Benefits of Collagen
UCAN Energy Bar Review
Recently I started using a few UCAN Products while both running and cycling. One of my favorite products from UCAN is their new UCAN Energy bars, which I used during my 30k hike last weekend.
Naked Nutrition Collagen
Naked Nutrition Collagen
Recently, I’ve been experimenting with different types of collagen. I’ve written a dozen posts about the uses and benefits of collagen, but it’s been a few months.
What is Collagen?
Collagen is the most abundant protein in your body. It’s a major component of connective tissues in muscles, ligaments, tendons, and skin. Consuming collagen will provide benefits, whether you are an athlete or not.
For runners, collagen can help bone and joint health, plus it can aid in workout recovery.
For nonrunners, collagen also helps skin and healthy hair and nails. I notice the difference of both my hair and skin when I consume collagen.
Why Take a Collagen Supplement?
It’s hard to get hydrolyzed collagen from food sources. You can do it by drinking bone broth every day, but taking a collagen supplement like Naked Collagen is going to make it easier to get the appropriate amount. Like whey protein powder, Naked Nutrition Collagen can help rebuild muscles post-workout.
So What is Naked Nutrition?
As the brand suggests, Naked Nutrition doesn’t contain any extra “stuff.” It’s flavorless and tasteless and so far the most tasteless collagen I’ve found to date. Naked Nutrition Collagen is highly soluble and tasteless.
The Naked Nutrition Collagen only has 35 calories per serving because it contains no extra filler. Just hydrolyzed collagen. Personally, I’ve been using it in coffee, tea, or hot cocoa. During the warmer months, I’ll probably add it so cold drinks and smoothies. You can add Naked Nutrition Collagen Peptide Powder in almost anything because you don’t taste it.
So What Does Naked Nutrition Collagen Contain (or not contain)?
- One Ingredient: Collagen Peptides
- Collagen Contains 9 out of 18 Essential Amino Acids
- Hydrolyzed Collagen Comes From Pasture-Raised and Grass-Fed Bovine Hides
- No Artificial Sweeteners, Flavors, or Colors
- 9 Grams of Protein and 0.6 Grams of BCAA’s Per Serving**
- GMO-Free, Dairy Free, Soy Free, and Gluten-Free
- Growth Hormone Free, no rBGH or rBs
Finally, have you subscribed to the LOLZletter? It’s a free newsletter that comes out each Monday. In the newsletter, I share running industry trends and things relevant to the sport.
Questions for you:
Have you tried Naked Nutrition Collagen?
Do you take a Collagen Peptide Supplement?
Meal Ideas with CAULIPOWER Cauliflower Tortilla Wraps
Recently, I was given to the opportunity to try CAULIPOWER Cauliflower Tortilla Wraps. I’ve tried CAULIPOWER pizza crust before but neer the wraps. In case you wondered, the brand CAULIPOWER is all capitalized.
CAULIPOWER tortilla wraps can be found in the refrigerator or freezer aisle of most grocery stores if you are local Wegmans and Sprouts both have CAULIPOWER tortilla wraps.
This post is sponsored by CAULIPOWER Cauliflower Tortilla but the content and opinions expressed here are my own.
I do believe that cauliflower can be an excellent addition to any diet, but your body still needs carbohydrates too. Life is full of balance. Balance is the key for anyone, runner or not.
A few things about CAULIPOWER Cauliflower Tortilla Wraps:
- Vegan and dairy-free
- Available in Original and Grain Free
- Naturally gluten, wheat, and preservative-free
- Cauliflower is the first ingredient
- Ready in minutes, using your microwave or skillet
So what did I want to make? As someone who is out of the house for long hours more often, I thought easy wraps would be a good idea. I could make CAULIPOWER Tortilla Wraps and pack them for lunch.
Keep in mind; my “Recipes” are basic and fast. Am I a foodie? No. Do I like to eat well during the day? Of course, who doesn’t? I don’t enjoy spending hours in the kitchen waiting for my meal to cook.
I made a couple of different CAUIPOWER Tortilla Wraps.
Wrap 1: Cheesy Beef Wrap
- 1 lb. ground beef
- 1 tbsp. olive oil
- 4 slices provolone
- Greens (I like arugula)
- 4 CAULIPOWER Wraps
Directions:
- Preheat skillet on medium to high heat.
- Cook beef 8-10 minutes until there is no pink. Add cheese on top
- Transfer into a bowl and add greens.
- Place on wrap.
You can store these in a Tupperware and eat them for on the go for lunches. They are a great way to meal prep.
Wrap 2: Chick Pea Wrap
- 12 ounces salsa
- 15 ounces chickpeas, drained and rinsed
- 1 Red or White onion
- 4 CAULIPOWER Wraps
Directions:
- Preheat skillet on medium to high heat.
- Combine chickpeas and salsa in a medium saucepan.
- Cook and occasionally stir until all of the liquid has absorbed and the chickpeas have turned reddish. This takes about 8 minutes.
- Add to wraps.
The Chick Pea Wraps keep better, so it’s easier (less messy) to have them later in the week.
Thank you to CAULIPOWER for sponsoring this post. Plus, right now, you can save $2 with this coupon.
Questions for you:
Hae you tried using CAULIPOWER Cauliflower Tortilla Wraps?
Hae you tried cooking with Cauliflower?
Snacking with Sahale Snacks
This post is sponsored by Sahale Snacks but the content and opinions expressed here are my own. Recently I was given an opportunity to try Sahale Snacks.
How to Find Snacks for Your Daily Routine
As someone who is on the go and out of my house anywhere from 6-14 hours most days, I am always looking for easy, portable, and healthy snack ideas. Sahale Snacks turns snacking from something that helps you get through the day into a reminder to enjoy and celebrate life. I’ve also found they work for a pre-run snack, if I’m in a pinch.
I remember listening to a pro athlete; I believe Kate Grace, say I will eat anything after a run even it’s unhealthy. I want to eat something before nothing. She meant if she had the choice to eat something unhealthy versus eating nothing, she would choose the unhealthy route every time.
A few years ago, I wasn’t the best at eating anything after a run. I would typically be on the go so that I would run, shower, leave my house, and by the time I knew it, it was 3 hours later, and I was hungry. It’s not a great habit to have.
The 30 Minute Rule:
You don’t have to be “super strict,” but you should have something within 30 minutes of a workout. Even if it’s an easy run, a weight lifting session, or cross-training. You don’t need to have a full meal but a snack important. If you’re on the go, packing something in your gym bag should become standard.
Keep in mind; I’m not a doctor, so what works for me might not work for you. Little known fact, is I do have a public health degree and took hours of nutrition classes in college.
Here is How I choose Snacks:
By now, most people know there are three macronutrients: carbohydrates, protein, and fat. Each are important for your body but in different ways.
Carbohydrates:
Runners need carbohydrates, and somewhere down the line, we forgot that. In fact, carbs should be 60-70% of your total fuel. Refueling with carbohydrates is the most important for those marathon training. If you look at the staple diet of most Olympian marathoners, it’s carbs. For long-distance running carbohydrates are the primary source of fuel.
Protein:
Most athletes are aware that protein is needed for muscle growth and repair. When you run long distances, you break down muscle. Without protein, your muscle cannot rebuild. That being said, many people runners believe “the more protein, the better,” and that isn’t necessarily the case. Protein only needs to make up about 15% of the calories for the day
Fat:
Every runner needs fat, and it’s gotten a bad rap over the years.For any endurance athlete (runner, swimmer, cyclist), fat should be about 20-30% of your diet. You might be surprised to learn (I was a while back), that adding fat will allow your body to run longer.
A Few Reasons I like Sahale Snacks as a Brand:
• Products are thoughtfully sourced and sustainable.
• All Sahale Snacks products are made from high-quality ingredients.
• Sahale Snacks are Non-GMO, Gluten-Free, No Artificial Preservatives or Artificial Sweeteners
• For dry roasting, the majority is done by electricity roasting, glazing, and packaging. To minimize
Sahale Snack’s environmental footprint, they’ve partnered with the non-profit Bonneville Environmental Foundation (BEF). Sahale Snacks uses clean based energy. The older I get, and the more I get into hiking, the more important that is to me.
Plus, the Sahale Snacks Flavors are Unique and Fun. There isn’t anything boring about them!
Here are the Sahale Snack Flavors:
• Maple Pecans Glazed Mix
• Pomegranate Flavored Pistachios Glazed Mix
• Tangerine Vanilla Cashew-Macadamia Glazed Mix
• Pomegranate Vanilla Flavored Cashews Glazed Mix
• Coconut Snack Mixes
• Cherry Cocoa Almond Coconut Snack Mix (my favorite, between the dried cherries, coconut chips, and crunchy almonds).
• Pineapple Rum Cashew Coconut Snack Mix
If you are looking to try Sahale Snacks, you can use their product locator. There are several locations in the greater Philadelphia area. You don’t have to be marathon training, and as my training cycle winds down, I still find myself enjoying Sahale Snacks.
Thank you Sahale Snacks for partnering. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Questions for you:
What are some of your favorite marathon training snacks? Or any snacks?
Have you tried Sahale Snacks before?