Body Boosting Fitness Shake and Bodyweight Leg Workout

Posted on May 27, 2015 by Jennifer FIsher

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

Anytime someone says creamy, indulgent-tasting shakes are good for me, they have my rapt attention. That’s why I was ready to find out more about Bowflex Body, a line of premium nutrition products that inludes a vanilla fitness shake mix along with “boosters” (including chocolate) to mix in depending on my protein, energy, or fat-burning needs for the day.

As a meal replacement option, the Premium Vanilla Fitness Shake (with booster or not) is a convenient and safe way to ensure most of us are getting the optimal nutrition needed to power through until the next meal. I’ve swapped out a shake for a full meal at lunch or dinner a few times a week and had great results in leaning out. But, typically getting lean and dieting for weight loss is not an issue for me, often I’m trying to fill in the gaps in my day where I need extra quality calories (without the junk) – like after a workout or before bed.

Easy to keep in a gym bag and shake, shake, shake after a workout.

These easy-to-make shakes have become a staple in my post-workout nutrition plan. It’s so important to take in a protein-rich mini-meal within 30 minute of an intense workout or long run. It’s also key that that the meal or shake have a bit of carbohydrates to help the body efficiently process the protein – Bowflex Body makes it so easy! After finishing the “Murph” CrossFit WOD (1 mile run, 100 pull ups, 200 pushups 300 squats and a final 1 mile run) on Memorial Day, I knew my muscles were going to be screaming for some tasty TLC. I brought along my mixer filled with a scoop of the Premium Vanilla Fitness Shake along with the Rich Chocolate Booster AND the Peanut Butter Protein Booster. I’m greedy like that!

Start Shaking It Up, Here’s How:

Premium 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 8 ounces of unsweetened almond milk and 8 ounces of water and it still tastes great (and my mind thinks I’m getting more). You can also throw a scoop into morning or post-workout smoothie if you like frozen beverages. 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.

Two BowFlex Body Energy Products worth checking out:

Berry Pomegranate Pre-Energy: This tasty mix gets you revved up for your workout without the crash of sugar-loaded coffee or energy drinks. It works great for either aerobic or anaerobic activity and has just 80 mg of caffeine with theanine, an amino acid from green tea that helps prevent caffeine jitters and “crash.”

Passion Fruit Daily Energy: Designed to take every day, if needed, this formulation helps with focus, aerobic performance and sustained energy when you need a little extra oomph! Like the Pre-Energy formula this Daily Energy has jitter- and-crash free caffeine from the amino acid theanine found in green tea – just less at 50mg.

You really need to try Bowflex Body nutrition products yourself to discover the fat-burning, health-boosting benefits I’m raving about. Use the discount code BOWFLEXSHAKE to receive 20% off your order along with free shipping and handling. A sampler pack is also available. Bowflex has a 30-day, 100% guarantee on their products, so you really don’t have anything to lose — except maybe that muffin top or a bad case of the “hangres”! Get more details on the ingredients used in these fitness products and check out the FAQ for answers to common questions. Also, visit BowFlex Body on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Pinterest and connect — they also have a great blog.

Body Boosting #BowFlexBody Fitness Shake + Bodyweight Leg WOD @BowflexBody #BeFitForLife #Fitfluential #Ad

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Also, I am sharing a bodyweight “leg day” exercise that you can do anywhere, no gym required. Have fun!

Kick up leg day with this no-equipment-needed workout of bodyweight exercises.

What “Booster” benefit are you most interested in — burning fat, increasting protein, or upping antioxidants? What is your favorite bodyweight leg exercise? Please share in the comments! xoxo Jennifer

Persimmon Avocado Salad with Chili-dusted Shrimp

Posted on May 26, 2015 by Jennifer FIsher

I picked a peck of “Sharon” persimmons from Frieda’s Produce – I’ve never had one of these curious fruits in my life! This particular “Sharon” type of persimmon is tomato-shaped with a smooth skin of pale orange to orange-red with a sweet, mild flavor and is nearly seedless. So, I put these pretty little thinks on the counter to ripen like a tomato, but no change . . . for weeks! So finally, I sliced into one and was very surprised to find out how sweet and ready to eat it as it was!

Health and Nutrition Benefits of Persimmons: This sweet and pulpy fruit is packed with a variety of health benefits. For example, the “divine fruit” provides nearly 80% of the daily value for vitamin C and is a good source of fiber. Persimmons are high in other vitamin and mineral content including vitamin A, vitamin E and vitamin B6 along with manganese, copper, potassium and phosphorous. Benefits from the range of these nutrients have been linked to reduction in certain types of cancer, improved eye health, lowered blood pressure, relief from digestive issues and more. A serving of persimmon (100 grams) has 70 calories and almost no fat.

Back to my persimmon windfall . . . I wasn’t really sure how to eat persimmons, outside of slices. Though about grilling some (and still may), but then decided to pair up with the best avocados from California – because everything is awesome with avocado! Am I right?! BTW, California avocados are in season right now and so much better than the ones exported from across the border year-round.

Hope you enjoy my recipe for Persimmon Avocado Feta Salad with Chili-dusted Shrimp and Lime Vinaigrette –it tastes as yummy as it is colorful. Plus, it’s a light, healthy Paleo-friendly dish (omit the cheese if you must) providing lean protein from the shrimp, vitamin A and C from the persimmon, and heart-healthy fats thanks to creamy, dreamy avocado.

Persimmon Avocado Salad with Spicy Shrimp #LimeDressing #Fitfluential

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Have you ever tried a persimmon before?

How many avocados do you eat per week?

What are you doing to be active this week?

Please share any or all in the comments below! xoxo Jennifer

Persimmon Avocado Salad with Shrimp

Prep Time

10 mins

Cook Time

5 mins

Total Time

20 mins

This colorful light and healthy and packed with nutrition including lean protein, heart healthy fats and vitamins A & C. Perfect for a Paleo dinner on the patio!

Course: Main Dish, Salad

Servings: 2 people

Ingredients

2/3 pound arge shrimp, peeled and deveined
1 tbsp ancho chile powder
1 tsp salt
2 tbsp olive oli
1 Sharon persimmons cut crosswise in ¼” slices
1 avocado, peeled and cut in slices
2 tbsp crumbled Feta cheese
1 tbsp chopped fresh cilantro

for dressing

2 tbsp fresh lime juice
1 clove garlic, minced
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp ground cumin
2 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil

Instructions

Pat peeled and deveined shrimp dry with paper towels. Sprinkle with chile powder and salt, slightly rub in.
Heat olive oil in medium skillet over medium-high heat. Add shrimp and cook for 5 to 6 minutes, stirring. Shrimp will be done when they have turned pink and are no longer translucent. Take care not to overcook. Transfer shrimp to plat to cool for 5 minutes.
Meanwhile, slice persimmons and avocado and arrange on plate. Sprinkle with feta and cilantro and top with cooled shrimp.
To make lime vinaigrette, add all ingredients for dressing into small jar and shake until emulsified.

Last Minute Ideas for Grill – Burgers, Bananas & More Recipes!

Posted on May 25, 2015 by Jennifer FIsher

I’m not a plan-aheader. I used to make lists, follow detailed workout schedules and fret about the future. I’d also worry what we were going to eat days in advance — not that meal planning is a bad thing, actually it’s awesome. It’s just right now, where I am in life coupled with how busy my family is, there is just no telling who will be home for dinner when. So typically, I just wing it knowing that if I keep lean meats in the freezer and fresh produce in the fridge, I can always whip up a quick and reasonably healthy meal out on the grill. Lucky to be in Austin where I can pretty much grill year-round.

Showing folks how to grill (indoors) at Whole Foods with Sarah from Mix 94.7 !

Grilling is one of my cooking methods; I’ve taught classes on it and you could say I flip for it! Not only does it make beef, chicken, fish and all the veggies (and fruits) taste fantastic, it’s a healthy way to prepare food because you are not adding any additional fats. However, research has shown that meats cooked over high heat can cause carcinogens to form — but there are easy ways to keep grilling safe. Namely, marinate if possible to create an “invisible” barrier, clean the grill grates, par cook thicker cuts in microwave, prevent and flare ups of fire by cooking over medium heat – these will all help carcinogens heterocyclic amine (HCA) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) from forming. However, if you do get crispy bits, don’t freak – just cut that part off.

Here are some great grilling recipes for a last-minute BBQ bash! Enjoy!

Sirloin Cobb Kebabs with Ranch Viniagrette

Grilled Chocolate Raspberry Banana Boats

Mojo Chicken Breasts with Grilled Citrus

Seared Thai Steak Salad

Grilled Apricot Kale Salad (add grilled shrimp to make this one an entree)

Enjoy ALL the burgers with this round up of unique hamburgers – and, BTW, I have no guilt about eating one now and then.

Last Minute Healthy Grilling Ideas for a Backyard Bash – #Burgers & More #Fitfluential

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What are you grilling today? Please share in the comments!

Memorial Day Cherry Vanilla Root Beer Float Smoothie

Posted on May 24, 2015 by Jennifer FIsher

This post is sponsored by Almond Breeze Almondmilk.

The sun is out for summer and my blender is back in action making smoothies nearly every day for a quick breakfast, healthy dessert or post-workout refueling. I have so made so many crazy, creative smoothies in my day along with all the tried-and-true classics, I’m sure my family sometimes wonders if I can come up with a new flavor combo. But, fear not my friends of blended beverages, I can! Today I’m serving up a Cherry Vanilla Root Beer Float Smoothie, so line up at the counter in an orderly fashion please.

I know that a Cherry Vanilla Root Beer Float Smoothie sounds sort of decadent, but this one is super healthy. It’s made with Almond Breeze Almondmilk (Hint of Honey Vanilla flavor), frozen dark cherries, ice, root beer extract and protein powder. The whole, huge serving has just 250 calories, 22 grams of protein, 87% daily value for calcium and loads of vitamins and minerals – especially vitamins D and E from the almondmilk and vitamin C from the cherries.

Use Almond Breeze Touch of Honey Almondmilk in your cereal.

Hint of Honey Vanilla Amondmilk from Almond Breeze is the perfect creamy foundation for any smoothie creation – it’s also ideal for drinking cold right in a glass or pairing up with your favorite cereal, oats or granola. Made from real almonds and sweetened with honey, this alternative to diary milk contains medium chain fatty acids; is lactose, soy and gluten-free; is an excellent source of calcium; and works with vegan and kosher diets. I also love how it has no added processed sugar and only 60 calories per one-cup serving. Another great thing – Hint of Honey Vanilla Amondmilk from Almond Breeze is available in a 32-ounce, shelf-stable version which means that I can keep my pantry stocked for impromptu smoothie making or take along for travel without worry of refridgeration. Of course, you can also get the original in the dairy section.

Slurp into Summer with Cherry Vanilla Root Beer Float Smoothie @almondbreeze #ad

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What is your favorite smoothie combo? Are you remembering someone special this Memorial Day? Please share in the comments – xoxo Jennifer

Cherry Vanilla Root Beer Float Smoothie

Prep Time

5 mins

Total Time

5 mins

Slurp right into summer with my healthy, yummy smoothie made with almond milk, cherries, protein power and root beer extract. So refreshing for Memorial Day, Fourth of July or any hot summer day!

Course: Dessert, Smoothies

Cuisine: American

Servings: 1 person

Ingredients

12 ounces Almond Milk use Almond Breeze Touch of Honey Vanilla Almondmilk
1 scoop protein powder appox. 1/3 cup favorite brand
1/2 cup frozen cherries
1/2 teaspoons root beer extract I used Zaterain's
ice as needed
fresh cherries optional garnish

Instructions

Add almondmilk, protein powder, frozen cherries, root beer extract and ice to blender, process until smooth. Pulse in ice until desired consistency is achieved. Garnish with fresh cherry if desired.

How I Busted my Running Rut (not BUTT) at Spartan !

Posted on May 21, 2015 by Jennifer FIsher

I have been in a running rut for about a year and a half. With more than 25 years of running behind me, this isn’t the first time I’ve felt stale and unmotivated about running – but it’s definitely the longest lull in my love for the sport. I’ve implemented many of the rut-busting running tips that experts recommend – heck, I pretty much am an expert, for what it’s worth. I’ve reduced my mileage and taken rest and recovery seriously, varied my race distances and cut back on racing, adjusted my goals and added variety to my routine with other fitness activities like CrossFit and yoga. But, nope, still not having that warm fuzzy about running –especially racing.

Pre Spartan Race selfie -- Jennifer Fisher TheFitFork.com — Pre-Spartan Selfie — Feeling Positive!

I decided to enter the Spartan race when it rolled into Austin a couple weekends ago to “try something new.” I really had no expectations. Primarily, because I had never done an obstacle race before and didn’t know what to expect. And, also because I knew there would be no benchmark for comparison that my overly self-competitive mind could obsess over. I couldn’t “lose,” be let down or feel like a failure, because this race (I convinced myself) was just a fleeting novelty that I wasn’t really that invested in.

Oooh, comparison is the thief of joy, there is so much truth to that statement and I have robbed myself of many positive race experiences because I have tried to measure up with many things – my past abilities, other’s talents, and such.

So, I just went out to Spartan and soaked up the big AROO at the start. Took off and just did my thing. For the first time in a long time I enjoyed the challenge and burn of the course and that feeling that I might not live to see the finish line but down deep know I will. I took the challenges one by one and made it – I didn’t stop to think how well someone else may or may not being doing it compared to how I was performing. I just tore through the course like I was on a fast and fun mission.

I jumped through the fire obstacle and into the pond and was grinning ear-to-ear about the experience. I knew I was near the front of my heat, but didn’t know or care what my finish time was – it wouldn’t have meant anything compared to my PRs in the marathon or a 5k. I couldn’t compare! I took my finishers medal (the one’s I usually scoff at a marathon) and slung on the bling everyone gets with pride. Actually, in this pic I have it off because I had just entered a post-race pull-up contest and didn’t want to be weighed down – lol!

Celebrating with friends at the end of Spartan Race.

That’s right, I kicked these challenges right in the butt and busted out of my running rut in the process. Of course, I’m dying to run another obstacle race ASAP – but also feel like I have a renewed mood to race on the road again and have my eye of the tiger back. Whahoo!

Oooh, geeze -- now you know how old I am! — Oooh, geeze — now you know how old I am!

Spartan Race discount code 2026: UBST26-355637C - Valid on: • Spartan Sprint, Stadion, Super, Beast, Ultra, Kids. • Tough Mudder 5k, Tough Mudder 15k, Tough Mudder Infinity. • Endurance events • Trail events. • DEKAFIT events.

The next day when I checked the results, it did knock my socks off a little that I was 2^nd Overall in the women – I totally didn’t see that coming. In some ways I wish I didn’t even know that. I’ll take it gladly, but it didn’t make me any happier or more joyful about finishing the race. And maybe that’s the biggest lesson learned coming out of this rut – just enjoy each experience for what it is and not worry so much about the past or future. Aroo!

So, have you ever run a Spartan race? You can spend 20% with my discount code SAP-JFf21. That’s a nice chunk of change to save – I’m going to spend my savings on arm sleeves to keep the elbow scrapes away and extra Q-tips for cleaning out my ears – lol!

How I Busted my Running Rut (not BUTT) @SpartanRace + get #spartan discount code thefitfork.com

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Also, I’m reposting this Obstacle Course workout I put together for Core Power High Protein Shakes a while back!

So, what are your experiences with obstacle course races or breaking out of a fitness rut? Please share in the comments!!!!