CaliCornia Shrimp & Avocado Pizza for Labor Day

CaliCornia Shrimp Pizza is a quick and easy meal solution made on Naan bread or pre-made crusts.

Even though the calendar has turned to September and I still am getting acclimated to our back-to-school routine, it certainly feels like summer every time I step out the door. Officially, it IS still summer until fall arrives on September 22nd and no one can stop me extracting every last kernel of enjoyment from the season.   On these last warm-weather weekends, my family will eat our dinners al fresco, practice handstands barefoot the grass and usher in the autumnal equinox with our final trips to the lake.

Handstand at Lake

A fantastic outdoor meals for the end of summer or Labor Day weekend is CaliCornia Shrimp Pizza – this quick, easy and amazingly tasty pizza reminds me of the sunshine state with a laid-back vibe and showcase of Mother Nature’s best bounty. Succulent roasted shrimp, sweet corn and creamy avocado slices blend with melted fresh mozzarella and ranch dressing (I used OPA! by Litehouse™ Greek Style Yogurt Ranch Dressing). A crispy yet soft and chewy crust is easily “made’ with Naan bread or pre-baked crusts. Other convenience items like frozen shrimp and a southwestern roasted corn blend with peppers (found in freezer section), means I spend less time making meals and more time with my feet up on the chaise lounge recovering from the long run or workout of the day. And, if I’m lucky I can get one of personal pizza deliver guys (my sons) to deliver me a piece so I don’t have to move another muscle!

CalCornia Shrimp Pizza makes a speedy mead for busy weeknights - grill or make in the oven.

 

What are you eating during this long holiday weekend? Taking any dips in the ocean, lake or pool? Do tell! Share in the comments below! XOXO — Jennifer

CaliCornia Shrimp Pizzas
Prep Time
5 mins
Cook Time
12 mins
Total Time
17 mins
 
Enjoy these quick and easy shrimp pizzas from the grill for a relaxed weekend meal -- naan bread or pre-baked crusts save you time!
Course: Appetizer, Main Dish
Cuisine: American, Southwestern
Servings: 4 servings
Ingredients
  • 1 lb frozen large pre-cooked, shelled and cleaned shrimp, thawed
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 4 slices naan bread or personal pizza crusts
  • 3/4 cup lite ranch dressing (divided) I used OPA Greek Yogurt Ranch Dressing
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon coarse ground black pepper
  • 2 teaspoons chopped fresh cilantro
  • 1 lb fresh mozzarella cheese, sliced into thin rounds
  • 1 cup southwestern-style frozen corn, thawed with any liquid drained of excess liquid
  • 1 large avocado, peeled pitted and sliced
Instructions
  1. Heat oven or gas grill to 400 F degrees.
  2. In small bowl, toss together thawed shrimp with olive oil, cilantro, salt and pepper.
  3. Place shrimp on rimmed baking sheet and heat up in oven for4 to 5 minutes. Or, skewer and heat up on grill for about the same amount of time, taking care not to overcook. Remove shrimp, but leave oven/grill on.
  4. Spread each crust with approximately 2 tablespoons of OPA Greek Yogurt Ranch Dressing, reserve remaining to drizzle on top of finished pizzas.
  5. Place slices of mozzarella on pizza and sprinkle with about ¼ up of thawed corn blend. Top pizzas with roasted/grilled shrimp.
  6. Place pizzas in oven or on grill with lid closed and heat up for another 5 to 7 minutes or until cheese is bubbling and edges are turning golden brown.
  7. Remove pizzas and top with sliced avocado and drizzle with remaining OPA Greek Yogurt Ranch Dressing.

Southwestern Avocado Tuna Salad & Sandwich #TunaStrong

Southwestern Avocado Tuna Salad Sandwich kicks up lunch with flavor, protein and heart healthy fats. Here I am talking about protein again, but eating enough quality protein is serious business if you want to optimize your body for performance. As competitive runner, CrossFit enthusiast and yoga dabbler myself, I’m always looking for ways to make my motor run and recover more efficiently – and eating enough quality protein spread evenly throughout the day helps sustain my energy so that I can perform to meet (and sometimes exceed) my expectations. And, a protein-rich snack consumed within 30 minutes of an intense workout or run helps my muscles repair so that I’ll be raring to go for my next effort. Check out my recent post that talks about how much protein to eat and when.

jen jump kids tuna

Whoohoo — Avocado Tuna Sammies for lunch, and only 5 minutes to make!

Adding canned tuna to any meal is an easy (and inexpensive) way to get that necessary serving of protein along with other essential nutrients you need for optimal health and wellness. Bumble Bee® Solid White Albacore Tuna in Water contains 13 grams of protein and 0 grams of fat per serving, along with essential Omega-3 fatty acids. Bumble Bee®  is a tried-and-true canned tuna product I also feed my always-hungry teenage boys, and I appreciate how the company is sharing the message that seafood, tuna  and other fish are family-friendly ingredients in a well-rounded, wholesome diet  –   Tuna Mind…Tuna Body…, Tuna Soul…Tuna Strong™.

On the go Bumble Bee Tuna snack pack for travel.If you’re really on the go (just heading to the gym or office or road-tripping across the country on vacation), Bumble Bee®   is perfect for travel. You can just pop open a can, pouch or snack pack, squeeze on some lemon and enjoy. Pair with some fruit that you’ve stashed in your briefcase, gym or carry-on bag and no longer will you worry about how to get a clean-eating meal from a vending machine, drive-thru or airport food court.

 

Add Bumble Bee Tuna and Avocado atop whole grain bread for a healthy, filling lunch.However, if you have just 5 minutes of prep time, you are going to go love my delicious recipe for Southwestern Avocado Tuna Salad.  It features flaky while albacore mixed with mashed avocado, a healthier swap for mayonnaise – this keeps the recipe rich and creamy but with mostly heart-healthier, good-for-you unsaturated fats. I serve on paleo or low-carb bread, or the way my mom used to do tuna salads – in a scooped out tomato bowl. The Southwestern Avocado Tuna Salad is also a winner wrapped up in lettuces leaves, a whole grain tortilla-style wrap or even popped atop a pile of scrambled eggs.

This Southwestern Avocado Tuna Salad in a tomato cup makes a protein-rich, yummy meal that works for low-carb and paleo diets.

Southwestern Avocado Tuna Salad Recipe

  • 1 large ripe avocado
  • 1 large lime, juiced 
  • 1 teaspoon garlic salt
  • 1 cup thawed “southwest blend” frozen corn
  • 2 (2.5 ounce) pouches Bumble Bee Albacore Tuna  

In medium bowl, mash together peeled, seeded avocado with lime juice and garlic salt. Stir in thawed southwestern-style corn and tuna (that has been flaked with fork) until combined. Serve over salad, in tomatoes or on bread. Serves 2 -3.

So, what are you waiting for, get Tuna Strong! Follow Bumble Bee®   on Pinterest for a seemingly endless collection ways to use canned tuna in recipes and other helpful nutrition tips. Or, check them out on Facebook and Twitter.

What is your go-to way to eat canned tuna?

This post is sponsored by FitFluential on behalf of Bumble Bee.

Skinny Garden Guacamole – Yes Peas!

Are you an avocadotarian? Could you eat an avocado every day? I could, and have – and maybe more than one! skinny garden guacamole

Even though avocados are considered a “healthy” superfood, the good-for-you fats and calories can start to add up when overindulging on this rich, creamy fruit. Sometimes you still want to eat the whole bowl of guac, but don’t want that heavy stuffed feeling — say yay for my lighter Skinny Garden Guacamole. Continue reading

Kiwi, Apricot and Feta Salad with Hemp Honey Dressing #NOWwellness

 

This post is sponsored by Now Foods via Mamavation.Gold Kiwi Apricot & Feta Salad with Honey Hemp Dressing is an easy, elegant and amazingly nutritious addition to your dinner party.

One of the best things about summer is the abundance of amazing fruit at every turn. Watermelons, berries, stone fruits, and exotic discoveries like golden kiwis! While everyday green kiwis are pretty darn good, the golden kiwi is especially exceptional. It’s a bit bigger and bursting with supersized flavor – so sweet!  My recipe for Gold Kiwi, Apricot & Feta Salad with Honey Hemp Dressing takes advantage of the season’s best offerings – and a yummy salty-sweet taste!

Golden Kiwi, Apricot and Feta Salad with Honey Hemp Dressing

NOW Foods Organic Toasted Hemp Seeds perfect for snack or recipes.

If you’re not familiar with hemp seeds, let me introduce you! Hemp seeds have so many nutritional benefits – this superfood is an excellent source of heart-healthy fats, is a complete protein providing all eight amino acids, and is rich in numerous vitamins and other essential nutrients. A tablespoon or so a day is the perfect nutrition boost for everyone, but an especially great option for those following a vegetarian or vegan lifestyle.  I’ve used NOW Real Food® Organic Toasted Hemp Seeds in my fresh and fit recipe – this seeds are lightly toasted and sprinkled with sea salt to enhance their nutty flavor.

Gold Kiwi, Apricot & Feta Salad with Honey Hemp Dressing Recipe

  1. Peel kiwi and chop into small bits. Peel and seed apricot and chop into small bits.
  2. To small bowl, add chopped kiwi, chopped apricot, feta cheese crumbles and 2 tablespoons of the hemp seeds. Gently stir until combined
  3. Divide mixture and press mixture into two 6 ounce ramekins. Place small plate on top of ramekin and invert quickly; gently tap to remove fruit.
  4. In small bowl, whisk together avocado oil, lime juice, honey and cumin until combined. Drizzle over top of salads and garnish with fresh herbs. Serves 2.

Here are some other wholesome ingredients from NOW Foods that I have been enjoying this summer in my healthy recipes:

LivingNOW Tri Color QuinoaTri Color Quinoa – I’m a big fan of quinoa, especially on those nights when I’m making a meat-free meal.  This product in the wholesome LivingNOW line features a pleasing blend of white, red and black quinoa and is certified organic and made in a dedicated gluten-free, allergy-friendly facility. Quinoa is a great source of protein and iron, making it a hearty and healthy meal when mixed with seasonal fresh produce.  One of the easy salad dishes I like to make in the summer is my recipe for Triple Berry Quinoa Salad – it would be perfect for the 4th of July!

 NOW Gluten Free Flour perfect for baking all your goodies up tender and light!All-Purpose Gluten Free Flour – Have gluten allergies? You can get out your mixing bowl and start baking again. This gluten-free baking flour uses ingredients that are free of gluten and eight of the most common food allergens.  The texture is surprisingly light and fluffy, making it perfect for cookies, coffee cakes, bread and more!

Garlic Coconut Oil -- perfect for stirfry, sauteeing and even drizzled on popcorn!

Ellyndale Organics™ Coconut Oil Infusions – Enjoy the rich taste of coconut oil (along with the health benefits) AND a punch of garlic with this oh-so-yummy oil. It’s great for sauteeing thanks to a high smoke point, but it’s also good on salads and . . . wait for it . . .POPCORN made in the microwave with a brown paper bag

 

 

Avocado Oil has a high smoking point, making it perfect for stirfrys, sautes, and even drizzled on salads.Ellyndale Naturals™ Premium Avocado Oil  Did you know Prevention Magazine named this versatile oil to their list of “100 Healthiest Packaged Foods”  — it’s all the healthy monounsaturated fats and Vitamin E! Perfect for sautéing and stir-frying thanks to the high smoke point of approximately 520°F! Avocado Oil is ideal for high-heat cooking such as sautéing and stir-frying – or just drizzle on your salads and other raw dishes for butter-rich deliciousness.

 

 

Stock up on these Pantry Staples:

What is your favorite fruit of summer? Have you ever tried hemp seed, how did you use it? Please share in the comments below! XOXO -Jennifer 

Persimmon Avocado Salad with Chili-dusted Shrimp

This colorful salad is packed with nutrition including heart-healthy fats, vitamins C and A,  and lean protein.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!

Persimmons look like a tomato, but had a sweet, fruity taste.

persimmonsHealth 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. Persimmon Avocado Salad with Shrimp

Holding plate of persimmon avocado saladHope 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.

 

 

 

Side Angle Revolved Pose Yoga - Jennifer Fisher - TheFitFork.com

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
  1. Pat peeled and deveined shrimp dry with paper towels. Sprinkle with chile powder and salt, slightly rub in.
  2. 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.
  3. Meanwhile, slice persimmons and avocado and arrange on plate. Sprinkle with feta and cilantro and top with cooled shrimp.
  4. To make lime vinaigrette, add all ingredients for dressing into small jar and shake until emulsified.