Best Recipes for Taco Day + Beef Texas Stories

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Hard, soft, puffy, or wrapped in lettuce, I have spicy, hot taco love. Wow, that sounds a little naughty, but who cares — it’s National Taco Day on Sunday, October 4th!  Just wanted to give you a heads up and share some of my favorite taco recipes (and taco-inspired takeoffs) for breakfast lunch and dinner!

Tacos and Takeoff recipes

Pomegranate Steak Taco with Blue Cheese

Pomegranate Steak Taco with Blue Cheese – get my recipe at TxBeef.org

Also, who doesn’t love a BEEF taco, they’re some of the best — spice up a traditional grind or make tacos with your leftover steak. I also like to put a chuck roast in the slow cooker and make fork-tender shredded beef for Taco Tuesday (and every other day of the week)! You can check out the Beef Taco Roundup I did for the Beef Loving Texans Blog, I’m sure you’ll find a new favorite — maybe even my own recipe for Pomegranate Steak Tacos with Blue Cheese . Beef Recipes for Taco Day

And, since I talk so often about the badassery of beef, please head over to check out Texas Stories — Tales of beef-raising and beef-loving folks across the Lone Star State.  You’ll get to meet some of the faces behind beef here in my home state — ranchers, chefs, barbecue experts, health advocates — and me! Such an honor!

Texas Beef Council - Texas Stories

Yee-Haw! Talkin’ #TacoDay Recipes #MadTacoLove + Texas #Beef Stories

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How will you be celebrating National Taco Day? What is your favorite taco — or the craziest one you’ve ever tried? Please share in the comments – XOXO, Jennifer

 

 

 

9 Minute Core Workout for Runners #GratefullyUndead

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Back in the day, my running coach would always yell at me tell me to knock out some crunches after practice. La, la, la (hands over ears), I can’t hear you! I would usually ignore him, as I was in my 20s and felt nothing really got in the way of me running well. Well, that’s when my body was fresh and new and I  could bound right out of bed for a long run after knocking out a nauseating amount of 800m repeats the night before.

jennifer boa standing

But then I had three kids, got a little older and started noticing that the sorest parts of my body after a long run, half marathon or marathon race was my lower back and lower abs. It made sense when I stopped to realize just how much core muscles come into play with running mechanics. The muscles in the abdominal area, lower back, and glutes provide so much of the power, stability and endurance needed for surging up hills, sprinting to the finish, and maintaining proper running for miles on end.

9 Minute Core Workout for Runners

So, today, I’m sharing a 9 Minute Core Workout for Runners that will keep you strong and ready to run long.  Just tack it onto the end of a cool down run and grab a friend for accountability– it’s less than 10 minutes, so no excuses!

Also, I want to mention an awesome running brand that I’ve become reacquainted with — BOA.  Some of the flashiest, most fun running shorts and tops I’ve ever worn in my 25 year history of running have been made by this sportswear company — even back in the 90s when working out core was a bore.

I love their new #GratefullyUndead collection at BOA USA, brightly-colored but still so bad ass prints that you’ll blaze a head-turning trail right to the finish line. In the women’s line, you’ll find running shorts in a couple lengths, bra tops, singlet tanks and fitted (bootie) shorts – and there’s running apparel for the guys too.

BOA Gratefully Undead Running Shorts

Right now, through midnight EST Oct 12th, you can get 20% off your total purchase with the discount code JENNIFER20 at BOAUSA.com. Order(s) must contain at least one item from the Gratefully Undead collection to qualify for 20% discount and excludes sales items. Check it out here.

9 Min Core Workout for Runners @myBOAUSA #GratefullyUndead #ad

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jen trail run boaDrop me a comment if you have any questions about BOA, the sizing, how to perform a specific core exercise or running chat in general! XOXX — Jennifer

This post sponsored by BOA USA. However, all opinions, advice and enthusiasm my own.

EnlightenMINT Mint Protein Smoothie #BeFitForLife

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EnlightenMINT Protein SmoothieOne of the perks of finding a really good vanilla protein powered like Bowflex French Vanilla Fitness Shake is that it can be the body-making base for so many healthy recipes – everything from whips, ice creams, baked goods (like my protein donuts) and more! Of course a smoothie is a smart way to use protein powder and my EnlightenMINT Mint Protein Smoothie will leave you with a whole new understanding of light, bright smoothiliciousness while enjoying a full feeling that won’t fatten you up (just 200 calories following the recipe).

EnlightenMINT Protein Shake with Bowflex Fitness Shake

In addition to the Bowflex French Vanilla Fitness Shake mix, this EnlightenMINT Mint Protein Smoothie features bits of frozen banana, pineapple, kale and fresh mint leaves.  It’s so good, you’ll want do double the recipe to share with a friend.

Here’s how you make it:  Add 10 ounces of water to blender jar along with one scoop French Vanilla Fitness Shake powder, 3 oz. frozen banana (about 1/2), 2 oz. frozen pineapple, one kale leaf torn in shreds and 6 mint leaves. Process until smooth, adding ice to desired consistency. Serves 1.

Eating enough protein not only helps slim you down and fill you out in all the right places! That’s right, you can build a better bod by making sure you’re getting 25 – 30 grams of protein and EVERY meal and supplementing with protein-rich snacks throughout the day and at bedtime if you are an athlete or lead a very active lifestyle. Eating enough protein helps create a feeling of satisfaction after meals and keeps sugar crashes away. Research shows that adequate protein at meals starting in the morning can lead to weight loss and management. And, most of us runners, CrossFitters, weight-lifters and other fitness aficionados know that protein after an intense workout is a MUST to support the body’s ongoing growth, repair, and maintenance of its skeletal muscle groups. And, for those of us over 40 years old, it helps fight off Father Time at a time when muscle mass is allegedly supposed to be diminishing.

Fit Girl Abs

So, I’ll let you know one of my stay lean secrets. I’ve been drinking Bowflex French Vanilla Fitness Shake all summer and into the fall – it truly is one of the best-tasting protein powders I’ve ever had straight from the shaker bottle. Just put a scoop in with ice and water and give a good shake. It’s has a creamy and rich taste without the addition of anything but water, but you can add one of the Boosters designed for specific purposes:

The fitness shake on its own (not the smoothie recipe) has only 125 calories per serving and 15 grams of the highest quality proteins. In addition you get 5g 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, whahoo!  So nutrient dense, the Bowflex French Vanilla Fitness Shake makes a great meal replacement once a day to drop a few pounds quickly and safely (check out the success stories). For those of you who need more food to fuel your warrior day or want to build muscle, I suggest adding the Peanut Butter Protein booster (+10g) for sustained energy and some extra quality calories.

Bowflex Body Fitness Shake Protein Powder and Boosters

 

Ahhh! EnlightenMINT Protein Smoothie #BowflexBody @Bowflex #Fitfluential #Ad

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Bowflex Fitness Shake and BoostersTry it for yourself! Use the discount code BOWFLEXSHAKE to get 20% off products along with free shipping and handling. Plus, the company has a satisfaction-guaranteed policy. Check it out!

So, do you have a favorite smoothie recipe? Do you like mint? Have you met your abs?  Please share in the comments below — XOXO, Jennifer

 

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

Speedy Orange Jalapeno Salmon – Fueling More Fun

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Orange Jalapeno Salmon makes a quick and healthy weeknight meal. Served on a bed of brown rice mixed with quinoa.You can’t beat salmon for a quick weeknight dinner — I probably eat it once a week and have fixed it up so many ways. I still can’t stop thinking about that time I skewered up salmon filets, completely wrapped them in bacon and threw on the grill! That’s when I was experimenting with fat-loading for a marathon. That’s a whole ‘nutha story.

orange jalapeno salmon toes

Firefly Pose Yoga - Jennifer Fisher - TheFitFork.comI’m not bringing bacon back today, but I am sharing a recipe for Orange Jalapeno Salmon that keeps the flavor kicked up with a punch of pepper. Many similar recipes do an orange marmalade in the sauce, but I’ve opted that out to avoid added sugar. This recipe is sure to become a favorite on fish day – plus it can be finished in 30 minutes, freeing you up to spend your late afternoons in more leisurely pursuits. Of course, “leisurely” is a relative descriptor, because the hour I spent trying to straighten my legs out practicing the yoga “firefly pose” was, errr, a little more challenging that leisurely.

If you’re looking for other ways to eat this heart-healthy fish, check out the 100 Ways to Cook with Salmon from CookingLight.com — you’ll never get bored with salmon again!

Salmon Recipes from Cooking Light are easy and packed with important nutrients.

Speedy Orange Jalapeno Salmon + 100 ideas with my fav fish #CLblogger #Fitfluential

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What is your favorite fish? Do you have a secret salmon recipe? If you had and extra hour of free time, what would you do?  Please share in the comments below — XOXO, Jennifer

Print
Speedy Orange Jalapeno Salmon
Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
20 mins
Total Time
30 mins
 
Course: Main Dish
Cuisine: American, Southwestern
Servings: 4 servings
Ingredients
  • 1/2 cup fresh-squeezed orange juice
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 - 2 jalapeños, stemmed, seeded and sliced
  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 1/2 pounds salmon about 1” thick (4 filets or half a side)
Instructions
  1. Add orange juice, oil, jalepenos, cilantro, garlic, salt and pepper in a small food processor or blender and pulse for about 30 seconds to a minute until combined. Set aside.
  2. Heat oven to 400 F degrees. Place salmon, skin side down, into 2” rimmed pan or oven proof skillet that has been rubbed with oil. Top with orange slices. Pour marinade over top and bake for 15 to 20 minutes, or until opaque.
  3. Serve on a salad or favorite whole grain -- pictured with 50/50 mixture of brown rice and tri-color quinoa.

Beef, Quinoa and Feta Meatballs – Ground Round Goodness

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Beefy Quinoa Meatballs

On top of spaghetti or even nestled in a lettuce wrap, meatballs are a mainstay in my weeknight dinner rotation – the kids love them and so do I!  In fact, there is usually a stampede to kitchen to see who can get served first! These spherical mounds of ground meat goodness can be made from just about anything, but I like to use ground beef – preferably a 90/10 ground sirloin to keep them a bit leaner yet still offer loads of satisfying flavor.

Beef Quinoa Meatballs

I’m expecting a stampede to the dinner table with this beef meatball recipe!

Today, I have a deliciously nutritious recipe for you — Beefy Quinoa Feta Meatballs in Lettuce Wraps. Yup, that’s right – instead of bread crumbs or another filler, I’ve added quinoa to act as the binder in these yummy meatballs – this little swaperoo makes them ideal for folks following gluten-free, Paleo or low carb diets.  Quinoa, an edible seed that is a good source of nutrients including fiber, iron, magnesium, folate and heart-healthy omega 3s, is also considered a complete protein in itself with all the requisite amino acids. What a dynamic duo – a double punch of protein thanks to beef and quinoa, both superfoods!

Beef Quinoa Feta Meatballs

Not only to you kick up the protein with this beef quinoa meatball recipe, it also helps to stretch your food budget – adding the cup of cooked quinoa to ground beef lets you roll up a few more meatballs for hardly any more money (meaning, you can buy that better sirloin grind). And, in my family, more meatballs more happy boys and less arguing over who gets second servings.

Beef Quinoa Meatball Lettuce Wraps

You could serve these Beefy Quinoa Feta Meatballs  over the pasta of your choice or even a sub sandwich. I personally love them wrapped up in “bowls” of Bibb lettuce and drizzled with a tangy Greek yogurt dressing like a tzatzikis sauce – for convenience try OPA by Litehouse™ Feta Dill for the perfect lower-cal pairing.

Lil Critters Beef Meatball Bento BoxAlso, a fun kid-friendly idea for quickly-approaching October lunchbox duty — ‘Lil Critters Beef Meatball Bento Box. I made this happy monster meal in a post on ways to beef up a bag lunch for BeefLovingTexans.com — please visit to see the other ideas!

Goodness Gracious, Great Balls of #Beef and Quinoa! #Fitfluential #LivingLitehouse Meatball #recipe

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How would you serve these meatballs? Have you ever used quinoa for anything other than a side dish? Please share in the comments below — XOXO, Jennifer

 

 

 

Beef Quinoa Feta Meatballs
Print
Beef Quinoa Feta Meatballs
Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
18 mins
Total Time
28 mins
 
Create a hearty meal that will please the whole family. These meatballs are packed with wholesome, nutritious ingredients like lean ground beef and quinoa and can be served over pasta or in lettuce leaves.
Course: Main Dish
Cuisine: American, Italian
Servings: 6 servings (24 mini meatballs)
Ingredients
  • 1 cup cooked and cooled quinoa (from approximately ½ cup dry)
  • 1 pound 90% lean ground beef
  • 5 ounces crumbled Feta cheese I used Artisan Reserve brand
  • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parseley
  • 1 teaspoon course ground black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon salt
Instructions
  1. Preheat the oven to 400°F. Line a large baking sheet with foil and spray with cooking spray; set aside.
  2. In a large bowl, mix together cooked quinoa, ground beef, cheese, parseley, salt and peppers until well combined. Using hands or a melon-baller, shape into 24 balls and transfer to the prepared baking sheet.
  3. Roast in oven until cooked through and golden brown, 15 to 18 minutes (internal temperature should reach 165 F degrees).
  4. Serve as desired -- in lettuce leaves, with pasta or in a sandwich are some ideas to get you started!