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Dinner’s Ready: Jessica Watkins’ Broiled Fish and Fresh Tomato Mango Salsa

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Dinner's Ready- ESP APR. 2024

“You will never be ready, so start now,” is the advice given by Jessica Watkins, owner of FIT Fairhope Gym and mom to three awesome kids.

Jessica opened FIT Fairhope Gym in 2019, and her mission is to inspire and empower individuals on their fitness journeys, fostering a life-long commitment to sustainable health and well-being. She believes that every step is a step toward a healthier, happier version of you.

Jessica is a native of Mobile, but she ventured to New York and obtained a Master’s Degree in Nutrition and Journalism from New York University. Once she graduated, she was a magazine freelance writer, focusing on fitness tips and recipes. She was also a personal trainer.

“At the time, I personally trained all over Manhattan and then had my first child, Emory. When I had her, I realized how difficult it was for moms to take the time to workout and how hard it was for us to take time for ourselves. That is when I started FIT Mama Bootcamp. I created it as a community for women to get together with the common goal of wanting to live healthy and gain confidence after becoming a mom,” shared Jessica. “When I moved back to Alabama, I started FIT Mama Bootcamp, which took off! In addition to FIT Mama Bootcamp, I own FIT Fairhope, a gym offering 50+ classes per week, childcare, and 24/7 access to workouts. It is such a positive community of men and women with good, uncompetitive vibes.”

Jessica’s ‘little sidekicks’, as she calls them, are Emory (12), Clayton (10), and Waverly (8). The family loves to go hiking together. They also enjoy playing outside and visiting community festivals, such as The Fairhope Arts and Crafts Festival or the Loxley Strawberry Festival.

“My kids are my priority. I do all the school drop-offs and pickups, drive them to all their activities, and attend all the field trips, and I am so happy to be able to do that,” said Jessica in response to what it is like to be a mom and a business owner. The business comes second, and I am so lucky to have the most supportive members and the best team working at FIT Fairhope. They are my second family, and it’s a team effort.”

This month’s Dinner’s Ready recipe is one of the Watkins family favorites.

“I found something similar in a magazine many years ago, and it kind of evolved from there,” Jessica said. I’m sharing it because my kids love this type of dish. Simply prepared seafood is always a win in my house.”

Broiled Fish and Fresh Tomato Mango Salsa

Ingredients:

  • 2 small tomatoes, diced
  • 1 mango, diced
  • ½ red or yellow bell pepper, diced
  • ½ small red onion, chopped
  • 2 green onions, chopped
  • 1 tbsp. lime juice
  • 4 tbsp. cilantro, chopped
  • 4 tbsp. parsley, chopped
  • sea salt & black pepper
  • 4 fish filets, (4.4 oz each) – e.g. tilapia, halibut, redfish, snapper

Directions:

  1. In a bowl, mix together the diced tomatoes, mango, bell pepper, red onion, green onions and lime juice to create the salsa.
  2. Stir in the chopped cilantro and parsley, then season the salsa to taste with salt and set aside.
  3. Preheat the broiler (grill) to high and position the rack about 6” from the heat source.
  4. Season the fish filets lightly with salt and pepper, place on a foil-lined pan and broil for 5-8 minutes, depending on the thickness of the filets.
  5. The fish is ready when it becomes opaque throughout and easily flakes with a fork.
  6. Spoon the salsa over the broiled fish filets and serve immediately with white rice or a side of your choice.
Gabriele Jones
Author: Gabriele Jones

Gabriele has been married to her husband Daniel for 16 years. Together they have three incredible children - two boys, ages 15 and eight, and a sweet girl who joined the family last summer. She is a full time Pink Cadillac Sales Director for Mary Kay Cosmetics. When she isn’t spending time with family or building her business, she supports her husband who is the Lead Pastor and Planter of Forward Church in Foley.

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Gabriele has been married to her husband Daniel for 16 years. Together they have three incredible children - two boys, ages 15 and eight, and a sweet girl who joined the family last summer. She is a full time Pink Cadillac Sales Director for Mary Kay Cosmetics. When she isn’t spending time with family or building her business, she supports her husband who is the Lead Pastor and Planter of Forward Church in Foley.

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