I just read the sweetest little book called “Fruit Lover’s Devotional To go” written by Beth Bence Reinke. It truly is a wonderful book to have in your car, purse, or by your bedside. Beth talks about fruit AND being fruitful…my kind of gal! I love a mix of Jesus and food. 
Being that Beth is a registered dietician there is no mystery why she has a passion to spread the good word about fruit! She reminds us that fruit is mentioned nearly 200 times in the bible and that fruit is what God gave Adam and Eve to eat….and it has sustained us ever since. “Each fruit is a lovingly prepared health tonic from God-full of essential vitamins and fiber”. What a beautiful and truthful way to describe fruit! This book certainly helped me to appreciate this God given food.
Out of the many =”dog eared” pages in my book…Here are some of my favorite quotes….
” Kindness is one of the fruits of the spirit. Have you ever seen a stranger you knew was kindhearted, just by looking at her?” Kindness produces an aura of softness, ‘ smile crinkles’ around the eyes and a glow to the complexion. A kind woman exudes the love of Jesus like a sweet fragrance and makes other feel warmed and loved.”
“As we cultivate gentleness, we must be careful not to mistake it for weakness. Gentle women are not doormats. In fact, gentleness is actually strength in disguise. It takes a strong woman to hold herself in check and treat others with tenderness.”
“You and I are like fruit trees. Just like the trees need time to absorb water, nutrients, and sunlight, we need lots of time to incorporate the ‘fruit of the spirit’ qualities in our personalities.”
Beth shares with us stories, scripture, parables, prayers, and recipes throughout this handy little devotional. What a sweet book… in so many ways 
Here are 2 recipes I made with my children incorporating more “fruit” into their diets (in a very yummy way!)
Orange Cream Popsicles
These taste just like the orange cream popsicles you are used to, but contain WAY more nutrients!
Puree cantaloupe in a food processor
Add orange sherbet and custard-style vanilla yogurt
Blend well
Pour into popsicle molds and freeze
I seriously did not even feel bad giving these to my children with their breakfast! It put my mind at ease that they were healthy!
A winning recipe!
Orange Cream Popsicles
2 cups cubed cantaloupe
1 cup orange sherbet
1 (6 oz) container of custard style vanilla yogurt
- Place cantaloupe in blender and puree
- Add sherbet and yogurt and blend well
- Pour into popsicle molds with sticks
- Freeze and enjoy!
Frozen Chocolate Bananas
The thin layer of chocolate satisfies a craving while the banana provides fiber and heart healthy potassium!
Melt chocolate in the microwave , then add oil and stir well
Dip/cover bananas with chocolate and lay on wax paper. Freeze.
Chocolate Covered Bananas
1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
1/2 tsp vegetable oil
2 medium bananas
wooden sticks
- Melt chocolate 30 seconds at a time in microwave, stirring in between.
- When chips are melted, add vegetable oil and stir well until creamy.
- Peel bananas and insert sticks into the bottom of banana ( I did not have sticks, it still worked)
- Dip bananas in chocolate or spoon over.
- Lay bananas on a baking sheet lined in wax paper.
- Freeze for several hours then enjoy!
Click HERE to purchase “The Fruit Lover’s Devotional To Go”
Beth has offered to GIVEAWAY 3 COPIES of “The Fruit Lover’s Devotional To Go”!!! To enter to win simply write a verse about fruit from the bible, tell me your favorite fruit, or share your favorite recipe that includes fruit in the comments. Just be “fruity” and you are entered to win! Please share and tweet the giveaway to your friends! Good luck Ladies! It is a wonderful book!
* Comfy in the Kitchen does not receive payment for any reviews of books.
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“When they reached the Valley of Eschol, they cut off a branch bearing a single cluster of grapes. Two of them carried it on a pole between them, along with some pomegranates and figs.” ~ Numbers 13:23
I love the picture of God’s abundant provision for his people – and the pomegranates.
My favorite fruit is the pomegranate.
1/2 lb. Spring mix
1/2 hot house cucumber, cut in small pieces
arils of 1/2 large pomegranate (1/2 cup)
handful of toasted pine nuts (1/2 cup)
1/2 c. olive oil
3 T sugar
2 T white wine vinegar
2 T. sour cream
1/2 tsp. ground ginger
Mix dressing and pour over greens & cucumber.
Susan K.
Thank you Susan! The pomegranate…what a neat fruit, isn’t it? Thanks for the recipe, YUM!
My favorite fruit recipe is fruit pizza
take a roll of sugar cookie dough and spread it on a pizza pan. Bake until light brown, according to directions.
Blend a package of cream cheese and 1 Cup of powdered sugar and spread on cookie dough, after it cools.
Then decorate the pizza with whatever fruit you like, I usually use strawberries, bananas, kiwi, and then whatever else i feel like, cantaloupe, mandarin oranges, etc.. whatever you like.
next make a glaze, Mix i cup of orange juice, 1 cup of powdered sugar and 2 tblsp of corn starch on a pan on the stove until it thickens, drizzle all over the top of the pizza. chill
This is a beautiful dish that everyone always loves.
Lorri- Thanks for reminding me of this recipe…I too LOVE it!
Thanks Janelle, I made it last weekend for a bridal shower and it was great! I was reminded of
I thank the Lord that he helps me with these “fruits” everyday! I wanted to thank you for “that” chicken salad recipe. I made it yesterday and it was delicious! yum!
Gal 5:22-23. “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law”. These things are our secret weapons as a new bride and for all of us. We can touch those around us when they see these things in us no matter what is going on.
So glad you liked the chicken salad!
Greetings ~ I recall several references to apple, pomegranate, grape, how about this one, a covenant/promise kept.
Genesis 8:10-11 – “And he stayed yet other seven days; and again he sent forth the dove out of the ark; and the dove came back to him at eventide; and lo in her mouth an olive leaf plucked off; so Noah knew that the waters were abated from off the earth. ”
The olive
Sounds like a fun creative way to learn about common and not-so-common culinary arts in a novel way. Write On!
I love olives
A beautiful image this scripture gives, doesn’t it? Thanks Kate!
“A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver.” Proverbs 25:11. I’m going to have to try the orange popsicles. I have a non-fruit eater – who I have witnessed eating 3-4 plain old popsicles today.
LOL! this is a great way to get those fruits in those popsicles!!! Thanks Nikki
My favorite fruit is pears.
But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy. James 3:17
Have a great Day,
Angela
Beautiful verse Angela-thank you. I love pears too!!!
Hi Janelle,
God Bless. Have a wonderful day!
To me there is nothing better on a hot and humid day than a big piece of juicy watermelon. YUMMY
These recipes look great! I can’t wait to make them with my children!
My favorite fruit is Raspberries! I love them..
” The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and he who wins souls is wise.”
Proverbs 11:30
Oh help me be wise Lord! Thank you Marcy!
I love any type of fruit smoothie mixed with vanilla yogurt and milk!! Banana is my favorite: )
My favorite fruit is the apple.
Bob the tomato is my hero and technically not a vegetable but a fruit.
One of my life verses;
New International Version (©1984)
“I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.
KH -HAHAHHAHahahahah!!!! Yes, Bob the tomato is technically a fruit
My 2 year old LOVES Veggie Tales! (so do I -hehe). Also one of my favorite verses…thank you.
Mwuah to my Sister in Christ!!!!!
Right back atcha
I love all fruit and have since I was just a small child. I just recently had a baby (3 weeks ago to be exact) and while I was pregnant I craved watermelon. It reminds me of summer and is so juicy and sweet. I ate one whole watermelon every two days. I just love it!!
thanks for the opportunity to win this book!!
Melissa- I craved watermelon with I was pregnant with my first! I remember checking out at the grocery store with 3 watermelons when I was very pregnant – the clerk asked if I was stealing a watermelon under my shirt….hardy har har, right? lol.
Wow, great review and great recipes. I’m sending this link to my daughter to make the orange pops.
Thanks for sharing.
What a wonderful review! And the recipes are fantastic too!
Rena
Oops … forgot my fruit verse!
“Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.” (Matthew 7:20)
One of my favorite fruits are huckleberries, which grow wild in Montana.
Great concept. I’d love a copy. The other night I cut bananas in half and then half again. I cut large chunks of nectarines and rings of fresh pineapple. I drizzled some honey and a little melted butter on them and added a bunch of cinnamon. I stirred it carefully to coat it, then had my hubby grill it after he was done with the meat for the meal. After a few minutes, we took it off and put it in bowls. It was so good! (Especially with a dollop of ice cream.)
YUM!
Stephenie, that sounds heavenly! Thanks for sharing. “;o)
Thanks for a chance to win this book! I love ALL fruits but I suppose my two favorites are in the summer watermelon and when cuties come around I tend to buy a lot!! Going to try the orange pops soon-thanks!
My favorite fruit are strawberries. I love them in fruit salads, smoothie, fruit pizzas, dip in chocolate, even plain they’re delicious.
I love most all fruit, but eat lots of apples. Matthew 7:16 By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? Matthew 7:20 Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them.
I love Galatians 5:22-23 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.
Sweet Blessings to you for your awesome ministry to your own community and to us and for your easy to make recipes!
Fruit is one of my all time favorite foods. I was so excited this year when Weight Watchers changed their points vale system and fruits are now free! 0 points. You can have all the fruit you want but of course you should eat it in moderation.
I pretty much love every kind of fruit. Summertime fruits are absolutely the best though. Watermelon, cantalope, peache, nectarines and of course strawberries. Cut fruit up and serve it with fruit dip and a refreshing dessert is ready to eat. Yum, yum!
I am fortunate that I live very close to a couple of fruit farms and can get fruit that is grown locally. Nothing tastes as good as coming off the vine
Fruit dip Recipe: ( I always make it with the large size)
1 large jar of marshmallow creme
2- 8 oz blocks of creme cheese
Mix together with mixer ( I use my kitchen aid and the whisk attachment)
Chill and serve…Delicious
Thanks Beth for hosting the contest!
I too make this- great minds! lol
I pretty much love all fruit. One of my favorite things to do is mix a bunch of summer fruits, such as berries (any kind), peaches, nectarines, and a little bit of banana slices, then use it to stuff into a crepe. We don’t use syrups and try to go no/less sugar in our house, so that works for us. it’s really yummy, not original, but maybe still worth mentioning…:)
Anything involving a CREPE is worth mentioning!!!! LOVE it.
My favorite fruit is pomegranate, and I love the Song of Solomon’s love chapter. “Thy lips are like a thread of scarlet, and thy speech is comely: thy temples are like a piece of pomegranate within thy locks.” (KJV Song of Solomon 4:3)
Very nice Web site, Janelle, and what a beautiful family you have!
Thank you Jean Ann! Oooo…the Song of Solomon! Love it. Have you ever listened to Mark Driscole?
This book looks so neat! I LOVE fruit, especially pineapple!
Thank you for the chance to win this book. I love the recipes you share!
My favorite fruit has to be PINEAPPLE or GREEN BANANAS!!! (Yep, I did mean Green!!!)
Thanks – it looks GREAT!
well I just started canning so I am enjoying canning fruit
Raspberry jam has been my favorite so far!! Best jam I have ever had and it was all natural using raspberries, apples and a bit of lime (no other pectin added)! VERY YUMMY!!!!
Thanks for the chance to win! LOVE your blog!
Kellie
I love any kind of fruit! We live in central PA and have wonderful selections at the farmer’s market. I just made this blueberry pie tonight…it is my grandma’s recipe and a GOOD one!
Nancy’s Blueberry Glace Pie
3 cups blueberries
¾ cup water
1 Tbsp. butter
1 cup sugar
3 Tbsp. cornstarch
¼ salt
1 medium lemon
Take 1 cup of blueberries, add ¾ cup water and bring to boil for about 4 minutes While boiling, stir and mash berries a little and add 1 Tbsp. butter.
Mix 1 cup of sugar, 3 Tbsp. cornstarch and dash of salt.
Add dry mixture to hot blueberry mixture, stirring constantly. Cook slowly until thick and clear. Remove from heat and add 1 tsp. lemon juice. Pour over 2 cups raw blueberries, mix gently. Turn into 9 inch baked pie shell (regular, not deep dish). Refrigerate or leave at room temp. Serve with sweetened whipped cream
thanks for the book review…I’ll put it on my Summer Reading list!
Oh Janet-this sounds incredible. I love a fresh baked pie.
Janet, we must be neighbors!
)
funny…we live in Bellefonte, just outside of State College. We are a military family, I’m really a Southerner!
Yea for a military family!!! Thank you!
And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God. Colossians 1:10 NIV
Hi Janelle! I love your website. Thank you so much for sharing your wonderful gift with us! I love fruit. Pretty much all fruit! Today I made Oprah’s Chocolate Strawberry Smoothie. It was wonderful!
2 cups of organic chocolate soy milk
2 cups of cut up strawberries
2 bananas, cut up
2 cups of ice
Throw it all in a blender, then enjoy! Such a great summer treat!
Thank you Kim! VERY awesome recipe! I will be trying this one out!
Pineapple upside down cake……YUM!…wait…make that cheesecake stuffed strawberries, DELICIOUS!….Hold on, there’s nothing like key lime cupcakes (are limes a fruit) Clearly I can’t choose!
Oh does that all sound great!
I love my Beth!! She’s an amazing woman of God, a great friend, and a wonderful author.
A banana with peanut butter spread on it are amazing….. My favorite snack!!!
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.” Galatians 5:22-23
Thank you Deb! So glad you girls have such a wonderful fellowship..that is priceless!
Deb, you are so incredibly sweet. I miss seeing you! “;o) (((HUGS)))
ugh….I hate when I don’t proof read. haha
I am going to write the popsicle recipe down..what a wonderful book! Congratulations!
Amy, if your family likes cantaloupe, it should be a hit.
)
Beth rocks… and I LOVE pears!
Aw, Mandy you’re sweet. And … you’re one of my favorite book designers!.
)