Category Archives: Snack

That’s It. Fruit Bars – Fuel Your Race . . . or Space! #Giveaway

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That's It Fruit Bars - TheFitForkNutritionally, these That’s It.® fruit bars seriously sound – despite . . .or, make that due to, their simplicity. That’s It takes Mother Nature’s natural bounty and conveniently packages it up for snacking on the go.  Their best-selling bars are a combination of two fruits (imagine apple blueberry or apple mango) – and that’s it! There are NO added juices, sugars, concentrates, purees, artificial colors, preservatives, flavorings or the like. Each bar is the equivalent of two servings of fruit, yet has just 100 calories and a nice supply of important vitamins, minerals and fiber (2g to 3g). How does non GMO, non-fat, gluten free kosher, vegan, and raw sound? Roger that! And, even though these bars are made with just fruit, they are diabetic friendly with a low Glycemic Index!  Parents love them, kids love them, and athletes like me love them thanks to the convenience, great taste and natural quality carbs that provide quick energy for sports performance.

Oh, and did I mention that astronauts love them too?! Just back in December, That’s It.® took off in space to join astronauts on the International Space Station. After being tested at NASA’s food lab, the bars were given the thumbs up for the cargo mission making them truly “out of this world.” We were at the McDonald Observatory in Ft. Davis, Texas near that time and I kept looking up at the zillion stars in the sky imaging just where those bars were! I did, in fact, see several satellites orbiting (seriously) and imagined them to be like intergalactic ice-cream trucks that were instead delivering That’s It fruit bars!

That's It Fruit Bars now being servied on International Space Station

Because the bars have an 18 month shelf life, are individually wrapped and withstand a wide range of temperatures, they are a natural choice to fuel scientists up in space – and also to keep on-hand for us mere earthlings as we enjoy camping trips, trail running, ultra-marathoning, obstacle course racing, after-school snacks, and any other activity on the planet.

That's It fruit bar - nine flavors

I’m so happy to be able to share the That’s It.®  love and goodness! I’m giving away Sample Pack (featuring full-size bars in all 9 flavors) in honor of this company’s stellar achievement in getting their product such intergalactic acclaim! Follow the That’s It.®  journey into space on the That’s It! Facebook Page  and enter my giveaway via the Rafflecopter app below. Meanwhile, you can purchase these smart snacks at Starbucks, Kroger, Target, Whole Foods and online at That’s It.®

Enter #giveaway #healthysnacks for race or space @thatsitfruit #spon

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This post and giveaway are sponsored by That’s It.®, however, all opinions and enthusiasm are my own!
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Snack Smart in New Year – #SimplyProtein Bars & Chips Giveaway

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What do you eat when you’re having a snack attack?  I’ll be honest and say that I WANT and occasionally DO reach for candy-coated chocolates or buttery, salty popcorn when my tummy starts talking (sometimes explicatively). But this is not the way to feeling good for the remainder of the day, protein rich snacks are the way to go and I blog about this all the time – and try my best to walk (and eat) the talk at least 90% of the time.

Simply Protein Giveaway

One brand I loveee, love, love is Simply Protein – and I’m sharing this addiction (keep reading to the bottom of the post). Simply protein makes a flavorful array of bars and snacks that are packed with energy-sustaining, muscle-making protein – my energy level typically stays even without sugar rushes or crashes for about 3 hours.

The name Simply Protein just says it all. Well, almost ALL – with flavors like Banana-Caramel-Cashew, Cocoa-Raspberry and BBQ Tomato, maybe they should be renamed Simply Delicious Protein!  In addition to being high in protein, all products low sugar, gluten free and they contain no artificial sugars – most products are also non-GMO, high in fiber, high in iron. These are the perfect protein snacks for everyone including athletes, busy moms, children, diabetics and others with special dietary needs (some products vegan and kosher).

simply protein bars

Simply Protein makes lots of yummy protein bars in different flavors and formats – there is something for everyone, including Kid’s Bars! I have a special place in my heart (and gym bag) for the Lemon Coconut Protein Bar – it’s a zesty way to refuel with the protein my muscles need to mend after a workout or intense run.  Plus, the lemon and sweet coconut in a crunchy bar takes the edge off my sweet tooth. Each of these 150 calorie Lemon Coconut bars has only 1 gram of sugar, balanced by its 7 grams of fiber and 15 grams of protein.

Here are the Lemon Coconut Protein Bar details so you can get an idea of the nutritional quality.  lemon coconut bar nutrition

Simply Protein ChipsAnother Simply Protein product I can’t resist is a bag of the Savory Protein Chips. Baked with real ingredients and 15g of protein, I stay fuller longer and my energy is sustained throughout the day – such a better choice than hitting the vending machine.  Four flavorful choices to choose from, but I must say I crave the Spicy Chile Protein Chips with their smoky, peppery profile. For just 150 calories per bag and 15 grams of protein and 20% of daily iron, these are a smart choice for snacking — I always pack a bag when travelling (so I don’t get the airplane hangries)! Also, they make excellent croutons!

Simply Protein Spicy Chile chips

You’ll want to enter the giveaway for a box of the Spicy Chile Chips (12 per box) and case of Lemon Coconut Protein Bars (15 per box) – but go ahead and stock up in the meantime. Right now, there is a New Year’s Special where you can save 10% on orders under $75, save 20% on orders over $150 and save 15% on orders between the two (details on the site).  Too many delicious sounding choices to choose from? Try a sample pack before you commit to a large order – you get to taste all of the best-sellers.
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SimplyProteinI am a Wellness Ambassador for Simply Protein who is the sponsor of this giveaway, however all opinions and enthusiasm are my own.

5 Easiest Ever Almond Ideas for Holiday Party

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Blue Diamond Almonds on treeTime to get serious about last minute holiday preparations; it’s the final countdown to Christmas! I still have some shopping and wrapping to do, cookie baking with the kids, and prepping for my contributions to the huge family feast on Christmas Eve — oh and the brunch I’m hosting on Christmas Day.

Enjoy family movie night with Pop Secret popcorn and this genius container hack for serving up the snack!In between all this, we’re squeezing in a Star Wars movie marathon of past prequels and sequels – even though we’ve seen these classic flicks numerous times, it’ll be good to be fresh for the new Star Wars – The Force Awakens.

So, we’ll need snacks – lots and lots of snacks, and preferably healthy things to nosh and nibble on that won’t make a mess in my media room! Almonds are one of my go-to choices for healthy appetizers and snacks – they punch a nice little pack of protein and are great source of other nutrients, especially iron, vitamins A and C, and dietary fiber. Another great thing about almonds (Blue Diamond Almonds are my favorite) is just how easy they are to incorporate into entertaining.  Today, I’m sharing five fun and easy ways to crunch and much on almonds this holiday season – and into the New Year, too!

  1. Simply eat almonds straight out of the can (or fancy serving bowl). I’ve never seen a soul walk past delicious almonds and not stop to pick up a few! A one-ounce serving (about 23 almonds) pairs perfectly win a light cocktail or glass of sparkling water.Almonds for Holiday Entertaining
  2. This idea is for the kids (of any age) – Almond Lover Gingerbread Men! To keep it easy, use store-bought cookies and simply melt a chocolate chip on one hand (or pipe a dot of frosting) and press down gently with an olive. Use a piping bag filled with frosting to decorate with a little edible bow!Almonds for Holiday EntertainingEasy Almond Lover Gingerbread Men
  3. This is one of my favorite snacks with almonds — Almond Chocolate Apricot Bites! Just layer up the three ingredients (melt the chocolate chip if you want to be fancy so that all the ingredients stick together) and, viola, a yummy 20-calorie treat in mere minutes.20 Calorie Apricot Almond Chocolate Bites
  4. Chocolate Almond Popcorn – could this be easier?! Air pop some kernels and then, while still warm, top with your favorite flavor of Blue Diamond Almonds and chocolate chips. Toss together so the chocolate slightly melts – it’s like being at the movie theater and dumping candy into your big tub, but healthier!Popcorn with Chocolate Chips and Almonds makes a healthy salty-sweet snack!
  5. Almond Lover Cookies are a favorite with my boys and only take a few minutes to whip up a batch and 12 minutes to bake – if short on time, double up a batch the week before and keep in the freezer!jennifer fisher- thefitfork- almond lover cookies
5 Easiest Ever @BlueDiamond Almond Ideas for Holiday Party #Ad

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What are your stress-free ways to enjoy almonds, aside from straight out of the can?! Oh, and have you seen the new Star Wars movie yet — just a thumbs up or down, no spoilers! Let me know in the comments below — XOXO, Jennifer 

This post was sponsored by Blue Diamond Almonds. However, all comments, ideas and enthusiasm are my own. 

Spicy-Sweet Smokehouse Bacon Almond Granola #GameChangingFlavor

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This post is sponsored by Blue Diamond Almonds. Ditch the chips and grab some Game Changing Flavors this football season! Enter for a chance to win the Ultimate Football Party Prize Pack, get great savings and ideas for delicious snack hacks at GameChangingFlavors.com .Smokehouse Bacon Almond GranolaWe take football SERIOUSLY here in Texas.  Friday nights are spent under the lights cheering on the hometown boys and socializing with friends. All day Saturday is set aside for tailgating and stomping boots in the fan stands of our hometown college team (or Pop Warner) and Sunday and Monday we gather ‘round the big screen to rally behind our favorite professional teams. Pop Warner Football - TheFitFork.com

So, during the season, it’s not uncommon to have four straight days of football. Oh, and the holiday bowl games – those may be the best because usually all the family and friends are around to celebrate! You may not believe this, but it’s TRUE – every year my family pushes our Thanksgiving feast from Thursday to Friday just so some of us can attend a very important collegiate game. Like I said, football is serious business in these parts.

Healthy Football Snack StadiumSecond to the serious excitement of the gridiron action is the snack table lineup. Actually, I know some (okay, maybe me) would say that good football grub is the most important part of the day – in fact, I go nuts for football food! Nuts, especially almonds, are always part of my starting snack lineup and they pair with everything from cold-cut sandwiches, pizza, wings and healthier things – including the over-the-top Healthy Snack Stadium I crafted for a big bowl game last year!

 

Salty Sweet Smokehouse Almond Bacon GranolaThis football season, I’m serving up Salty-Sweet Smokehouse Almond Bacon Granola – a real winner based on how many times I have to refill the bowl even before half-time!  People are like “bacon granola?!” and I’m like “heck, yeah!” – it’s spicy, sweet, smoky, salty, what more could you want? Everyone knows that bacon makes everything better, but so do almonds!  Almonds are little powerhouses of nutrition – a handful (about an ounce or 23 nuts) has 163 calories, 6 grams of protein and 14 grams of heart-heathy fat along with all sorts of essential vitamins, minerals and other nutrients.  I especially like almonds for a snack because they are hunger-squashing and keep me satisfied until my next meal!

Smokehouse Bacon Almond Granola winning snack for game day.Smokehouse Bacon Almond Granola

A bowl full of this Salty-Sweet Smokehouse Almond Bacon Granola is definitely going to satisfy the snack cravings of the biggest armchair linebacker or peppiest cheerleader at your party. The bacon definitely pushes this easy granola recipe into the Snacking Hall of Fame (okay, I made that up), but it is also balanced with healthy ingredients like whole grain oats, dried pears (or apples), quinoa, flax seeds, real maple syrup and more.

 

 

THIS –> Spicy-Sweet Smokehouse Bacon Almond Granola #GameChangingFlavors @BlueDiamond

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What’s the craziest bacon recipe you’ve made or tried? What is your go-to game day snack? Please share in the comments below – XOXO, Jennifer

Smokehouse Bacon Almond Granola winning snack for game day.
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Spicy-Sweet Smokehouse Bacon Almond Granola
Prep Time
5 mins
Cook Time
20 mins
Total Time
35 mins
 
Take game day flavor to the next level with with this bacon and almond granola that is spicy, sweet, salty, smoky -- and so amazingly delicious.
Cuisine: Southwestern
Servings: 4 cups
Ingredients
  • 1 6 ounce can Blue Diamonds Smokehouse Flavor (divided)
  • 6 slices thick hardwood smoked bacon
  • 1 to 2 teaspoons ground cayenne pepper depending on "spiciness" desired
  • 1/2 cup real maple syrup
  • 2 cups oats
  • 2 tablespoons uncooked quinoa
  • 2 tablespoons flax seeds
  • 2/3 cup diced dried pears or apples
Instructions
  1. In small food processor or with knife, chop 3 ounces of almonds (1/2 Blue Diamond can); leave other half of can whole. Set both aside.
  2. In large skillet, cook bacon over medium-high until moderately crispy (don’t over-cook). Remove bacon to drain on paper towels and coarsely chop up. Don’t dispose of bacon fat.
  3. Keep about ½ cup of bacon fat in skillet along with all the delicious crispy bits left behind. Add cayenne pepper and stir into bacon fat until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add maple syrup to this mixture, stirring constantly and allowing to bubble up for about one minute. Remove from heat. In medium bowl, toss together oats, quinoa, flax seed, chopped bacon, dried pears, chopped almonds and whole almonds. Stir oat mixture into bacon fat - maple syrup mixture until evenly coated.
  4. Preheat oven to 325 F degrees. Spread granola mixture out onto baking sheet and lightly press down with back of spoon to compact a bit.
  5. Bake at 325 F for about 10 – 12 minutes. Remove from oven and allow to cool for 15 minutes and them break into chunks

Jalapeno Havarti Cheese Bombs + Movie Night Entertaining #UnlockYourChef

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I don’t know if I’m swooning more over creamy, velvety Castello cheese or the new Bradley Cooper movie, Burnt, that opened in theaters nationwide on October 30th. Which would you prefer, a hunk of Havarti or a sizzling hot chef?  I say YES to both!  Oh, and in addition to the movie night entertaining fun, there’s also a fabulous sweepstakes to enter – read to the bottom for details.

Bradley Cooper in Burnt

Castello® cheese is ready to “Unlock Your Inner Chef” and help you make everyday occasions delicious, indulgent and special. Bradly Cooper can do that too, but I think it will be easier to get your hands on Castello® cheese – it’s available in the fine cheese section of a variety of retailers nationwide.  Making cheese since 1893, Castello brings both innovation and tradition to the art of cheese making – Havarti, Blue cheese and Crème cheese are their specialty.

Castello Havarti with Jalapeno Cheese

Plan to go see Burnt movie on your next girl’s night out, that way you can drool at all the yumminess (and I don’t just mean food) without offending your date. In the meantime, I created a delicious appetizer recipe that will heat up your movie night entertaining at home – Jalapeno Havarti Cheese Bombs.

Jalapeno Havarti Cheese Bombs

close up gavartiThis recipe uses the Havarti with Jalapeno Castello® cheese. The mild, butter taste of Havarti is kicked up with spicy jalapenos and is yummy served on a cheese board in cubes or ooey-gooey and marvelously melty in my easy appetizer recipe.

 

The Jalapeno Havarti Cheese Bombs are super simple to make and take only five minutes to prepare and 15 minutes to bake.  Basically, by the time your “coming attraction” previews are over, these melted cheese stuffed rolls are ready to serve.

Jalapeno Havarti Bombs

Jalapeno Havarti Cheese Bombs Recipe

  • 6 ounces (approximately) Havarti with Jalapeno Castello® cheese, cut into 10 cubes
  • 1 can refrigerator biscuits, 10 per package (regular size, not “grand” size)
  • 3 Tablespoons butter
  • 1/3 cup crushed tortilla chips
  • 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese, chopped fine in a food processor or mini-chopper
  • 1 teaspoon dried cilantro
  • 10 jalapeno slices

Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 375 F degrees.
  2. Slightly flatten each biscuit with fingers. Place a cheese cube in the middle and wrap the biscuit dough around the cube, sealing the edges. Roll between palms to make uniform ball shape. Repeat with remaining cheese and biscuits.
  3. Roll the cheese wrapped dough with your hands to make a ball shape. Complete this step with all the dough and cheese before going on to the next step.
  4. In a small bowl, melt the butter in the microwave, approximately 20 seconds. Set aside.
  5. In another small bowl, combine the crushed tortilla chips, Parmesan and dried cilantro.
  6. Roll each cheese bomb in butter and then roll or dip in the crumb mixture
  7. Place each cheese bomb on the baking sheet approximately 2 inches apart. Lightly press a jalapeno ring into the top of each
  8. Bake on the center rack for 14 to 16 minutes or until lightly golden brown.
  9. Makes 10.

Castello and Burnt SweepstatkesVisit the Castello & Burnt site for more delicious inspiration and recipe ideas inspired by the film Burnt — and also to enter the Unlock Your Inner Chef sweepstakes for a chance to win great prizes. Prizes include a private cooking class for two and a year’s worth of Castello cheese.

Jalapeno Havarti Cheese Bombs with @CastelloUSA cheese! + #Win #UnlockyourChef #sp https://ooh.li/1e1267c

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So, what is your favorite thing to snack on during movie night at home? Who is your favorite hunky, heart throb actor? Please share in the comments below – XOXO, Jennifer