I’ve gotten a lot of questions about the birth control pill and I’ll address those issues in my next post when I have more time. I just wanted to share my delicious recovery smoothie that I made today after running:

2 Cups water
1 Cup blueberries (I use the frozen wild blueberries from Trader Joes)

1 Cup raspberries

3 Packets stevia (I love NuNaturals brand- seems to have the best flavor)

2 Tbs Chia Seeds

3 Tbs Spirulina powder

A few splashes (maybe 1/4-1/2 cup) of Coconut Milk (SoDelicious Unsweetened)

I just had never made this combination before and I really think it’s a winner. We got back late from the University of Oregon Relays Meet in Eugene and slept in, so we’re just now back from our run- a nice 11 mile loop in forest park from our front door. One of those days that just makes you appreciate all the little things…. like berry smoothies in the afternoon. Cheers!

It seems that every time I turn around, or pick up a magazine/nutrition journal, someone is touting the benefits of a recovery meal directly after competition.

In my brief stint at Oregon, before quitting law school, the athletic department’s nutritionist required us to either down a “Balance Shake” in a can or a bar immediately following a hard workout. She wasn’t entirely fond of me since I refused to ingest these products. Not only did they contain dairy products, but they were loaded with the dreaded HFC (high fructose corn syrup) and coated with hydrogenated oils (trans-fats). GROSS. This wasn’t the stone age either- it was the fall of 2002. And, she was supposed to be a nutritionist! (Never mind that she was overweight herself, probably from snacking on too many of these free bars and shakes that were given to the school as some kind of promotional deal….)

Instead, my compromise was that I would bring along a Clif bar or almond butter and jam sandwich. These wholesome snacks, however, were very hard for me to consume after really exerting myself… especially if it was hot. I have a terribly sensitive stomach! And hard efforts make me nauseous. To be honest, for most of my running life, I have avoided eating anything for quite some time after a strenuous workout. I have also always been known by my coaches for slow recoveries.

And that is something I would like to change.

There is frankly too much evidence available now about muscle breakdown and recovery for me to neglect this aspect of training any longer. I have forced myself to get over my food aversion mostly through liquid forms of energy replacement. Bellow is a recipe for the smoothie that I consumed today after a moderately-paced 16 miler. It was sunny and hot toward the end, and I felt really zapped of fluid.