Golden Path to an Active Summer

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Honey Leads the Way to a More Energetic You!

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Jun 25, 2014, 08:04 ET

FIRESTONE, Colo., June 25, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Summer is finally here again and that means our schedules will soon be full of fun outdoor activities. Whether it's hiking or heading to the park for a picnic with family and friends, all summer activities have one thing in common: they all require energy! Luckily, there's a flavorful solution to staying energized all summer long, and it's one that will even help you stay on track with your "summer bod" goals. The solution? Honey, of course! The National Honey Board (NHB) knows that energy is key to keeping up with both your fitness goals and upcoming outings, which is why they've partnered with fitness expert and personal trainer Julia Chaidez to put together a variety of light, no-fuss snacking and dining options with nature's golden fuel: honey.

These honeyed recipes are perfect for summer palates, as they include fresh options like a Summer Salad with Honey-Lime Dressing and a Light Honey-Ginger Chicken. The golden nutrient works to complement the unique flavors of each dish, adding just enough sweetness to balance out the spice in the habanero used in the Summer Salad, and also pairing harmoniously with the ginger in the chicken recipe. Aside from the delectable options mentioned above, Julia and the NHB also put together easy breakfast options like the Tropical Honey-Coconut Smoothie and the Pink and Powerful Yogurt Parfait so you can start your day off with a cool, satisfying boost.

"It's amazing how much you can do with honey," states Julia. "Not only does it play well with a range of ingredients, but the added bonus of using honey is that it's a natural source of carbohydrates – the primary fuel our body uses for energy." One tablespoon of honey contains 17 grams of carbohydrates and is ideal for working muscles, so an active day can benefit from this sweet energy booster. Before a workout or just a family outing, consider honey your golden ally for your active summer days.

As a busy working mom, Julia knows all too well the importance of maintaining energy levels, and since her business is in fitness, honey is the go-to source of fuel she recommends to all her boot camp trainees. "Honey's wholesome quality and delicious flavor have made it a pantry staple for years," she adds, "but its qualities don't stop there – try these recipes and feel them for yourself!"

Along with sharing her honey-based recipes, Julia also developed 10 Golden Rules to inspire consumers to start their path to a more active and fulfilling lifestyle. These include powerful motivators such as Strengthen The Mind, Wake up with a Purpose, Choose Natural Foods, Rest, Give to Others and Find Your Passion.

Now, it's up to you to put these tools to use and start on your own golden path! But don't fret, honey will sweeten the trip there, one recipe at a time. For more tips, updates and recipe ideas, visit Miel Pura on Facebook and give the page a "Like" https://www.facebook.com/pages/Miel-Pura/235486869824607. Here's a taste of what we have in store:

Pink and Powerful Yogurt Parfait

Makes 4 servings

Ingredients:
2 tablespoons honey
8 oz plain Greek yogurt
Juice and pulp of 1 grapefruit
1 cup berries
1 cup granola

Preparation:
In a medium-sized bowl, combine honey, Greek yogurt and grapefruit juice and pulp. Divide and serve mixture into 4 cups. Top each off with ¼ cup of berries and ¼ cup of granola before serving. Portions can also be stored in the fridge for a quick go-to snack during the week.

Light Honey-Ginger Chicken

Makes 4 servings

Ingredients:
4 tablespoons honey (divided)
4 inches of fresh ginger, peeled and thinly sliced
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon pepper
4 chicken breasts, sliced fajita style
Juice of 1 lime
2 tablespoons coconut oil
1 head of romaine lettuce, roughly chopped

Preparation:
In a medium-sized bowl, combine two tablespoons of honey (set aside remaining two), ginger, salt and pepper. Place the raw chicken breasts into the mixture and lightly toss, making sure chicken is evenly coated in marinade. Set aside. Place the remaining honey, lime juice and chopped romaine lettuce in a large bowl and toss to combine. In a medium-sized skillet, heat coconut oil over medium-high heat and cook chicken breasts. Once cooked, serve chicken over a bed of dressed romaine lettuce and enjoy.

For all of the recipes, the 10 Golden Rules and more information about honey as a natural source of energy, visit www.mielpura.org today.

About the National Honey Board

The National Honey Board is an industry-funded agriculture promotion group that works to educate consumers about the benefits and uses for honey and honey products through research, marketing and promotional programs.

SOURCE National Honey Board