Paleo Butternut Squash Crab Bisque + Start of Holiday Shopping

Paleo Butternut Squash Crab BisqueI love me some soup in colder weather and finally it feels like autumn has arrived in Austin – so bring on the soups, bisques, broths, stews, chilies, cioppinos and other steaming hot heaven in a bowl. A soup that always catches my attention when I’m out running errands is the Butternut Squash Crab Soup from Whole Foods – I indulge in a to-go carton every once in a while but I’d be so much happier if it was more Paleo-friendly.  So, out with the dairy cream and in with the coconut milk, it’s an easy swap that keeps my recipe for Paleo Butternut Squash Crab Bisque a rich and creamy winner.

Paleo Butternut Squash Crab Bisque

Enjoy a nice, big bowl for dinner – or pour into a thermos for lunch at work or a warming treat in the football fan stands. If you can’t find or afford the crab, small salad-sized shrimp from the frozen aisle make a pretty darn good substitute.

 

Songa Designs Bella & Bling CuffAlso, with the holidays coming up, I want to share with you a fabulous gift idea for the women in your life — like a mom, sister, special aunt or best running friend. Even though it seems waaaay to early to start holiday shopping, it’s really not — the craziness of the season sneaks up so fast and I hate to be scrambling for last-minute gift ideas. So, how about a piece of gorgeous, artisan-made jewelry from Songa Designs?! I’m totally loving this Bella & Bling cuff bracelet, it’s a little tough and a lot pretty — and better yet, it’s made with natural fibers and reclaimed stones by women in Rwanda who built up this business to self-empower and create a better life. Be part of this circle of extraordinary women and check out the lookbook — if you’d like to order,use FITFORK15 at checkout for 15% off through Dec. 16th.

Soup or salad — or both? Have you started holiday shopping yet? Please share in the comments below – XOXO, Jennifer

 

Paleo Butternut Squash Crab Bisque
Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
1 hr
Total Time
1 hr 10 mins
 
Warm up with a mug full of this delicious crab bisque brimming with the natural sweetness of apple along with my favorite winter squash.
Course: Appetizer, Main Dish, Soup
Cuisine: American
Servings: 4 servings
Ingredients
  • 1 tbsp coconut oil
  • 1 med sweet onion, chopped
  • 1 large Granny Smith apple, peeled & chopped
  • 2 tsp minced garlic
  • 1 16-oz package (16-oz) package frozen butternut squash cubes, thawed
  • 1 15 to 16 oz can full fat coconut milk
  • 1 cup seafood stock
  • 3/4 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp ground black pepper
  • 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
  • 12 oz lump crab meat
  • Garnish: minced Italian parsley
Instructions
  1. Add coconut oil to large stock pot and heat over medium heat.
  2. Saute onion and apple for 5 to 10 minutes, or until softened, stirring constantly.
  3. Add garlic and sauté until fragrant, about 1 to 2 minutes.
  4. Add butternut squash, seafood stock, coconut milk, and cinnamon; bring to a boil.
  5. Cover, reduce heat to low, and simmer for 45 minutes.
  6. Blend with immersion blender until smooth, and season with salt, black pepper and cayenne – adding more or less, to taste.
  7. Stir in lump crab meat and continue to simmer soup for approximately 5 minutes or warmed through.
  8. Garnish with chopped Italian parsley and additional sprinkle of cayenne.

Thai Coconut Shrimp with Finger Limes ( a freaky little fruit )

Finger Lime Coconut Shrimp Soup made in the style of Tom Kha Gai

What do you do with these weird little limes? They’re called Finger Limes and also “citrus caviar” because of the caviar-like bubbles of tangy citrus pulp on the inside. Exotic fruit afficianaos describe the favor as “tart, lemon-lime with slight herbaceous notes.”  These little-bitty limes hail from Australia’s coastal and rainforest areas – but are also now grown as a specialty product in California.Finger Lime - Citrus CaviarAn enthusiastic citrus-squeezer could make mini margaritas, but I’m saving that as treat to look forward to after my Spartan Beast Dallas race on October 31st (talk about a scary Halloween)!  Tonight I’m sharing a version of a favorite soup, Tom Kha Gai – you know, that spicy Thai soup with chicken and coconut milk. But, I’m doing huge shrimp and lots of limes – it’s a winner, winner for an easy and exotic dinner. You’re going to love this Thai Coconut Shrimp Soup with Finger Limes, especially now that the weather is cooler. If you don’t have finger limes, just swap in two limes sliced thinly and then into quarters. Also, I’ve used a LOT of Instantly Fresh herbs in here (so convenient and next best thing to fresh) — but feel free to swap in fresh chopped if you prefer.Thai Coconut Shrimp Soup with Finger Limes

 

What is your favorite soup? What is your favorite Thai dish? Would you eat soup for breakfast? What’s the weirdest fruit you’ve ever tried? Please share in the comments — XOXO, Jennifer

Thai Coconut Shrimp Soup with Finger Limes
Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
20 mins
Total Time
30 mins
 
This delicious Thai soup is a quick fix and satisfies tastes for spicy and slightly sweet! The finger limes are a delicious addition that makes dinner pop. If you don't have finger limes, just swap in 2 regular limes sliced thinly and quartered.
Course: Main Dish
Cuisine: Asian
Servings: 4 servings
Ingredients
  • 1 tbsp coconut oil
  • 1/2 pint finger limes, sliced thin with peel on
  • 1 lb large shrimp, peeled and deveined but leave tail on
  • 1 15-ounce can lite coconut milk (NOT the coconut milk sold as a beverage in the chilled section)
  • 8 ounces seafood or vegetable stock
  • 1 tbsp Instantly Fresh lemon grass or fresh chopped
  • 1 tsp fresh grated ginger
  • 1 small thai chile
  • 1 tsp Instantly Fresh Mint or fresh chopped
  • 1 tsp Instantly Fresh Basil or fresh chopped
  • 1 tbsp fish sauce
  • salt to taste
Instructions
  1. Add coconut oil to medium-sized stock pot and saute for approximately 1 minute, or until softened. Add stock to pot along with lemongrass, ginger, mint, basil, chili, and limes.
  2. Simmer for 10 minutes. Add in the coconut milk and simmer for another 10 minutes. Salt to taste.
  3. Add in the shrimp and simmer for 8-10 minutes. Serve warm.

Health Buzz and Another Reason to Shop Target

First of all, many planks, thanks and healthy well wishes to my friends checking out Zarbee’s Naturals this week!

Zarbee's Naturals is an easy way to add vitamins to your healthy lifestyle.

Have you ever been caught up in the buzz around a new healthy product you’ve seen on social media? Probably so, considering you’re reading a blog right now and a recent Deloitte study reports that at least 33 percent of us are influenced by the products we see promoted in our social media channels like Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, blogs and others. It’s a good thing and how we all can stay happy, healthy and helping our “hives” — meaning our families and larger communities. For me personally, I trust the opinions of friends I’ve developed via these channels – many are experts in their fields and I rely on them to sniff out the latest and greatest products for optimal health!

However, one of my pet peeves is not being able to easily purchase the product – either it’s an online orders only company (I hate to wait), sold in hard-to-find or overly exclusive stores (I need convenience) or is some sort of distributer or subscription situation. However, Zarbee’s Naturals, that effective and amazingly tasty product line of delicious vitamin drink mixes l blogged about last month, is super easy to find —- it’s at Target!

Zarbee's Naturals Vitamins Mix

Zarbees Naturals at TargetWhoohooo, just when I thought I couldn’t love Target more, they keep upping their awesomeness by stocking some of my favorite things (like Zarbee’s Naturals) in their “Made to Matter – Handpicked by Target” program. It is just SO EASY to run down to my neighborhood target to pick up a few boxes of the chemical-free, safe and natural wellness solutions offered by Zarbee’s Naturals  — look for all six varieties on the Immunity Aisle.

 

Zarbees at Target

In addition to convenience, I appreciate the fact that I know Target is selling me Zarbee’s Naturals at a fair price that won’t bust my budget!  Perhaps, I’ll even have enough left to go treat myself to a new cute workout top or maybe this awesome bike. Or, #allthestarwarsthings

jennifer target bike arbees

Zarbee's Naturals vitamin mix is made with safe, natural and wholesome ingredients.

Amen to these sentiments that Zarbee’s Naturals shares – “In a community, the happier and healthier one person becomes individually, the happier and healthier everyone becomes collectively”.  I believe this is truth for your own personal hive of family members as well as your larger social media family. It’s always the perfect season for being happy and healthy and connecting with friends – so take care of yourself (and your community) with Zarbee’s Naturals.

So, are you a Target fan?!  Do you drink you vitamins? Any races or competitions coming up? 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.

Eat Clean – Better Food Starts with Simple Ingredients

Eat Real Food - TheFitFork.comLet’s get real. Even as fitness aficionado, it’s not easy, nor realistically possible, to eat clean and healthy 100 percent of the time. But, the mindset that it’s just fine to eat clean 80 percent of the time and the other 20% doesn’t matter at all, rubs me a little the wrong way. Yet, it’s so popular – the “80/20 Principle” is pervasive all over the Internets, Twitter, Instagram, other social media and even t-shirts!

The other 20 percent DOES matter – it’s 1/5 of your daily consumption!  Do you drive your car with reckless abandon 20 percent of the time? Do you only balance your bank account 80 percent of the time?  While, I think it’s fine to treat yourself to more indulgent foods as part of a healthy lifestyle that includes plenty of exercise,  it’s still important to make sure those treats are made with better ingredients – whole foods or unprocessed (or very minimally processed) foods, as much as possible.  Dark chocolate is a favorite treat of mine, as is ice cream with whole food ingredients. If you do break and eat freaky foods like Velveeta queso and Diet Mountain Dew (like I did on my recent beach trip), don’t freak and throw out the baby with the bathwater– just get back on track at your next meal. When I’m really being conscience of what I’m eating on a regular basis, even these little wobbles don’t add up to anywhere near 20 percent.

Sunrise yoga handstand fueled by BETTER FOOD!

Sunrise yoga fueled by BETTER FOOD!

Eating better makes you feel better, and when you feel better you have energy to conquer your goals — for me, that’s new yoga poses, obstacle course races, marathon running and more. Better food starts with simple, fresh ingredients free of artificial preservatives, sweeteners, colors and flavors and other nasty stuff that requires a chemistry degree to pronounce – that’s why I love to work with organizations like the Texas Beef Council, the National Watermelon Promotion Board and Litehouse Foods.  Recently I found out that Panera Bread is tidying up their already pretty darn clean menu.  I’ve always enjoyed stopping into this casual spot for a quick meal after the gym, with the kids for a healthier lunch, and even to pick up salads to-go for a busy weeknight dinner.

Panera has always been a more mindful solution than grabbing burgers and fries at a drive-through, they are known for seasonal ingredients, whole grains and well-balanced plates (would you like an apple with your sandwich?!).  Also, I’ve always appreciated the transparency about each menu item’s calorie count and nutritional information. Well, the good just got better and most menu items including salads and dressing are made without artificial sweeteners, colors, flavors and preservatives. The company created a No-No List including chemicals, additives, high fructose corn syrup, and artificial trans fats, etc. (more than 150 ingredients in total) and is currently in the process of removing all of these from their offerings by the end of 2016. I’ve put all the no-no ingredients in a graphic for you to print out or pin.

If it doesn't sound like food, then it's not food. Eat clean.Yesterday, I enjoyed a Strawberry Poppy Seed and Chicken Salad for lunch – it was really too pretty to eat, but I did! It was topped with chicken raised without antibiotics, romaine, fresh strawberries, blueberries and pineapple, mandarin oranges and pecans with fat-free poppy seed dressing with no preservatives or funky stuff.

Strawberry Poppy Seed Chicken SaladThe entire full-sized salad has just 350 calories and yet 29 grams protein – now that’s a lean and mean deal! They have lots of other equally delicious and nutritious options like the new Power Kale and Chicken Caesar topped with handmade Parmesan crisps.

Power Kale and Chicken Salad

What do you think about the “80/20 Rule” ? Have you ever been to Panera?  What is your favorite menu item to order?

Chocolate Orange Pistachio Smoothie Bowl #EasyAsBreeze

This “Easy as Breeze” post is sponsored by Almond Breeze Almondmilk. For more “Easy As Breeze” recipes made with five ingredients or less, visit Almond Breeze on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest.

Keep things simple and sweet with this 4 ingredient Chocolate Mandarin Orange Pistachio Smoothie Bowl.

Summer should be a laid back season where kicking back, relaxing and living the easy life is top priority – but, DANG, I’m busier than ever.  Between juggling work projects, shuttling kids to far-away camps, getting my workouts accomplished (that’s a non-negotiable) and lots of organizing and shopping getting my oldest ready to head off to college, I need a break. If I can’t get a break, I at least need things to be easier – like no make-up, breakfast-for-dinner, do-your-own-laundry easy.

One way to keep life easy is to make uncomplicated yet healthy meals and snacks with five ingredients or less – and especially with ingredients that can be stocked in the pantry so there’s no rushing off to the store. I also have a little secret, when the stress starts piling up, I turn to chocolate (gasp). But, I’ve found several healthy ways to satisfy my sweet tooth without completely falling off the semi clean-eating wagon.  One of my treats is a carton of plain Greek yogurt with a bit of flavored Stevia chocolate syrup mixed in along my favorite cereal on top for crunch, don’t worry it’s gluten-free, bean-blend Power Os!

Chocolate Almond Milk and protein bites -- a great snack!But, HELLO, chocolate! The Chocolate Almond Breeze Almondmilk, is pure heaven. It’s rich and creamy and only has 120 calories per 8 ounce serving – plus, it boasts 50% more calcium than milk.  Even though I don’t have any dietary restrictions, this beverage is ideal for vegans and those with food allergies – there is no dairy, soy, lactose, cholesterol, peanuts, casein, gluten, eggs, saturated fat or MSG. Plus did I mention you can buy it either on the refrigerated dairy section or shelf-stable on the  cereal aisle? It’s just super yummy to drink by the glass full!

Chocolate Orange Pistachio Smoothie Bowl made with Almond Breeze

Chocolate Orange Pistachio Smoothie Bowl horizontalShelf stable means I can keep a carton on hand at all times to curb my chocolate needs – and along with a snack pack of Mandarin oranges, mini chocolate chips and pistachios, I’ve created an “Easy as Breeze” Chocolate Orange Pistachio Bowl simplify and sweeten my summer. Check out the printable recipe below!

Coconut Chia Smoothie Bowl makes a quick, easy and healthy breakfast or post-workout snack.If you love smoothie bowls and exotic spices, you’ll love this Coconut Chai Smoothie Bowl I whipped up earlier in the season with the Unsweetened Almond Coconut Milk from Almond Breeze along with chai spices, cacao nibs and hemp seeds.

 

Other ways I’m keeping summer easy-breezy and as stress-free as possible is by avoiding rush-hour traffic, taking a break from cleaning the house, living in my workout clothes (oh yeah, that’s nothing new), and making meals that don’t require an oven.

How are you making summer easier on yourself? Please share in the comments below! XOXO, Jennifer

Chocolate Orange Pistachio Smoothie Bowl
Prep Time
5 mins
Total Time
5 mins
 
Perfect for a summer breakfast or refreshing post-workout treat -- easy to make and cools you off in the summer.
Course: Beverage, Dessert, Smoothies, Snack
Cuisine: American
Servings: 1 person
Ingredients
  • 12 ounces Chocolate Almondmilk Almond Breeze
  • handful ice
  • 4 ounces Mandarin oranges drained or can use fresh segmented
  • 1/2 tablespoon chopped pistachios
  • 1 teaspoon mini chocolate chips more if you must 🙂
Instructions
  1. Add chocolate almond milk and ice to blender, frappe until well blended. Pour in bowl and let set up in freezer for a couple minutes if needed.
  2. Top with oranges, pistachios and chocolate chips. Enjoy.