Category Archives: Nutrition & Wellness

Turmeric Honey Almond Milk Shooters – Healing Spice

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This post is sponsored by Almond Breeze Almondmilk.

crane yoga one leg arm balance

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!

Turmeric Honey Almond Milk Shooters help reduce inflammation!

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.

Almond Breeze Almondmilk makes a healing beverage with honey and turmeric stirred in!

Honey, Turmeric and Almond Milk -- all the fixings for a healing, healthy drink.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

Turmeric Honey Almond Milk

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.

Warm Tumeric Honey Almond Milk to ease inflammation and 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 Shooters help reduce inflammation!
Print
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
  1. 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.

Kiwi, Apricot and Feta Salad with Hemp Honey Dressing #NOWwellness

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This post is sponsored by Now Foods via Mamavation.Gold Kiwi Apricot & Feta Salad with Honey Hemp Dressing is an easy, elegant and amazingly nutritious addition to your dinner party.

One of the best things about summer is the abundance of amazing fruit at every turn. Watermelons, berries, stone fruits, and exotic discoveries like golden kiwis! While everyday green kiwis are pretty darn good, the golden kiwi is especially exceptional. It’s a bit bigger and bursting with supersized flavor – so sweet!  My recipe for Gold Kiwi, Apricot & Feta Salad with Honey Hemp Dressing takes advantage of the season’s best offerings – and a yummy salty-sweet taste!

Golden Kiwi, Apricot and Feta Salad with Honey Hemp Dressing

NOW Foods Organic Toasted Hemp Seeds perfect for snack or recipes.

If you’re not familiar with hemp seeds, let me introduce you! Hemp seeds have so many nutritional benefits – this superfood is an excellent source of heart-healthy fats, is a complete protein providing all eight amino acids, and is rich in numerous vitamins and other essential nutrients. A tablespoon or so a day is the perfect nutrition boost for everyone, but an especially great option for those following a vegetarian or vegan lifestyle.  I’ve used NOW Real Food® Organic Toasted Hemp Seeds in my fresh and fit recipe – this seeds are lightly toasted and sprinkled with sea salt to enhance their nutty flavor.

Gold Kiwi, Apricot & Feta Salad with Honey Hemp Dressing Recipe

  1. Peel kiwi and chop into small bits. Peel and seed apricot and chop into small bits.
  2. To small bowl, add chopped kiwi, chopped apricot, feta cheese crumbles and 2 tablespoons of the hemp seeds. Gently stir until combined
  3. Divide mixture and press mixture into two 6 ounce ramekins. Place small plate on top of ramekin and invert quickly; gently tap to remove fruit.
  4. In small bowl, whisk together avocado oil, lime juice, honey and cumin until combined. Drizzle over top of salads and garnish with fresh herbs. Serves 2.

Here are some other wholesome ingredients from NOW Foods that I have been enjoying this summer in my healthy recipes:

LivingNOW Tri Color QuinoaTri Color Quinoa – I’m a big fan of quinoa, especially on those nights when I’m making a meat-free meal.  This product in the wholesome LivingNOW line features a pleasing blend of white, red and black quinoa and is certified organic and made in a dedicated gluten-free, allergy-friendly facility. Quinoa is a great source of protein and iron, making it a hearty and healthy meal when mixed with seasonal fresh produce.  One of the easy salad dishes I like to make in the summer is my recipe for Triple Berry Quinoa Salad – it would be perfect for the 4th of July!

 NOW Gluten Free Flour perfect for baking all your goodies up tender and light!All-Purpose Gluten Free Flour – Have gluten allergies? You can get out your mixing bowl and start baking again. This gluten-free baking flour uses ingredients that are free of gluten and eight of the most common food allergens.  The texture is surprisingly light and fluffy, making it perfect for cookies, coffee cakes, bread and more!

Garlic Coconut Oil -- perfect for stirfry, sauteeing and even drizzled on popcorn!

Ellyndale Organics™ Coconut Oil Infusions – Enjoy the rich taste of coconut oil (along with the health benefits) AND a punch of garlic with this oh-so-yummy oil. It’s great for sauteeing thanks to a high smoke point, but it’s also good on salads and . . . wait for it . . .POPCORN made in the microwave with a brown paper bag

 

 

Avocado Oil has a high smoking point, making it perfect for stirfrys, sautes, and even drizzled on salads.Ellyndale Naturals™ Premium Avocado Oil  Did you know Prevention Magazine named this versatile oil to their list of “100 Healthiest Packaged Foods”  — it’s all the healthy monounsaturated fats and Vitamin E! Perfect for sautéing and stir-frying thanks to the high smoke point of approximately 520°F! Avocado Oil is ideal for high-heat cooking such as sautéing and stir-frying – or just drizzle on your salads and other raw dishes for butter-rich deliciousness.

 

 

Kiwi, Apricot & Feta Salad with Hemp Honey Dressing @NowFoods #NOWwellness

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Stock up on these Pantry Staples:

What is your favorite fruit of summer? Have you ever tried hemp seed, how did you use it? Please share in the comments below! XOXO -Jennifer 

Eat Like a Viking – 7 Culture Based Diet Cookbooks

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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.

Banana Chocolate Chip Protein Donuts with Peanut Butter Frosting

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Banana Chocolate Chip Protein Donuts with Peanut Butter Frosting are a great choice for breakfast, post-workout or a bedtime snack!I’m a big fan of protein, if you haven’t noticed.  Eating enough protein is how I stay lean and support my active lifestyle. But, it doesn’t do your body any good to skimp on protein in the morning and through lunch and the afternoon. It’s so important to eat protein for breakfast, from the time you go to bed through morning is the longest time your body goes without fuel – you need to but quality gas back in the tank so you don’t crash and burn. But, most Americans consume 2/3s of their daily protein at dinner – that’s whacked out!

About Time Chocolate Chip Protein Pancake Mix - make donuts with it

Last year I discovered About Time Protein Pancake Mix – it’s a hearty, healthy breakfast solution that offers 21 grams of protein and 6 grams of fiber for about 290 calories. And, it still has that sweet, indulgent taste that so many of us crave! For me, this pancake mix offers an optimal serving size of protein – I strive to consume 20 – 30 grams during each meal (and snacks). Actually, I learned firsthand from nutrition researcher, Dr. Heather Leidy, that eating adequate protein in the morning can help curb unhealthy snacking later, even much later, in the day.

Banana Chocolate Protein Donuts with Peanut Butter Frosting

Thinking outside the box, I decided to use my Chocolate Chip Protein Pancake Mix (Cinnamon Spice also available) to make delicious baked donuts – Banana Chocolate Protein Donuts with Peanut Butter Frosting, to be exact!  Super simple to make, the easy recipe is basically just mix, an egg, a mashed banana and splash of milk. I’ve also done a healthy peanut butter frosting that is optional. Make a batch of these donuts ahead of time and ration out through the week – I think they are also the perfect choice for a post-workout or bedtime snack.

Tart Cherry & Chocolate Chip Protein Pancakes - TheFitFork.comAlso, don’t miss the recipe for Tart Cherry & Chocolate Chip Protein Pancakes I’ve featured in a past post.

 

 

 

 

 

Jennifer Fisher xgames handstand

Keeping fueled up with About Time at the X Games 2015.

About Time Whey Protein Single ServeAbout Time also offers a wide range of additional products to support optimal nutrition. I enjoy their protein powders and always keep a stash of About Time Whey Protein single serves  in my gym bag and/or purse (along with a shaker) so that I can whip up something nourishing on the spot.

 

About Time at the X GamesRecently, at the XGames in Austin, I was so happy to have a packet of Birthday Cake flavor secretly hidden in my backpack so that I could avoid the not-so-healthy look food truck food fare that was being offered. Things to know about this protein powder à  For 100 calories you get 25 grams of cold-processed, micro-filtered 100% whey protein isolate available in seven flavors. Also, there are no artificial sweeteners, no growth hormones and the protein powder is lactose and gluten free and non-GMO.

Banana Chocolate Chip Protein Donuts + my XGames Meal @_tryabouttime #tryabouttime #ad

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TWITTER PARTY: #TryAboutTime Twitter Party on Tuesday, June: 16 at 9pm EST! Hope to chat with you there!

What is your go-to protein food for breakfast? Please share in the comments below! XOXO — Jennifer

This post is sponsored by FitFluential on behalf of About Time.

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Banana Chocolate Chip Protein Donuts with Peanut Butter Frosting are a great choice for breakfast, post-workout or a bedtime snack!
Print
Banana Chocolate Chip Protein Donuts with Peanut Butter Frosting
Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
8 mins
Total Time
18 mins
 
Start your morning or finish your workout with Banana Chocolate Chip Protein Donuts with Peanut Butter Frosting -- an easy breakfast recipe to make muscles!
Course: Breakfast, Snack, Worout
Cuisine: American
Servings: 12 mini donuts
Ingredients
  • 1 1/2 cups About Time Protein Pancake Mix Chocolate Chip Flavor
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 medium ripe banana mashed
  • 1/4 cup milk of choice or water
  • 1/4 cup natural peanut butter may substitute another nut butter
  • 2 tablespoons milk of choice more if needed to achieve desired consitstency
  • 1/4 teaspoon powdered stevia more or less to taste
  • 3 tablespoons mini chocolate chips
Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 350 F degrees. In large bowl, mix together pancake mix, egg, mashed banana and 1/4 cup milk. Spoon into mini donut baking pan that has been sprayed with cooking spray or oiled. Bake for 8 minutes or until set and turning lightly golden brown. Remove donuts from pan and let cool on wire rack.
  2. Meanwhile, in small bowl, stir together peanut butter, milk and stevia until a frosting consistency has been achieved. Frost tops of donuts with mixture and sprinkle with mini chocolate chips.

Body Boosting Fitness Shake and Bodyweight Leg Workout

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

BowFlex Fitness ShakesAnytime someone says creamy, indulgent-tasting shakes are good for me, they have my rapt attention. That’s why I was ready to find out more about Bowflex Body, a line of premium nutrition products that inludes a vanilla fitness shake mix along with “boosters” (including chocolate) to mix in depending on my protein, energy, or fat-burning needs for the day.

Bowflex Body Fitness Shakes and Energy Products

As a meal replacement option, the Premium Vanilla Fitness Shake (with booster or not) is a convenient and safe way to ensure most of us are getting the optimal nutrition needed to power through until the next meal. I’ve swapped out a shake for a full meal at lunch or dinner a few times a week and had great results in leaning out. But, typically getting lean and dieting for weight loss is not an issue for me, often I’m trying to fill in the gaps in my day where I need extra quality calories (without the junk) – like after a workout or before bed.

Bowflex Body in Shaker

Easy to keep in a gym bag and shake, shake, shake after a workout.

These easy-to-make shakes have become a staple in my post-workout nutrition plan. It’s so important to take in a protein-rich mini-meal within 30 minute of an intense workout or long run. It’s also key that that the meal or shake have a bit of carbohydrates to help the body efficiently process the protein – Bowflex Body makes it so easy!  After finishing the “Murph” CrossFit WOD (1 mile run, 100 pull ups, 200 pushups 300 squats and a final 1 mile run) on Memorial Day, I knew my muscles were going to be screaming for some tasty TLC. I brought along my mixer filled with a scoop of the Premium Vanilla Fitness Shake along with the Rich Chocolate Booster AND the Peanut Butter Protein Booster. I’m greedy like that!  BowFlex Body Fitness Shake and Energy Products

Start Shaking It Up, Here’s How:

Premium 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 8 ounces of unsweetened almond milk and 8 ounces of water and it still tastes great (and my mind thinks I’m getting more). You can also throw a scoop into morning or post-workout smoothie if you like frozen beverages. 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.

BowFlex Fitness Shake

 

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.

Two BowFlex Body Energy Products worth checking out:

bowflex energy

Berry Pomegranate Pre-Energy:  This tasty mix gets you revved up for your workout without the crash of sugar-loaded coffee or energy drinks. It works great for either aerobic or anaerobic activity and has just 80 mg of caffeine with theanine, an amino acid from green tea that helps prevent caffeine jitters and “crash.”

Passion Fruit Daily Energy: Designed to take every day, if needed, this formulation helps with focus, aerobic performance and sustained energy when you need a little extra oomph! Like the Pre-Energy formula this Daily Energy has jitter- and-crash free caffeine from the amino acid theanine found in green tea – just less at 50mg.

You really need to try Bowflex Body nutrition products yourself to discover the fat-burning, health-boosting benefits I’m raving about. Use the discount code BOWFLEXSHAKE to receive 20% off your order along with free shipping and handling. A sampler pack is also available.  Bowflex has a 30-day, 100% guarantee on their products, so you really don’t have anything to lose — except maybe that muffin top or a bad case of the “hangres”! Get more details on the ingredients used in these fitness products and check out the FAQ for answers to common questions. Also, visit BowFlex Body on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Pinterest and connect — they also have a great blog.

Body Boosting #BowFlexBody Fitness Shake + Bodyweight Leg WOD @BowflexBody #BeFitForLife #Fitfluential #Ad

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Also, I am sharing a bodyweight “leg day” exercise that you can do anywhere, no gym required. Have fun!

Bodyweight Leg Exercise Workout

Kick up leg day with this no-equipment-needed workout of bodyweight exercises.

What “Booster” benefit are you most interested in — burning fat, increasting protein, or upping antioxidants? What is your favorite bodyweight leg exercise? Please share in the comments! xoxo Jennifer