Eat Like a Viking – 7 Culture Based Diet Cookbooks

Some parts of the world just get it right when it comes to eating for optimal wellness — the common denominator of these international diets seems to be seasonal produce, regional lean protein and heart-healthy fats, all with a local flavor spin. Check out these “lifestyle diet” cookbooks based on international cuisines in a story i recently curated for Mode Media:

Check out Eat Like a Viking – 7 Culture-based Diet Cookbooks

by The Fit Fork at Mode

 

  

Have you ever tried one of these “diets” — what did you think” Please share in the comments below, XOXO Jennifer

This post was sponsored by Mode Media.

The Run, Jump, CrossFit, Trampoline Secret I Just Can’t Hold In!

No worries thanks to #AlwaysDiscreetatTarget

No worries thanks to #AlwaysDiscreetatTarget

Okay, this post is just more proof that I cannot be easily embarrassed, much to my three teenagers’ mortification.  That’s one of the better things about advancing in age (and, no, I’m not talking about having older kids who prefer to hang out in the video games department while on shopping trips to Target), but rather the fact that there’s not too much that can make me blush. I mean, geeze, when you are a blogger your life is pretty much on full display – have you SEEN my Instagram account?!

An ALWAYS DISCREET #selfie at Target!

An ALWAYS DISCREET #selfie at Target!

I’ll ask complete strangers what they think of so-and-so, I’ll pose for selfies in the store aisles, and I’ve done handstands and cheerleader jumps in public. I don’t have a problem complaining if I’m getting bad service or a product doesn’t meet my expectations, I hate flying under the radar and blending into the crowd and “YES,”  my dear children, I AM wearing this outfit to your football game and/or band concert.

So, do you really think I mind walking into Target to stock up on P&G Always Discreet products?  No, in fact, I wanted to load up my cart with tampons, granny underwear, lice shampoo, athlete’s foot spray and other unmentionables that might make my boys (and the cashier dude) really squirm! But, I behaved myself!

Loading up my cart -- hey, where did the kids go?!

Loading up my cart — hey, where did the kids go?!

So, if you’ve had three kids like me – three really large babies with really big heads, you may have had some issues with bladder leakage.  This is really all THEIR fault! For years, I would show up at my races wearing shorts that I knew would camouflage the problem and bring along a spare pair to change into right after crossing the finish line. This still didn’t prevent the stress of worrying just how bad “the situation” would be. I’d heard that doing kegels religiously could help, but amazingly it was CrossFit that help tighten up my innards and pulled everything mostly back into place. Sometimes there can still be a little “oops” and an almost unnoticeable liner from Always Discreet keeps me confident to run, trampoline, and jump rope without worry of a puddle.

always discreet linerIf you shop at Target (and who doesn’t?) text DISCREET to TARGET (827438) for instant coupons on Always Discreet – they also make pads and disposable underwear in addition the little liners. BTW, coupons expire 12/31/14. Also, now through October 25, when you buy $20 of Always Discreet products, you get a FREE carrying case ($6 value). Look for the Always Discreet display at your local Target!  Target has online savings going on, too – enter promo code DISCREET at checkout for a $1 savings. You can also use Target’s “Subscribe and Save” service and have Discreet delivered straight to your door. You’ll get 5% off your order; free shipping and even an additional 5% off if you use your red card. Find out how to get a free sample and more details here.

Care to share on this one? Pees do . .. uh, I mean PLEASE do!

I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.

Muscle-Making Mudslide Smoothie & Saturday #ShoutOuts

Oh yeah, it rained in Austin yesterday and goodness knows we can use it. For the last couple years, our beloved lake has been in jeopardy of drying completely up and blowing away. In honor of this precipitous precipitation, I’m sharing one of my favorite chocolate smoothies – a Muscle-Making Mudslide Smoothie. healthy protein mudslide smoothie Muscle-Making Mudslide Smoothie Recipe

  • 10 ounces of almond milk*
  • 1 scoop (1/3 cup) favorite protein powder*
  • 1 tablespoon cocoa powder
  • 4 ounces strong coffee, chilled
  • 1 large frozen banana, sliced
  • 1 teaspoon cacao nibs
  • Ices, as needed
  • Chocolate syrup (optional)

Blend first 7 ingredients together until smooth. If desired, drizzle sides of glass with chocolate syrup before pouring in smoothie.  *An 11.5 ounce bottle of Chocolate Core Power may be substituted for the almond milk and protein powder.

I also have lots of favorite new products to share that have been sent to me complimentary for my opinion.  I tell it like it is, so don’t worry about getting some polished sales pitch. If you have any questions, please ask me in the comments.

procakes packageProCakes High Protein Pancake Mix:  I’m back in town and finally had a chance to whip up a batch of these yummy pancakes. The founder of ProCakes is a fellow FitFluential ambassador and came up with the idea for this protein pancake mix while training for her first fitness competition – she wanted to show people how easy and tasty it can be to eat in a way that does the body good. This product has lots of protein, no added sugar, no gluten — meaning no guilty conscience about enjoying a stack of these light and tender hotcakes in the morning. That is, no guilt unless you soak ‘em up in a sugar bomb of syrup – how about some fresh fruit and dollop of Greek yogurt instead?

ProCakes wit greek yogurt and blueberriesProCakes Protein Pancakes with Greek Yogurt & Blueberries Recipe

  • 1 packet (45g) ProCakes pancake mix
  • 1 large egg or egg white equivalent
  • 1/3 cup 2% milk
  • 1/4 cup 0% plain Greek yogurt
  • 10 drops liquid vanilla Stevia
  • 1/4 cup fresh blueberries

Mix pancake mix, egg and milk together in bowl. Heat lightly oiled skillet to medium-low heat. Pour batter onto heated skilled into three pancakes. Cook until pancake bubbling on top, then flip over until golden brown. Mix yogurt and stevia together in small bowl. Top pancakes with dollop of sweetened yogurt and blueberries. Makes 1 serving (3 pancakes)

 

love grown granola

Love Grown Foods – I’m still on the breakfast bandwagon here and am a new-ish fan of Love Grown Foods, an awesome company that offers all sorts of nutritious products to start the day including Power O’s (great for kids), Oat Clusters (this granola-lover’s favorite), and Hot Oats which I haven’t tried yet. With no genetically modified ingredients, high fructose corn syrup or hydrogenated oils, I feel confident feeding my family Love Grown Foods. I love how the Power O’s are made with a bean blend to add protein, fiber, and additional health benefits. Yes, that’s right BEANS FOR BREAKFAST. Although, you’d never know they were in there! How lucky am I that when I stopped in the gym yesterday, I bumped into one of my favorite bloggers, Ms. Cotter Crunch and the company founder, Maddy – they loaded me up with a big haul of LOOT and LOVE.

Lindsay from CotterCrunch.com and Maddy of Love Grown Foods

Lindsay from CotterCrunch.com and Maddy of Love Grown Foods

altra zero drop The Ones SquaredAltra’s The One2  I am totally digging my new running shoes from Altra Zero Drop – in fact, they may be my favorite yet. Lighter and less clunky that some of the past models, these streamlined babies weigh in at only 5.4 ounces yet have loads of wiggle room for toes (yay, no black nails) and some real, honest-to-goodness cushioning that you don’t get in a lot of other zero-drop shoes.  Goodness knows I love me a minimal shoe, but sometimes my feet have had enough impact– Altra calls the cushioning “light” and I call it great compromise for my road weary feet. The One2 running shoe is perfect for speed work and shorter road racing. I’d even be comfortable wearing them through a marathon, but I know many of you like a running shoe with more cushioning – Altra has those, too!

the fit fork altra running shoes

Altra’s The Ones Squared are light & speedy, plus lots of wiggle room for toes. #EmbraceTheSpace

body fat scaleSurpahs Body Fat Scale BFS-835 Okay, I have always avoided body fat scales because I felt like I didn’t need one more thing to obsess over. But, when Surpahs offered to send me one, my curiosity got the better of me – and now that I’m used to it, I think it’s a great way to check in every week or two for a benchmark. Some people say, “oh these body fat scales have a huge margin of error” – who knows, because I know I’m fit, I am not so concerned with my body fat being 100 percent correct – I am just looking for discernable changes in my weight and body fat from week to week.  Not only does this body fat scale measure body fat, water, muscle mass and bone mass, it can be pre-programmed for up to eight people making it convenient for large families or fitness / nutritional coaches. The scale is super sleek and looks great with my bathroom décor. Get a good deal at Amazon.com:

  • So, what products are you loving right now?
  • Have you ever used a body fat scale?
  • What are you eating for breakfast?
  • Have you ever tried Altra Zero-Drop running shoes?

Eat Fit in 2014 – $200 MyFitFoods Giveaway

It’s a NEW YEAR, a time when many of us start planning for improvements in our health and fitness – eating clean is always at the top of my list. Not only does enjoying healthy, nutritious meals and snacks keep me at a steady weight and help prevent a host of medical issues, it provides the quality fuel I need to perform my best as a runner and general fitness enthusiast.  Typically, it’s easy for me to stick to the diet I prefer – lean proteins, low-glycemic carbs and heart-healthy fats. But, that’s because creating new healthy recipes and experimenting around in the kitchen is my passion. The only time I really fall off the wagon is when life gets super busy and over-scheduled – that can be frequently as a mom of three trying to keep a full work and training schedule.

“Life getting in the way” is probably why some studies have shown that only 8 percent of New Year’s resolution makers have “stuck with it” by year end. However, that doesn’t have to be the case when it comes to maintaining a healthy lifestyle — especially when companies like MyFitFoods are around to help us meet our goals.  When my schedule is slammed and I’m out and about during a mealtime, it’s easy to say no to (insert gagging noise) traditional fast food knowing I can hit one of the multiple locations of MyFitFoods in Austin to pick up a well-balanced, nutrient-packed, perfectly-portioned meal that also tastes damn good – way better than a (eek) McDonald’s salad.

jennifer fisher thefitfork at myfitfoods

Currently operating in California, Arizona, Texas, Oklahoma and Illinois, this company is growing like crazy — check out the location map to see which store is nearest to you. When you drop into MyFitFoods, you’ll see all of their pre-packaged menu offerings on display to either grab-and-go– or heat up and eat in the café area of the store.  When I say pre-packaged, I’m not talking about old school frozen meals – these are refrigerated meals made in their local kitchens with freshest produce, lean proteins, whole grains and healthy fats.  All the nutrition information, calorie and ingredients are printed right on the label so that you can make the best-informed choices as possible. Also, a “best by” date is on the label in case you want to stock up on a few meals to take home for later.

From breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks, you can count on getting a fresh, delicious and nutritious meal prepared with your health in mind at MyFitFoods. The menu is diabetic friendly and there are plenty of options for special diets including vegan, vegetarian and dairy-, gluten- and soy-free. After scanning the menu, it also looks like there are options for devotees of the Paleo diet too. Meals are sold in a range of portion sizes to meet your unique needs – I’m fairly active and am not trying to lose weight, so the Medium size works for me. But, you can get more or less – or buy a Large and share!

my fit foods thefitfork meals

Another neat thing about the company is their 21 Day Challenge. On-site nutritional coaches will provide a complementary consultation on how MyFitFoods can help you lose weight, build muscle, increase energy levels and enjoy better sleep quality.  Company founder, Mario Mendias, totally gets it –  as a past personal trainer, he saw a need to make fit-focused meals for his time-crunched and non-cooking clients who were too often risking their hard work in the gym for a convenient yet unhealthy meal.

To help you make healthy living and eating an easy reality this year, MyFitFoods is letting me giveaway a $200 gift card. The winner can load up for a week’s worth of food at once or grab a healthy meal now and then – there are so many choices at MyFitFoods. Here are some of the yummy, healthy meals I enjoyed this week.

thefitfork healthy breakfast egg bake

Good Morning Sunshine – With a taste of the southwest, lean ground turkey, converted rice and eggs topped with fresh pic de gallo and a pinch of real cheese. The medium size only has 430 calories and 29g carbs for nearly a pound of food that packs 40g of protein. I feel my muscles growing already!

Ancho breakfast tacos healthy egg and chicken

Ancho Chicken Breakfast Tacos – Eggs and shredded chicken nestled into three corn tortillas along with ancho sauce make a very filling breakfast. The medium-sized dish has 450 calories 55g carbs and 30g protein to satisfy even the hungriest post-workout appetite.

chicken salad lunch

Gimme More Chicken Salad – Thumbs up to this lightened chicken salad that is made with lean breast and Greek yogurt with just a dash of real mayo. Chopped celery, cranberries and tarragon add the finishing touches to the generous scoop that rests on a bed of chopped romaine with lemon wedges. Available in one size, 320 calories, 16g carbs with 28g protein and just 15g of fat which is way less than the fat found in traditional chicken salad.

Beef tenderloin and cauliflower

Beef Fit Up! – It’s no secret I like beef, especially tenderloin. This low-carb dinner didn’t disappoint with sliced beef tenderloin cooked to medium and topped with onions and mushrooms over cauliflower mash and green beans. Here’s my tip for reheating so the beef doesn’t get overcooked:  heat the veggies separately on high for a minute or so. Next, reheat the beef alone on the “defrost” button for just about a minute, basically to just take the chill off off rather than cook it. Replate and enjoy!  Medium size is more than a pound of food with 450 calories, 18g carbs and 45g protein. I could have shared, but I didn’t.

Cilantro Lime Turkey

Cilantro Lime Turkey – This is a light and lively dish that tastes really good; lean ground turkey is seasoned just right and served on a bed of converted rice mingled with cilantro. Broccoli rabe and a refreshing lime slice finish it up. The Medium portion makes a hearty yet healthy meal with 500 calories, 51g carbs and 39g protein.

Enter the Giveaway through the various options below – please note that MyFitFoods is currently operating stores in California, Arizona, Texas, Oklahoma and Illinois (so please only enter if you live in one of these states — check out the store map for exact locations):

a Rafflecopter giveaway

San Antonio R&R Half Marathon Recap and Fitmark Bag Review

Short & Sweet San Antonio Rock & Roll Half Marathon Recap:

Dean and me standing upright between calf cramps.

Dean and me standing upright between calf cramps.

Hot: Broke heat record for Nov. 17th set back in 1906. High of 89 and I’d venture to say 75+ at the start (even the always-cold me checked my gear bag in early and didn’t shiver a bit in my short top).

Humid: It’s not the heat, it’s the humidity. True!  Must have been at least 80 percent; needed an umbrella to shield off some of the “perspiration by proxy” I was getting from the guys just ahead of me.

Hills: They changed the course this year and a series of unexpected hills shook my confidence around miles 4 through 6. I might have taken them on better if I had a pair of these cowboy boot socks! Need these for next year!

I SO need these socks!

I SO need these socks!

Hellish cramps: I started to feel some hamstring tingling around mile 12 and held off a meet-and-greet with the asphalt until about 15 minutes post-race. Then I made a spectacle of myself with a gnarly calf cramp. However, the husband had it much worse, with cramping starting at mile 10 and lasting up until the headline act. Felt bad for him, but not bad enough to pass up my free beer (hey, I went got his for him too)!

Held-on: Despite numerous “escape” plans obsessing my thoughts in the first six miles, I didn’t quit the race and held on to finish 7th place overall among the females (and there were nearly 9,000 ladies that finished this half-marathon)! Most folks’ race times were not jaw-dropping (I was a bit disappointed in mine), but I’m sure that the saboteur was the weather and not a weakness for San Antonio margaritas (Actually, now I wish I would have had a margarita at the Beef Team pre-race dinner – the salt would have helped prevent dehydration).

Yeah, I'm at mile 11 and am still alive!

Yeah, I’m at mile 11 and am still alive!

fitmark bag san antonio maraton

So, accompanying me on the trip to San Antonio was the new Dashing Bag that Fitmark Bags sent me to test out. I had a hard time choosing which bag to review, Fitmark has so many really high-quality, practical products including duffels, totes, backpacks and meal management systems (hello, I NEED one of these meal management systems). Anyway, the Dashing Bag called to me because of its versatile good looks – really, you could use this gym bag as a nice purse. Plus, I sort of thought the sculptured leather handles and pleated front made this bag look like a cute woman’s workout top (am I weird, do I see strange things? Just wait ‘till you hear the results of my ink blotter test).

Dashing Bag comes in PINK, too!

Dashing Bag comes in PINK, too!

I must say, the Dashing Bag sports tote makes its hashtag #nicebag seem like an understatement. I think it should be more like #awesomebag #organiZINGbag #better-than-a-berkin-bag or #insanely-chic-yet-sensible-bag. In the last 10 days, I’ve taken this bag all over the place. I toted it as airline carry-on for my trip to the Pillsbury Bake-Off and it was even stylish enough to use as a purse in the casino and restaurants at the Aria Resort where I stayed. The bag has also been to the gym a number of times and also on this past weekend’s trip to San Antonio.

fitmark bag jennifer fisher

For as much stuff as it will hold, the bag is not really that big and bulky. Not only does it have real leather accents and quality hardware, the inside is lined in bright pink – I love that pop of color when I look inside. There are two main zippered cargo areas and a very convenient pocket area that automatically closes with a magnetic fastener. I can’t even begin to describe all the pouches and smaller pockets for stuff – there is literally a place for everything, including special interior pocket for your water bottle that will absorb condensation. And, a generously-sized pink drawstring bag is included to carry sweaty clothes and stinky shoes home.

Pockets and pouches galore! #nicebag

Pockets and pouches galore! #nicebag

Go check out Fitmark Bags, they have stuff for both women and men that cover a wide range of sports and needs. Plus, if you purchase something, enter the discount code “FIT” to get 15% off!

Fitmark is also hosting a special giveaway where you could win one of their Meal Management Systems – I haven’t tried this product yet, but think these top-of-the-line lunch boxes look incredibly cool and practical – and make it so easy to eat clean on the go!  I’ve got one on my Christmas list!

fitmark

Click through photo for entry form.