Sugar-Free Pumpkin Spice Latte Mix with Collagen and More Pumpkin + Protein Ideas

I’m about to flip my gourd (in a good way), October 1st is National Pumpkin Spice Day.. I know pumpkin spice has been super trendy ever since a certain coffee shop got a hold of it, but I’ve been a pumpkin “Spice Girl’ back since 5rd grade when I brought home a pumpkin spice muffin recipe to replicate that my class made for a Thanksgiving feast (that was 40 years ago, y’all). sugar free pumpkin spice latte with collagen

I’m sharing that pumpkin muffin recipe again in this post, along with some other pumpkin goodness I’ve updated to include Collagen Hydrolysate (or another protein powder of choice). I’m such a stickler for getting enough protein throughout the day! The new  recipe (a little further in the post post) is a Sugar-Free Pumpkin Spice Latte Mix with Collagen Mix. Continue reading

10 Easy Ways You Can Be Green Enough Now!

GREEN! It makes perfect sense that I’m sitting here on St. Patrick’s Day reading a friend’s new book, Green Enough: Eat Better, Live Cleaner, Be Happier (All Without Driving Your Family Crazy!) by Leah Segedie. As you know from the recipes I share here, I’m totally in to eating lean, clean and green. In addition to taking charge of my health, I also care about the environment I live in and its people – I attribute most of these leanings to the upbringing of my tree-hugging, humanitarian mom.   Green Enough - Book Review by TheFitFork.com

But sometimes all of the hot-topic “green” issues can become confusing, there is so much information to process. And, it can sometimes seem crazy impossible to implement with the busy lifestyle I . . . we . . .  lead. But, founder of Mamavation.com Leah Segedie’s new book Green Enough makes it easy to understand and implement. If you want to learn how to live better, eat better and raise healthier kids without a lot of stress, read on – I’m sharing 10 Easy Ways You Can Be Green Enough Now! Continue reading

Cocoa Chai Spiced Nuts {Paleo} for Holiday Gifts

I’m nuts about the holiday season – absolutely, positively, literally nuts! Pecans, cashews, almonds, pistachios, macadamia and more, it’s hard to name a favorite. Only chocolate rivals my passion for nuts, and this year, I’ve come up with an exotically-spiced nut recipe that incorporates my love for these two – Paleo Cocoa Chai Spiced Nuts.Cocoa Chai Spiced Nuts are an easy, yummy gift made with cocoa powder, date sugar and assorted raw nuts like pecans, cashews and almonds.

A jar full of Paleo Cocoa Chai Spiced Nuts makes an edible gift that most everyone (with good taste) will appreciate. Plus, the smell of roasting nuts is guaranteed to draw a crowd, so make a couple batches because you may just end up with an impromptu holiday party on your hands!  Read on to get this paleo diet friendly recipe that is fun, fit and frugal to give as a gift: Continue reading

How to Make Spartan Spear in 10 minutes for OCR Training

Save 20% on spartan race code: UBST24-TK88D27

Everything you need to know if you want to make Spartan Spear at home for your next Spartan Race or OCR — super easy tutorial, however nailing the throw is on you!How to Make a Spartan Spear in Less Than 10 Mintues and Under 10 DollarsWhen I first wrote this post, I only had 3 obstacle course races under my belt (now quite a few more), but was trying to nab a coin for the Spartan World Championship . . .maybe that was a lofty goal, but I figured it within my reach — especially if I could optimize my performance with a fast run (I’m a lifelong runner).  However, the races I had done to that point, like 2015 Spartan Beast Dallas and 2015 Spartan Spring Houston have been so flooded and muddy that I had the wind knocked out of my running wheelhouse. Oh, yeah – but that spear throw also stood in the way. Ain’t nobody got time for 30 burpees in a race, so I figured I needed to make my own spear and practice. (Editor update: I DID earn the championship coin and ran in the 2017 Spartan World Championships in Lake Tahoe, nailing BOTH the spear throws on the course . . . if only everything else went so well, haha).

Continue reading

DIY Garlic Pizza Sauce and Saucesome Food Pairings

Two-Minute Homemade Garlic Pizza Sauce can be made in a flash, saves money and lets you control the spice.Yeah, yeah . . . National Pizza Day was yesterday. I may be a day late, but definitely not a dollar short with this easy-to-make homemade garlic pizza sauce recipe that will take your pie to the next level. Homemade garlic pizza sauce tastes better, saves money and can be made ahead and frozen for a busy weeknight dinner solution. Store-bought sauces can be kind of pricey, especially the better ones – but my creation saves you some dough (see what I did there?) that can be put towards your favorite fresh toppings. Personally, I love Campari tomatoes, spinach and roasted garlic – but the kids are pepperoni addicts all the way. As for the crust, I’m staying out of the crust controversy – pan crust, thin crust or even cauliflower-carrot crust, it’s up to you. Make it your way, I’m just here to share the sauce. DIY Homemade Pizza Sauce is perfect for your pie and to use with nearly everything -- sauce to dunk bread, shrimp, cheese, to toss with pasta or zoodles, or to simmer with eggs!The secret to this pizza sauce recipe is a can of “fire-roasted” tomatoes and Instantly Fresh herbs – I’m a big fan of these freeze-dried herbs and garlic from Litehouse Foods, but you can also use regular dried herbs or fresh if feeling fancy.  Those not in the know would think this hearty sauce had been simmering all day on the stovetop and not whipped up at warp speed in a blender. Make a double batch and freeze for a busy weeknight dinner solution. Other recipes that are insanely good with this pizza sauce: Egg & Zucchini Ragu Eight Minute Egg & Zucchini Ragu   More Eggs . . .Portabello Eggs Inferno:   Portobello Eggs Inferno makes a quick and easy breakfast, lunch or dinner! Dip Roasted Spicy Creole Shrimp into Pizza Sauce (instead of cocktail sauce): Shrimp sauteed with Cajun spices  

So, what is your favorite topping for pizza? Dare I ask, what is your sauce strategy? Do you cut your pizza in wedges or squares? Do you consider pizza something for a “cheat” day or a well-balanced, hand-held meal? Please share in the comments – XOXO, Jennifer

Linking up with Running On Happy and The Fit Foodie Mama

DIY Garlic Pizza Sauce and Saucesome Food Pairings
Prep Time
2 mins
Total Time
2 mins
 
No pre-packaged pizza sauce here, this easy homemade recipe takes your pie (and pasta) to the next level, saves money and lets you control the spice.
Course: Condiment, Main Dish
Cuisine: American, Creole - Cajun, Italian
Servings: 16 servings
Ingredients
  • 1 15-oz can fire roasted tomatoes, drained
  • 2 tablespoons oplive oil
  • 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon minced garlic
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried red pepper flakes more or less to taste
Instructions
  1. Add all ingredients to blender and blend for approximately 45 seconds or until ingredients combined and tomatoes broken down but not completely pureed. Spread out sauce thinly on prepared pizza crust. Makes sauce for 3 medium or 2 large pizzas. Store leftover sauce in refrigerator or freeze in air-tight zip-top plastic bag.