Margarita Protein Mug Cake and My Visit to Optimum Nutrition HQ

This post is #sponsored by Optimum Nutrition however all opinions, comments and enthusiasm remain my own.

So, a few weeks ago, I was invited to head out to Chicago to visit the Optimum Nutrition headquarters. I was pretty excited about this because 1) I’m a fan of their products for all phases of my workout and running nutrition (including my own recipe creation) and 2) my inner food nerd can’t resist an invitation to get a behind the scenes look at how the research, development, manufacturing and marketing stages are executed for various brands.Jennifer thefitfork.com Optimum Nutrition HQ

Read on to see what I thought about the whole trip, learn about some of their new products, and also get an easy-peasy Margarita Protein Mug Cake recipe that I created in honor of the trip (and the following Mexico trip I barely got home in time to make!): Continue reading

Cinnamon Mocha Marathon Energy Bites – Running Fuel

Have you thought about what you’re eating for race day fuel? So many winter marathons about to go down in January and February including Walt Disney World Marathon, Rock ‘n’ Roll Arizona, Chevron Houston Marathon, Austin Marathon and more. Plus, trail running season and obstacle course racing season (like Spartan Race) will be ramping up soon. It’s time to start thinking about what tasty yet effective running snacks to pack in those hydration packs, running belts and shorts pockets.Cinnamon Mocha Energy Bites for Marathon

Today, I’m sharing a Cinnamon Mocha Marathon Energy Bite recipe I made especially for 2019 race day badassery. Read on for more! Continue reading

Chai Roasted Persimmons with Gingered Greek Yogurt

When you find a bunch of persimmons, you start thinking of ways to use them up – good thing they actually last for several weeks on the counter! A friend left some homegrown Fuyu Persimmons on my doorstep because she didn’t know what to do with them – but I do! Chai Persimmons with Gingered Yogurt

There are so many ways to eat a persimmon, like an apple, sliced in salads, in salsas and more! Today, I’m sharing a fall-inspired healthy dessert recipe – Chai Roasted Persimmons with Gingered Greek Yogurt. It’s very simple to make and an unexpected treat! Read on to get more info on the fruit along with the persimmon recipe:  Continue reading

Lower Carb Pumpkin Maple Tres Leche Cake

It might seem like pumpkin is on repeat here, but nothing wrong with trying to find another way to enjoy pumpkin this time of year – am I right?! Lovers of this seasonal flavor sensation will love my Lower Carb Pumpkin Maple Tres Leche Cake, a not-so-classic take on a popular Mexican dessert (which means “three milks” cake in Spanish).

Lower Carb Pumpkin Maple Tres Leche Cake

 

Not only does it (lip) smack of pumpkin spice and maple, this pretty much sugar-free cake is free of table sugar (duh), taking the cake down from 56g carbs to just 18g carbs (and 500 calories to 358 calories) thanks to natural sweetener alternatives . . . aka, it’s sugar swap time!  Impress your guests with this feast-worthy and feel good yet low-carb dessert for the holidays – hint, hint, Thanksgiving dessert idea! Continue reading

Keto Caramel Pudding with Toasted Coconut

This post is sponsored by Hiland Dairy but the content and opinions expressed here are my own.

Just because you’re on a low-carb diet, doesn’t mean you have to say “no” to dessert. My Keto Caramel Pudding with Toasted Coconut is rich, creamy and indulgent . . . but with none the sugar.Keto Caramel Pudding with Toasted Coconut

It’s a luxurious, low-carb treat and keto dessert you can gift to yourself (you deserve it) or prepare for company during this upcoming holiday season.  Continue reading