Margarita Protein Mug Cake and My Visit to Optimum Nutrition HQ

This post is #sponsored by Optimum Nutrition however all opinions, comments and enthusiasm remain my own.

So, a few weeks ago, I was invited to head out to Chicago to visit the Optimum Nutrition headquarters. I was pretty excited about this because 1) I’m a fan of their products for all phases of my workout and running nutrition (including my own recipe creation) and 2) my inner food nerd can’t resist an invitation to get a behind the scenes look at how the research, development, manufacturing and marketing stages are executed for various brands.Jennifer thefitfork.com Optimum Nutrition HQ

Read on to see what I thought about the whole trip, learn about some of their new products, and also get an easy-peasy Margarita Protein Mug Cake recipe that I created in honor of the trip (and the following Mexico trip I barely got home in time to make!): Continue reading

Raw Vegan Jicama Nachos, Freezing Guacamole and Cinco de Mayo Sippers

Raw Jicama Nachos make a vegan swap for the traditional dish.

Keep your Cinco de Mayo fiesta fit with my recipe for Raw Vegan Jicama Nachos with Cumin Lime Vinaigrette. No cheese here people, but lots of creamy guacamole and vegetable goodness that will make you shout “Ole” – especially when you bite into the crispy, crunchy jicama ‘chips.’ While these thin wedges of jicama obviously aren’t bona fide, deep-fried tortilla chips, they do provide a nutritious and neat way to shovel a bunch of tasty toppings into your mouth.

Raw Jicima Nachos make a vegan swap for the traditional recipe.

I cut my jicama into ¼-inch rounds and then quartered them to resemble triangle-shaped nacho chips. I’ve seen other veggie lovers and Paleo diet types slice the jicama nearly paper thin to use as a flexible wraps for taco fillings.

freezing avocado guacamoleIf you’re looking for a great guacamole recipe, I am a fan of RO*TEL’s Rockin’ Guac or simply mash up avocado, squeeze in lime juice and season with garlic salt. If you have leftover guacamole, it can be frozen. Just follow the steps in my DIY post from last year on how to make guacamole that you can keep in the freezer!

Need a drink for your Cinco de Mayo fiesta? Might I suggest my Skinny Blackberry Nectarine Margarita or Watermelon Ginger Lmeade? Or, check out these south-of-the-border inspired beer cocktails and other Cinco de Mayo ideas from CookingLight.com.

two ingredient beer cocktails

Raw Vegan Jicama Nachos with Cumin Lime Vinaigrette
Prep Time
15 mins
Total Time
15 mins
 
Get your fiesta off to a fit start with these no-cook nachos made from jicama and veggies. Perfect for Cinco de Mayo. And, find out how to freeze guacamole.
Course: Appetizer, Salad
Cuisine: Mexican, Southwestern
Servings: 4 servings
Ingredients
Nachos
  • 4 6" diameter slices jicima slices 1/4" thin
  • 1 cup guacamole your favorite recipe
  • 4 radishes, shredded
  • 1/4 cup red onion, thinly sliced
  • 1/2 cup zucchini, matchstick sliced
  • 1/4 cup pepita seeds
Dressing
  • 1/3 cup olive oil
  • 3 tablespoons fresh lime juice
  • 2 teaspoons lime zest
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
  • dash salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
  1. Slice jicama into 1/4" discs and then cut each slice into 4 to 6 wedges.
  2. Top each wedge with large dollop of guacamole. Sprinkle with veggies and pepita seeds.
  3. In small bowl, whisk together vinaigrette ingredients until emulsified. Drizzle onto "nachos," enjoy.

Skinny Blackberry Nectarine Margarita and Virgin Smoothie Option

Skinny Blackberry Nectarine Margaritas are perfect for Cinco de Mayo or hot summer happy hours.Cinco de Mayo is almost upon us and soon a symphony of blenders will be whirling up my favorite adult beverage – margaritas! Margaritas are sweet, tart and refreshing, but all this slurp-worthy goodness comes with a couple downsides – lots of sugar (and therefore calories) and the potential to cause a nasty headache.  That’s why I like making my margaritas at home – I have more control over the ingredients.

Low Calorie Blackberry Nectarine Margaritas

My recipe for Skinny Blackberry Nectarine Margaritas uses fresh fruit with no simple sugar syrups or limeade concentrates – just water and a splash of stevia for sweetness.  I also use only one-half ounce of tequila (preferably 100% agave) ather than a full ounce or two that most single-serving recipes call for – this creates a further reduction in carbs along with lessening the chance of getting a hangover. Usually, I can only handle one margarita – but with my lightened version I can handle two! Whoohoo, it makes me want to leap for joy!

jennifer fisher thefitfork.com

If you’d prefer to skip the alcohol all together, just omit it and you now have a virgin margarita or healthy smoothie!

Skinny Blackberry Nectarine Margarita for Cinco de Mayo

Skinny Blackberry Nectarine Margarita Recipe (with Virgin Smoothie Option )

For nectarine layer:

  • 3 large nectarines, peeled and pitted
  • 10 ounces sparkling or regular cold water
  • 2 large limes, juiced
  • 2 – 4 packets stevia, depending on ripeness of fruit and sweetness preference
  • 1 cup frozen blackberries
  • Ice, as needed

For blackberry layer:

  • 3/4 cup frozen blackberries
  • 4 ounces water
  • 1 juice of large lime
  • 1 – 2 packets stevia
  • Ice as needed

Add ingredients for nectarine layer in blender, pulse for a minute or two until well blended and smooth — adding as as needed. Sugar or salt rims of margarita glasses, if desired. Divide this mixture among two glasses. Next, add ingredients for blackberry layer into blend are blend until smooth. Pour blackberry mixture on top of the nectarine mixture already in glasses. Garnish with fresh blackberry and lime slices, if desired.  Serves 2.

Do you prefer traditional lime margaritas — or do you have a favorite flavor? Let me know in the comments!

Cinco de Mayo Means Guacamole and Limey Drinks #ZestyInADash

This post is sponsored by ConAgra RO*TEL.

otel Rockin Guac and Lime-A-Ritas are a festive addition to Cinco de Mayo.

We know how to put on a fiesta every weekend here in Texas. But, Cinco de Mayo is an extra special reason to celebrate because five out of seven years the party falls on a work day – and that’s a legitimate reason to tell the boss “adios” and cut loose early to enjoy some patio time. This year, Cinco de Mayo is on a Tuesday which so conveniently aligns with Taco Tuesday, Tostado Tuesday and Guacamole & Tortilla Chips Tuesday. I am a food blogger and thus allowed to make up these extra observances dedicated to food and drink.

Kick back and relax with a Bud Light Lime-A-Rita and Plate of Rockin' Guac -- get the recipe at RO*TELThere can be no fiesta without guacamole. In these parts, guacamole is not just a healthy dip and satiating snack — it’s an appetizer that draws people together, have you ever seen the mob scene near the guacamole bowl?! Smashed up avocado is also a condiment smeared on everything from eggs and enchiladas to burgers and burritos, and salads and sandwiches – and, of course, devoured right off a dipped chip.  You can even serve it up with a super healthy spin by serving it in tomato cups along with mild green chilies! Ole!

RO*TEL's Rockin' Guac is perfect for dipping and stuffing!

RO*TEL's Rockin' Guac -- this avocado guacamole is easy to make and delicious!

There are only four ingredients (plus salt and pepper) in RO*TEL’s Rockin’ Guac – more time to enjoy the fiesta!

 

 

One of the best recipes I’ve found is RO*TEL’s Rockin’ Guac – it’s so simple to make and gets a zesty (but not too spicy) kick from the tomatoes and green chilies.

 

 

 

I’m keeping things simple this Cinco de Mayo and making Black Bean, Zucchini and Corn Tacos – they are just screaming for  RO*TEL’s Rockin’ Guac! It’s a vegetarian recipe, but even those carnivorous folks in the crowd love it (I think it’s the guac that makes it so satisfying). The beauty of this recipe is that I can sauté the veggies up in a skillet, keep it warm, and then sit back and enjoy the party – no sweating over the grill!

veggie black bean tacos

 

Start your Cinco de Mayo off right with a Bud Light Lime-A-Rita!

 

So, what will we all drink?  Creamy watermelon smoothies for the kids and the adults will enjoy Bud Light Lime-A-Ritas, a margarita-like drink that isn’t quite as strong. Tequila has never agreed with me, so these perfectly-portioned cans of yum (made with malt alcohol) don’t give me a hideous hangover the next day. That is a GOOD thing to ensure I can fiesta on the Seis de Mayo, too!

 

 

rotel rockin guac

 Zest up your fiesta with RO*TEL’s Rockin Guac and Bud Light’s Lime-A-Rita. How are you planning to celebrate Cinco de Mayo?

Bud Light Lime-A-Rita® is a registered trademark of Anheuser-Busch. ConAgra Foods, Inc. All Rights Reserved