Don’t Let Seeds Stop You from Enjoying the Whole Watermelon – My 2021 Mindset & Healthy Watermelon Recipes

This post is sponsored by Watermelon.org However, all opinions, comments and enthusiasm remain my own.

Hello 2021, feeling good like I should thanks to a healthy lifestyle and positive mindset fueled in part by watermelon. Yeah, there have been a few bumps in the road over the last year, but I’m standing firm in my positive attitude – “Don’t let seeds stop you from enjoying the whole watermelon.” It’s Watermelon 2021~

jennifer thefitfork.com watermelon 2021

It’s not just a cute quote, it’s a life metaphor that we should be taken to heart and put into action daily. I’m not going to let the trials and tribulations that many of us have been experiencing keep me from having my best year yet. AND, actually, you may be surprised to discover that watermelon seeds are actually not the nuisance people make them out to be. They are edible and nutritious, just like any other seed and should be considered an asset in your whole fruit experience!  Read on to learn more about watermelon seeds and find out my favorite watermelon seed recipes.

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How Prebiotics Fuel Probiotics & Good Gut Health for Runners and Athletes

This post is sponsored by Rowdy Prebiotic Bars. However, all opinions, comment, and content (except as noted) and enthusiasm remain my own.

“I’ve heard of probiotics, but what are prebiotics and why do I need them?” This is a question I hear from many runners, cyclists, triathletes, swimmers, obstacle course races and other athletes looking to improve their performance, in part, through nutrition.

Gut Health for Athletes - how prebiotics fuel probiotics

Simply put, prebiotics are the food that probiotics, those good bacteria in your gut, eat to thrive and, in turn, help you thrive. But, to understand more about prebiotics you need to understand the synergistic relationships that go in the gut microbiome of an athlete (or anyone). Continue reading

Supporting Immune System Health for Older Athletes

This post has been sponsored by Wellmune® through Kitchen PLAY.

How to support your immune system health is a topic on the minds of most of us these days, myself included – especially as an athlete over 50 years old! Surprisingly, a heavy training load and being older can both have negative effects on your immune response — despite being fit and “healthy.” To give my immune system a fighting chance to do its given job despite the stresses I put it under, I follow an overall clean lifestyle. This encompasses: a diet rich in fruits and vegetables, regular exercise, no smoking or little to no alcohol, adequate quantity and quality of sleep, and the reduction of personal stress.  Also, staying on the defensive against the onslaught of environmental assaults like allergens, viruses and pollutants is an important strategy, too. I’ve also recently learned that incorporating yeast beta glucans into my daily wellness regimen is a specific, proven way to help support immune health. Read on to learn more about immune health, yeast beta glucans, and the natural ingredient, Wellmune®, which is used by various food, beverage and supplement brands to create immune-boosting consumer products. Continue reading

10 Ways to “Gift” Time Without Giving Up Holiday Workouts

Time is a precious thing. We measure it, we spend it, sometimes we lose it . . and we always try to find ways to save it, especially during the busy holiday season. When you think about it, time is the most valuable gift you can give another person. It’s far more valuable that a fleeting material possession and creates an enduring memory with the person you are gifting it to. 10 Ways to Gift Time without Giving Up Holiday Workouts adidas

This “giving time” sounds great in theory, but many of us may avoid it thinking something likely has to give in the daily grind to come up with the spare time. I know I don’t want it to be my run or workout, that’s what keeps me sane when things get stressful. The good news is that “working out” doesn’t actually need to be done in a gym, physical activity can be found or added to most holiday festivities.   So, today, I’m partnering with adidas and taking the time (haha) to share with you 10 Ways to “Gift” Time Without Giving Up Holiday Workouts Continue reading

Best Healthy Living, Diet and Cookbook Reads in March 2018

I like to end my day cozied up with a cup of tea and a good read, it’s a great way to relax after 16 hours or so in go-go-go mode. I’ve never been one much for novels, but a knowledge-boosting non-fiction book can keep me turning pages into the wee hours. Check out my favorite Best Healthy Living, Diet and Cookbook Reads in March 2018. 

These new-release books are packed with useful how-to, tips and advice that have helped me optimized my healthy lifestyle even more. Read on to learn more. Continue reading