0 What do Sponge Bob and Triathlons have in Common?

Above is everything I needed for the triathlon I did on Sunday (all but my bike and some CHIA FRESCA).

Note the SQUEEZERS in the middle!

I'd been using these children's fruit squeezers (basically applesauce-ish packets) as a source of fuel (instead of the usual gels) during long runs for maybe a year, and then at the Boston Marathon Expo, I saw THIS PowerBar display!

PowerBar Endurance Energy

Since these can go for up to $2 or more each, just go with the kiddo versions! (also check them out here)!

For me, they are better than traditional gels because they have a higher water content and I can use all the hydrating help I can get :)

Squeezers aren't "textbook-ly" ideal for endurance fuel due to the fructose and fiber content. HOWEVER, if you eat a high-fiber diet, the small amount of fiber shouldn't both you.  Plus, PowerBar has likely found it to work well too, since they sell them :)

Always be sure to EXPERIMENT during your training, rather than at a race!

Drug Mart (an area drug store) even sells some fruit squeezers for 40 cents each!

COMMENTS?  What other weird running foods do you eat?  I used to make my own running gels with jelly and some salt - yikes!  Happy weekend!

Detail: What do Sponge Bob and Triathlons have in Common?

0 Va Va Voom -- Video on Vitality!

Click on the image below to hear about why you'll LOOK fabulous when you EAT right!

It's a GREAT LITTLE VIDEO straight from one physician who has done tons of first hand research on this stuff and written lots of great books, including one mentioned in the video called the Wrinkle Cure.

Note: video is nothing about business, even though it's on a "busienss" news show :) 

How awesome is it that by eating bright colored foods (that are grown!) you can look BEAUTIFUL AND HEAL your insides dramatically!?  Here is another post about Attractiveness and Veggies!

Dr Perricone mentions 4 specific foods in this video: watercress, CHIA seeds, cinnamon, and turmeric (you can click on turmeric or  CHIA seeds for other posts I've written!)

Nicholas Perricone has written many wonderful books about the HOWS and WHYS of this simple concept and I introduced him recently when talking of the BENEFITS OF GREEN TEA!  So you can read a bit more HERE!

Plus, check out Nicholas Perricone's Books!

COMMENTS: Did you think this guy was really calm?  I loved that about this video as much as all of his TOTALLY awesome information!  Watch again and see!  Are you a calm or excited person?  I am definitely an excited person, but I definitely see the value and benefit of calming down.  I enjoy BOTH calm and excited!  Some day I'll post about Eckart Tolle's A New Earth which has many beautiful life lessons that I love.  For one, I suppose he first introduced me to calm.  Have a great day!

Detail: Va Va Voom -- Video on Vitality!

0 Chia Seeds -- Energy Food of the Aztecs!

Believe it or not!  You've probably already had chia in your house!

It's the same stuff that grows as a CHIA PET!

Actually, CHIA SEEDS are good for more than growing a window pet!

They are SUPER NUTRITIOUS!

They have been used for hundreds of years by the Aztecs as their primary energy source; with the Mayans as well, so much that the word "chia" means STRENGTH in Mayan!

Why are CHIA SEEDS SO Awesome?

Benefits of Chia

1.  Load of OMEGA-3 -- anti-inflammatory, pain reduction Among other benefits!
You find omega-3 in few plant foods besides flaxseed and walnuts.

2.  Awesome non-meat, gluten-free, complete source of PROTEIN!  Why would you want non-meat protein?  Why would you want gluten-free protein?  Here are some other non-meat sources of protein and PROTEIN BENEFITS

3.  Soluble FIBER -- really helpful for BLOOD SUGAR control, weight loss (increases the volume of food by 9x while only adding minimal calories...see note on GEL below), sustained energy (Aztecs used as primary energy source!) -- it keeps you going strong for a long, long time!

4.  Lots of antioxidants (quantity comparable with blueberries!), protecting it's omega-3 fats (#1) from oxidative damage (avoid rancidity -- yucky!, AND destructive to awesome health benefits!).  Plus, the antioxidants protect YOUR BODY from free radical damage!  More HERE on antioxidants and chia seeds!

5.  Here are just SOME of the other nutrients: CALCIUM, POTASSIUM, MAGNESIUM, IRON, and ZINC!

Chia GEL = Combine 1 part seeds and 9 parts water, and SOAK for at least 10 min.  Add to any food that blends with liquid, such as oatmeal.

Recipes to Try!

CHIA FRESCA:  add chia to 100% fruit juice or add chia to water and a bit of lemon or lime juice!  A Mexican tradition!

Plus, 7 fresh-you chia seed recipes!

4-Ingredient Chocolaty Goodness

Choco-Peanut Crunch Laraballs

Chocolate Oatmeal

Chocolate Raspberry Kiss Muffins

Healthy Mexican Lasagna

Hearty Turkey Meatloaf

3-Ingredient Super Shake

BONUS CHIA USE: Better Baking Breadcrumbs!  Use them in every dish!

COMMENTS: Did you ever have a chia pet growing up?  I don't remember ever doing it!  Did you ever do a funny one, like Garfield?  I see there are still a lot of options to choose from!

Detail: Chia Seeds -- Energy Food of the Aztecs!