Food for Thought

This past weekend has been full of good things >> Food and Fellowship.

E helped me bake round #2 of our energy bars that I mentioned in the last post. He was much happier while helping than he was 5 minutes prior having a meltdown on the floor. Hand the boy a measuring cup and all is well in the world!


Craisin Date Energy Bars: After this weekend's long run, I found that these bars work great for me pre-run but not so well during the run. Chewing and running at the same time just don't work for me... or my stomach. Gel texture has worked in the past so I will share my experimental energy gel recipe below :)


Carrot Cake Cookies: I made a batch of these cookies plus butter cream frosting for girls' night on Friday. This was my first time baking carrot cake anything and they were delicious! The recipe was super quick and easy, too. E, Leo and Uncle Wayne approved of them.


Girls' nights need to happen more often. It's been way too long since I've seen these ladies! E was the only boy allowed and he seemed to enjoy the attention :)


Tim Horton's Doughnuts: Thanks to my friend, Erica (pictured far left), I brought a dozen doughnuts home to the guys that night. So many doughnuts, so many choices. Which one would you have picked?!


I'm not usually too crazy about doughnuts but I couldn't resist one of these. The pumpkin one was all mine.

After Saturday's early morning 12.2-miler, I refueled with that pumpkin doughnut (followed by some egg pancakes). I was so hungry that it tasted absolutely phenomenal! A doughnut once in a while won't hurt, I suppose.


Homemade Energy Gels: While full/half marathon training, GU energy gels have worked great (except the Espresso Love because of the high caffeine content... not good).

My problem with GU gels is they are expensive and I have to order them off Amazon plus pay shipping on top of that.I got brave this weekend and made my first batch of energy gels. We'll see how these go tomorrow morning.


To make these, I chopped up and soaked 4 pitted dates. Then I combined them with 1/4 cup maple syrup (I was out of honey) and 1 Tablespoon cocoa powder in the food processor. Process until smooth, pour into ziplock bags and store in the fridge. This recipe makes 2 servings.


I'll let you know how the gels go tomorrow. If they sit well, I will have to make a bigger batch. It's about time to figure out a plan for fueling during the run. Only 5 weeks left until the Bemidji Blue Ox Half Marathon!

Do you have any recipes to recommend?
Runners: Have you made your own "fuel" before?

Linking up at Mommy Moments and Fitness Friday.

Comments

  1. I've taken honey, dates, dried apricots, Cheez-its (!) - all kinds of food on my runs. I hope your homemade gel works well!

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    Replies
    1. Whatever works for you! Before I made this batch, I was using our toddler's fruit snacks on the run :) They worked for me but there wasn't quite enough calories in it for the longer runs. So far so good with this gel! Now I'm working on some running-friendly containers to put it in.

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  2. I make my own fuel often. I learned that hard way that when you have to fuel as often as you for an ultra making my own fuel is usually best.

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    Replies
    1. Oh I'm sure! I can't even imagine fueling for an ultra. For the half and full marathon, I don't need much for fueling but I have still had many training run mishaps with GI distress, etc... I'm so thankful nothing crazy has happened during a race (hope it never does!).

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  3. YUM, wish I could be eating that donut, looks so tasty I used to love their "Angel's Kiss" donut, and a donut here or there, is good for the soul and body xoxo
    PS. it's Amber from Eats and Exercise :)
    and KUDOS TO YOU FOR YOUR OWN ENERGY GELS!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I don't know what an "Angel's Kiss" doughnut is, but it has to be good!!! And I completely agree. Dougnuts in moderation are good for soul and body :) Thanks for stopping by, Amber!

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  4. Can't wait to read how your homemade GU works out. I think those dates will definitely do the trick.

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    Replies
    1. So far, so good! Now I'm waiting on the little travel containers for the gels to arrive in the mail. Hope they come before race day!

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