healthful boost to the start of your day.
Paired with apple and pineapple, they give a smooth, sweet blend to round out my cooler.

I will be giving you two options to make the RaspApple Cooler.


First up Juicing
If you have a juicer you probably already know the benefits of juicing.

 RaspApple Juice

quarter 1 medium apple, no need to peel or core when juicing
1 cup of peeled pineapple
1/2 c raspberries
Juice and drink immediately
Serves 1

  A lovely sunrise juice full of color and healthful benefits.
Tip- when eating pineapple go ahead and eat the core! (easy when juicing)
the core is high in Bromelain, a pain and inflammation fighter.

Need to know what to do with your whole pineapple? Click here.

Next Up
RaspApple Protein Smoothie

In a blender blend on high
1/2 c raspberries
1 c pinapple, peeled and cored, see tip above
1 medium apple, peeled and cored
6 oz water
1 Tbs honey
1 scoop of Pure Protein Plus
ice cubes
Serves 2
This may be made without the protein powder and will be just as good, but why not add a scoop of great tasting whey vanilla protein and up you diet by 23 grams of protein to get you off to a good start or pick you up during the mid day.

Both honey and Whey protein are available at you local Sam's club.

Why not try to come up with a Summer Cooler yourself?
Need a start on some ideas? Need an idea for dinner or dessert? Check Sam's Simply Delicious Meals

GiveAway

Sam's is providing one of my readers with a copy of their Fresh, Fast and Fabulous cookbooks.
All you need to do is leave a comment here on this post stating your favorite summer drink.
If you do not have a blogger ID, be sure and leave an email address, if there is no way of contacting you, a new winner will be drawn.
Facebook Fans
If you are a fan of North Dakota Kitchen on facebook you may enter by leaving a comment on the fan page mentioning the cookbook giveaway and you too will be entered.
Giveaway Ends and Winner will be announced August  25th. The winner's email will be forwarded to the Sam's club representative and the cookbook will be directly mailed to them at that time.

Blueberry Banana Protein Shake

In a blender, blend on high
1/2 frozen banana
1/2 c frozen blueberries
1 scoop Vanilla whey powder
6 oz water
1 C ice cubes
Makes one large or two smaller shakes

Brandied Cherries

Brandied Cherries

Wash 2 pounds of cherries, you do not need to pit or remove stems, however you may if you like.
 In medium sauce pan heat over medium
4 c brandy
3/4 c sugar
Heat just until sugar is dissolved, stir in 1 Tbs almond extract.
Place cherries in two quart jars that have been cleaned and sterilized by boiling water bath or dishwasher.
Divide brandy between jars, seal, and refrigerate.

             Recipe from Mary Jane's Farm


Sun Brandied Cherries

  Fill a clean sterilized quart jar with cherries
 add 1/2 c sugar
1/2- 1 cup brandy (enough to fill jar and cover cherries)
Seal lid and place in sun for 4 weeks.
                        cooks.com

I have tasted the first cherries and lets say ooh lala  go easy on them!
Stay tuned for recipes using brandied cherries!

Preparing Pineapple

With a sharp knife  remove top and level bottom of pineapple, slice down sides removing tough outer flesh.

Remove remaining eyes with a paring knife or tomato corer.

Cut into sections and cut out inner core.
Tip- You can eat the inner core, more fibrous but full of Bromelain which is wonderful for reducing pain and inflammation.

Section and serve

When buying Pineapple, it is ripe when it is semi soft and fragrant, yellowing from the bottom up.

Fruit

Sometimes simple is best. An easy way to make a light dessert is just to use what is in season and spend a little time on the presentation. 

Cantaloupe is sliced at the bottom for a flat edge to rest, then I used the Pampered Chef v-shaped cutter to slice the top 1/4 off.  Cut chunks of cantaloupe from top and inside, leaving 1/4 to 1/2 inch of flesh for stability. Now slice some strawberries or any other fruit and place inside.

Finish with a few chocolate dipped strawberries! All on a silver platter.