Move over Clif!

I don’t know about you, but after a few hours on a bike I can’t handle just … one … more … Clif bar.

I mean, I like them alright. They even rotate special flavors seasonally which makes me look forward to the fall and other changes. Since I am a diabetic and limited on my choices, I have them in my jersey pocket, bento box and when traveling in my backpack. That’s a whole lotta Clif.

To alter my snackage (and meals when stuck in an airport over night), I supliment with nuts, mostly almonds. Trader Joes has tidy little packets of raw almonds all made up for your next Century at $4.99 a bag.

Yesterday, Trader Joes changed my Clif bar enhanced life. There it was, sitting unassuming on the shelf. The heavens did not part, and the angels did not sing, but I knew my cycling engery snackage would never be the same again … Wasabi Wow!

Made up of almonds, peanuts, cranberries and wasabi peas, it has just the right mix of everything I need – including just a bit of salt for that sweat replacement.

Ride-strong has another great giveaway!

Ride-Strong.com FREEBIE write up. Infinit Nutrition giveaway.

A Coffee a Day…

So here’s the thing… I am exhausted. I am up all night, dropping by day and reviving myself with cups of my favorite caffeinated elixir, coffee.

And the real thing is I know what the culprit is. It is the coffee. Keeping me in a glorious catch 22 of coffee high, dependency crash, and back again – each day increasing my use by one more cup. Its call worse than those dealers you hear about around the schol yard “the first one’s free..”.

I’ve been this route before. Years ago I realized that I was the only one in the office drinking the two to three pots of coffee we made made daily. I removed the evil liquid from my diet for over 3 years. Then I had just one…

We’re going to try it again, removing coffee, I mean. And I say we because my family will be along for this emotional ride and perhaps, so will my blog <insert ominous music>. It will be interesting to see how this affects my hydration, etc. I’m not so sure it will be interesting to see how it affects my mood.

Staying off the Insulin

I’m totally committed to not ever having to be on insulin. But my blood sugars aren’t so committed.

All those energy drinks and protein bars can keep you from fading or if you are a diabetic they can set you up for a blood sugar crash and burn.

Fuel your body

Blueberries – They’re packed with antioxidants that boost brain cells and help kept memory sharp. toss a half cup onto your cereal.

Apples – They’re high fiber content means they deliver steady energy. Apples also help prevent dehydration, which is why I like them prior to a bike ride.

Fish – The Omega-3 fatty acids in oily fish such as salmon are linked to improved concentration and memory. Clear moment of irony is that I knew this, but had forgotten it until I read it this week!

Spinach – It’s brimming with iron, which helps deliver oxygen to your cells. When you are low on this mineral, you’ll feel like about to crash. Use it in pastas and salads or even with your eggs instead of a side of hash browns.

Nuts – Build energy with a daily handful of almonds, hazelnuts or cashews, all of which contain fatigue-fighting magnesium. I almost never go out with these quick engery boosters.

How Important Is An Energy Drink?

A week ago I started my TNT training day with a shakey start, literally. I woke up shaking and sat down for an extra 30 minutes before leaving to see if it would pass — it didn’t.

Eat Your Veggies, Lower Your Risk

One carrot a day has enough beta-carptene to lower the risk of cancer, particularly lung cancer.

Other vegatables high in beta carotene are beets, broccoli, spinach, squash, sweet potatoes and tomatoes.