Thursday, December 24, 2009

Carbo Loading for 42k Marathon

There is always the issue of when you start carbo loading before a 42 k race. Do you start 3 days before or 1 day before. Just spoke to Rujuta Diwekar, a fitness consultant and one who i highly admire and recommend to all those who want to get fit.

Rujuta says to have 3 carb meals before a 42 k. Assuming the race is on Sunday morning, then you start eating whole wheat pasta from Friday night, Saturday lunch and Saturday dinner. Ensure that you don't eat too much fat and eat the correct proportions. Keep it healthy and toss in veggies, little cheese etc.
2 of my favorite pasta recipes.
Whole wheat pasta with baby corn and brocolli :
http://99healthyindianrecipes.blogspot.com/2009/07/whole-wheat-pasta-with-baby-corn-and.html

Pesto Penne with Mushrooms :
http://99healthyindianrecipes.blogspot.com/2009/08/pesto-penne-with-mushrooms.html

For a 21k race, carb load only on the day before the race. That would be 2 pasta meals on Saturday, lunch and dinner before the Sunday morning run.

Happy running.

Wednesday, December 16, 2009

Peanuts - Eat them daily



Peanuts forms an important daily snack in your daily diet and a handful should be consumed daily. Note that peanuts are very fattening and hence you have to be careful how much you consume daily.

Why Peanuts ?
Peanuts are a great source of monounsaturated fats which leads to a healthy heart. My cholesterol level has dropped from 250 to 110 in the 16 months i have been having peanuts.
Peanuts have great protein value and rich in Vitamin E.

Where to get roasted peanuts?
I would think every street corner in Mumbai will have them. However, i have posted a address and a picture of the peanuts as my running friends wanted the details!!! Here goes my advantage of being fitter.


Ganesh Chana Bhandar :
Raju Manji Chawl, Shop No. 120, Chawl No. 6
Sitaram Jadhav marg, this is located at the exit of Sun Mill Compound
Lower Parel (W)
Mumbai 400 013

Needless to say that the owner has no mobile.

I recommend to buy 1/2 kg of peanuts at a time. Will last approx 15 days. Store in air tight container and if the peanuts go soft throw them away. I've had no problem as have taken them Europe and they last 20 days.

Wednesday, December 2, 2009

Stir Fried Mushrooms

Healthy veggie to eat.

Ingredients

20-24 fresh button mushrooms, quartered
½ cup porcini mushrooms (optional)
½ cup oyster mushrooms (optional)
1 small red capsicum,cut into ½ -inch pieces
1 small yellow capsicum , cut into ½ -inch pieces
1 tbsp olive oil
2 medium onions, cut into ½ -inch cubes
3 garlic cloves, crushed
1 tbsp soy sauce
1 tbsp red chilli sauce
½ tbsp vinegar (sirka)
½ tsp dried thyme
salt to taste
8-10 black peppercorn (kali mirch),crushed
7-8 fresh basil leaves (tulsi ke patte),
roughly torn

Method
1 If using porcini and oyster mushrooms, soak in lukewarm water for twenty minutes. drain. wash well and set aside.
2 Heat the oil in a large pan. Add the onions and sauté over a medium heat till translucent. Add garlic and stir-fir for a minute.
3 Add the mushrooms and red yellow capsicum and sauté over a high heat for three minutes.
4 Add the soy sauce, chilli sauce and vinegar and sauté for another two minutes.
5 Add the thyme, salt and crushed peppercorns. Remove from heat, stir in the basil and serve hot.