cherry juice for recovery?

on saturday, joe and i went on a long run. we've decided we are going to run the new york marathon, but i'm a little nervous because we have less than three months to train and i typically need at least four. i've been doing intervals at the gym on the treadmill, so i don't typically go over 5 miles. i'm going to have to work on my endurance which means more long runs in richmond park!  not bad, right?

after our run on saturday we both drank a glass of sour cherry juice. i've read a lot of articles recently about the health benefits of sour cherry juice, particularly for your body's recovery after a long run or long period of exertion, so i decided to give it a try. apparently, drinking sour cherry juice can prevent muscle damage and reduce recovery time. the added benefit is that it tastes delicious, so whether it helps recovery or not, who really cares!? i wasn't sore at all on sunday, but i don't know how much of that was due to the fact that i drank the cherry juice or the fact that i'm in semi-good shape. i'm banking on the cherry juice. have you tried cherry juice post-workout? what's your favorite post-workout food/drink?

nearly fat free peanut butter?

i recently made an incredible discovery that i wanted to share with you: PB2. i was searching for a jar of peanut butter the other day in my local health food store, when i stumbled upon this gem. it sounded weird when i read the description on the jar, but i decided to give it a try anyhow ("the 85% less fat" claim is what really sold me). PB2 is made by a company called bell plantation. the process they put peanuts through basically dehydrates them and removes 85% of the fat they contain, leaving them ground into a tasty powder that, when mixed with water, turns into a creamy peanut butter! it tastes just like peanut butter, but with less fat and calories. better yet, it comes in a chocolate flavor. now, tell me, what is better than peanut butter and chocolate?...peanut butter and chocolate with 85% less fat and calories! 


you can buy it on amazon here or on the bell plantation website. 

native foods

the best part about native foods is that it's in the heart of westwood.  not only does it have awesome food, but since it's in a bustling college town full of coffee shops and movie theaters, your non-vegan friends won't even bat an eye when you suggest it for dinner.  my favorite things on the menu are the bowls (try the gandhi bowl or the greek gyro bowl), but there are plenty of "comfort food" classics on the menu, as well, like nachos, a fried chicken burger, and chili cheese fries.  we got the sweet potato fries and they were amazing.

[sweet potato fries with herb salt]

[greek gyro bowl]

everything at native foods is homemade each day using organic ingredients: the tempeh, the cashew cheese, even the tofu! the portions aren't huge, but that just means you always have room for dessert!  i recommend the good luck cupcakes (made using fair trade cocoa) or the cheesecake with granola crust.  oh, and one thing i forgot to mention -they have a kids menu!  definitely not your typical vegan restaurant.

[gandhi bowl]

native foods in westwood is located here.
hours are 11am - 10pm monday through sunday.