Author Archives: Jennifer FIsher

Kale & Quinoa Casserole Recipe + The Running Event

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It was a busy day visiting with old friends (like Altra, Nuun Hydration, Pocket Fuel, and others) and meeting new folks in the running industry at THE RUNNING EVENT conference right here in Austin. I have lots of new running gear and race fuel products to update you on —   and perhaps a giveaway or two coming up soon!

Bart Yasso & Jennifer Fisher at TRE14It was also fun to bump into Bart Yasso (aka the “Mayor of Running) who I threatened to track down if his world-famous “Yasso 800s” don’t pay off in my upcoming Dallas Marathon.In the meantime, I wanted to share a nutritious comfort food recipe that is perfect addition to a holiday potluck party or just as a make-ahead and bake later meal for a busy night – Ranch Kale and Quinoa Casserole.  Originally created for the Litehouse Food blog (please visit), this home-style dish a hearty yet healthy riff on broccoli rice casserole, one of my favorite Christmas side dish (but most versions I’ve seen have tons of butter, cream, or “cream of” soups).

Ranch Kale & Quinoa Casserole - TheFitFork.com

Ranch Kale & Quinoa Casserole Recipe

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 8 cups chopped kale
  • 1 large white onion (chopped)
  • 1 teaspoon minced garlic
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 3 cups cooked quinoa (from 1 cup dry)
  • 1 cup ranch dressing
  • 1 1/4 cup shredded Parmesan cheese (divided)
  1. Add olive oil to 12” to 14” cast iron skillet and bring to medium-high heat.
  2. Add chopped onion and sauté for 2 to 3 minutes until softening. Add half of kale and cook down for about 2 minutes. Add a couple tablespoons of water, if needed.  Add remaining kale to skillet and sauté for 2 -3 more minutes until completely wilted.
  3. Add garlic, salt and pepper to kale and continue to sauté for 1 minute.
  4. Remove skillet from heat and stir in pre-cooked quinoa, ranch dressing and ¾ cup of parmesan cheese.
  5. Sprinkle top with remaining cheese and bake in 350 F degree oven for 30 minutes or until bubbling and cheese browning on top.
  6. Serves 8.

 

cheesy quinoa bake

Using quinoa instead of rice or pasta in a casserole adds extra protein and can often stand alone as a vegetarian or Meatless Monday meal – check out another favorite of mine, Lightened Cheese Quinoa and Cauliflower Casserole.

 

Ranch Kale & Quinoa Casserole #recipe + #TRE14 mini recap

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What is your favorite comfort casserole?

What new running gear do you have your eye on?

Moreo Blondie Bars Loaded with Yum + Cookie Recipes

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Moreo Kitchen Sink Blondies - TheFitFork.comIf MORE means “a greater or additional amount,” then my Moreo Blondie Bars have more MORE! This delicious treat is overflowing with a greater amount of good things than I typically eat at once – like Oreo cookies, M&Ms, chocolate chips, lots of butter and sugar.  Even though I preach clean eating most of the time, the holiday season is not the time to say “NO” to festive, frivolous and nourishment of dubious (yet delicious) quality – Halleluiah!  You HAVE to read on after the recipe to see my brother’s awesome idea of MORE – it’s a Cherblumpkin!

Moreo Blondie Bar Cookies with Oreos and Candy - TheFitFork.com

So, if you’re making Christmas cookies at home, these Moreo Blondie Bars are very easy to make – just mix up the ingredients and plop in the pan. I highly recommend lining the baking dish in foil before adding the batter. When baked and cooled, simply lift out the by the foil edges and then neatly slice into bars. If you don’t want to go whole hog, check out my recipe for The Best Ever Chocolate Chip Cookie – it’s a classic.Moreo Blondie Cookie Bar with Milk - TheFitFork.com

Moreo Blondie Bar Recipe

  • 1 cup butter, melted
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 cup light brown sugar
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 15 double stuffed chocolate sandwich cookies, coarsely broken
  • 1 cup broken pretzel pieces
  • ½ cup M & M candies
  • ½ cup dark chocolate chips
  1. Preheat oven to 350 F degrees.
  2. Melt butter in microwave safe bowl. Add sugars and stir until combined and then mix in eggs.
  3. Stir in baking soda, salt and flour until combined, but don’t over mix.
  4. Mix in crushed cookies, pretzels, candies and chocolate chips until evenly incorporated.
  5. Line 9” x 13” baking pan with foil; spray foil with cooking spray.
  6. Add dough to pan, patting down with fingers or spatula.
  7. Bake on center rack for 25 minutes or until edges and top turning light golden brown and center looks set.
  8. Let cool completely in pan.  Remove contents from pan by lifting foil. Peel sides of foil back and cut into 12 bars.
Moreo Blondie Bars, Cherblumpkin Cake & #Fitfluential Cookie Recipes

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Cherblumpkin Cake - Cherry on Blueberry on Pumpkin

Here it is . . . .the Cherblumpkin! It’s a cherry pie stacked on a blueberry pie stacked on a pumpkin pie – frosted to look like a layer cake. The contest was for Cherpumpple (cherry-pumkin-apple),but my little brother shook up the system with his heart stopper of a pie-cake hybrid, so proud of him.

Cherblumpkin - Cherry Blueberry Pumpkin Pie Cake

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Virtual-Cookie-Exchange-recipes-galoreIf you need more holiday goodie ideas, the Fitfluential ambassadors having a Virtual Cookie & Treat Link Up. Lots of goodness here, recipes to suit both sensible and sinful cookie bakers!

What’s your favorite holiday baked item — please share?

Ways to Stay Active This Holiday Season (Rope Climb, Anyone?)

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How to Stay Active this Holiday SeasonAs the days get shorter, the weather gets chillier and holiday obligations ramp up, it becomes more and more challenging to stick to a fitness routine. There’s nothing wrong with easing up a bit every now and then (goodness knows I always need a break from my marathon training), but don’t let these seasonal obstacles significantly sabotage your commitment to getting or staying fit.  I have three great tips for working out that will have you moving and grooving all winter and maybe even wipe out the need for New Year’s resolutions!

Try Something New: Trying a new fitness class, intramural sport or even just conquering a new physical skill is wonderful on so many levels. First, it’s exciting to try something new and if you’re looking forward to an activity you’re more likely to make it happen. Second, it gives a break to muscle groups and body parts you use repetitively in your normal sport and gives you a chance to strengthen yourself elsewhere. And, lastly, it gives you a sense of mastery and accomplishment that will carry over into every aspect of your life – you know, “wow, I did that!” Rope Climbing Tips with Jennifer - TheFitFork.om

A couple years ago, I learned how to climb a rope –  I was always to chicken to attempt the feat in middle school gym class. What I found out is that it isn’t really that hard at all to climb a rope – I assumed it was all about arm strength and grit, but really it’s more about your legs and just “standing up.”  I’ve included a tutorial on the easiest way to climb a rope below, I would definitely suggest wearing the right gear to avoid getting a rope burn– either ankle-length tights or knee-high compression socks.

Take a Fit Vacation: Take your family on a vacation and challenge the family to be as active as possible – walk to all the tourist sights if weather permits, sign up for a local race, or take advantage of the local outdoor offerings – if you’re at the beach, surf! If you’re in the mountains, ski! About 5 years ago, I was able to accomplish my “try something new” tip on vacation – I self-taught myself how to snowboard and kept up with my teenage son!  Now, it wasn’t a graceful sight and at night my body felt like I had been in a boxing ring all day—but I conquered it (and I think said son was secretly impressed)!    If you have a ski trip planned, check out my Ski Ready WOD to get in tip-top shape.Active Family Vacation -- Skiing

WOD at Home or Hotel: Being stuck at home in inclement weather or being away at a hotel or relative’s home does  put a damper on getting to the gym – but that doesn’t mean you have to give up a workout. There are endless possibilities when it comes to workouts you can do at home with little or no equipment – google or search Pinterest for “home WOD” or “travel workout” and you’ll find hundreds of options.   Many of these workouts can be done in 30 minutes or less, meaning you can definitely squeeze in a workout before all the day’s distractions begin.  Here’s one of my favorite heart-pumping workouts that I do when I can’t get out for a run – all you need is a jump rope:Jump Rope WOD - Travel or Hotel Workout

One thing to note, regardless of which fitness tip you’re following, is that wearing the right fitness clothing is essential – especially layering, sweat-wicking clothing in colder weather.   I’m a big fan of the Target® C9 line of fitness wear, not only is it affordable and super cute, performs awesomely, and just makes you feel empowered by wearing it – as in “YES, I will be ACTIVE today!” When I see everyone from grandmothers to elite athletes sporting gear from Target® C9, I know it is universally appealing. I challenge you to think of someone who DOESN’T have at least one piece of Target® C9 – betcha can’t!

When I’m skiing or running outdoors in cold weather tights are always part of my outfit  — as they are for climbing up the rope, remember?   The sports bras and breathable t-shirts are awesome – really, everything in the  Target® C9 line rocks.

Ideas for Fit Winter #Ski #RopeClimb #TravelWOD  @Target @POPSUGARFitness #Sponsored

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How do you like to stay fit as the season changes? 

 This post was sponsored by Target® C9 through their partnership with POPSUGAR Select. While I was compensated to write a post about Target® C9 all opinions are my own.

Friday 5: Including Gingerbread, Turkey Trot & Healthy Chocolate

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This is what has been going on in my world this week! Hope your Thanksgiving was as blessed and blissful as mine!   

1) Gingerbread Houses: My kids had a school break for the entire Thanksgiving week and they wanted to make a gingerbread house from scratch. OMG. Middle son used his geometry and algebra skills to design the blue prints while I surfed around for “structural gingerbread” recipes. Despite the all the things that could go wrong with measuring, cutting, baking and assembling a gingerbread house, the masterpiece is still standing and deliciously candy bedazzled. I’m winning Christmas already!

Kid's Gingerbread House - TheFitFork.com

Kid’s Gingerbread House – TheFitFork.com

2) Dark Chocolate: Speaking of candy, did you know dark chocolate is a superfood and that makes me super happy. Check out this spotlight I did for CorePower.com on dark chocolate and recipe ideas:

Dark Chocolate is a Superfood - TheFitFork.com

3) Turkey Trot: Had a bunch of pre-feast family fun at Austin’s Thundercloud Turkey Trot!  The hubby and kids joined me to stampede 5 miles through downtown Austin with 21 thousand fellow runners and walkers. Snagged a 1st place in age group, too!

Thundercloud Turkey Trot - TheFitFork.com

5) Beef & Leaf:  Time to NOT talk turkey — my Wilted Winter Greens and Beef Meatball Stew made its print debut in the winter edition of Moxie Magazine (they also have an online version). In my nutrition-focused article, “Kale and Collards and Chard, Oh My!”, I also talk about why all the dark leafy greens proliferating the farmers’ market this time of year are so good for you.

Winter Greens & Meatball Soup recipe in Moxie Magazine - TheFitFork.com

5) Win a Cookbook: I’m excited to be a new-ish member of the Austin Food Blogger Alliance and brush real-life elbows with the savviest online taste buds in town. You can win a copy of this group’s tome of tasty recipes, Austin Food Blogger Alliance Cookbook, a great resource that serves up the uniqueness of Austin with a side dish of varied heritages the – just leave a comment at the History Press for a chance to win.

Austin Food Blogger Alliance Cookbook

Friday 5: Gingerbread House, Turkey Trotting, Healthy Chocolate + More

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If you Turkey Trotted on Thanksgiving, tell me about it! 

If you’re crazy enough to build a gingerbread house from scratch, let me know. I have a great “structural gingerbread” recipe I can share with you — no caved in walls!

Wine, Olive Oil, Endive . . . Tastes Like a #HolidayMeal + #Giveaway

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All the good things are happening at my house this week! Good (make that great) food and drink to share with family, all with a home-warming, heart-healthy spin. I love spending time with family when there is no “this and that” to be done, the only thing on the agenda this Thanksgiving week is enjoying each other and digging into fine food – some of the intriguing edible details for the week include endive, olive oil and wine!  Oh, and I’m giving away gourmet olive oil, so read on! Platter of Red and White California Endive

California Endive Farms sent me a huge box of red and white endives, oh how this makes me swoon with salad dreams. But, time to think outside the box, so I decided to GRILL my first endive recipe even though it’s a pretty complicated and coddled veggie. Apparently, endive (a member of the chicory family) is one of the most difficult vegetables to grow – it undergoes a two-step process. The first step, takes about 150 days to grow green leaves from a deep tap root. The plant is then harvested and the tops are cut off and the roots are salvaged. Secondly, the roots are put into cold storage to go dormant and then are forced into a second growth – whew, there’s so much effort that goes into endive farming ; it makes me love it even more!  And, if you haven’t noticed, it’s beautiful enough to be used as a centerpiece. Grilled Endive with Blue Cheese, Walnuts & Balsamic Drizzle - thefitfork.com

My recipes for Grilled Endive with Blue Cheese, Walnuts and Balsamic Drizzle would make a sophisticated addition to your Thanksgiving or holiday table. It’s super easy to grill either indoors or outdoors and can be finished in less than 10 minutes from produce bin to plate. I have some other recipes that I will be sharing soon (think healthy alternative to chips), but in the meantime please check out this mouth-watering collection of endive recipes.

 Grilled Endive with Blue Cheese, Walnuts and Balsamic Drizzle Recipe

  • 4 red or white endives, cut in half lengthwise
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil (I used Nudo Italia Garlic!)
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • 1/4 blue cheese crumbles
  • 1/4 cup walnut pieces
  • 2 tablespoons balsamic syrup
  1. Brush cut sides of endive liberally with olive oil and season with salt and pepper.
  2. Place endive, cut sides down, on indoor grill pan or grates of outdoor pan. Cook over approximate 375 F degree heat for 4 – 5 minutes, or until grill marks are made and endive is beginning to soften (without getting overcooked – should be crisp tender).
  3. Remove endive from grill and place cut side up on serving platter. Sprinkle with blue cheese and walnuts; drizzle with balsamic syrup.
  4. Serves 4.

Rios de Chile Wine = thefitfork.com

Rios de Chile wine makes a delightful pairing for my grilled endive recipe.  I’ve heard that there are some great wines from Chile, and this one is definitely a winner – it’s light and lively and the perfect choice for seafood, poultry or a grilled salad!  The tasting notes on this one are “intense aroma of tropical fruits, fine mineral notes and citrus accents.” You’ll be the first guest on everyone’s party list if you show up with a bottle of this vino from an award-wining winery in the Cachapoal Valley.

Nudo Italia Olive Oil - thefitfork.com

Now, onto more goodness Nudo Italia Olive Oil – wow, is it wonderful.  Imagine kicking back with a glass of that Rios de Chile wine and dipping some crusty bread into a saucer of artisanal olive oil.  Now that’s what the holidays are all about, especially if you have your loved ones dipping and drinking by your side!  I am a new fan of Nudo Olive Oil, although it’s been around since 2005. Made by a pair who left careers as television producers to move to the Italian countryside, this line of olive oils makes a point of keeping traditional farming methods alive to produce some of the best olive oil in the world. Nudo even has an olive tree adoption program which allows anyone to adopt a tree in Italy and receive its olive oil – now that’s the gift for the foodie or fine living aficionado who has everything!

Not only have I been enjoying the olive oil with my bread and drizzled on my salad, it also makes a statement in recipes – they have amazing infused flavors, too many to name (but check out their online shop). But, I’m giving away three 8.4 oz. tins of the infused flavors-  the Olive Oil Stone Ground with Real Lemons,  the Olive Oil Stone Ground with Garlic and the Olive Oil Stone Ground with Basil. Enter below via the Rafflecopter App!

a Rafflecopter giveaway