Fit Family | Workouts & Getting Saturday Strong On!

Posted on June 14, 2014 by Jennifer FIsher

Flexing as we leave the gym (okay, the boys took a shower and I didn’t — something’s wrong here)!

School’s out and that means I’ve got my kids back into the gym routine – on Saturdays, the whole family heads up to the gym to exercise, stay fit and have some family bonding time. Then it’s out to lunch, but we earned it! This is the third summer that we’ve been able to take the kids with us to the gym (they are now 11, 14 and 17) and I it’s cool to see how much more confident they’ve become in the setting. No longer intimidated by the equipment, my guys know what to do and enjoy the challenge (okay, they do sometimes complain). My husband and I keep adding new skills to their base and teach them how to perform every move safely – oh, and also proper gym etiquette!

Our gym has all sorts of equipment – my family’s favorite may just be the gymnastic rings. At first the kids were drawn to the rings because they could swing around like monkeys circus stars, but now they know quite a few moves that engage the upper body and / or core – pull ups (the youngest can knock out 8), dips, rows, toes-to-rings and fun tricks like “Skin the Cat.” If you like working out on the rings, this “Ring of Fire” workout I made for CorePower.com will have you burning in a hurts-so-good way. Guys, if the WOD is too easy (ha!) put on a weight vest!

Look at all the goodies in my Summer POPSUGAR Must Have Box!

In addition to a good workout, I love good mail days – those days when the box is filled up with NO bills, my favorite magazines, event invitations, paychecks and new samples to try. This should be the only kind of mail allowed! What an unexpected treat to find a POPSUGAR Must Have Box waiting for me at the door yesterday. With the holding-breath kind of anticipation, I opened the package to find my surprise treats – a new novel (perfect for beach reading), citrus body lotion, a beautiful and light beach towel that doubles as a wrap, lemon wet wipes (refreshing!), fancy hair ties (that make really neat bracelets), Hawaiian bbq potato chips (take me away!) and a $15 gift card to an online site peddling geek gadgetry (my boys are fighting over this).

All items in a POPSUGAR Must Have Box are typically themed (mine was the Summer Box) and include items in beauty, fashion, home, fitness and food that have been hand-selected by editors in the know. If you are interested in, you can save $10 on a 3 month subscription by using the code JUNESELECT10 at checkout (ends June 30, 2014).

POPSUGAR provided me with a complimentary POPSUGAR Must Have box. The opinions I have shared about the box are my own and POPSUGAR did not tell me what to say or how to say it.

16 Summer Smoothies to Get Your Motor Running

Posted on June 12, 2014 by Jennifer FIsher

Ready, get set, blend! I have 16 special smoothies to keep you cool as a cucumber (or frozen banana) through this warm weather season. Whether you’re slurping one up for breakfast, as pool side refreshment or refueling post-workout or run, these healthy frozen beverages will keep you hydrated and help you beat the heat. Plus, smoothies are an easy way to help you meet your daily fruit and vegetable intake goals, so start pureeing your produce, my friends!

Simple Green Smoothie – Avocado gives this straight-up spinach and almond milk smoothie a creamy, dreamy richness.

Mint Melon Smoothie – The fresh mint in this cantaloupe smoothie will give your health and mood a lift!

Cherry Crisp Smoothie – Nature’s sweetest cherries and oats will have you reminiscing about Grandma’s famous desserts a la mode!

Sweet Beet Smoothie – Beet juice, red berries and cherries make this smoothie perfect for improving athletic performance and recovering afterward.

Pineapple Express Smoothie – The caffeinated tea in this tropical smoothie gives your morning jump start, mon!

Tomato Strawberry Smoothie A tomato is a super nutritious fruit, after all! It’s about time it found its way in a smoothie.

Layer Spring Smoothie – Three layers of yumminess make this smoothie three times the fun – banana, spinach and strawberry!

Blackberry Lemon Smoothie – The blackberry is the trendiest fruit for 2014 and gives this smoothie a hip vibe.

Apple Cider Cinnamon Smoothie – Even in the heat of summer, this sweet and healthy smoothie will have you dreaming of a fall harvest. It’s a bushel of all the best, whirled up in a glass.

Peaches ‘n Cream Smoothie – Sometimes simple things are the best and this straightforward smoothie makes the summer’s best peaches shine bright!

Skinny Elvis Smoothie – Don’t leave the room without this awesome banana, chocolate peanut butter smoothie! Recipe in the photo.

Chocolate Orange Smoothie – Citrus and dark chocolate come together beautifully; this smoothie might remind you of those chocolate oranges popular at Christmas!

Caramel Pumpkin Pie Smoothie – Instead of a slice, take a slurp of this holiday-inspired smoothie that is worth celebrating year round!

South of the Border Chocolate Smoothie – A hint of cinnamon and cayenne pepper make this rich but healthy chocolate smoothie practically shout out “Ole!” Recipe in the photo.

Apricot Almond Smoothie – Use fresh apricots or dried ones that have been soaked overnight – a super smoothie that is surprisingly rich in iron.

Creamy Watermelon Protein Smoothie – So refreshing, so hydrating! This sweet smoothie is the perfect post-workout reward. Recipe in the photo.

If these aren’t enough smoothie ideas for you, then check out the extravaganza of healthy smoothie recipes from Cooking Light – there are 26 different varieties!

Creamy Jalapeno Beef Fajita Omelet for Father’s Day Breakfast

Posted on June 10, 2014 by Jennifer FIsher

Me with my dad — he’s always there to support and cheer me on at a race!

Father’s Day is almost here and I’m plan to let my pops know he’s tops with a hearty, healthy breakfast. Although the gesture can’t compare with the endless years of love and support, I’ve received from my father, it does speak to one of our favorite shared hobbies – eating Mexican food!

I like to keep my recipes as heart-healthy as possible — we have a family history issue going on. My recipe for Creamy Jalapeno Beef Fajita Omelet is pumped up with protein from lean beef, eggs and black beans and lower in fat – no cheese was needed thanks to a flavorful assortment of nourishing veggies. I know what you’re thinking though – beef for breakfast?! Actually, lean beef is a much healthier option than bacon, pork sausage and many other breakfast meats. For example, 2 ounces of beef skirt steak has about 124 calories and 6.5 grams of fat compared to 306 calories and 23.5 grams of fat for an equal portion of bacon! I made this recipe on behalf of Litehouse Foods, and used their delicious Creamy Ranch Dressing – just a little dab will do you on this Father’s Day breakfast or brunch recipe.

Creamy Jalapeno Beef Fajita Omelet Recipe

Cooking spray
1/4 cup canned black beans that are rinsed and drained
1/4 cup fresh or frozen corn kernels
4 grape tomatoes halved lengthwise
1/4 red bell pepper seeded and cut into ¼” thick rings
1/4 small sweet onion cut into ¼” thick slices and rings separated
½ fresh jalapeno pepper cut into ¼” rings
2 ounces precooked and seasoned beef fajita strips
1/4 teaspoon salt
4 large egg whites (or ½ cup of egg whites from carton)
1 large egg
1 tablespoon chopped fresh cilantro
1 tablespoon chopped fresh red onion
1/4 cup Litehouse Food Jalapeno Ranch dressing

1. Spray medium skillet with cooking spray and add black beans, corn, grape tomatoes, red bell pepper, sweet onion, jalapeno pepper, and beef fajita strips. Sauté over medium-high heat for 3 to 4 minutes or until ingredients are heated through and vegetables have soft-crisp texture. Remove from heat for use later.

2. Combine salt, egg whites and egg in medium bowl, breaking yolk and combining with a whisk.

3. Coat omelet-sized nonstick skillet with cooking spray and bring to medium heat. Pour egg mixture into skilled let egg mixture set slightly.

4. Tilt pan and carefully lift edges of omelet with a spatula, permitting uncooked egg to flow underneath. Sprinkle cilantro and red onion on top.

5. Cook approximately 3 minutes; carefully flip omelet and cook for another minute. Spoon vegetable, beef and bean mixture onto one side of omelet, reserving a red pepper ring and jalapeno for garnish. Carefully loosen omelet with a spatula; fold in half over filling. Slide omelet onto a plate with reserved veggies.

If you’re feeding a crowd (or a really hungry father) my Healthy Beef & Egg ‘Barn Raiser’ Bake will fuel up dad for whatever adventures the morning brings.

By the way, if you are in Austin, come to one of my “Live Well, Grill Well” classes that will be held at Whole Foods on June 22 & June 28. I will be teaching everyone, including Alex, Booker & Sara from MIX 94.7, how to make their summer meals sizzle . . . not fizzle!

What do you plan to do with your dad on Father’s day? Does he have a favorite breakfast?

The Hipster Berry | Blackberry Lemon Smoothie Recipe

Posted on June 6, 2014 by Jennifer FIsher

Did you know that professional “flavorists” have named the blackberry as a flavor that will be trending over the next year? That makes me pretty happy because I love sweet, juicy black berries and I’ve noticed my local grocery store doesn’t yet seem to know just how hip and happening these little brambling beauties have become. Despite the crescendoing cool factor, blackberries are often the cheapest berry in the produce section — shhhh!

You may be most familiar with blackberries in jam, syrup or baked up in a country cobbler or atop a pretty little dessert like my Lemon Chia Seed Tea Cakes with Blackberries. But blackberries also pair pleasingly well with unusual flavors such as pepper, ginger or balsamic vinegar. Of late, I’m seeing blackberries used as a feature ingredient with chefs and bartenders crafting delicious drinks, dinners and desserts everywhere from food trucks to fancy-schmancy venues, aren’t you?! It’s time to get creative making both sweet and savory dishes featuring blackberries – here’s a delicious and nutritious smoothie recipe to get you started:

Place ¼ cup lemon juice, 1/3 cup fresh or frozen blackberries, 8 ounces almond milk and ½ cup cottage cheese in a blender. Pulse on and off for about 1 minute, or until smooth and creamy. Serves 1.

Blackberries aren’t just the cool kids in the fruit basket, they are also super healthy — but you probably already knew that! The seeds of blackberries are rich in Omega-3s and the plump flesh is packed with vitamins and other nutrients including fiber, vitamin C, vitamin K and manganese.Serve them with other berries for a bonanza of healthy benefits — a side perk, the pairing will make strawberries, blueberries and other (ahem) less fashionable fruits seem suddenly much more interesting.

Blackberries make a sweet and simple snack during the summer — remember to hydrate too!

CookingLight.com has a Guide to Blackberries that will help you select the best basket (or bushel) at the market. While you’re there, check out the mouthwatering gallery for Blackberry Recipes for summer entertaining inspiration.

Don’t want to miss the Grilled Pork with Blackberry Sage Sauce:

Wash it down with a Blackberry Margarita! Yee-haw!

Why I Run & Running Day Giveaway ( Compression Socks )

Posted on June 4, 2014 by Jennifer FIsher

It’s National Running Day today! Whether you plan to hit the trail or the treadmill, you can feel super awesome and inspired to know that you’ll be doing good things for your health – that’s why I celebrate running as often as I can! As an adult, I’ve been running for more than 25 years and hope to be running at least that many or more years in the future! By the way, enter to win a free running day (everyone’s a winner, so just do it)! But, seriously, I do have a cute pair of compression socks to treat one of y’all to.

Healthy Reasons I Run:

Running makes me happy and wards off anxiety and depression.
Running keeps me at a fit weight, which has a host of other health benefits.
Running keeps my bones and heart strong, plus I get a daily dose of vitamin D from the sun.
Running will keep me looking younger than my age, or so scientists say! I hope it is true!
Running adds years to my life and life to my years.

Running also challenges me to push my limits and, because I usually run alone, running has taught me to dig deep within myself to find that persevering motivation that usually serves me well at races.

But, running isn’t just all “eye of the tiger,” running can be meditative and calming – a great way for me to reduce stress. And, when I get to run with friends, running becomes social and silly and something to look forward to.

Here are a few running workouts that will have your feet flying today!

Ladies, if you love to keep up on the latest in running, check out this great subscription offer from Women’s Running magazine – if you subscribe or renew today, the rate is only $1 per issue. I enjoy this monthly magazine, it features everything from running plans and recipe ideas to the latest in running fashion – plus lots more!

And, that’s not all! I also have a pair of Swiftwick Compression socks to give away, the Vision “Pink Stripe” Twelve. These knee-high compression socks are going to give your legs and feet a great big hug on that next long run — or wear them afterward for recovery. Just think of the fun tan lines you’ll get! Actually, I still wear compression socks in the summer; however, my runs are much earlier in the morning out of heat-beating necessity — so the tan line thing isn’t really a problem! Find out more about why I love compression socks here and then enter the giveaway through the Rafflecopter app below:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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