Spring (Cookie) Break! Outrageously Delicious, Gluten-Free Treats

Spring Cookie Break - Organic Gluten Free GinnyBakes.comGluten-free baking, it can be a beast. If you’ve ever attempted your own gluten-free adventures in the kitchen, you know the oh-my-gawwwd-this-is-disgusting ogre of which I speak. This monster might eat dense bread, flat cakes and cookies that could double as hockey pucks, but none of my kiddos will come near the majority of my initial gluten-free experiments. Not that I’m trying dissuade you from doing your own gluten-free baking – it can be done up right if you have a reliable recipe and know the tips for success.  I have a couple tried-and-true gluten-free goodies in my repertoire, Baked Honey Pistachio Donuts and Chocolate Chip Cranberry Pumpkin Bread , but many other recipes (like gluten free cookies) are not at all luscious and, frankly, lackluster.  I’ve got a tough crowd to please with my three teen boy taste-testers – you’d think that they’d eat ANYTHING to fill up those hollow legs, put they’re surprisingly persnickety.

cookies from ginnybakes.com

So, I’ve decided there’s no shame in buying cookies, no shame at all. Especially if they are OUTRAGEOUSLY DELICIOUS cookies— enter GinnyBakes.com into my life! Ginny Bakes creates outrageously delicious and certified organic, certified gluten-free, non-gmo cookies, bars and goodies that the whole family can enjoy. Ginny puts a lot of love and mindful attention into her products– all ingredients are grown without the use of pesticides, synthetic fertilizers, genetically modified organisms and ionizing radiation. I appreciate that she’s treating my family with the same care and concern that she gives to her own brood.

Lucy stole our Ginny Minis!

Lucy stole our Ginny Minis!

Cookies fanatics are going to appreciate the wide variety of flavors available, included are Chocolate Chip Love, Chocolate chip Macadamia Love, Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Bill, Coconut Oatmeal Bliss, Double Chocolate Happiness, Buttercrisp Love, Dreamy Vegan Delight and “Ginny Minis,” little bags of bite-sized cookies that are perfect for lunchboxes or purses.

chocolate macadamia nut cookie ginny bakes

gluten free organic brownie mixOh, and if you do have the time to bake but are worried about getting “gluten-free” right or just want to make sure you have quality ingredients, GinnyBakes.com also makes several unbelievable baking mixes.  I tried Lovely Brownie Bliss Baking Mix – let me just say between the organic dark chocolate chips, coconut oil and rich cacao powder, these decadent gluten-free brownie had to HIDDEN from the family for my own personal enjoyment.

I have a couple fun ideas for using the cookies – other than eating straight out of the  box. Crumble them up on Greek yogurt, sandwich two around ice cream or decorate the buttercrisp cookies for whatever reason or season is at hand.

Ginny Bakes Crumbled on Greek Yogurt

Greek yogurt, my homemade chia seed and strawberry sauce, and Ginny Bakes Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookie crumbled on top!

Ginny Bakes products are available online at GinnyBakes.com or at many of your favorite retailers like Target, Whole Foods and Natural Grocers – you can even print off a coupon. Time saved, better tasting, nutritious ingredients, kids happier, mindful munching –you MUST join me at winning at this healthy mom thing!

What is your favorite flavor of cookie?

This post was sponsored by GinnyBakes.com and Sverve

Tart Cherry Chocolate Chip Protein Pancakes & Ab Workout #TryAboutTime

I have no regrets about living a (mostly) clean, healthy lifestyle and saying “no thank you” to a lot of temptations like margaritas, donuts or never-ending breadstick baskets. However, one of the most difficult break-ups in transitioning to a higher protein diet was with pancakes – big, fluffy stacks of carbo-overload yumminess covered in sugary syrup.  About Time Protein Pancakes - TheFitFork.com

So, you can only imagine how thrilled I was to discover About Time Protein Pancake Mix – it’s a hearty, healthy breakfast that offers 21 grams of protein and 6 grams of fiber for about 290 calories. And, it still tastes like delicious comfort food! For me, this pancake mix offers an optimal serving size of protein – I try to take in between 20 – 30 grams during each meal (and snacks). Actually, I learned last year 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.

The Chocolate Chip Protein Pancake Mix (Cinnamon Spice also available) is so easy to make – even on busy mornings (or make ahead and freeze)!  Of course, being a fit foodie, I always have to put my spin on things, so I came up with this “recipe” for Tart Cherry & Chocolate Chip Protein Pancakes. Super simple — I just swapped out cherry juice for some of the water called for on the package and defrosted frozen tart cherries, mashed them with a fork and mixed in stevia and unsweetened, plain Greek yogurt. YUM!

Tart Cherry & Chocolate Chip Protein Pancakes - TheFitFork.com

Tart Cherry & Chocolate Chip Protein Pancakes Recipe 

  • 1 cup dry About Time Chocolate Chip Protein Pancake Mix
  • 1/4 cup tart cherry juice
  • ¼ cup water
  • 1/3 cup frozen tart cherries, defrosted
  • 6 ounces unsweetened, plain Greek Yogurt
  • ¼ teaspoon liquid stevia (or, more or less to taste)
  • Garnish – mini chocolate chips
  1. Whisk together dry mix with cherry juice and water until just blended.
  2. Heat skillet to medium heat (about 325 F degrees).
  3. Cook pancakes until bubbles stop forming and edges are cooked, about 2 minutes. Flip and cook until golden brown, about another 1 minute. Repeat for remaining pancakes (will make 6 – 8 pancakes, depending on size)
  4. While pancakes are cooking, add cherries to a small microwave-safe bowl. Heat on defrost in the microwave until thawed and just a bit warm.
  5. Coarsely mash cherries with back of fork, allow juices to remain in the bowl.
  6. Add Greek yogurt and stevia to cherries, mix to combine.
  7. To serve, arrange pancakes into two stacks. Top with ½ of cherry topping. Enjoy!
  8. Serves 2

About Time AUX Pre-Workout and Fruit & Nut Bars - TheFitFork.com

About Time has so many other great products that fit in with my lifestyle – just a few I’d like to point out are the Paleo-friendly Fruit, Nut and Protein Bars that are great for post-workout or satiating snack and the AUX Pre-Workout Drink (stevia-sweetened) designed to increase metabolic performance and promote rapid recovery. The company believes in complete ingredient transparency, there are no preservatives or yucky chemicals. You’ll be finding both of these products in my gym bag from now on!

And, what would talking about food that keeps athletes fit and looking fierce be without a special workout?!  Try out my About Time Abs Workout – you may not thank me while you’re doing it, but you’ll thank me later!

About Time Abs Workout - TheFitFork.com

 

Have you ever had protein pancakes, what did you think?!

What is your go-to ab or core exercise?

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

7 Heart-Healthy Salads | Raspberry, Feta and Wheat Berries Salad

Seven Heart-Healthy Salads - TheFitFork.com

I have a fondness for salads . . . actually maybe an addiction. Cooked veggies are pretty darn good, but if I don’t get my salad every day, better get out of my way!  What I love about salads is that they are easy to make, can be made-ahead of time to pack in a lunch or wait in the fridge until I get done running.  Many of my salad creations are impromptu, made with pre-cooked lean proteins, healthy pantry staples and whatever produce I find in the bin.  Of course, another benefit of eating salads (that is, if you don’t douse with fattening dressing) is that the ingredients are naturally low-fat and packed with important vitamins, minerals and other nutrients that are so important for the maintenance and protection of your heart and body.  But, don’t just eat salad, exercise too – wink, wink, nudge, nudge.Raspberry & Feta Salad with Wheat Berries

Raspberry & Feta Salad with Wheat Berries – This salad features cooked grains atop a green salad to provide loads of minerals and soak up flavors from the dressing of your choice. This is a favorite salad from the Racing Weight Cookbook (Lean, Light Recipes for Athletes) — a great resource with more that 100 flavorful, easy recipes for athletes that will help you hit (or stay at) your ideal weight without compromising performance.

Raspberry and Feta Salad with Wheat Berries
Prep Time
10 mins
Total Time
10 mins
 
Bright and beautiful, this salad features cooked grains atop a green salad to provide loads of minerals and soak up flavors from the dressing you love best.
Course: Salad
Cuisine: American
Servings: 1 people
Ingredients
  • 6 cups mix salad greens about 5 ounces
  • 1 cup cooked wheat berries or barley pre-cooked
  • 1 cup raspberries
  • 1/2 cup feta cheese, crumbled about 4 ounces
  • 1/2 cup red onion, thinly sliced
Instructions
  1. Divide salad greens between two plates, and top evenly with cooked grains, raspberries, feta and onion.
Recipe Notes

Republished with permission of VeloPress from Racing Weight Cookbook. Try more recipes at www.racingweightcookbook.com.

Blueberry Snap Pea Salad with Chicken - TheFitFork.comBlueberry Sugar Snap Pea Salad with Chicken  –  Delicate, sweet yumminess – there is no other way to describe this entrée salad recipe. As a kid, we used to grow sugar snap peas in the early summer garden – so happy to have them year-round today my market.

 

Tropical Fusion Salad with Spicy Tortilla RibbonsTropical Fusion Salad with Spicy Tortilla Ribbons – This pretty salad of mine is a cover girl, appearing a few years back on the COVER of Taste of Home magazine.  Colorful fruits and veggies topped with oven-crunched tortilla strips make this salad a show-stopping stunner – that is until you announce “dig in!”

2010 MAy taste of home cover

 

 

 

 

Seared Steak and Mango Thai Noodle Salad

Seared Beef & Mango Thai Noodle Salad – The succulent flavor of seared beef pairs exotically alongside sweet mangos – toss in some other veggies and thin rice noodles for a balanced and beautiful meal.

Black Bean, Corn and Avocado Salad - TheFitFork.com

Black Bean, Avocado & Corn Salad – This salad has been a family favorite for years and is actually been declared a contest winner by the California Avocado Commission. A healthy side dish for a BBQ or taco night, but I’ve been known to serve up a big bowl and call it dinner!

Strawberry Cucumber and Spinach Salad - TheFitFork.comStrawberry Cucumber & Spinach Salad – I have a hankering this lush and lovely salad is the one you’ll want to cut out hearts in the cucumbers and serve up to your sweetie on Valentine’s Day.  Serve as a side or top with the lean protein of your choice . . . .might I suggest scallops?!

 

 

Skinny Cranberry Chicken Salad - TheFitFork.com

Skinny Cranberry Pecan Salad – I love chicken salad. Cool, creamy and packed with lean protein, chicken salad is a go-to meal on my family’s overscheduled evenings. This makeover-recipe salad uses Greek yogurt for a healthier (and more protein-packed) meal.

How many times a week do you eat salad?

Describe your favorite salad (homemade or eating out)? 

 

 

My Best Recipes, Workouts & Bloopers of 2014 – TheFitFork.com

On the last day of 2014, I’m sharing a recap of top recipes, workouts and randomness. First, up are the ten most viewed recipes and food-related posts on my blog over the year.  There’s a little bit of something for everyone . . . . any time of the day. Breakfast, lunch, dinner or post-workout snack – I’ve got you covered with one of these healthy, quick-to-fix meals. I have personal favorites that didn’t make the list, like Pumpkin Pecan Oat Pancakes and Garlic & Rosemary Rubbed Tenderloin with Roasted Root Vegetables, and feel like they could have been contenders in this popularity contest if they were posted earlier in the year.

Top Healthy Recipes of 2014 from TheFitFork.com

  1. Mojo Chicken Breast with Grilled Citrus – If you’ve never put citrus on the grill, this will change your world.
  2. Baked Artichoke, Spinach & Blue Cheese Baked Eggs – Ooh, la, la – did you know in France they call baked eggs Oeufs in Cocotte?
  3. Watermelon Ginger Limeade and Watermelon Tips – I’m all about #LivingOnTheWedge
  4. Mom’s Black Bean, Avocado, Corn Salad (California Avocado Commission Contest Winner!)
  5. Iron Rich Recipes for Anemic Runners – You won’t get depleted with this collection!
  6. How to Freeze Avocados & Recipe Ideas – (like Bacon Avocado Stuffed Tomatoes)!
  7. Nut Butter Crispies with Cacao Nibs – Get your post-workout snack here!
  8. Skinny Banana Chocolate Chip Muffins – Moms and kids give this makeover recipe a thumbs up.
  9. Egg & Beef Barn-Raiser Bake – Make ahead for a crowd or keep portions in the freezer for busy mornings.
  10. Seared Steak Thai Salad – This vitamin-packed recipe will have you running to the grill!

Favorite 3 Workouts / WODs of the Year:

Top 3 Workouts 2014 - TheFitFork.com

1) Girls’ Night Workout – What happens at the CrossFit box when the guys are away.
2) Rings of Fire Workout – This workout will leave your body burning.
3) Watermelon WOD – Because, you’ve not been #LivingOnTheWedge until you workout with a 25lb watermelon.

Workout Bloopers &Workout Bloopers from TheFitFork.com Outakes Never Seen Until Now:

1)  I call this “broken wheel” pose.
2)  Okay, so baseball pitching isn’t my thing.
3)  Riding my invisible horse who is jumping across a ravine.

 Top 3 Searches Leading to TheFitFork.com

  1. How to Freeze Guacamole
  2. Complex Carbohydrates
  3. WODs

My 4 Favorite Weirdest Search Terms Leading to TheFitFork.comdog jump rope

  1. Dog Jumping Rope – This just makes me smile.
  2. 21097 – Confused until I realized this is how many meters I covered in my CrossFit ½ marathon ROWING stunt. I don’t think my rear as recovered . . . . and, speaking of butts:
  3. Big Butt Dancing – I would twerk, but ain’t got no junk in my trunk. I’m sure this searcher was very disappointed.
  4. Hamburger Smoothie – Now way, why didn’t I think of this first?!

 

 

One of the SWEETEST Comments Left on TheFitFork.com:

sweet comment

One of the WEIRDEST Comments Left on TheFitFork.com:

strange vein comment

Thank you for reading my blog this year and I am looking forward to sharing a fit and flavorful 2015 with you!

Do you have any big plans for 2015? I have a son going to college (!!), plan on running lots of half marathons, need to feel some beach sand under my toes, and am “finally” going to organize my recipe collection. What about you?

 

Moreo Blondie Bars Loaded with Yum + Cookie Recipes

Moreo Kitchen Sink Blondies - TheFitFork.comIf MORE means “a greater or additional amount,” then my Moreo Blondie Bars have more MORE! This delicious treat is overflowing with a greater amount of good things than I typically eat at once – like Oreo cookies, M&Ms, chocolate chips, lots of butter and sugar.  Even though I preach clean eating most of the time, the holiday season is not the time to say “NO” to festive, frivolous and nourishment of dubious (yet delicious) quality – Halleluiah!  You HAVE to read on after the recipe to see my brother’s awesome idea of MORE – it’s a Cherblumpkin!

Moreo Blondie Bar Cookies with Oreos and Candy - TheFitFork.com

So, if you’re making Christmas cookies at home, these Moreo Blondie Bars are very easy to make – just mix up the ingredients and plop in the pan. I highly recommend lining the baking dish in foil before adding the batter. When baked and cooled, simply lift out the by the foil edges and then neatly slice into bars. If you don’t want to go whole hog, check out my recipe for The Best Ever Chocolate Chip Cookie – it’s a classic.Moreo Blondie Cookie Bar with Milk - TheFitFork.com

Moreo Blondie Bar Recipe

  • 1 cup butter, melted
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 cup light brown sugar
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 15 double stuffed chocolate sandwich cookies, coarsely broken
  • 1 cup broken pretzel pieces
  • ½ cup M & M candies
  • ½ cup dark chocolate chips
  1. Preheat oven to 350 F degrees.
  2. Melt butter in microwave safe bowl. Add sugars and stir until combined and then mix in eggs.
  3. Stir in baking soda, salt and flour until combined, but don’t over mix.
  4. Mix in crushed cookies, pretzels, candies and chocolate chips until evenly incorporated.
  5. Line 9” x 13” baking pan with foil; spray foil with cooking spray.
  6. Add dough to pan, patting down with fingers or spatula.
  7. Bake on center rack for 25 minutes or until edges and top turning light golden brown and center looks set.
  8. Let cool completely in pan.  Remove contents from pan by lifting foil. Peel sides of foil back and cut into 12 bars.

Cherblumpkin Cake - Cherry on Blueberry on Pumpkin

Here it is . . . .the Cherblumpkin! It’s a cherry pie stacked on a blueberry pie stacked on a pumpkin pie – frosted to look like a layer cake. The contest was for Cherpumpple (cherry-pumkin-apple),but my little brother shook up the system with his heart stopper of a pie-cake hybrid, so proud of him.

Cherblumpkin - Cherry Blueberry Pumpkin Pie Cake

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Virtual-Cookie-Exchange-recipes-galoreIf you need more holiday goodie ideas, the Fitfluential ambassadors having a Virtual Cookie & Treat Link Up. Lots of goodness here, recipes to suit both sensible and sinful cookie bakers!

What’s your favorite holiday baked item — please share?