Here are some health tips and tricks for the month of April:
Spring clean your pantry: Use April as an opportunity to go through your pantry, get rid of any unhealthy snacks, and replace them with nutritious options like nuts, seeds, whole-grain crackers, and dried fruit.
Avoid processed foods and opt for whole foods instead. Processed snacks are often high in sugar, salt, and unhealthy fats, which can lead to weight gain and other health problems.
Make sure you’re staying hydrated throughout the day. Drinking plenty of water can help keep your body functioning properly and prevent dehydration.
Choose healthy snacks that are high in protein and fiber to help keep you full and satisfied. Some good options include nuts, seeds, fruit, and vegetables.
Try to incorporate some form of physical activity into your daily routine, whether it’s going for a walk, practicing yoga, or doing a workout at home.
Get enough sleep each night. Aim for at least 7-8 hours of sleep to help support your overall health and well-being.
Practice mindfulness and stress-reducing activities such as meditation, deep breathing, or journaling.
Reduce your intake of sugary beverages and instead opt for water, herbal tea, or low-sugar alternatives.
Choose healthy fats such as avocado, nuts, and seeds instead of unhealthy fats such as fried foods and processed snacks.
Don’t forget to take breaks and practice self-care throughout the day. This can include taking a few deep breaths, going for a short walk, or taking a break from your computer screen.
Fitness Challenge Vol 4 2023
Your Personal Trainer created a workout perfect for all levels. Enjoy your workout with Kelsi, one of our favorite Fit Snack Trainers, this month!
Fitness Challenge Levels:
Beginners – Perform it 1x through at your own pace. The video takes you through each exercise. Enjoy stretching at the end.
Moderate to High Intensity: Build the intensity by working up to 5 Rounds where you will repeat round 2 and 3 in between the warm-up and cool down! Challenge yourself with pace and form.
Motivation What are your goals? What steps are you taking each day to reach your goals? IG @fitsnack #FueledByFitSnack #FitSnackChallenge
Meditation
Meditation and Mindfulness Tips:
Kindness meditation is a form of meditation that involves cultivating feelings of kindness, compassion, and goodwill towards oneself and others. It can be a powerful tool for developing a more positive and compassionate mindset.
To practice kindness meditation, find a quiet and comfortable place where you won’t be disturbed. Close your eyes and take a few deep breaths to help you relax.
Begin by bringing to mind someone you care about, perhaps a family member or friend. Visualize this person in your mind’s eye and repeat the following phrases silently to yourself:
“May you be happy. May you be healthy. May you be safe. May you live with ease.”
Repeat these phrases several times, allowing yourself to really feel the intention behind them. You may find that as you repeat the phrases, you begin to feel a sense of warmth and compassion towards the person in your mind’s eye.
Next, turn your attention to yourself and repeat the same phrases, substituting “I” for “you.” Allow yourself to really feel the kindness and compassion you are extending towards yourself.
Finally, extend these same feelings of kindness and compassion to all beings, repeating the phrases silently to yourself:
“May all beings be happy. May all beings be healthy. May all beings be safe. May all beings live with ease.”
Allow yourself to sit with these feelings of kindness and compassion for as long as you like. When you’re ready, slowly open your eyes and take a few deep breaths before returning to your day.
By practicing kindness meditation regularly, you can cultivate a greater sense of compassion and kindness towards yourself and others, which can lead to greater happiness and well-being.
Yoga With Kimmy
French Inspired Hummus Dip (Yield: 12 servings)
If you like Tahini you are welcome to add it to your recipe. I prefer making my hummus without Tahini. I never liked hummus so I made this one and added my own twist to it. Now it’s my go to.
Ingredients:
1 can garbanzo beans
2 tbsp. water
2 tbsp. extra virgin olive oil
1 tbsp. lemon juice
1/2 Tbsp garlic clove minced
1 tsp French Inspired Blend (From Mola Foods)
1/2 tsp. salt
Instructions:
Using a food processor, add garbanzo, water, french inspired blend, lemon juice, garlic, and salt. Mix until you get a smooth creamy texture. You may need to add a little bit more water to thin it out more; also you may need to add salt to your liking. Refrigerate in a tight lid container. Serve with crackers or your favorite vegetables. Garnish with chives if you like. Serve with Plantain Chips
Enjoy!
Grilled Lemon-Herb Chicken with Asparagus Salad
Ingredients:
4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
2 tbsp olive oil
2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
1 tbsp chopped fresh rosemary
1 tbsp chopped fresh thyme
1 tsp garlic powder
Salt and pepper, to taste
1 bunch asparagus, trimmed and cut into bite-sized pieces
1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
1/4 cup chopped red onion
1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
2 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
Salt and pepper, to taste
Directions:
Preheat a grill or grill pan to medium-high heat.
In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, rosemary, thyme, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Brush the mixture onto both sides of the chicken breasts.
Grill the chicken for 6-8 minutes per side, or until cooked through.
While the chicken is cooking, prepare the asparagus salad. In a large bowl, combine the asparagus, cherry tomatoes, red onion, parsley, extra-virgin olive oil, lemon juice, salt, and pepper. Toss to combine.
Serve the grilled chicken with the asparagus salad on the side.
Spring Quinoa Salad with Roasted Vegetables
Ingredients:
1 cup quinoa, rinsed and drained
2 cups water or vegetable broth
1 red bell pepper, diced
1 zucchini, diced
1 yellow squash, diced
1 red onion, diced
1 tbsp olive oil
Salt and pepper, to taste
1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
1/4 cup chopped fresh basil
1/4 cup chopped fresh mint
1/4 cup crumbled feta cheese (optional)
2 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
Directions:
Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
In a medium saucepan, combine the quinoa and water or vegetable broth. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and simmer for 15-20 minutes, or until the quinoa is cooked and the liquid has been absorbed.
While the quinoa is cooking, prepare the roasted vegetables. In a large bowl, toss the diced red bell pepper, zucchini, yellow squash, and red onion with the olive oil, salt, and pepper. Spread the vegetables out in a single layer on a baking sheet and roast for 20-25 minutes, or until tender and lightly browned.
Once the quinoa and vegetables are cooked, combine them in a large bowl. Add the chopped parsley, basil, mint, and feta cheese (if using), and toss to combine.
In a small bowl, whisk together the extra-virgin olive oil and lemon juice. Drizzle the dressing over the quinoa salad and toss to coat.
Serve the salad warm or chilled.
Chewy Gooey Apple Pie Cookies
Ingredients:
Filling:
2 Apples peeled and chopped small
1/2 Tbsp. cornstarch
1/2 C. water
3 Tbsp. brown sugar
2 Tbsp butter
1 Tbsp. lemon juice
1 Tsp. cinnamon
Cookie Dough
1/2 C. melted butter
1/2 C. brown sugar
1 Egg
1 Tsp. vanilla
3/4 C. Oat flour (2 Earnest Eats Pumpkin Spice Cups)
3/4 C. All purpose flour
1 Tsp. cinnamon
1/2 Tsp. baking powder
1/4 Tsp. salt
Crumble Topping:
1 Earnest Eats Apple Ginger Bar crumbled up
Directions:
Preheat your oven to 350 degrees.
To make the filling, combine your filling ingredients in a saucepan and cook on low to medium heat until your apples are nice and tender. add a couple tablespoons of water if necessary.
Lets move onto the cookie dough next.
Combine all of your wet ingredients in a large bowl and mix on low.
Next, add your dry ingredients and mix until cookie dough is well combined. For the oat flour, we used two Earnest Eats Superfood Pumpkin Spice Oatmeal Cups and blended them for 20 seconds to make 1 1/2 cups of oat flour for this recipe!
Once dough is combined, allow it to rest in the fridge for 30 minutes.
Take your chilled dough and form 10-12 small ball shapes and roll them into a sugar and cinnamon mixture.
Place each cookie ball onto your cookie sheet evenly spaced apart. Press the center down of each with the edge of a tablespoon.
Scoop your apple pie filling into the center of each cookie. Add your crumble topping on top. Place your cookie sheet in the oven for 14-16 minutes and watch the baking magic unfold!
Pull them out of the oven and let them cool before you enjoy! These cookies are a true gooey tribute to your grammy’s apple pie.
What’s in Your Box?
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Mola Foods | Plantain Chips
Plantain Chips are a healthy snack and are delicious! A go-to snack for children all around the African continent! Oh and if you have ever been to India, then you know plantain chips are popular there as well. Enjoy!
To purchase, visit www.MolaFoods.com and use fitsnack20 for 20% off.
SIMPLE | SIMPLE Chocolate Sea Salt
These bars are simple, gluten-free, and low sugar. The perfect snack for diabetes, Hashimoto, or simply a guilt-free snack!
To purchase, visit SimpleBars.com and use coupon code fitsnack10 for 10% off.
SIMPLE | SIMPLE Almond Matcha & Chia
These bars are simple, gluten-free, and low sugar. The perfect snack for diabetes, Hashimoto, or simply a guilt-free snack!
To purchase, visit SimpleBars.com and use coupon code fitsnack10 for 10% off.
Ernest Eats |Baked Apple Ginger Bar
Chew, soft almond butter bar with organic apples, walnuts and warm spices for a healthy, tasty snack.
A perfect multigrain base of certified gluten-free oats, flax, chia seeds, and the ancient grains, quinoa and amaranth to create your own unique combination of any flavors your taste buds desire!
Healthy and delicious keto friendly crunchy cheese snack made with 100% real cheese, perfect for on-the-go and pantry stock-up!
To purchase, visit www.KazeCheese.com and use coupon code fitsnack20 for 20% off.
SIETE | Guego Grain Free Tortilla Chips
Hot potato, hot potato, who’s got the hot potato? If you’ve got the fuego papitas, then you do! Our Kettle Cooked Fuego Potato Chips deliver that can’t-get-enough old-school crunch with bold fuego flavor.