Chocolate Covered Strawberry Banana Boats | Grilled Recipe #ConquerTheMess

Summer means sticky. There is just no way to avoid the heinous heat and humidity that comes with August in my part of Texas. Sticky, sticky, sticky, it can make a mother grouchy if she lets it! I keep my parental cool when summer temps and the kids’ tempers flare with a toolbox of tactics to chill out.  Yup, let’s stay in our bathing suits all day long, crank up the songs of summer, eat easy clean up desserts and, by all means, stay out of the kitchen (I’d hate to heat up the house)!

Chocolate Covered Strawberry Banana boats are an easy, foil-packet recipe that kids love for taste and moms love for easy clean up (and extra fruit as dessert)!My boys have been clamoring for chocolate chip cookies, but no way I’m turning on the oven!  Despite the heat, they want a summer treat that is warm and gooey – Chocolate Covered Strawberry Banana Boats are the solution.

jennifer fisher - grilled bananas - main photo option1The kids learned a version of this simple foil-packet dessert at Boy Scout camp in years past and we’ve created many versions at home, including this Raspberry Chocolate Banana Boat. So much for a mom to love about these easy desserts – it’s made on the grill, kids can make them on their own with parental supervision,  you’re sneaking in extra fruit to the diet, and there are no dishes to clean up as these treats roast in their own skins.

Chocolate Covered Strawberry Banana Boats and Wet Naps  go hand in hand!

The only clean up after diving face first into this ooey-gooey foil-packet dessert are messy mouths and sticky fingers. Yay,  Wet-Nap® Hands, Face, & Body Cleansing Wipes.  These wipes are one of the most multi-purposed, genius products of summer living. I started using Wet-Nap®  when the kids were toddlers, but now they’re teens – and just as messy! Safe on the face, body and hands, these wipes are awesome after stick recipes like the banana boats, but also a great way to refresh after running, working out and sitting in the fan stands watching the kids’ sports in sweltering heat. I keep a container in the car, my gym bag and purse!

Kids, Messy Desserts and Wet Naps

 

Wet-Nap® help tidy messes that life throws at us every day – this includes easy clean up desserts and easy clean up recipes and easy clean up crafts (just imaging the convenience for toddlers who like to finger paint). Also, as a food blogger, using Wet-Nap® products is a great way to keep my camera from getting too gunked up — snapping photos while food styling ALWAY make for messy buttons (don’t use on the lens, though)!Wet Naps are a must for a food blogger's camera!

I never forget to toss a pack of Wet-Nap® wipes into my cart on Walmart shopping trips. Visit Walmart for all your Wet-Nap® needs: 110-Count Hands, Face, & Body Cleansing Wipes, 24-Count Packettes Antibacterial Hand Wipes and 40-Count Canister Antibacterial Hand Wipes.

Shopping for Wet Naps at Walmart

Chocolate Covered Strawberry Banana Boats ingredients

Oh, hello delicious ingredients in Chocolate Covered Strawberry Banana Boats!

Have you ever grilled a dessert?! What has your biggest mess been this summer? Please share in the comments below. XOXO – Jennifer

This post is part of a social shopper marketing insight campaign with Pollinate Media Group® and Wet-Nap®, but all my opinions are my own. #pmedia #ConquerTheMess http://my-disclosur.es/OBsstV

Chocolate Covered Strawberry Banana Boats
Prep Time
5 mins
Cook Time
10 mins
Total Time
15 mins
 
This grilled dessert is ooey-gooey delicious -- kids love the taste, moms love the easy clean up of this foil packet recipe (plus, sneaking extra fruit in for dessert)!
Course: Dessert, Fruit
Cuisine: American
Servings: 4 servings
Ingredients
  • 4 medium bananas medium-firm, not too ripe
  • 1/2 cuo]p mini marshmallows
  • 1/2 cup chopped strawberries
  • 1/2 cup chocolate chips
  • 1/2 cup strawberry glaze or syrup
  • 1/3 cup chopped raw almonds
Instructions
  1. Heat gas or charcoal grill to approximately 400°F or use a wire rack over campfire.
  2. Cut 4 (1-foot) sheets of heavy-duty foil, set aside.
  3. Using a sharp knife, make a deep incision lengthwise along the top curve of each banana; take care not to cut through the bottom peel. Gently push both banana ends toward each other to create a pocket. Place banana on the center diagonal of tin foil.
  4. Stuff each banana with approximately 2 tablespoons each of marshmallows, chopped strawberries and chocolate chips.
  5. Pull up corners of tin foil to create a tent over the top of banana, leaving a few inches of headroom so marshmallows won’t melt all over the foil.
  6. Place banana packets on heat source, close lid and cook for approximately 10 minutes or until marshmallows are softened.
  7. Carefully remove banana packets and open foil. Banana skins may have turned brown; however, this does not affect taste. Drizzle each banana with warmed strawberry glaze and sprinkle with almonds. Eat warm.

Endless Happy Watermelon Days #LivingOnTheWedge + Recipes & Giveaway

Happy National Watermelon Day from TheFitFork.com

Monday August 3rd,  is National Watermelon Day . . .  well, officially anyway. In my world of #LivingOnTheWedge, I celebrate my favorite fruit every single day that I can – and thankfully, in Texas, we have a really long watermelon season! But, I couldn’t let this specifically mandated day of melon mania disappear without its just and juicy due.  So, I’m hosting a giveaway courtesy of Watermelon.org (see bottom of post to enter) and sharing some fit, flavorful and fantastically creative recipes from my Fitfluential Ambasador friends.

All these smart ladies also tout the fantastic nutritional ways watermelon can support an active lifestyle – I’m talking natural sugars needed to fuel fitness, electrolytes to maintain water balance, and vitamin C to bolster immunity. Plus, did you know watermelon is the lycopene leader among fresh produce?!  Also, some studies are showing that athletes who drink watermelon juice before a hard workout benefit from a lowered heart rate and reduction in next-day muscle soreness thanks to blood vessel dilation and improved circulation cause by the amino acid L-citrulline.  Check out the healthy recipes below and make one today!

These unique watermelon recipes are refreshing, revitalizing and perfect for summer meals and outdoor entertaining.

(recipe descriptions starting at top, moving clockwise)

Watermelon Coconut Rice Bowls - CotterCrunch.comCoconut, Rice and Watermelon Salad Bowls  from CotterCrunch.com: If you’re tired of the same-old, same old -salad, this beauty in a bowl will surely catch your attention. Coconut cream, jasmine rice, watermelon chunks and raisins mingle together in one amazing bowl of nourishment! Light, refreshing, gluten free, and delicious!

 

Beluga Lentil, Watermelon Caprese Salad - UprootFromOregon.comBeluga, Lentil & Watermelon Salad from UprootFromOregon.com: This Beluga Lentil and Watermelon Caprese Salad is an unexpected upgrade from the traditional caprese you might see on an Italian menu – juicy tomatoes, torn mozzarella, and basil leaves are complimented with staying power of protein from black lentils. Oh, and the watermelon . . . swoon!

Sugar Free Watermelon Sorbet - Fitfluential.comSugar Free Watermelon Sorbet (Video) from Fitfluential.com: Check out this video that will lead you through the surprisingly easy steps of making a big dish of frozen watermelon deliciousness – it’s just lightly sweetened with stevia and the natural sugars of watermelon.

 

Rosemary Watermelon LemonadeRosemary Watermelon Lemonade from PlaidandPaleo.com: This tall glass of lemony goodness is uniquely yummy thanks to the use of herbs and ice-cold watermelon. Honey is used as the sweetener to keep every sip free of refined sugars.

 

Watermelon Margarita - Arismenu.comRestaurant Style Watermelon Margaritas from ArisMenu.com: When day’s end need a little happy, this flavor-packed libation will rock your either your socks or sandals off – or both depending on your style!

 

 

Watermelon Gazpachio - PancakeWarriors.comEasy Watermelon Gazpacho from PancakeWarriors.com: Soup in the summer has never been more refreshing than with a chilled bowl of this tomato and cucumber based gazpacho – the secret ingredient is naturally watermelon, and it is absolutely wonderful to the last slurp.

 

Celebrate special summer days with a healthy "cake" made from watermelon!If you need even MORE recipe inspiration, check out my Watermelon Living On The Wedge Pinterest Board or visit the recipe collection at Watermelon.org.

I celebrated MY July birthday with a recipe I created for just for ME! It was a healthy Chocolate Cherry Watermelon “Cake” and I did end up sharing the real deal with family and friends – and the recipe with you. Not only is this cake a show stopper, there is lots of good in every slice with very little guilt!

 

 

Ice Cold Watermelon perfect healthy treat for summer -- only 80 calories per cut and 92 percent water to stay hydrated.

Have you seen the other ways I’ve been celebrating watermelon and #LivingOnTheWedge this summer? To name a few, I hit nearly every watermelon stand and farmer’s truck this side of the Mississippi River, kicked off the warm-weather season with a crazy Watermelon Pool Workout, a CrossFit Style Partner WOD used watermelons every which way imaginable on picnics.

Giveaway = Watermelon Prize PackEnter my Watermelon Gift and Goodies Giveaway — one lucky reader will get the following prizes to help celebrate watermelons every day of the year —-> -Pool Float (Awesome), Apron, Socks, Scarf, Kitchen Scrubber, Note Pad, Pen, Book and Star Cookie Cutters (for making watermelon stars!).

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Sharing my Stay Lean Secrets + #BowflexBody Giveaway

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

BowFlex Body Fitness Shakes after a run with Jennifer of TheFitFork.comI am totally in love with Bowflex Body, a collection of premium nutrition products that features a French Vanilla Fitness Shake powder with packets of “mix-ins” including fat-burning rich chocolate, protein-boosting peanut butter or antioxidant-packed mixed berry. Bowflex Body is one of my secrets to staying lean. The other tactics I used to keep my body weight and fat ratios where I want them include with eating adequate protein spaced through the day, monitoring my carb intake (but keeping some for quick energy) and continuity and variety in exercise — I like to mix it up with running, obstacle training, CrossFit, yoga, paddle boarding to keep my body and mind prepared and motivated. Anyway, I’ve shared about this great product earlier in the summer along with a Bodyweight Leg Workout – if you missed it, check it out!  Also, read to the bottom of the post, because I’m hosting a giveaway.

I really love the idea of the mix-ins to the base protein shake. It kind of reminds me of asking for a “booster” at that not-to-be-named smoothie chain I pass on the way home from the gym — but with hardly any of the sugar that those types of “healthy” blended beverages hold in disguise.  The raspberry smoothie in a 16-ounce small size packs 290 calories, just 2 grams of protein – and 54 grams of sugar! Compare that to 125 calories, 15 grams of high quality protein and only 5 grams of sugar for the Bowflex Body French Vanilla Protein Shake —  I’m sticking with the latter to stay lean!Abs are 30% gym and 70% diet You  can workout all you want, but you won’t get to that point of good muscle definition if you’re not lean. Yes, I stay at a low body fat through exercise, but also by making sure I’ve been eating enough protein spaced through the day.

TheFitFork.com Yoga Dancer Pose

Staying lean this summer with Bowflex Fitness Shakes

So, instead a smoothie shop stop, I’ve been sticking my blender bottle pre-filled with a scoop of the French Vanilla Fitness Shake and a couple of the boosters in my gym bag to refuel with after a hard workout or intense run – or often just to see me through a session, since I’m usually breaking sweat over the lunch hour. All I have to do is add cold water and shake, shake, shake!

Bowflex Body Fitness Shakes Giveaway at TheFitFork.com

One thing I’ll say about Bowflex Body products, they really do taste great straight from the blender bottle mixed with plain water. Other protein powders I’ve used have often had a chalky, hard to swallow texture if they weren’t combined with some sort of milk (alike almond or coconut) – or pureed up into a smoothie with banana for creaminess. But, really and truly, the French Vanilla Fitness Shake stands on its own merits for deliciousness. Plus, the exclusive blend of premium ingredients combined with powerful antioxidants, essential nutrients and immune enhancing ingredients help burn fat, build lean muscle, and protect my body.

I’ve been drinking these shakes all summer, and they’ve helped to curb my cravings and made me feel full longer – it’s been a great addition to my protein challenge when it’s not convenient to whip a steak or rotisserie chicken out of my purse. With only 125 calories per serving and 15 grams of the highest quality proteins, a shake makes a great meal replacement once a day to drop a few pounds quickly and safely (check out the success stories here). I suggest adding the Peanut Butter Protein booster (+10g) for sustained energy.

I’m happy where my weight is, and honestly I could stand to gain a little muscle in some places (uhhh, my booty), so at dinner time, I use the Vanilla Fitness Shake as my beverage of choice along with the light salads and grilled dishes I typically eat.  For the ladies who “wine,” you’ll find yourself in such a leaner place if you swap out your nightly “sip” with a protein shake – 5 ounces of wine has 123 calories and has no protein while 1 scoop of the French Vanilla Fitness Shake mixed with water has 125  calories and 15 grams protein!

 

Bowflex Body Fitness Shake Protein Powder and BoostersPremium French Vanilla Fitness Shake: Start with this powdered mix as your base and blend into water or your milk of choice. The instructions say use 8 ounces of liquid but I’ve used more and it still tastes great. Not only does it taste super creamy and delicious, but for just 125 calories, you get 15g high quality protein, 5 g 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.

Rich Chocolate Booster for Fat Burning: Toss in one of these 10-calorie packets to kick up your metabolism with Garcinia cambogia, green coffee bean, African mango and cocoa exacts.

 Peanut Butter Booster for Muscle Management: Add a packet of this booster to help grow, maintain and provide workout recovery benefits to your muscles. This advanced protein formula gives you an additional 10g on top of the 15g already in each serving of shake.

 Mixed Berry Booster for Extra Antioxidant Benefits: This refreshing mix-in gives the already vitamin and antioxidant-loaded vanilla shake an extra one-two punch of protection with blueberry, raspberry and strawberry extracts blended to help fight free radicals.

Use the discount code BOWFLEXSHAKE to get 20% off products along with free shipping and handling.  You can also enter the giveaway to win a Bowflex Body Sample Pack that includes the vanilla shake (3 packs) along one each of the boosters plus a pack of their Daily Energy and Pre-Workout Energy (Sample Pack is also available for sale at Bowflex with free shipping and handling). Enter for chance to win via the Rafflecopter app below:

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Balsamic Grilled Vegetable Salad & Grilling Produce Tips

Take advantage of the summer's best produce with this Balsamic Grilled Vegetable Salad -- and check out the grilling tips.This coming weekend, I’m teaching 200 carnivores how to grill vegetable side dishes to go along with their beef. It’s hard to upstage a delicious, juicy flat iron steak — but I think a couple of my recipes can come close — especially this Balsamic  Grilled Vegetable Salad!

Five Tips for Grilling Vegetables this Summer

Grilled vegetables is super easy, and in the heat of the summer — there is no need to also turn on an oven or stove if the grill is already going. At BeefLovingTexans.com, I’m sharing Five Tips for Grilling Vegetables – go check that out! Meanwhile, I hope you enjoy this delicious, easy grilled vegetable salad that is the perfect way to take advantage of your favorite fresh seasonal vegetables — feel free to swap in the veggies you love.  It’s also a great dish for my Paleo diet and low-carb peeps.

And, if you have any leftovers, these vegetables are so good in a sandwich! Or in an egg scramble, or on a pizza, or tossed with pasta.

Balsamic Grilled Veggie Sandwich

What is your favorite vegetable (or fruit) to toss on the grill? Please share in the comments below — XOXO, Jennifer

 

 

 

Balsamic Grilled Vegetable Salad
Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
8 mins
Total Time
48 mins
 
Grilling vegetables is a great way to add a hint of smoky goodness and flavor to the summer season's best vegetables. The leftovers for this grilled salad can be used on pizzas, pastas and sammies.
Course: Salad, Sandwich, Vegetable
Cuisine: American, Italian
Servings: 4 people
Ingredients
  • 1/2 cup balsamic vinegar
  • 6 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1/4 cup finely chopped parsely
  • 1/4 cup finely chopped basil
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 pound zucchini, sliced into 1/3″ planks lengthwise
  • 1 pint button mushrooms, sliced in half
  • 1 large red or yellow bell pepper, seeded and quartered
  • 1 large red onion, cut into 1/2-inch discs
  • 6 cups baby spinach, washed and dried
Instructions
  1. In small bowl, whisk together balsamic vinegar, oil, parsley, basil and garlic. Season with salt and pepper, to taste.  Place veggies in large zip-top bag and add balsamic mixture; close bag and turn a few times to coat contents. Let marinate at room temperature for approximately 30 minutes.
  2. Skewer together mushrooms. Coat grates with oil and heat grill to medium-high — approximately 400 F degrees.
  3. Drain balsamic marinade off vegetables and reserve (never reserve marinade on raw meat, but on vegetables it is fine)
  4. Grill veggies for 6 to 8 minutes, turning halfway through cooking. Vegetables will be done when they are becoming tender (a little “crunch” is desired and have golden brown grate marks. Let vegetables cool on cutting board for several minutes and then cut down into bite sized pieces.
  5. In small sauce pan, bring balsamic mixture to a boil over medium-high heat, let simmer for a couple minutes to reduce a volume a bit.
  6. Add spinach to serving platter and top with grilled vegetables and balsamic dressing (made from the marinade). Toss with tongs and serve warm — or make the vegetables in advance, chill and serve as a cold salad

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.