Even though she was thoroughly enjoying her running, Kate found it a constant challenge to fuel her body adequately. Being an avid runner as well as a cook, Kate decided to explore recipes that would increase her stamina and achieve her personal best. The result of her exploration is a collection of over 100 delicious, nutritionally-balanced, energy-boosting recipes compiled in her new book, Go Faster Food (Vermilion, 2009).
During her exploration, Kate not only discovered that certain foods are better than others for helping with endurance and aiding in recovery, she also discovered that how much and when you eat are important factors.
Go Faster Food is packed with user-friendly information that's a must have for any endurance athlete. This is not one of those books you'll read and think, "that's cool" and then never pick it up again. I foresee this book becoming a dog-eared, coffee-stained, tattered staple of many a runner's library.
The book is organized into two main sections—"Nutrition and Training" and "Go Faster Recipes." The first section is broken into six chapters each focusing on a different topic such as carbohydrates, what to eat and when, and hydration. The layout of each chapter is very user-friendly and will make using the book as an ongoing reference very easy. The get-it-at-a glance call-out boxes for tips, lists, and examples make finding key information in each chapter quick and simple.
The second portion of the book provides over 100 recipes endorsed by a nutritionist to help amateur and elite athletes improve their endurance and fitness. Each recipe provides a general overview of the dish's health benefits as well as a detailed breakdown of energy (kcal), carb, salt, fat, protein and fiber content. The recipes are divided into 9 categories:
• Breakfast
• Soups and Light Meals
• Pasta
• Rice
• Polenta and Gnocchi
• Couscous
• Lentils and Pulses
• Desserts, Cakes and Energy Bars
• Drinks and Smoothies
Each recipe is marked with one or more of three different icons so you can quickly tell if the recipe is a "healthy meal for your general training diet" "good for endurance" or "good for recovery."
Some of my favorites include "Roasted Butternut Squash Risotto with Maple Syrup Almonds" and "Date, Apricot and Walnut Flapjacks" and my all-time favorite "Walnut and White Chocolate Chip Brownies."
The only drawback for "us Americans" is that you'll need to do some metric-to-standard measurement conversions, but using a site like World-Wide-Metric will make those conversions a snap!
Kate ends the book with some helpful menu-plan suggestions as well as a shopping list that will make stocking your pantry a breeze with food categories such as dried foods and grains, canned-goods, frozen foods, herbs & spices, and vegetables.
This makes soooo hungry! Another great blog, dude!
ReplyDeleteThanks man! Vist Kate's website to check out some of her cool recipes.
ReplyDeleteI'm going to have to check this book out. thanks!
ReplyDeleteHi Singer Snaps! Welcome to the blog! Yep, check it out. Great resource.
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad you liked the book, Thad, and I hope it does become one of those well-used, dog-eared and coffee-stained books in your kitchen!Thanks for the review. Kate
ReplyDeleteYummy pictures. How would the book be for vegans / vegetarians? Do many of the recipes call for dairy products?
ReplyDeleteHey Dean! The book's not really written with the vegan/vegetarian in mind, but looking through the recipes, there are several that don't use dairy or meat. Several use skim milk but I suppose you could use soy milk or water. I'll bring the book to one of our workouts and you can check it out.
ReplyDeleteSounds delicious! Thakns :)
ReplyDelete