~Sunday, February 10, 2013
The
LA Marathon Expo: A runner’s smorgasbord—vendors selling
non-chaffing creams (for those extra-sensitive spots—yeah,
believe it!),
compression socks to keep the swelling down, sport gels and bars in every
flavor to avoid “bonking” (too hard to
explain), extra-wicking running apparel for moisture and odor control, (you
do not want to get stuck in an elevator with a group of athletes who just ran a
marathon!), and lastly, but not surprisingly, ultra-marathoner Dean Karnazes
speaking at the Expo telling everyone to “celebrate the pain.” (I know that one’s
hard to swallow—like the chocolate flavored GU at mile 20—but you do feel
pretty invincible after running 26 miles.) But wait… what’s this vendor sampling—coconut water?—hmmmm…..super hydrating,
more potassium than a banana, low on carbs, and five essential
electrolytes! I always know when 24,000
people at an Expo learn of a new product for better performance another health
craze is on the rise.
Hence, for those of you looking
for a different sports drink, or simply a great way to hydrate, pack potassium,
and energize your day, drinking coconut water on its own or added to your
morning smoothie is a great alternate choice.
My husband has been making this power-packed blend for the past two
weeks:
Ingredients
(Serves 6)
2 ripe bananas, peeled and
halved
1½ cups frozen peaches
1½ cups frozen antioxidant
blend (cherries, blueberries, red raspberries, strawberries, pomegranate arils)
3 heaping tablespoons nonfat
plain Greek yogurt
1 teaspoon chai seeds
2 tablespoons flaxseed meal
2 tablespoons flaxseed meal
½ teaspoon fresh ginger, peeled
2 cups coconut water
Place all the ingredients into
the Vitamix, set machine on low (Variable 3), slowly increasing to a higher
setting (Variable 10), then to HIGH.
Blend on HIGH for approximately 1 minute. Serve immediately.
