Run Faster 800 Meter Workout + Protein Bar #FeelGooder

Posted on August 25, 2015 by Jennifer FIsher

The start of the school year has always been the unofficial kick-off of my marathon training. Even though Austin is still in the dog days of summer, with temperatures over 100 degrees, I will start upping mileage and long speed intervals, be mindful of my hydration needs and stock up on one of my favorite protein bars as I ready up for the San Antonio Marathon on December 6th.

As I hinted, hydration is so important, but I also insist on eating a protein snack after a long run or intense effort workout, like running 800 meter or mile intervals. Research study after research study has shown that consumeing a protein-rich snack after hard workouts is vital to protein syntheses, and a must-do if you want to repair taxed muscle tissue, increase strength and recover faster.

Perfectly Simple protein bars by ZonePerfect are a great solution for me, each tasty on the go snack offers about 10 – 11 grams protein and around 200 calories or less, the perfect post-workout fuel for me to #FeelGooder until I can follow up with a full-on clean meal. I love how these protein bars embrace the “less is more” approach to life – the company is super-picky about the ingredients they choose to ensure a simple yet tasty feel-good healthy snack.

Even if you’re not working out, a protien-rich healthy snack, like a protein bar, helps you feel fuller, longer – which means you won’t be grabbing a handful of M&Ms every time you walk by the community candy jar (okay, I’m talking about myself here).

Roasted Cashew & Dark Chocolate protein bar from Perfectly Simple

Oh, Hello My Precious!

Right now, if you visit ZonePerfect Perfectly Simple, you can get a $1 off coupon for a box of these nutrition bars. Right now, there are four delicious flavors (five protein bars per box) including Almond Toffee Crunch, Bing Cherry & Almond , Oatmeal Chocolate Chunk, and Roasted Cashew & Dark Chocolate.

So, are you ready for the 800 meter workout – it’s a doozy. There is just no arguing that the muscle fatigue, lactic acid build up and special brand of pain that comes with knocking off a bunch of 800s sucks, but if you’re getting ready for a marathon, it’s time to embrace that suck. Am I right? Plus, 800s can be used as a loose guideline to predicting your marathon time — just google Bart Yasso’s Yasso 800s. Basically the gist is that you work your way up to 10 800s in a session, keeping them as close in time as possible (a second or two flux is okay). The resulting average 800 time can be extrapolated to be your marathon time – eg: average 3:00 minute 800s equals a 3 hour marathon, 3:30 minute 800s equals a 3:30 marathon, and so on. My workout is a little different, but still great for a marathon.

My 800 Meter Challenge workout won’t take you all the way up to the 10 full half-mile laps, but it will get you strong enough to eventually get there! Enjoy.

Don’t forget to check out ZonePerfect Perfectly Simple Nutrition Bars to grab your $1 off coupon for a box of these delicious protein bars.

Do you incorporate speed workouts into your trainjing? Do you have a go-to interval workout for marathon season? I like cashew and chocolate – what two flavors would make the best bar for you? Please share in the comments below – XOXO — Jennifer

800m workout to #RunFaster and Perfectly Simple protein bars to #FeelGooder @ZonePerfect #ad

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Happy, Healthy Hive + Buzz on #Zarbees Vitamin Drink Mix

Posted on August 24, 2015 by Jennifer FIsher

This is my hive. A husband of almost 25 years and three teenage boys – can you believe it?!

Even though my children aren’t babies anymore, their health and well-being (as well as my own) is still my number one priority. The busy schedules I help them juggle which includes academics, sports and music combined with my own overloaded agenda of work, athletic endeavors and domestic duties don’t allow for any downtime – let alone spare time for an of us being sick!

Zarbee's Naturals keeps me healthy and well and ready to workout!

Zarbee’s Naturals helps keep me healthy, well and ready to workout!

But, being so busy can make you sick, or at least leave you feeling fatigued and run down. Since I am mindful about the foods I offer my family and personally keep a primarily clean diet, it makes sense that I’ve always been wary of overusing over-the-counter medications. I’d rather take natural, preventative measures that rely on popping pills at every ache or sniffle.

That’s why I was excited to discover Zarbee’s Naturals, a product line of delicious vitamin drink mixes created by Dr. Zak Zarbock. When Dr. Zarbock, a parent himself, couldn’t find effective, chemical-free solutions to keep the whole family healthy, he created his own products using handpicked natural, safe and wholesome ingredients. With Zarbee’s Naturals, it’s easy to find happiness in all that soothes!

Zarbee’s Naturals come in six tasty, all-natural flavors, specially formulated proprietary blends sweetened with honey and other wholesome ingredients – there are no drugs or alcohol of any kind and all products are gluten-free. Depending on the blend, Zarbee’s Naturals can be mixed with hot or cold water and is safe to use daily to help meet any nutritional gaps in your diet. You can find Zarbee’s Naturals exclusively at Target on the cough aisle – and now, through the end of September, their products are on sale for $4 off.

The Apple Spice flavored Zarbee’s Naturals Antioxidant Blend with Honey is so soothing before bed.

Antioxidant Support with Honey – Apple Spice: This high potency antioxidant formula contains essential vitamins, minerals and selenium and is sweetened with honey. Enjoy this blend hot.
Immune Support Drink Mix – Citrus Spice: This blend helps support a healthy immune system and features elderberry extract and dark honey. Packed with vitamins A, C, E, selenium and zinc, this mix is best served hot.
Invigorating Drink Mix – Lemon Ginger: Get a boost of energy with this blend featuring green tea, ginger, and guarana seed for natural alertness. Full of vitamins B2, B6 and B12, this mix can be enjoyed hot or cold.
Calming Drink Mix – Lemon Mint: Enjoy a bit of tranquility and calm with this blend brimming with chamomile and honey. Passion flower offers natural relaxation while the vitamin boost features A, C, D, E, and B-Complex. May be served hot or cold.
Multivitamin with Prebiotic – Orange: This blend helps to support a healthy digestive system and contains essential vitamins A, C, D, E, B1, B2 and more. Best served cold.
Multivitamin with Antioxidant – Mixed Berry: This antioxidant rich blend features 12 essential vitamins plus selenium to help support optimal health. Serve cold.

I’m drinking Zarbee’s Naturals on a daily basis to help keep me well, rocking through my workouts and ready to take care of my family. When I’m feeling great, it’s just easier to keep my family feeling great! And, speaking of keeping a family feeling great – I’ve put together this care package to send to my oldest son who just left for college. I think the Invigorating blend will be great for all those study sessions and the Immune Support blend will keep his body’s defenses up during a naturally stressful transition time. Remember to come back on September 10th to check out my follow up post about Zarbee’s Naturals and how awesome it is to shop at Target — first pump, thumbs up, agreed?! #DrinkForYourself #Zarbees #madetomatter

When I take care of ME, my whole hive stays happy! #DrinkForYourself @zarbees Immune Support Mixes #ad

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Have you found ways to simplify or lower the stress of the family’s back-to-school schedule? Do you find your “hive” getting sick or catching colds easier during the fall season – what are your natural remedies? Please share in the comments – XOXO, Jennifer

This post was sponsored by Zarbee’s Naturals via Sverve. However, all editorial content reflects my own honest opinion about the products.

Healthy Protein Challenge Snack – Plenti Greek Yogurt

Posted on August 6, 2015 by Jennifer FIsher

I know you are all are as busy as me — sometimes I get so sidetracked with my workouts, kids and errands that I’ve forgotten to eat a meal or nourishing snack (my new favorite Plenti Greek Yogurt, more about that below)– that’s not a good thing and honestly, not even a good way to lose weight (if that is your goal). Whether you are trying to drop a few pounds, maintain weight, or fuel up with extra calories to support a training schedule full of strength-training, yoga, and endurance sports, it’ best eat three balanced meals a day and protein-rich snacks between, if needed.

Plenti Greek Yogurt helps fuel my busy, active life that includes yoga, running and CrossFit.

I am a huge Greek yogurt fan – I eat it daily for breakfast and a bedtime snack! Recently, I discovered a new variety called Plentí Yogurt made by Yoplait, a brand I’ve trusted and served to my family for years! What makes Plenti unique and alluringly convenient in my eyes is that it comes pre-packed with loads of the “good stuff” including strained Greek yogurt, fruit, whole grain oats, flax and seeds – all the stuff I love to stir into my plain Greek yogurt but am often too tired or too low on pantry and fridge food to do so! It comes in eight yummy flavors; you’ll never get bored — Black Cherry, Blueberry, Coconut, Peach, Raspberry, Spiced Apple, Strawberry and Vanilla.

Whew, what a relief to know that I can just grab one of the eight Plenti Greek yogurt healthy flavors “as-is” from the fridge for a quick breakfast, post-workout snack or healthy dessert. Because Plenti has 12 grams of protein per serving, it makes a tasty and satisfying snack that boosts my energy so that I can conquer even the most “plentiful” day. I’ve talked lots about the benefits of eating protein and the Protein Challenge on my blog and with television and radio media, and Plenti fits right in.

Add Greek Yogurt to this list! Serving of Plenti Yogurt has 12 grams protein.

I aim to make protein 30 percent of my daily calorie intake, taking in about 25 to 30 grams of protein at each of my three meals and supplementing with two healthy snacks with about 10 to 15 grams of protein each. A growing body of research is suggesting that spreading protein consumption throughout the day (starting with breakfast) can improve cardiovascular health, better address muscle maintenance and growth, and help maintain weight by keeping away those “hangries” that happen when your blood sugar drops and energy level tanks (from eating too many carb-heavy foods).

I really encourage you to check out Plenti Greek Yogurt for yourself and also their new, fun Instagram site– this product features a 1:1 protein to sugar ratio (12 grams of each) – now just because I like a higher protein diet doesn’t mean I shun healthy carbs and a small amount of sugar – I need it to provide quick energy for my runs! Look for Plenti in the dairy section of your market – you’ll smile putting it into your cart knowing that it’s made with lots of wholesome ingredient that will do your body good – it’s also a gluten-free food and also has no gelatin, if these are concerns for you.

Plenti is a perfect on-the-go snack that helps curb hunger https://ooh.li/0dc2bcd #sponsored #LandofPlenti

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What flavor sounds the most delicious to you – Black Cherry, Blueberry, Coconut, Peach, Raspberry, Spiced Apple, Strawberry or Vanilla? Please share in the comments below and also share the most “fun” fitness thing you’ve done this week! XOXO – Jennifer

Sharing my Stay Lean Secrets + #BowflexBody Giveaway

Posted on July 30, 2015 by Jennifer FIsher

This post is sponsored by FitFluential on behalf of Bowflex Body.

I am totally in love with Bowflex Body, a collection of premium nutrition products that features a French Vanilla Fitness Shake powder with packets of “mix-ins” including fat-burning rich chocolate, protein-boosting peanut butter or antioxidant-packed mixed berry. Bowflex Body is one of my secrets to staying lean. The other tactics I used to keep my body weight and fat ratios where I want them include with eating adequate protein spaced through the day, monitoring my carb intake (but keeping some for quick energy) and continuity and variety in exercise — I like to mix it up with running, obstacle training, CrossFit, yoga, paddle boarding to keep my body and mind prepared and motivated. Anyway, I’ve shared about this great product earlier in the summer along with a Bodyweight Leg Workout – if you missed it, check it out! Also, read to the bottom of the post, because I’m hosting a giveaway.

I really love the idea of the mix-ins to the base protein shake. It kind of reminds me of asking for a “booster” at that not-to-be-named smoothie chain I pass on the way home from the gym — but with hardly any of the sugar that those types of “healthy” blended beverages hold in disguise. The raspberry smoothie in a 16-ounce small size packs 290 calories, just 2 grams of protein – and 54 grams of sugar! Compare that to 125 calories, 15 grams of high quality protein and only 5 grams of sugar for the Bowflex Body French Vanilla Protein Shake — I’m sticking with the latter to stay lean!You can workout all you want, but you won’t get to that point of good muscle definition if you’re not lean. Yes, I stay at a low body fat through exercise, but also by making sure I’ve been eating enough protein spaced through the day.

Staying lean this summer with Bowflex Fitness Shakes

So, instead a smoothie shop stop, I’ve been sticking my blender bottle pre-filled with a scoop of the French Vanilla Fitness Shake and a couple of the boosters in my gym bag to refuel with after a hard workout or intense run – or often just to see me through a session, since I’m usually breaking sweat over the lunch hour. All I have to do is add cold water and shake, shake, shake!

One thing I’ll say about Bowflex Body products, they really do taste great straight from the blender bottle mixed with plain water. Other protein powders I’ve used have often had a chalky, hard to swallow texture if they weren’t combined with some sort of milk (alike almond or coconut) – or pureed up into a smoothie with banana for creaminess. But, really and truly, the French Vanilla Fitness Shake stands on its own merits for deliciousness. Plus, the exclusive blend of premium ingredients combined with powerful antioxidants, essential nutrients and immune enhancing ingredients help burn fat, build lean muscle, and protect my body.

I’ve been drinking these shakes all summer, and they’ve helped to curb my cravings and made me feel full longer – it’s been a great addition to my protein challenge when it’s not convenient to whip a steak or rotisserie chicken out of my purse. With only 125 calories per serving and 15 grams of the highest quality proteins, a shake makes a great meal replacement once a day to drop a few pounds quickly and safely (check out the success stories here). I suggest adding the Peanut Butter Protein booster (+10g) for sustained energy.

I’m happy where my weight is, and honestly I could stand to gain a little muscle in some places (uhhh, my booty), so at dinner time, I use the Vanilla Fitness Shake as my beverage of choice along with the light salads and grilled dishes I typically eat. For the ladies who “wine,” you’ll find yourself in such a leaner place if you swap out your nightly “sip” with a protein shake – 5 ounces of wine has 123 calories and has no protein while 1 scoop of the French Vanilla Fitness Shake mixed with water has 125 calories and 15 grams protein!

Premium French Vanilla Fitness Shake: Start with this powdered mix as your base and blend into water or your milk of choice. The instructions say use 8 ounces of liquid but I’ve used more and it still tastes great. Not only does it taste super creamy and delicious, but for just 125 calories, you get 15g high quality protein, 5 g prebiotic fiber, only 5g sugar and 16 potent antioxidants including acai, goji, pomegranate, mangosteen, spinach, kale and more. It is also lactose free, soy free, low sodium and low fat.

Rich Chocolate Booster for Fat Burning: Toss in one of these 10-calorie packets to kick up your metabolism with Garcinia cambogia, green coffee bean, African mango and cocoa exacts.

Peanut Butter Booster for Muscle Management: Add a packet of this booster to help grow, maintain and provide workout recovery benefits to your muscles. This advanced protein formula gives you an additional 10g on top of the 15g already in each serving of shake.

Mixed Berry Booster for Extra Antioxidant Benefits: This refreshing mix-in gives the already vitamin and antioxidant-loaded vanilla shake an extra one-two punch of protection with blueberry, raspberry and strawberry extracts blended to help fight free radicals.

Use the discount code BOWFLEXSHAKE to get 20% off products along with free shipping and handling. You can also enter the giveaway to win a Bowflex Body Sample Pack that includes the vanilla shake (3 packs) along one each of the boosters plus a pack of their Daily Energy and Pre-Workout Energy (Sample Pack is also available for sale at Bowflex with free shipping and handling). Enter for chance to win via the Rafflecopter app below:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Turmeric Honey Almond Milk Shooters – Healing Spice

Posted on June 23, 2015 by Jennifer FIsher

This post is sponsored by Almond Breeze Almondmilk.

Lots of good things going on this week – putting my warm weather free time to good use by supplementing my day with trail runs, learning new yoga poses and getting in some quality time with the kids outdoors. The dog has even been going on walks – she doesn’t know what to think about this new summer schedule!

All of this moving around has me feeling a little closer to my age! A little ache here, a little pain there – it’s really nothing to complain about since I do ask a lot from my body when it comes to athletic performance. So, I’ve been sprinkling the spice turmeric onto my eggs, salad dressings and steaks. Releasing a warm and faintly citrusy flavor, this beautifully orange-yellow spice is prized for the anti-inflammatory benefits that come from the chemical compound curcumin. Not only does the curcumin in turmeric help reduce inflammation, thereby lessen tendonitis and muscle pain, the powerful antioxidants have been shown to regulate blood sugar and lessen the risk for certain cancers.

A great way to optimize these benefits is by pairing turmeric with a healthy fat – so why not make a healing and delicious drink by pairing with almond milk, a beverage robust with healthy fatty acids like Omega 3s?! Turmeric Honey Almond Milk is so easy to prepare and is a tasty cure for what ails you – I like to have a “shot” when I return home from my runs and workouts. Another thing my body appreciates about using almond milk is that it contains plenty of B vitamins such as iron and riboflavin, both essential components in muscle growth and healing. And when you add local honey, you help in the fight against seasonal allergies

I drink several different types of milks, but Almond Breeze Almondmilk Original is always on my shopping list. I typically buy the cartons out of the dairy section, but you can also buy shelf-stable almond milk (typically found on the cereal aisle) and I like to keep that stocked in my pantry for my impromptu healthy indulgences!

A big mug of Turmeric Honey Almond Milk is also delicious served warm as a comforting, natural way to relieve pain.

Fight Inflammation with recipe for Turmeric Honey Almond Milk @AlmondBreeze #Ad

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What activities leave your sore and hurting? Have you ever tried Turmeric? Please share in the comments below. XOXO – Jennifer

Turmeric Honey Almond Milk

Prep Time

2 mins

Total Time

2 mins

Ease inflammation, joint pain and aches with this healing beverage made with turmeric, honey and almond milk - delicious served hot or cold.

Course: Beverage, Worout

Cuisine: Indian

Servings: 3 shooters

Ingredients

12 ounces Almond Milk Almond Breeze Almondmilk Original
2 teaspoons ground turmeric powder
1 tablespoon raw, unfiltered local honey
1 teaspoon coconut oil *optional

Instructions

Whisk all ingredients together. Serve hot, warm or cold.

Recipe Notes

*** Turmeric is better used by the body when paired with black pepper or fats -- so, when drinking my golden milk warm, I will often stir in a teaspoon of coconut oil.

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Category Archives: Nutrition Tips

Run Faster 800 Meter Workout + Protein Bar #FeelGooder

Happy, Healthy Hive + Buzz on #Zarbees Vitamin Drink Mix

Healthy Protein Challenge Snack – Plenti Greek Yogurt

Sharing my Stay Lean Secrets + #BowflexBody Giveaway

Turmeric Honey Almond Milk Shooters – Healing Spice