“The problem with competition is that it takes away the requirement to set your own path, to invent your own method, to find a new way.” Seth Godin ~ Going Gluten Free in the World Of Sports.

“The problem with competition is that it takes away the requirement to set your own path, to invent your own method, to find a new way.” Seth Godin

~ Going Gluten Free in the World Of Sports.~

With so many people going gluten free, and in trying to find my own path through this new maze, I have discovered the challenge of balancing act of carb content in my diet and exercise or sports… But what about the effect of such challenges in a “growing” body? How do athletes maintain their competitive edge?

Everyone knows that in order to maintain a healthy level of energy, you MUST add carbs, whole grains, and the like… right? Of course right… Uh.. not according to this interesting article!!

To put a name and a face to very well known gluten-free atheletes, you may simply look to the MTA… Novak Djokovic.

I’ve noticed the difference in my own body when I exert myself… how my body reacts to “stresses” either intentional or not, but what about those stresses faced by professional athletes? How can this influence or help the youth athletes striving for competitive edge, stronger skills and a better life hopefully through scholarships?

In this very detailed article by Gary Morley, for CNN, he goes into great detail about how gluten-free diets are taking the professional tennis world by storm! It’s a very interesting read.

The fact that Novak Djokovic was dealing with issues within his lungs caused by gluten amazed me! As stated ”It was his sensitivity to gluten that was compromising his lungs,” he adds, citing that in Chinese medicine there’s believed to be a relationship between the large intestines and the lungs.

So, what isn’t affected by our gut? Seriously!

Tennis Coach, Pete McGraw stated that “Cutting out wheat-based foods such as bread and pasta could be the best thing you ever do… Athletes would be complaining of excessive tiredness, even after light sessions. During a normal daily activity it was fine but then as soon as they began to exercise their blood sugar levels would drop significantly, and that causes concentration-behavior issues, (problems with) focus, emotional control.”

The article also stated that, “McCraw says he has also seen “life-changing” results in his clients. ‘Personalities changed, they were much calmer, had more clarity, better grades at school, their relationships with parents have improved, my relationship with them has matured,’ he said.”

The article greatly warns that no one should try this gluten free approach without the consent of their doctor!!! Please follow this advice from the original author accordingly!

You may find the full article here to print out and take with you to your physician for further discussion. Perhaps there may be an underlying cause never before considered in both physical and emotional status linked to gluten! It is definitely worth investigating!
http://edition.cnn.com/2013/01/28/sport/tennis/gluten-free-diet-djokovic-murray-tennis/

As for some gluten-free energy boosting snacks, I of course LOVE my LARABARS, but here are a few posts I’d found on Pinterest with some very interesting looking recipes! ~ Enjoy~

Here are some Chia seed energy bars: http://wellnessmama.com/5475/chia-seed-energy-bars/

Some Almond Power Bars: http://www.kitchenstewardship.com/2009/07/01/recipe-connection-almond-power-bars/

Easy 3 ingredient Energy Bars: http://www.thekitchn.com/how-to-make-easy-3-ingredient-energy-bars-at-home-cooking-lessons-from-the-kitchn-184306#

There are more posted on my Pinterest board if you’d like to search, pin and share!

So what are YOUR favorite energy boosters? Please share! I’m sure there are many great ideas out there!

Until Next time,
Happy Reading and Eating!
~Christa~

“When you say “It’s hard”, it actually means “I’m not strong enough to fight for it”. Stop saying its hard. Think positive!” – Unknown Working through the rough spots.

“When you say “It’s hard”, it actually means “I’m not strong enough to fight for it”. Stop saying its hard. Think positive!” – Unknown

This week has been a little tough dietary wise. I’ve made a few mistakes.. like eating the granola bar thought to be gluten/wheat free, but wasn’t. Lesson learned, when reading another type of granola bar I had, I realized I didn’t have anything to eat at work, so….

I ran down to the bookstore and scoured over the shelves reading every label of things that looked edible on a gf diet. I found only two things, a bag of trail mix that stated it was manufactured on equipment used to manufacture things with wheat, and a granola bar that was sooooooo different from everything else, I was amazed.

The name of the granola bar is Two Degrees. The bar is the Cherry Almond Flavor with Quinoa, Chia and Millet.

The bar itself contains a lot of great stuff, the company helps feed people with every purchase (LOVE THAT!), and proclaims with boldness that it is gluten free. Sadly, though, when I flipped it over, it is created in a facility that handles wheat, soy, milk, eggs, etc. So hopefully it will be okay.

You can learn more about them here: http://twodegreesfood.com/

Another bar I found and loved at the grocery store was the Lara bar which was gluten free and was REALLLY good!! It was a Lara bar, cherry/almond flavored! All I can say is YUM!!!! These could be dangerous as they taste so good! I could eat more than one!

Anyway, to learn more about the Lara bars, check here: http://www.larabar.com/ They are also committed to non-GMO so is an added benefit for anyone dealing with autoimmune issues or celiac! 🙂

In the future, I will be learning to create my own “Larabar” type granola bars with various dietary limitations… Still a newbie and learning through trial and error though.

If anyone has a recipe they’d like to share that is out of this world good, and gluten/wheat free, please feel free to share it through the posts on the left or by emailing to me below! You will get credit for it if it’s yours. 🙂 Thanks ahead for sharing!

That being said, I’ve gotten back to looking for gluten free recipes that I can have. 🙂

Think Positive, Right?

Anyway, I’ve found a couple of really interesting recipes… Here’s one for a nice, hot, thick soup!

This one looks amazing. It’s a carrot, cashew cream, curry combination from Food52! Here’s the link: http://food52.com/recipes/20730-creamy-carrot-ginger-bisque-with-cashew-cream
You can subscribe to them and get emailed recipes sent directly to your inbox!!!

Since I absolutely ADORE curry, I am truly hoping that I do not have to give it up so will modify the recipe slightly so the curry is not as pronounced to see if it’s okay! Next to chocolate, I think that curry makes the world go round!!

Anyway, onward and upward!
If you fall, just dust yourself off get up and try again… right? 🙂
Until next time,
Happy Reading and Eating!
~Christa~

Be Strong! Carry on!