Author Archives: Jennifer FIsher

Ancho Chile Honey Granola on Summer Tomato Salad

Posted on by
8

Ancho Chile Honey Granola adds a sweet and savory crunch to soups, salads, baked fish and more.If someone says “granola” and do you instantly think sweet, crunchy and  . . . spicy?  Probably not, but I’m here to share my recipe for Ancho Chile Honey Granola — it might just be the most delicious and versatile granola recipe ever. The secret is a dash of ancho chile powder — don’t worry, ancho chiles (referred to as poblano peppers when fresh) aren’t super hot, they are the sweetest of the dried chiles and most commonly used in authentic Mexican cooking.

Tomato Salad with Ancho Chile Honey Granola

Ancho Chile Honey Granola can be made in a skillet on the stove top in less than 10 minutes. Packed with pumpkin seeds, almonds, chia seeds, this easy granola recipe is a fantastic way to get the benefits of the heart healthy fats that nuts and seeds offer.It’s lightly sweetened with honey to complement the mild ancho heat.Use the savory-sweet granola to top a tomato salad (as pictured), to add a crunch factor to green salads, atop soups, as a crispy topping on baked fish or chicken — or simply eaten straight out of the container!

 

Ancho Chile Honey Skillet Granola ingredients

Oh, and you’re going to LOVE that it’s super easy to make — just requiring 10 minutes in a skillet on the stove top rather than the lengthy baking of traditional granola recipes. I originally created this recipe for the Living Litehouse Blog at LitehouseFoods.com, check it out — I’m a big fan of their Instantly Fresh Herbs.

Ancho Honey Skillet Granola for Salads, Soups and Snacks #fitfluential #LivingLitehouse

Click To Tweet

Have you every tried a savory granola? What is your favorite flavor of granola — spicy or sweet?  Please share in the comments below? XOXO, Jennifer 

 

Print
Ancho Chile Honey Granola
Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
10 mins
Total Time
20 mins
 
Add a slightly spicy, slightly sweet kick to your salads, soups and entree recipes with this savory granola -- also great for a "right out of the bag" snack.
Course: Condiment, Salad, Snack
Cuisine: Southwestern
Servings: 6 servings
Ingredients
  • 3 tablespoons coconut oil
  • 1/2 cup raw pepita seeds (pumpkin seeds)
  • 1/2 cup raw slivered almonds
  • 2 - 4 teaspoons ancho chile powder
  • 3 tablespoons honey
  • 1 cup old fashioned oats (Gluten Free if needed)
  • 2 tablespoons chia seeds
  • 1 tablespoon dried cilantro I used Instantly Fresh brand from Litehouse
  • 1 teaspoon course sea salt
For Salad
  • 2 large beefsteak tomatoes appox. 1 1/2 lbs
  • 1/2 cup light ranch dip Opadipity by Litehouse Creamy Ranch Dip
  • 1/3 cup minced yellow bell pepper
  • 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro for garnusg
Instructions
  1. Add coconut oil to large skillet and bring to medium-high heat.
  2. Add pepita seeds, slivered almonds and chili powder to skillet and stir for 1 – 2 minutes or until beginning to toast. Add honey and stir to combine.
  3. Mix oats, chia seeds, dried cilantro and sea salt to skillet, stirring well to coat with honey mixture. Continue to stir over medium heat for approximately 5 – 6 minutes longer, taking care that honey doesn’t start to burn.
  4. Remove from heat and let cool for 15 minutes in skillet. Transfer to air-tight container using spatula to break up any pieces stuck to skillet.
  5. Make salad by slicing tomatoes and sprinkling with yellow bell pepper and cilantro. Top with a dollop of ranch dip and ancho chile honey granola.

Gone Fishing . . . Kayaking and Wakeboarding #FlavorYourAdventure

Posted on by
16

This “Flavor Your Adventure” post is sponsored by Blue Diamond Almonds. For more snack ideas to “Flavor Your Adventure” this summer, visit Blue Diamond Almonds on Facebook , Twitter, and Instagram .”

Kayaking is a great way to get a workout at the lake.I love everything about the lake and am so lucky to be surrounded by so many bodies of water where I live! I’m an active, warm-weather loving person, so naturally, all the sports that a lake welcomes get me excited – I’m  a happy girl on a waterski, wake board and stand up paddle board or rowing around in a kayak for a friendly race or to explore unchartered territory.  I also like to take a trail run around the lake and then jump in to cool off! And, when I need a break, there’s no lack of relaxing choices — fishing, floating or snoozing in a hammock.Balsamic Veggie Sandwich and Almonds make a balanced, healthy lunch.

Staying fueled up for a busy day in the sun requires balanced meals and healthy snacks – and, of course, it should all taste fantastic and be easy to tote around!  Almonds are probably my favorite way to flavor an adventure – these versatile nuts are packed with vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and heart healthy fats.  Almonds are one of the most abundant sources of protein, fiber, calcium, niacin and vitamin E when it comes to tree nuts.  I’m a fan of getting enough protein throughout the day to keep my motor running and almonds never fail – a one-ounce serving (about 23 almonds) adds an extra six grams of protein along with heart healthy fats to my meal or snack. Research has shown that the fats and protein in nuts curb hunger longer that other food choices, leading to less mindless snacking and overeating throughout the day.

Blue Diamond Almonds - Lightly SaltedBlue Diamond Almonds come in so many different flavors that my taste buds never get tired, but honestly, the lightly salted roasted almonds are perhaps my favorite – simple and just enough salt without being overpowering!  The six-ounce cans are sized just right for taking down to the dock and sharing with family and friends – plus, I appreciate that almonds are a snack that needs no refrigeration. There is NO way I’m putting my snack in the same cooler where my husband keeps the finishing worms!

Fishing on the lake

Fishing at dusk means a late dinner, eating almonds keeps the “hangries” away in a healthy way!

Summer Snacking – #FlavorYourAdventure with @bluediamond almonds #sponsored

Click To Tweet

Have you spent time on the lake this summer? How are you flavoring your adventure? Are you a simple salted nut person or do you like flavors that are bold and exotic? Please share in the comments – XOXO, Jennifer

DIY Cranberry Vanilla Sugar Scrub #BerryBeautyTrends #AzoCranGummies

Posted on by
8

Creamy Cranberry Orange Smoothie - TheFitFork.comSome people only think of cranberries during the holidays, but these little tart berries are awesome all year ‘round! Especially in summer tossed in recipes like my Creamy Cranberry Orange Smoothie, whirled up and frozen into fruit pops or tossed atop salads. Having a hard time tracking down fresh packages of this bog berry in warm weather months? Then, do what I do – stock up at the produce section right after Thanksgiving and Christmas (they are often also on sale) and then stick the straight into the freezer in original packaging where they’ll stay good for at least six months – or longer if packed air tight in a zip-top freezer bag.

You can also use cranberries to make a really effective and inexpensive sugar scrub! Natural beauty experts say that skin-care with cranberries is perfect for the acne-prone or those who have oily skin because – you can thank the berry’s inherent antibacterial properties. Used in a sugar scrub, cranberries also help to smooth skin texture and brighten your complexion.  My DIY berry beauty treatment only takes a few ingredients and few minutes to whip up — the “recipe” for Cranberry Vanilla Body Scrub makes enough for you and another container to give as a gift!

Make your own Cranberry Vanilla Sugar Scrub that is great for acne-pron and oily skin -- plus is softens and smooths!

Another important health benefit of cranberries is the prevention of urinary tract infections. After the flu and the common cold, urinary tract infections (UTI) are the most common medical complaint among women age over the age of 18 – and the majority of us will experience the significant discomfort (to put it mildly) of a UTI at least once during their lives. If you’ve ever had one, you know UTIs are a real pisser, to put it bluntly.

You’ve probably heard that drinking cranberry juice may help prevent UTIs. But why? According to WebMD, researchers used to think that cranberries created a more acidic environment that bacteria wouldn’t want to grow in. Now they believe that cranberries contain compounds that prevent infection-causing bacteria from sticking to the urinary tract walls – while research is still evolving, it appears that either the antioxidants in cranberries alter the bacteria in some way or create a slippery coating on urinary tract walls that keep bacteria from adhering or maybe both.

azo bottleBut, what if you don’t like the taste of cranberry juice, can’t drink it for dietary reasons, or it’s just not convenient to have a jug of the juice on hand at all times? You should try AZO Cranberry Gummies – just two of these mixed berry-flavored gummies provides the equivalent health benefits of a 10-ounce glass of cranberry juice**.  AZO Cranberry Gummies contain Pacran®, a super-concentrated cranberry powder that helps flush the urinary tract to maintain cleanliness.  The gummies taste really great and are an easy solution if you are worried about UTIs — AZO also has a bunch of other products that help women dealing with other delicate problems.

azo prizeAlso, don’t miss out on the Berry Beauty Sweepstakes – you could win a Berry Beauty Basket full of Sephora Goodies!

 

 

DIY Cranberry Vanilla Sugar Scrub @AzoProducts #BerryBeautyTrends #AZOCranGummies #Ad

Click To Tweet

Have you ever made a DIY beauty product? Do tell! Share in the comments below – XOXO, Jennifer 

 

Disclaimer Stuff: I am being compensated to share my honest opinion of AZO Cranberry Gummies. **Biological activity of 10oz cranberry juice cocktail. *These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. AZO Cranberry® used under license by i-Health, Inc. Pacran® is a trademark of Naturex.

Raspberry Walnut Wheat Berry Salad with Grilled Chicken

Posted on by
6

Raspberry Walnut Wheatberry Salad with Grilled Chicken is a quick and easy summer meal but is also beautiful enough for outdoor entertaining.Berry delicious! Are you craving a dinner that is bursting with seasonal yumminess, simple to pull together and healthy with an exclamation point? My recipe for Raspberry Walnut Wheat Berry Salad with Grilled Chicken is all these things — plus it’s gorgeous enough for outdoor entertaining.

Raspberry Walnut Wheatberry Salad with Grilled Chicken so delicious, nutritious and easy on a summer day!I first made this recipe for the Living Litehouse blog at LitehouseFoods.com; it builds on the flavors of their vibrant Raspberry Walnut Vinaigrette. This elegant entrée salad features all the food groups with spinach, grilled chicken breast, raspberries, walnuts and wheat berries all playing nicely together.  What, you’ve never eaten wheat berries?! This versatile whole grain has a sweet, nutty taste and pleasant, chewy texture – a nice swap for brown rice when you’re looking to bust out of a rut. Wheat berries are also a great source of vitamins, fiber and other essential nutrients – and offer healthy source of carbs to fuel your day.

 

Raspberry Walnut Wheat Berry Salad with Grilled ChickenYou can also layer up all the ingredients into a jar salad to take to work or to refuel right after a gym session. Starting by pouring dressing in the bottom of the jar, then layer up everything in order of “sturdiness and wiltability” – meaning the wheat berries go next and then the delicate spinach up top.  When you’re ready to eat lunch, just shake-shake-shake the jar and pour out on a plate (or eat straight from the container, it’s one less dish to clean)!

Raspberry Salad DressingIf you can’t find the Raspberry Walnut Vinaigrette from Litehouse Foods, then try this homemade Raspberry Dressing recipe that first appeared in Southern Living.

Raspberry Walnut Wheatberry Salad with Grilled Chicken so delicious, nutritious and easy on a summer day!
Print
Raspberry Walnut Wheat Berry Salad with Grilled Chicken
Prep Time
10 mins
Total Time
10 mins
 
Make life easy and grill chicken ahead of time or substitute rotisserie chicken from the deli that has been cut up into chunks!
Course: Fruit, Main Dish, Salad
Cuisine: American
Servings: 4 servings
Ingredients
  • 1 cup cooked wheat berries cold or at room temperature
  • 1/2 cup ½ cup Litehouse Foods Raspberry Walnut Vinaigrette (divided) or make own dressing
  • 8 cups fresh baby spinach leaves
  • 12 ounces grilled chicken breast
  • 1/3 cyo chopped green onions (bulbs and tops)
  • 1 pint fresh raspberries
  • 1/4 cup walnut halves or pieces
  • 2 ounces feta cheese crumbles
Instructions
  1. In small bowl, mix together the cooked wheat berries with ¼ cup of Raspberry Walnut Vinaigrette. Set aside.
  2. Add spinach to large bowl. Toss with dressed wheat berries, grilled chicken strips, green onions, raspberries, walnuts and feta.
  3. Serve with remaining ¼ cup dressing.

Summer Perfect Partner Watermelon WOD #LivingOnTheWedge

Posted on by
11

first watermelon of 2015What’s the point of bringing a big, yummy watermelon home from the market if you need help getting it out of the basket, into the car and up the garage stairs to the fridge?  “No thanks, I’ve got this,” is what I tell the twerp well-meaning bag boy who always tries to help. Hey, I’m not just your ordinary produce-shopping mom  – I’m a fruit-loving foodie who’s turned herself a lean, mean lifting machine thanks to adding functional exercise (aka CrossFit) into my workout routine about three or four years ago.

TheFitFork.com Living On The Wedge

TheFitFork.com Living On The Wedge

While I don’t care to set records or go for “max” when lifting weights (nor could I) during a CrossFit WOD, I do feel like adding weight to my workout regimen has helped me tremendously as a runner, an athlete and busy working mom who’s just living her crazy life and might be getting a little older in the process.  Last year for my summer of #LivingOnTheWedge, I shared a CrossFit inspired Watermelon Workout – I’ll never forget swinging a 25 pound watermelon kettle bell style and having it fly out of my hands across the yard. Oops!  And, who could forget the Watermelon Pool Workout from earlier this summer – I certainly know the swimmers grinding out their laps that morning I filmed it had something to talk about!Why not workout with a Watermelon - this WOD will whip you and friend in shape and you have a healthy snack for afterward!

This month, I’ve created a Partner Watermelon WOD  that lets you share pleasure and pain of working out with a friend who loves watermelon as much as you!

Embed code for video

Partner Watermelon WOD (8 Sets of the Following):

  • (6 Reps) Watermelon Burpee-Squat Handoff: One partner does a traditional burpee while the other partner simultaneously squats with a watermelon – then the watermelon is handed off for the next rep.
  • (6 reps) Watermelon Box Step Up: One partner steps up with watermelon at chest or held straight overhead while other partner uses small watermelon for Russian Twists (12 to 20 twists, or until box step ups done). Partners switch off and perform repeat exercises.
  • 200 Meter Run or Walk: holding watermelon at chest.

You may be laughing at the video, but watermelon makes a great piece of workout equipment in a pinch – you can lift it, swing it, jump over it, squat with it and more. Plus, you can purchase them in a variety of weights – the smaller “personal-sized” melons are awesome.  If you didn’t get enough workout inspiration, here’s a Summer Squat Challenge to get your rear in gear – of course, use a watermelon for your weighted squats!

Summer Squat Challenge -- Do 100 squats per day from this mix an match list!

Scoop into a personal sized watermelon this summer -- 92 percent water and the perfect way to stay hydrated.Working out with a watermelon isn’t so crazy when you start seeing the results of this muscle-making melon  – plus, who can argue with gobbling it up as a nutritious snack afterward?!  Made of 92% water, watermelon is obviously hydrating. But did you know the fruit can help you with workout recovery? A recent study in the Journal of Agricultural Food and Chemistry reports that drinking watermelon juice before a hard workout helps to reduce an athlete’s heart rate and next-day muscle soreness. That’s because watermelon has an abundance of an important amino acid called L-citrulline, which the body converts to L-arginine, to help with blood vessel dilation and improved circulation.

I’m winning at this watermelon workout thing and to the victor comes the spoils – at that is first dibs at devouring the watermelon!   Okay, okay, I’ll split it up fairly between my workout friends!

About to share watermelon with my Cross friends - Jennifer Fisher, thefitfork.com

About to enjoy the fruits of our efforts! Sharing watermelon with my Cross friends

Grab a friend, a watermelon and WORKOUT!  #LivingOnTheWedge @watermelonboard #sponsored

Click To Tweet

  • The average size of a watermelon from the market is about 20 -25 lbs. Guesstimate the weight of the biggest one you’ve ever brought home – 47 pounds for me! 
  • What are you doing to work up a sweat this summer – other than just stepping outdoors?!

Share in the comments – XOXO, Jennifer