Tag Archives: summer

Chocolate Orange Pistachio Smoothie Bowl #EasyAsBreeze

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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.

Shaking off stress with 4-ingredient Chocolate Orange Pistachio Smoothie Bowl @almondbreeze #EasyAsBreeze #Ad

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How are you making summer easier on yourself? Please share in the comments below! XOXO, Jennifer

Print
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.

Gone Fishing . . . Kayaking and Wakeboarding #FlavorYourAdventure

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This “Flavor Your Adventure” post is sponsored by Blue Diamond Almonds. For more snack ideas to “Flavor Your Adventure” this summer, visit Blue Diamond Almonds on Facebook , Twitter, and Instagram .”

Kayaking is a great way to get a workout at the lake.I love everything about the lake and am so lucky to be surrounded by so many bodies of water where I live! I’m an active, warm-weather loving person, so naturally, all the sports that a lake welcomes get me excited – I’m  a happy girl on a waterski, wake board and stand up paddle board or rowing around in a kayak for a friendly race or to explore unchartered territory.  I also like to take a trail run around the lake and then jump in to cool off! And, when I need a break, there’s no lack of relaxing choices — fishing, floating or snoozing in a hammock.Balsamic Veggie Sandwich and Almonds make a balanced, healthy lunch.

Staying fueled up for a busy day in the sun requires balanced meals and healthy snacks – and, of course, it should all taste fantastic and be easy to tote around!  Almonds are probably my favorite way to flavor an adventure – these versatile nuts are packed with vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and heart healthy fats.  Almonds are one of the most abundant sources of protein, fiber, calcium, niacin and vitamin E when it comes to tree nuts.  I’m a fan of getting enough protein throughout the day to keep my motor running and almonds never fail – a one-ounce serving (about 23 almonds) adds an extra six grams of protein along with heart healthy fats to my meal or snack. Research has shown that the fats and protein in nuts curb hunger longer that other food choices, leading to less mindless snacking and overeating throughout the day.

Blue Diamond Almonds - Lightly SaltedBlue Diamond Almonds come in so many different flavors that my taste buds never get tired, but honestly, the lightly salted roasted almonds are perhaps my favorite – simple and just enough salt without being overpowering!  The six-ounce cans are sized just right for taking down to the dock and sharing with family and friends – plus, I appreciate that almonds are a snack that needs no refrigeration. There is NO way I’m putting my snack in the same cooler where my husband keeps the finishing worms!

Fishing on the lake

Fishing at dusk means a late dinner, eating almonds keeps the “hangries” away in a healthy way!

Summer Snacking – #FlavorYourAdventure with @bluediamond almonds #sponsored

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Have you spent time on the lake this summer? How are you flavoring your adventure? Are you a simple salted nut person or do you like flavors that are bold and exotic? Please share in the comments – XOXO, Jennifer

Raspberry Walnut Wheat Berry Salad with Grilled Chicken

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Raspberry Walnut Wheatberry Salad with Grilled Chicken is a quick and easy summer meal but is also beautiful enough for outdoor entertaining.Berry delicious! Are you craving a dinner that is bursting with seasonal yumminess, simple to pull together and healthy with an exclamation point? My recipe for Raspberry Walnut Wheat Berry Salad with Grilled Chicken is all these things — plus it’s gorgeous enough for outdoor entertaining.

Raspberry Walnut Wheatberry Salad with Grilled Chicken so delicious, nutritious and easy on a summer day!I first made this recipe for the Living Litehouse blog at LitehouseFoods.com; it builds on the flavors of their vibrant Raspberry Walnut Vinaigrette. This elegant entrée salad features all the food groups with spinach, grilled chicken breast, raspberries, walnuts and wheat berries all playing nicely together.  What, you’ve never eaten wheat berries?! This versatile whole grain has a sweet, nutty taste and pleasant, chewy texture – a nice swap for brown rice when you’re looking to bust out of a rut. Wheat berries are also a great source of vitamins, fiber and other essential nutrients – and offer healthy source of carbs to fuel your day.

 

Raspberry Walnut Wheat Berry Salad with Grilled ChickenYou can also layer up all the ingredients into a jar salad to take to work or to refuel right after a gym session. Starting by pouring dressing in the bottom of the jar, then layer up everything in order of “sturdiness and wiltability” – meaning the wheat berries go next and then the delicate spinach up top.  When you’re ready to eat lunch, just shake-shake-shake the jar and pour out on a plate (or eat straight from the container, it’s one less dish to clean)!

Raspberry Salad DressingIf you can’t find the Raspberry Walnut Vinaigrette from Litehouse Foods, then try this homemade Raspberry Dressing recipe that first appeared in Southern Living.

Raspberry Walnut Wheatberry Salad with Grilled Chicken so delicious, nutritious and easy on a summer day!
Print
Raspberry Walnut Wheat Berry Salad with Grilled Chicken
Prep Time
10 mins
Total Time
10 mins
 
Make life easy and grill chicken ahead of time or substitute rotisserie chicken from the deli that has been cut up into chunks!
Course: Fruit, Main Dish, Salad
Cuisine: American
Servings: 4 servings
Ingredients
  • 1 cup cooked wheat berries cold or at room temperature
  • 1/2 cup ½ cup Litehouse Foods Raspberry Walnut Vinaigrette (divided) or make own dressing
  • 8 cups fresh baby spinach leaves
  • 12 ounces grilled chicken breast
  • 1/3 cyo chopped green onions (bulbs and tops)
  • 1 pint fresh raspberries
  • 1/4 cup walnut halves or pieces
  • 2 ounces feta cheese crumbles
Instructions
  1. In small bowl, mix together the cooked wheat berries with ¼ cup of Raspberry Walnut Vinaigrette. Set aside.
  2. Add spinach to large bowl. Toss with dressed wheat berries, grilled chicken strips, green onions, raspberries, walnuts and feta.
  3. Serve with remaining ¼ cup dressing.

Summer Perfect Partner Watermelon WOD #LivingOnTheWedge

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first watermelon of 2015What’s the point of bringing a big, yummy watermelon home from the market if you need help getting it out of the basket, into the car and up the garage stairs to the fridge?  “No thanks, I’ve got this,” is what I tell the twerp well-meaning bag boy who always tries to help. Hey, I’m not just your ordinary produce-shopping mom  – I’m a fruit-loving foodie who’s turned herself a lean, mean lifting machine thanks to adding functional exercise (aka CrossFit) into my workout routine about three or four years ago.

TheFitFork.com Living On The Wedge

TheFitFork.com Living On The Wedge

While I don’t care to set records or go for “max” when lifting weights (nor could I) during a CrossFit WOD, I do feel like adding weight to my workout regimen has helped me tremendously as a runner, an athlete and busy working mom who’s just living her crazy life and might be getting a little older in the process.  Last year for my summer of #LivingOnTheWedge, I shared a CrossFit inspired Watermelon Workout – I’ll never forget swinging a 25 pound watermelon kettle bell style and having it fly out of my hands across the yard. Oops!  And, who could forget the Watermelon Pool Workout from earlier this summer – I certainly know the swimmers grinding out their laps that morning I filmed it had something to talk about!Why not workout with a Watermelon - this WOD will whip you and friend in shape and you have a healthy snack for afterward!

This month, I’ve created a Partner Watermelon WOD  that lets you share pleasure and pain of working out with a friend who loves watermelon as much as you!

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Partner Watermelon WOD (8 Sets of the Following):

  • (6 Reps) Watermelon Burpee-Squat Handoff: One partner does a traditional burpee while the other partner simultaneously squats with a watermelon – then the watermelon is handed off for the next rep.
  • (6 reps) Watermelon Box Step Up: One partner steps up with watermelon at chest or held straight overhead while other partner uses small watermelon for Russian Twists (12 to 20 twists, or until box step ups done). Partners switch off and perform repeat exercises.
  • 200 Meter Run or Walk: holding watermelon at chest.

You may be laughing at the video, but watermelon makes a great piece of workout equipment in a pinch – you can lift it, swing it, jump over it, squat with it and more. Plus, you can purchase them in a variety of weights – the smaller “personal-sized” melons are awesome.  If you didn’t get enough workout inspiration, here’s a Summer Squat Challenge to get your rear in gear – of course, use a watermelon for your weighted squats!

Summer Squat Challenge -- Do 100 squats per day from this mix an match list!

Scoop into a personal sized watermelon this summer -- 92 percent water and the perfect way to stay hydrated.Working out with a watermelon isn’t so crazy when you start seeing the results of this muscle-making melon  – plus, who can argue with gobbling it up as a nutritious snack afterward?!  Made of 92% water, watermelon is obviously hydrating. But did you know the fruit can help you with workout recovery? A recent study in the Journal of Agricultural Food and Chemistry reports that drinking watermelon juice before a hard workout helps to reduce an athlete’s heart rate and next-day muscle soreness. That’s because watermelon has an abundance of an important amino acid called L-citrulline, which the body converts to L-arginine, to help with blood vessel dilation and improved circulation.

I’m winning at this watermelon workout thing and to the victor comes the spoils – at that is first dibs at devouring the watermelon!   Okay, okay, I’ll split it up fairly between my workout friends!

About to share watermelon with my Cross friends - Jennifer Fisher, thefitfork.com

About to enjoy the fruits of our efforts! Sharing watermelon with my Cross friends

Grab a friend, a watermelon and WORKOUT!  #LivingOnTheWedge @watermelonboard #sponsored

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  • The average size of a watermelon from the market is about 20 -25 lbs. Guesstimate the weight of the biggest one you’ve ever brought home – 47 pounds for me! 
  • What are you doing to work up a sweat this summer – other than just stepping outdoors?!

Share in the comments – XOXO, Jennifer

Lime Pie Smoothie + Blender Giveaway

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Healthy Surprise Lime Pie Smoothie features hemp seeds and spinach for extra nutrition!Lime pie, don’t you just love this sweet, tart and tasty treats?! A big slice of Key Lime pie or the fabulous lime sherbet pie my mom used to make always reminds me of warm-weather memories and how sweet the slower pace of summer can be. Wouldn’t it be grand if summers were endless and we could all kick back on the lawn or hang out at the lake with the biggest worry in life being a bit of sunburn or not being able to get out of the hammock to fish before dinner?!

Enjoying some relaxing family time at the lake.

Enjoying some relaxing family time at the lake.

But, eventually, we all have to get back to the daily grind! But, my recipe for {Healthy Surprise} Lime Pie Smoothies is a delicious and nutritious way to fuel up for the day while serving as a reminder to slow down and smell the saltwater, chase the fireflies or just sit back on the patio and wait for the rainbow to appear over the sprinklers. The recipe for this protein smoothie features protein powder (use your favorite brand) and a tablespoon of hemp hearts for added protein and heart-healthy fats.  I like to have about 25g protein in my smoothies, but you can also just skip the protein powder scoop and cut back the milk an ounce or two.

Relax, Hamilton Beach's Wave Action Blender is ready to whip you up a smoothie, shake or icy drink this summer!

hamilton beach wave blender If you love to make smoothies, shakes and icy drinks (the most important refreshments of summer), the powerful and durable Hamilton Beach® Wave~Action® Blender will keep you whirling without any annoying chunks!  Ordinary blenders spin contents around the walls of the jar, which can leave whole chunks untouched by the blades. But, the unique Wave~Action® System is designed to continually force the mixture down into the blades for consistently smooth results.

 

blender lid spout

Other features I appreciated about this blender(and you’re sure to love, too) are an easy-pour spout,  700 watt motor, stir spoon for thick foods and dishwasher-safe 48-ounce glass jar.

So, YAY, I get to give one of these blenders away to a lucky reader – just enter via the Rafflecopter instructions below the recipe!

This Lime Pie Smoothie has a surprise -- spinach and hemp seeds for a boost of nutrition.

Healthy Surprise Lime Pie Smoothie Recipe

  • 12 ounces unsweetened coconut, soy or almond milk
  • 1 scoop vanilla protein powder of choice
  • 1 tablespoon hemp hearts (hulled hemp seeds)
  • ½ medium frozen banana
  • One large lime, zested and juiced
  • ½ cup packed spinach leaves
  • Stevia or honey to taste
  • Garnish – yogurt, lime slices

Add hemp seeds to blender and pulse for a few seconds to grind up. Add milk, frozen banana, lime juice and zest, and spinach. Blend until smooth and add stevia or honey to desired level of sweetness. If needed, add a few ice cubes and blend to create a thicker consistency. Garnish with a dollop of Greek yogurt and lime slices.  Serves 1.

a Rafflecopter giveaway