Eating Habit Changes

Reading up on countless Triathlon websites and articles, it’s becoming more clear that I will need to concentrate more than ever before on my nutrition and diet. It’s so important that you keep your body replenished and fueled for anything you present yourself as far as workouts. You can go to numerous web sites that have an abundance of recipes at your finger tips. The web site that I have found most helpful thus far is by Runners World, and you can find it here! The Recipe Finder is a fantastic way to find any dish your little heart desires. Go and check it out to see what good stuff you find. If you try any of them, send me a comment to let me know if its any good so we can make it in the VerDouw household.

Paula and I did a great pool workout together this afternoon, and afterwards decided to go ahead and make one of these tasty, yet healthy concoctions. We got the recipe from the latest issue of Runner’s World Magazine. I tried to find the recipe to link it up, but it must be to new, and hasn't yet been added to the online list. It ended up being great! Packed with Carbs and Protein, this Pasta Bean Toss was exactly what we needed after a good workout to get our recovery on the fast track!

Here is the recipe: Again, if you try this, let me know if it turns out good!
Pasta Bean Toss
1 pound whole-grain penne
2 medium red onions, thinly sliced
2 large garlic cloves, minced (we used dried)
1 teaspoon vegetable oil
5 carrots, cut julienne Style
2 cups raw broccoli florets
12 ripe plum tomatoes
3 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
4 tablespoons fresh basil (we used dried)
1 15 ounce can red kidney beans
1 15 ounce can white kidney beans
1/2 cup grated Parmesan Cheese

Cook Pasta according to package. While pasta cooks, in large frying pan sauté onions and garlic in oil until tender (two minutes). Add remaining vegetables, tomatoes, Worcestershire sauce, and basil. Simmer for 4 minutes. Add beans and simmer for 2 minutes or until veggies are tender. Add pasta and cheese, and toss. Serves 6
*Recipe created by Joan Salge Blake, nutrition professor @ Boston University

Eating healthy can be very tasty, especially in this case. Special thanks to my wife, who whipped this up like a Top Chef!

In conclusion, when striving to achieve an extraordinary goal, some of your normal lifestyle choices may need to be left at the back door. Goals aren't meant to be easy, and there may be an adjusting period. Don't give up. But soon you will find that the necessary changes you have made will become habit and you won't know any different, getting you that much closer to your end result. I'm slowly learning that late night trips to DQ or Taco Johns just aren't in the cards anymore to reach my Ironman goal. Instead, a nice crisp apple with a dollop of peanut butter soothes my hunger.

Good Day