I started New blog locations for this topic

New blogs are at : www.wordpress.com www.werunusa.wordpress.com Running, Fitness, Food and other thoughts the other is Garden and life and food focused www.cheapskategarden.wordpress.com

Keeping the Knees Supple

All of the pain and trouble I have had with my knees has helped me learn a bunch of stuff about myself, my body and athletes in general. The FIRST is that I have to go out and work my body to keep it functioning- resting the damaged joints is often bad for them. Now I don't go crazy but I go regularly. I also rest and ice them when they are BAD. I am talking about TOO MUCH rest. SECOND is the value of diet. I mean this 2 ways- keeping bodyweight is good zone and the fuel that I put into my body. If I eat crap ( salty, sugary, bad fatty or processed,....) I feel it even if just a little in the midst of a good eating day. I eat raw fruits and veggies as well as many vegetarian meals. Being Vegan I have the opportunity to eat bad Veg or Good Veg or Great Veg.... I need to live in the great Veg zone more. The real value of shoes and treating my feet. if I take care of my feet and wear the best I will feel it and know it all the way up my legs. The biggest concern for shoes is not the type- nearly 100% of the shoe companies are full of baloney in what they sell and talk about- Number one concern is proper fit and flexibility. I now am prepping for the Charlottesville Fall Classic Half Marathon 9 www.badtothebone.biz) Not as a runner but as a Director; such a race is a 20-24 hour endeavor for us, but it is a lot of fun. .

Eat God's Food Not Man's food

Athletes are continually and constantly looking for food to fuel training, recovery and performance. There are many theories and ideas about the best way to eat and I will propose/support one here.
Today I will support a general idea- focused on the type of food to eat, in follow-ups I plan to discuss the specifics about what to eat and when- how to combine foods and meals with workout schedules.
The idea is this: EAT More of GOD’s Food and less of Man’ Food
GOD’S FOOD= fruit, veggies, nuts, and leaves as they are when they come off the tree, bush or plant.
MAN’S FOOD: anything in a box, bottle or run through a set of machinery to process and prepare.

Then God said, "Behold, I have given you every plant yielding seed that is on the surface of all the earth, and every tree which has fruit yielding seed; it shall be food for you; Genesis 1:29 (NASB)

Fruits are a tremendous fuel and the best source for complete vitamin needs. Vegetables (all kinds) are the best natural source for all necessary minerals. They both contain vitamins and minerals but they each specialize…. Most fruits and veggies have some or all of the essential amino acids- so protein needs can be met eating God’s food.
God’s food is right off the tree, plant or out of the ground it is ready to eat with little or no additional handling- just a little cleaning, peeling or separating. I am not leaning to raw vs. cooked food , just the status/form of the food as we get it into the kitchen or training table.
God’s Food is better 4 reasons:
1)Taste- real food tastes better, but if you are accustomed to boxed, fatty, or salty items you may need to adjust but eventually real food tastes best.
2)Nutrition- real nutrients as provided by God through the plant and soil are the best for our bodies. It is easiest to assimilate and use when in a natural form.
3)Ease of Preparation- just clean and eat, peel and cook, chop and mix… No need to read instructions or mix a lot of funny items.
4)Value- The level of nutrients per calorie is much greater in real food and therefore a better deal on the wallet.

Go to the garden, farm, farmers market or the produce section and your next meals.

Starting ALL OVER AGAIN- after a Broken leg

@ weeks ago I took a "funny"step and 13 hours later ihave a plate and 9 shiny new screws in my leg(fibula-tibia).

Now I get to become a brand new runner ( in 8-10 weeks) and find a race to train for.

This is the leg with the 2nd splint on it. Cast is expected on Thursday and a boot in a few weeks.

The crutches will carry me until I can toss them. been eating well and lots of proper supplements.

more updates to follow.

The Non"Workout" workout for Early Sunday morning

As I got up this morning (3:15am- actually 415 but time changed) I got ready for a workout run but the dogs seemed awake and ready so I couldn't sneak away.
I put their harnesses on(poopy bags in my pocket) and off we went. What was a low key workout was actually a fun LONG walk with the dogs- and a walk with 2 Fox Hounds is a chance for them to SNIFF more and stop more- my goal was to keep them moving and sniff on the the go.

We never got to a fast pace but we did move fast enough to pant a little bit and have fun together before we got home and had breakfast.

Summer fun, sweat ,sun and fresh goodies

Garden was for fun getting serious. Squash almost done but now trying to save and grow the harvest melons and brussels sprouts.

Loving mint and basil in cold drinks. Great taste and so good for us.

Iced Coffee - Hot orCold Brewed

There are many debates on preparation method for iced coffee. I drink Iced coffee year round and have found that regular hot brewed coffee, cooled then refrigerated is the best.

Green beans are roasted for a reason- to get proper flavor and coffee is made with hot nearly boiling water for a reason- heat reaction impacts taste.

Choosing the proper beans that have been properly roasted is the key to great hot brewed iced coffee and then brewing- cooling to room temperature before putting in the fridge.

Soaking ground coffee in cold water for 8-10-12 hours yields dirty "coffee tasting" water. The nuances of the coffee bean are lost because the true flavors have been been released with the reaction to heat.

Mothers Day and Thoughts of Mom's great meals

This morning i made a great Cole Slaw and put it in Fridge to marinate.
I am now thinking of the great Slaw and Potato salad and macaroni salads my mom made when we were kids- Poor woman had to make it like she was the Cook in Chow hall at boot camp with all of us.

What other good items can I work with and make a few small changes to be Vegan and enjoy.

Todays SLAW

1/3 head red cabbage- chopped
1/3 head Green cabbage- chopped
2 raw red turnips diced small
2 Kohlrabi diced
2 granny smith apples- diced
DRESSING
celery seed
mustartd seed
Raw apple cider vinegar
olive oil
tamari

Dressing poured over the combined veggies and put in fridge to season/marinate.

Raw ? Is this even better than Vegan?

I have been using a blender for food and drinks for a few years. I have read and studied raw food diet and am intrigued.

I have added several raw diet books to my collection and have experimented with several foods.

Will it be the holy grail or just another good way to eat?


Now how do I find out- look into this?

Coffee, Tea or... Hydration Thoughts

As a coffee drinker I pay attention to my coffee consumption and to studies that look at the benefits of caffeine on fat metabolism and energy during exercise.

Since caffeine is a diuretic it does pose a threat for endurance athletes. SIMPLE SOLUTION- quit drinking caffeinated beverages !

I don't like that idea so I have made a slight change- I drink a glass of water for every serving of coffee or tea that I drink.

I am a fan of Iced coffee and I drink it black most of the time- I often get a 2nd cup with water or refill my glass when I finish. This helps me stay even and limits the temptation for a 2nd ( or 3rd coffee).
I do the same with Green tea.

Vegan Runner- Enough Fuel? Where?

As a vegetarian I look forward to the first weekend of April every year and the opening of The City Market- which is our farmers market in Charlottesville.
I usually get as much as i can carry for the next week and have fun as the season progresses and changes. Last year I learned of CSA Shares ( Community Supported Agriculture) and getting a weekly box of goodies. I signed up with Roundabout Farm (www.roundaboutfarm.net) and get our first box tonight.
I am like a kid on Christmas morning wondering what will be in the box tonight. Then, since this is the first time wonder what i will do with a box of goodies for the next week and what I will need to get Saturday or at the store to compliment/complete the meals.

New Year and New Effort- Blogging and otherwise

I hope all had a great and spiritually rewarding Christmas and New year celebration.

I head into 2008 with a lot of plans:
1) Under diet I am experimenting with a Gluten-free lifestyle in addition to Vegan. I had found a few blogs with similar focus and will read and reference them as the year goes on.

2) Athletics - I am training for the JFK50 miler in November. I hope to run at least 2 long races in preparation and many miles of training as well. many other physical efforts will a part of this effort.

3) Personal - I have a number of personal plans and goals that i will undertake and see the results as the year progresses.

4) Work life- Investigate some additional/expanded avenues of work and income and have fun doing it

Alright- have a great year.

Party Season and Vegan Diet

I have a party to attend tonight and there will be a wide variety of food but I am wondering what I can eat. Have gotten in the habit of eating a little before I go just in case there are no or very limited vegan-safe offerings.
Having a late lunch from local Chinese restaurant. They have a nice selection of both vegan as well as gluten free offerings(good for 2008). Will have a little "something" in my belly and be set while visiting and schmoozing. A good practice as Christnas and Thanksgiving approach
Tofu, veggies and rice will do the trick.

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Spent 20 Minutes Reading and Studying the Bulk Bins at Natural Food Store

Going GlutenFree as a Vegan may not be as challenging as I worried.

At the small downtown natural store I counted 15+ bulk bins of great grains that are gluten free and will make good staples and can be used for breads or crusts or other fun carbs.

Now I need to practice and get ready to change 44 years of habits as I back away from breads rolls and crackers. Now have to LOOK FIRST-Read and go to the next shelf as needed.

Marty

http://www.charlottesvillerunningcompany.com/

http://www.badtothebone.biz/

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Thinking and Dreaming

I was thinking of food and future as we have decided to go gluten free in the new year as well as continue on our vegan journey.

So i started checking out some blogs and other related sites and will give links as I find fun stuff.

A favorite Vegan blog is http://eatair.blogspot.com/ . Of course not gluten free as noted by recent delicious picnic menu that included some (apparently) tasty fried seitan.

We also hiked over the weekend but were not so elaborate with our food. We brought some low-sodium veggie chips, soy yogurt with fruit and raw trail mix.

Now looking for vegan and gluten free sites and blogs.

harvest Season Almost Over- farmers market Over Soon

A large bulk of my weekly fruit and veggies come from a local farmers Market (City market in Charlottesville). Not sure what to do for winter.

There is a local retail space that is an outlet for a produce distributor and may have to serve for the off-season. Looking for organic at a reasonable price will all become an even greater challenge.

I have enjoyed the vegan diet and the fun of experimenting and playing with my food. Now we are looking into gluten free and after some review and research i am not as worried as I once as with such and effort. My biggest concern will be breads and rolls. i am in a 44 year habit of having bread, rolls, toast etc. Will experiment with the available products and maybe even make some of my own.

Figs and Cherries for a Morning Snack

I am standing at the computer buzzing and brimming with energy as I have eaten a handful of fresh sweet cherries and 5-6 figs (black mission). They are like popping a handful of jelly beans, a couple gummy bears and washing it down with jolt cola. WOW.

I think I will try to use these for future running foods, even race day fuel out on the trail.

I have tried dates as race/running fuel and they worked well and I am sure these would too. Would these kick it up they they are today? Gotta love that kind of energy.

This morning after a little workout and some stretching I ate some cherries, a banana and sun butter on sesame crackers. Good fuel and now 4 hours later this fruit is pumping me up.

Fun and challenge of Vegan food lifestyle.

Now that I am beyond the half year mark in the new life and it is going well.
I have gotten a little more comfortable carrying food or finding convenient vegan snacks when hungry around town.
There is always water.

I have subscribed to a few email services that send daily or weekly recipes and ideas for vegetarian living. www.vegweb.com has a nice weekly collection of recipes that i have been experimenting with.
I have trouble following recipes, drives my girlfriend nuts, I add 2 cups of this and 1/2 cup of that but use my nose and eyes and add more pepper or use sesame oil instead of EVOO,,,,

I have fun, eat well and enjoy myself.

Summer Blogging- oops I got busy

Have had a great summer with the food and diet- The changes in the City Market/farmers market have been fun as the season progresses and the veggies and fruit emerge.
Loads of great squashes and cucumbers and still getting some root crops( beets, turnips, radishes, potatoes) and great greens.

I need to start digging a basement at the house and wire it for a walk in fridge so I can buy a weeks worth of food or 2 vegans.

Been eating lots of spreads on bread, veggies and crackers, hummus, raw sunflower seed pate,butters.
Fun to experiment and create goodies.

Food Combining and health

Food Combining and digestion have come to my attention again. Now that many of my meals are raw fruit/veggies I "tripped" over a book on how to eat to aid digestion and of course health.
My switch to vegan diet was made for health and fitness reasons so I want to do the best I can.

The basics as I see(from 3 different books and some web info):
1) Chew completely when eating solid foods{ I even "chew" smoothies and juices}
2) eat most liquid items first - juices, soups, broths
3) Higher water content items next (leafy greens, veggies , fruit) Combos of these matter as well.
4) Eat in a peaceful manner and environment ( not in car or at desk) no TV and calm music
5) Solid foods and heavier proteins later

These make sense and I have been experimenting and so far so good. No major changes in energy but have noticed some digestive changes -feelings and elimination. Improvements.\

More trials and experiments.