As the days get shorter and temperatures drop it’s natural to crave warm, comforting, hearty food. The late fall and winter harvest provides an abundance of nourishing options including butternut squash, Granny Smith apples, kale and garlic.
Taking an hour or two on a snowy Sunday to prepare for a busy week ahead is a great way to ensure you are never caught without adequate fuel during your busy workday or training sessions.
The Roasted Butternut Squash and Apple Soup combines three antioxidant powerhouses in one bowl: the carotenoids in the squash; quercetin in the apples; and allicin in garlic. As exercise can lead to an increase in free radical generation, consuming a diet rich in anti-oxidants is an athlete’s best defence against the soreness and fatigue associated with oxidative stress.
The Warm Kale, Spelt and Chickpea Salad delivers a satisfying meal after a long, wet, winter run. Eating intact, unrefined grains that contain all the nutrients and fibre, as nature intended, provides the athlete with a fantastic source of slow-release carbohydrates. The addition of chickpeas and pumpkin seeds add a healthy source of vegetarian protein to help your muscles recover after strenuous training.
And as time is tight in the morning, preparing a nutritious breakfast bar on Sunday will free up precious morning minutes as you transition from workout to work. The Almond Honey Breakfast Bar is choc-a-bloc full of energizing carbohydrates, heart-healthy monounsaturated fats and protein to keep you satisfied for longer. Enjoy it for a breakfast-on-the-go or as a post-workout snack to replenish your glycogen stores.
