I Love Watermelon Everywhere – Recipes to Go!

June has arrived and that means all the watermelon all the time around here! It’s no secret that I love this ginormous fruit, and not just for the juicy, sweet, summery flavor – it also has many benefits for my super active lifestyle. I’m talking overall hydration, potassium to lessen cramps, natural sugars to fuel my pedal-to-metal push, l-citrulline to possibly reduce post-workout muscle soreness – plus lots of other essential vitamins, minerals and nutrients.Jennifer Fisher thefitfork Watermelon on the Go

I love watermelon so much, I can’t help but wax poetic over it! Literally. Read on to find my Dr. Seuss-y inspired ode, I Love Watermelon Everywhere, and to get some great watermelon ideas for summer fun. Continue reading

How to Pick the Best Healthy Snack Bar + Energy Bar Giveaway

This post and giveaway are sponsored by Nature’s Path; however, the nutritional tips, editorial comments and enthusiasm are all my own.

Not all snack bars are created equal. And, with an entire grocery store aisle devoted to these popular between-meal munchies, it can be a confusing, tongue-clucking task deciding which bars to buy and which to avoid – some can contain more fat, sugar and calories than a candy bar! Not to mention concerning chemicals, additives and fillers.

How to Pick a Healthy Snack Bar

So, whether for a gym bag, lunch box or office drawer, read on to find out how to make healthier choices when it comes to snack or nutritional bars.  Also, don’t miss my giveaway at the end of this post for a 2-month supply of Superfood Bars from Nature’s Path. Continue reading

5 Unexpected Ways to Enjoy Grapefruit

5 Unexpected Ways to Enjoy Grapefruit - TheFitFork.com

Grapefruit are known for their intense aroma and sharp flavor. It’s hard for me to believe that these jumbo-sized treasures of winter and early spring are not loved by all – because they are definitely one of my favorite seasonal fruits! It’s my guess that these people who say grapefruit are “bitter” or “messy” just don’t know the right tricks of picking out and dealing with grapefruit.

How To Segment Grapefruit - numbered- TheFitFork.comSo, let’s start with the picking — to select the most gloriously ripe grapefruit, the skin will range in color from yellow to rosy pink depending on the variety and all types will feel heavy for their perceived size.  Grapefruit do not further ripen after being plucked from the tree, so there’s no leaving a grapefruit on the counter to “get ready” – just dig in!  If you feel like grapefruits are messy or hard to extract the segments without breaking them up, check out the photo tutorial I put together on how easy it is peel and cut up grapefruit.

I’m also sharing below five of my favorite (and unexpected) ways to enjoy grapefruit that will hopefully convert everyone into fans of the nutritious and delicious fruit!

 

Creamy Grapefruit Green Tea Smoothie: Get your morning off to a great start with this creamy grapefruit smoothie – the green tea and protein powder will keep your motor running until lunch! Recipe at bottom of post.Creamy Grapefruit Green Tea Protein Smoothie - TheFitFork.com

Grapefruit Water: Another way to enjoy the pleasant “bite” of grapefruit flavor without actually taking a bite is to add a few slices to your water – the bonus is that it will encourage you drink more water and meet (or exceed) your daily hydration needs! You can also infuse with herbs as desired – I used mint! Grapefruit Mint Infused Water - TheFitFork.com

Broiled Grapefruit: End your meal with the zing of citrus, broiled grapefruit makes a light dessert option that won’t undo a clean eating diet. Sprinkle a little sugar on top (plus whatever herbs or spices you like) and caramelize under the broiler for about 3 – 4 minutes.This Salted Honey and Ginger Broiled Grapefruit is made by drizzling about 2 teaspoons honey on 1/2 grapefruit and then sprinkling with 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger, 1/4 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon dried mint — I always use the Instantly Fresh herbs from Litehouse Foods for convenience.Honey and Lemongrass Broiled Grapefruit - TheFitFork.com

Grapefruit, Avocado and Feta Salad: Another dish so easy-breezy that you don’t really even need a recipe. Simply segment grapefruit (use my directions here) and toss with diced avocado and crumbled feta cheese, herbs or jalapeno peppers if you dare! One of the perk of this dish is that the citric acid in the grapefruit helps to keep the avocado from oxidizing and turning brown – just make sure you “dress” the salad with any remaining juice squeezed from the skin; toss salad gently.

Grapefruit, Avocado, Feta Salad - TheFitFork.com

Pink Grapefruit SorbetPink Grapefruit Sorbet – Doesn’t this frozen confection from CookingLight.com look refreshing?! Use as fancy-schmancy palate cleanser between courses or scoop up in frosty bowls. You can even pack this recipe in to pop molds and freeze for pure citrus sunshine on a stick.

 

 

 

What is your favorite way to eat grapefruit?

Creamy Grapefruit Green Tea Smoothie
Prep Time
5 mins
Total Time
5 mins
 
Get your morning off to a great start with this creamy grapefruit smoothie – the green tea and protein powder will keep your motor running until lunch! Recipe at bottom of post.
Servings: 1 serving
Ingredients
  • 1/2 large grapefruit
  • 1/2 cup green tea
  • 1/2 cup unsweetened almond milk
  • 1 scoop vanilla or unflavored protein powder
  • 1 - 2 packets stevia if desired
  • ice as needed
  • 1 teaspoon hemp seeds
Instructions
  1. Use serrated spoon to remove flesh from ½ of grapefruit, add to blender. Squeeze any remaining juice from grapefruit shell into blender. Add green tea, milk banana, and protein powder to blender; blend until smooth. Add ice, as needed, until desired consistency achieved. Garnish with hulled hemp seeds.
Recipe Notes