Helping my body, especially my muscles and connective tissue get back to a state of rest and health, is the most important thing when training for a marathon. My running coaches are always saying how long runs are damaging to the body, at least in the short term, but if you are stretching and taking care of yourself, they don't develop into injuries. I can't imagine being injured at this stage in the game so I'm going to heed the advice of my coaches here.
It's important to rest. It's just as important as a training run or bike ride or swim. Don't neglect rest.
So after reading the article this morning, I decided to recover even more today with this smoothie. It's a beautiful color and full of fresh, organic fruits, veggies and spices that are powerful anti-oxidants and that reduce inflammation. Let me give you the run down.
Blackberries: have twice as much anti-oxidant power than strawberries. They are the berry with the highest anti-oxidant count so if you are trying to decide which berry to buy, buy them.
Bananas: high in potassium, vitamins and minerals, this fruit gives you energy and is wonderful in smoothies when it's frozen. It gives smoothies a creamy consistency and gives you energy. Potassium is needed by your body, especially your heart, for proper electrolyte levels.
Cherries: have the ability to heal the stomach lining and reduce inflammation. They also help with muscle recovery due to anti-inflammatory properties. Tart cherries can help reduce insomnia
Avocado: high in healthy fat and packed with vitamins and minerals, this veggie is perfect for giving you energy, fiber and anti-oxidants.
Lemons: they apparently have anti-cancer properties and are high in Vitamin C which helps your immune system. They also help with digestion and are great in certain dishes to replace salt.
Turmeric: has anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer properties. It can also treat pre-diabetes, pain associated with arthritis and studies are showing it may help treat Alzheimer's Disease. People take turmeric pills for pain in place of NSAIDs. It's easy to add turmeric to smoothies and of course homemade Indian food.
Ginger: also has anti-inflammatory properties and can help with digestive issues
Coconut Oil: high in healthy fat, it lowers cholesterol and is high in vitamins and minerals.
Doesn't this want to make you add these spices to everything you are eating?? I mean it's so easy so why not? I got most of this information from www.nutritionfacts.org
This smoothie is delish, the avocado gives it a creamy, almost dairy taste and the cherries and blackberries make it sweet. Now that summer is over and berries are on their way out of season, there is no harm is stocking up on frozen berries. Buy organic and if you can't decide which berry to buy, it looks like you should concentrate on blackberries according to the studies.
Smoothie for Recovery and Restoration
1/2 cup of frozen organic cherries
1/2 cup of organic blackberries
1 frozen banana
1/2 small avocado
Juice from 1/2 big lemon
2 tsp of ground or fresh turmeric
2 tsp of ground or fresh ginger
1 tbsp of coconut oil
Blend everything in your blender until smooth and creamy.
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