Author Archives: Jennifer FIsher

Noodle Night! Thai Chicken Peanut Pasta Recipe

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Speedy, spicy, and super yummy; this peanuty chicken pasta dish fuses the flavors of Thai food with plain old spaghetti noodles. It’s already nutritious, but substitute with whole grain pasta to be even healthier!  I’ve been making this Thai Chicken Peanut Pasta dish forever; it’s one of my husband’s favorite quick, weeknight meals. Until recently, the creation has always been in my head; I’d just do a little of this and a little of that. But, I’ve had a recent query to feature it in a publication, so I decided to measure everything out and take a proper picture. I’ll keep you posted on that news.  But, until then, enjoy the sneak peek!

Thai Chicken Peanut Pasta Recipe

  • 1 tablespoon olive oli
  • 1 pound ground chicken breast
  • 1 teaspoon minced garlic
  • 1 1/2 cups julienned carrots
  • 1 medium red onion chopped
  • 2 tablespoons Srirachai Sauce (the red “Rooster” sauce)
  • 1/3 cup soy sauce
  • 1/2 cup chicken broth
  • 1/4 cup lemon juice
  • 1/4 cup natural peanut butter
  • 1 teaspoon (more or less to taste) dried red pepper flakes
  • 12 ounces dried spaghetti noodles
  • 4 green onions chopped with tops
  • 1/2 cup chopped peanuts

In large skillet, cook ground chicken breast over medium-high heat for 10 – 15 minutes or until lightly browned; drain grease if any. Add garlic and carrots and red onion to skillet and continue cooking mixture several more minutes over medium heat, taking care not to over-cook.

At the same time that chicken and pepper stir fry is cooking, begin preparing noodles and sauce. Cook noodles to manufacturer’s directions; drain and set aside. In medium bowl, whisk together, Sriracha sauce, soy sauce, broth, lemon juice, peanut butter and red pepper flakes.

Over medium heat, pour sauce into skillet with chicken and pepper mixture and let simmer for 3-5 minutes until heated through. To serve, place a mound of warm noodles in an individual low pasta-style bowl and top with a portion of the chicken mixture. Top with chopped green onions and peanuts. Yield: serves 6

Notes: Sriracha sauce is a Thai condiment made of hot chilies; typically found on Asian aisle in supermarket.

Beef for Breakfast – “Top of the Sirloin” Sweet Potato-Steak-Egg Bake!

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I’m excited to say that this delicious recipe of mine, ‘Top O’ the Sirloin’ Morning Sweet Potato-Steak-Egg Bake, is featured as a guest post on Beef Loving Texans. I love this site, it’s packed with cooking tips and creative recipes straight from the kitchens of carnivores right here in the great steak, err, I mean state, of Texas. We’re friendly in here in Texas and like to share, so everyone’s welcome to click on over and surf around for a spell.

I’ll also be presenting this healthy breakfast recipe along other options for lunch and dinner, like the Mojo Beef Kabobs, at the Live Well 2013 event this Saturday. I’m really looking forward to it; It’s going to be a really fun way to share my love of healthy eating and grilling with a big group of folks interested in reaching their health and wellness goals.

 

 

 

 

My Top Five Gym Bag & Purse Snacks

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I don’t leave home without them. No, I’m not talking about my American Express and other credit cards; those are already mainstays in this mama’s purse. But, perhaps more import than having funds on hand for a quick trip to load up at the market or splurge at my favorite running shoe store is keeping a reserve of healthy food rations at my fingertips. Having these nutrition options on-hand when hunger strikes keeps me from grabbing a pack of M&Ms from the vending machine or skipping out on essential post-workout refueling.  Oh, and I never forget to hydrate by keeping a bottle of water in my purse too!

Jerky: Packed with protein and trimmed of fat, dried-meat jerkies will keep forever, even if they fall all the way to the bottom of my bag and don’t get discovered until months later!  Give or take a little by brand and the type of meat, most jerkies have less than 100 calories per ounce and as much as 13 grams of protein. A favorite brand I’ve recently discovered is Simply Snakin’; it’s made with all-natural ingredients with no preservatives and has been combined with many wholesome fruits and spices to create crazy-delicious flavor profiles. Two of my favorites are Teriyaki Beef Sirloin with Blueberries and Cranberries and Chicken Breast with Black Bean Salsa. Because this brand incorporates fruit into their recipes, the overall calorie and protein grams are lower (about 60 calories and 5g protein) which means I don’t feel guilty about having two at a time!

Fruit Leathers & Dried Fruit:  I’m not talking about the jacked-up sugar and fake-colored roll-ups that are marketed to kids on the cereal and granola-bar aisle.  Those are nasty and not good for anyone. I like the products from Sun-Rype, they offer a range of 100-perecent fruit snacks with no artificial anything and lots of natural satisfaction for my sweet tooth.  For example, the company’s Fruit Source Bars contain two whole servings of fruit, no fat and just 120 calories. Dried fruit (with no sugar added, you have to read the label for that  –  ahem, Craisins) also makes a great purse snack. Raisins, dried apricots and dried figs, yum! The only caveat is that you have to pre-pack most dried fruit in little individual zip-top bags.

Nuts: Nuts are one of nature’s best snacks; they are high in protein and provide a lot of essential nutrients and healthy fats. That being said, you don’t want to overdo it on nuts because they are higher in calorie, fat and sodium levels (if salted). Keep perfectly portioned by filling up snack-sized bags with ¼ cup of nuts (like almonds, cashews, walnuts or what have you) and stash in your purse for enjoyment later.

Fresh Produce: If I know I will be eating my purse snack by the end of the day, I’ll slip in an apple, baggie of mini carrots or sugar snap peas. You just can’t beat getting your nutrients and fiber straight from the source without a middle man. Many stores now stock individual-sized cups of nut butters, hummus, and low-fat dips that make excellent on-the-go accompaniments to fresh produce. Use a small Tupperware with ice-pack insert if your purse or gym bag will be sitting out for more than a couple hours.

Protein Bars: I admit it; I’m a protein bar junkie and have probably sampled every make and model out there! Some have a funky texture and aftertaste and others have a surprisingly large amount of sugar. Even so, the higher-sugar protein bars are better than a real candy bar in the fact they do at least pack some protein and other added nutrients. But, if you take the time to research what you put into your mouth and experiment with the texture format you like best (like rice crunchy, nougat-based, nutty), you’ll find lots protein-bar options that are great to store in your purse of gym bag. My current favorites are Think Thin Chocolate Fudge (no sugar added at all and 20g protein) and Muscle Milk Lean Protein Bar Chocolate Peanut Carmel   (15 grams protein).

What is your favorite purse snack? Share your ideas in the comment section!

TRX Suspension Training, Some Favorite Ab & Upper Body Exercises (Video)

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Sure had some fun in the gym today with suspension exercises and I want to show you some of my favorites. Even if you think you have a strong core and decent upper body strength, these babies are going to have you screaming “uncle.” And, yes I am talking about myself; I’m always sore the day after doing this routine. Who knew these innocent-looking, dangling straps could be so vicious? But, the core and upper-body strengthening result is great!

This concept of exercise comes from the Navy SEALs; we all know what tough dudes they are! Suspension training uses your body weight (and gravity) to develop strength, balance, flexibility and core stability simultaneously. One of the popular brands out there is the TRX Training; it’s what I have at my gym. Check out the video and then read on below to get the details on all these TRX tricks.

TRX Handstand Push-up

Stand with your back to the TRX straps that have been adjusted with the grips at around waist height. While standing, bend leg and slip foot through grip loop; bend forward at waist and balance with arms straight and hands on the ground. Next, lift unrestrained leg and slip it through the other loop (or you can keep it free if you feel confident). Now, with body weight on your shoulders and arms, walk hands backward until you ideally have feet and core straight over arms. Keeping core engaged, press downward and then up into a handstand push-up. For security, you can add a cushion under your head.

TRX Pike Crunch

Adjust straps so that they are hanging about a 12” to 18” above the floor. With feet in the straps, get in the push-up position with abs lower back flat, and hands straight under shoulders. Engaging abs, pull your body upward thinking of bringing your feet toward your armpits, without bending your knees. Aim to get your core and rear aligned over your shoulders. With full control, lower body to starting position and repeat. Great for lower and upper abs.

TRX Pendulum Crunch (with knee tuck)

Place feet in the TRX straps (12” to 18” off ground) and assume the push-up position. With knees extended, back flat and torso erect, swing legs to one side while rotating from the hip. Halfway through swing, tuck knees as you move towards your shoulder. Keeping control, un-tuck as you move to the start position and repeat on the other side. This move is great for abs, especially obliques, and hip flexors.

Thanks to EC3D Sports for the cute compression outfit.

Thoughts on belVita Breakfast Biscuits & a Berry Parfait

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Have I got your attention with this picture of a beautiful berry breakfast parfait? You’ll have to keep reading to find out more. But first of all, let me tell you, my mornings are crazy. Between trying to sneak in a morning run and shuttling three kids to three different schools, you can imagine breakfasts at my house are chaotic. When I’m in organized mode, I have pre-prepared protein pancakes stashed in the freezer or have all the ingredients on hand to make a quick microwave egg scramble. But, sometimes even with the best-laid plans, things go awry. We over sleep, we run out of milk, or those growing-like-a-weed teenage boys of mine gobble up every last crumb on the premises (including the morning rations) for a bedtime snack.

So, when I found out about the belVita Breakfast Biscuits, a ‘morning cookie’ made by Nabisco, I was intrigued. Although I’d never actually tasted the product before, I’d heard the name and my impression was that they were très European. I was right! The breakfast biscuits were first made in France over a decade ago and now are sold in 23 countries worldwide.  So, if you’re a world traveler, you may have already had these with your morning tea!

Are you interested in the nutrition benefits of belVita? Each individual package of 4 crunchy biscuits offers 18 – 20 grams of whole grains, 3 grams of fiber and 4 grams of protein. The product provides “sustained energy” with a combination of quality ingredients and a “carefully controlled baking process that helps preserve the integrity of the grain” and allows the carbs to be more slowly released into your body as fuel. The label says there is no high-fructose corn syrup or no partially hydrogenated oils, that’s a good thing. This being said, the sugar content seems a tad high (13 grams), kind of like a cookie. But, at least a cookie made with whole grains and some fiber.  I’d much rather serve these healthier cookies to my active teenagers than say the stuff they’re usually clamoring for like Pop-Tarts (19 grams of sugar) and store-bought blueberry muffins (20 grams of sugar).

To keep the morning meal balanced, I’m offering the boys belVita along with a no-sugar added yogurt (protein!) and fruit (more fiber!). With five different flavors (Blueberry, Golden Oat, Cinnamon Brown Sugar, Chocolate and Apple Cinnamon), everyone in the family can have a different favorite. Let me tell you, their eyes were popping out of their heads to see my belVita Breakfast Parfait creation This “no-recipe” recipe is really so good, you have to try it! All you do to make this creamy-crunchy-juicy treat is to simply layer crumbled belVita, berries, and yogurt and then top with another biscuit for the finishing touch.

Also, I think beVita is perfect for packing in the “breakfast brown bag,” since my oldest has to eat breakfast at school every day after cross country practice. I’ll also be stashing a pack in the car for my youngest son to eat on the ride from school to Pop Warner football practice. These boys burn off a ton of calories and needs to refuel! Even mom (me) isn’t opposed to eating these tasty treats and can see myself grabbing the Cinnamon Brown Sugar variety and dipping them in my Chai Tea Latte – my reward for running on cold days. Yum!

FitFluential LLC compensated me for this Campaign. All opinions are my own.