The summer this year has been very mild in comparison to years past where temperatures would surely reach the one hundred and fifteens or higher by July and August. This morning I actually got up for an early ride the the temp at 5am was near 75 F! That is unheard of really. It of course has still been pretty darn hot though and turning on the oven is only done as a last resort if you want to get roasty toasty. I made some tasty recipes this past weekend that are nice and refreshing for summer… (more…)
August 1, 2011
May 25, 2010
first century ride!
This ride was definitely one of the most challenging rides I’ve ever done, but I am so happy that I made it and I can finally say that I’ve biked 100 miles!!! (well, it actually turned out to be 106) It is an amazing and empowering feeling . . . and although I was a bit stiff the day after, I actually can’t wait to do it again crazy as it may sound 🙂 (more…)
May 14, 2010
FYF: my nutrition strategy
Happy Friday! We all know how important nutrition can be with any type of endurance activity. Having a sound nutrition strategy is just as important as one’s physical preparation and training, and can make or break a new PR. With dance, nutrition was important yes, but very different from cycling. I find cycling to be much more taxing physically, requiring a much different nutritional and mental approach. I am fairly new to cycling as well, which throws in a steep learning curve, while dance on the other hand was like second nature to me, mostly because I’ve been doing it since I was 8! (more…)
March 5, 2010
what is maca?
I know we’ve all seen maca circulating in the blog world lately and I wanted to delve a little deeper into the research behind it and check it out for myself.
According to the Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database maca is a plant that grows in central Peru in the high plateaus of the Andes mountains. It has been cultivated as a vegetable crop in Peru for at least 3000 years. Maca is a relative of the radish and its root is used to make medicine. (more…)
March 3, 2010
beluga lentils & quinoa stuffed kabocha
I found some pre-cooked black beluga lentils at TJ’s and love their nutritional punch! Chrysta had posted a killer looking lentil and beet salad a little while ago, and ever since then I’ve been thinking I need to make some lentils! 🙂
Lentils are great for a filling, fiber-rich protein source. These ones were great because they were already cooked too! I had a local kabocha squash on hand from the farmer’s market, so I wanted to incorporate them somehow. When I saw that I still had some of TJ’s Harvest blend and some quinoa in the pantry I knew just the thing to do . . . stuff it! oh yeah (more…)
February 26, 2010
FYF: going to the extreme
Happy Friday all! I’m excited about today’s Fuel Your Fitness post because I’m going to have my first guest post here on eatingRD! I’d like to introduce you dear readers to Jen who is one amazing gal. She not only cycles, runs, swims and completes extreme endurance events, she’s also a great person and is a whiz at statistics!
Jen and I met while both going to grad school at UNLV. At the moment I had recently started cycling and I was so excited that she also was into cycling and fitness. She’s also soon to be graduating with a Master of Science in Kinesiology! woo-hoo! Then she began telling me about all the crazy rides and events she’s done and I pretty much look up to her as my cycling idol! Ok, now when I can cycle 508 miles in 48 hours it will be the day that pigs fly and I’m just dreamin’. I’m hoping I can at least make it through the 100 mile century in May!
Well, without further adieu here’s a little hello and introduction from Jen, enjoy! (more…)
February 19, 2010
FYF: Race for Livestrong
Happy Friday! I thought I would use this ‘fuel your fitness’ post to tell you guys about my new goal to race in the Echelon Gran Fondo to benefit the Livestrong Foundation, as well as local hospital and cancer foundations in Napa, CA on May 23rd. I’m super excited, as it is my first organized cycling ride like this!
My aunt lives in Napa and Chris’ brother’s family lives nearby, so I’m really looking forward to seeing family. I will be a member of Team Awesome! with Caitlin and I am super excited to have a little blogger meet up as well. Jenna from EatLiveRun also has her own team. Chris is coming with me too! I think he’s going for the century ride. I have registered for the metric (60 mi), but I’m getting really inspired to just go for the century (100 mi)!!! We’ll see 🙂
The money I raise will go to support LiveStrong the Lance Armstrong Foundation, which inspires and empowers people affected by cancer. I know many of us have been afflicted with this terrible disease in our own families and I am honored to help in this fight. My grandpa has had 4 different types of cancer and thankfully he has been able to battle through each one and remains cancer free to this day. It’s such a terrible thing to go through. Money will also go to local hospitals to support and enhance cancer treatment services. If you or someone you know is diagnosed, these resources will help face the challenges of cancer, head on.
From the Echelon Gran Fondon website:
Echelon Gran Fondo is a series of European style mass participation cycling rides (Cyclosportif rides) held on epic courses in destination locations. Gran Fondos attract a broad array of cyclists including casual riders, weekend warriors, amateur racers and a few professional cyclists. Each ride provides a challenge for everyone, including a 30, 60, or 100 mile road cycling option. For those who want to compete for time or those with a personal challenge against the clock, we have a special timed 40K section, with a theatrical party atmosphere and a hill top finish.
An “echelon” is a group which benefits more by its formation than by one’s proceeding alone. Echelon is a unique partnership with our participants who donate and raise money, with our sponsors who donate merchandise, and with our cancer institutes who volunteer their time to help put on cost effective events. We reward individuals and teams of 5 or more riders to compete for prizes on and off the course. We partner with LIVESTRONG and local cancer institutes to raise money for cancer survivors, cancer treatment and research.
Ride it, Rip it, or just have a Rage. From start to finish, prepare to be doused in cheering crowds and unusual entertainers. Sign up today as an individual or team, sponsor a participant, or just make a donation to this worthy cause.
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This will be such a great and empowering experience. I will be riding for my grandpa. It will really be a team effort, meaning each and every one of you too! Our team goal is to raise $3,000 total and I’m confident that we can meet that goal with your help.
You can go to my donation page or I also have a spot on the sidebar that will take you there as well. I didn’t realize, but it requires you to donate at least $20 which is a lot, so if you would like to donate any increment please stop by the secure Pay Pal Site and send to kristen@eatingrd.com. I will then transfer them over to the Echelon site. Sorry about that!
Thanks so much for all your help! A nice ride is definitely on the agenda this weekend 🙂
Do you have any ‘active’ plans?
February 12, 2010
FYF: Whey Protein, Is there a benefit?
Ah, so glad it’s Friday!! I’m really looking forward to having an extra day off in addition to a special day with Chris. Cue awwwwwhs here lol Nah we don’t really have anything too crazy planned. Our good friends are having a Valentine’s Party, my other friend is having a housewarming party and we are having a ‘cook together’ party for V day. We were thinking about making reservations and going out, but we enjoy cooking together so much we finally decided it would be better to stay in (and save money!) But we’ll see if we change our minds last minute 🙂 On to the FYF topic for today . . .
Many athletes, especially those looking to build mass and bulk up, believe that whey protein is the magic bullet that will give them the optimal results they crave. We see those giant bottles of whey protein in the health food stores and muscle men carrying their protein shakers and gallons of water, so I wanted to look into the specific topic of whey protein further to see if there really is any added benefit. . . . (more…)
February 10, 2010
February 5, 2010
Fuel Your Fitness: Overtraining Syndrome
What is overtraining syndrome & how can you prevent this?
In this series of ‘Fuel Your Fitness’ (FYF), let’s look into the topic of overtraining syndrome. While many think that athletes have to give their all 120% of the time, go for the gusto, and take it to the max in order to maximize and improve their performance, too much training can also be detrimental if not carefully monitored. Even if we are not elite athletes, overtraining syndrome can occur if we take it too far too quickly. In some runners, as explained by Noakes, (more…)
