A Date with Fitness…

January 22nd, 2015

This Friday on Breakfast Television Edmonton, it’s all about making a date with fitness, and how Medjool dates can help boost your fitness. What you eat before, during and after exercise can make all the difference to performance, training & recovery.

Whether you’re a fitness enthusiast or an elite athlete, I hope you tune in…there’s sure to be a recipe to amp up your routine.

My friend and client, Andrew Funk, is an elite athlete and avid rock climber. This kid burns a ton of energy in the gym and on the wall. He is a machine, and shows the dedication, preparation (Thanks, Mom!) and smarts required to fuel up right. Rock-climbing requires major endurance so homemade “Medjool Date Raw Energy Bars” are one of the ways Andrew fuels up, without weighing down. See below for that recipe, and more.

Quick Facts…

Medjool dates are a fresh fruit, so you’ll find them in the produce section, not the baking aisle. They contain important vitamins and minerals, are high in antioxidants called polyphenols, and they rate low/medium on the Glycemic Index.

Natural delights are gaining wild popularity because they’re compatible with many food lifestyles: Mediterranean, Paleo, Vegetarian, Low Carb/Low Fat, Gluten-free and Vegan.

I’ve used Medjool dates in my own kitchen to add natural sweetness to spicy curries, baked goods, even homemade ketchup & BBQ sauce. They’re incredibly versatile! Truly though, my favourite way to eat a Medjool date is straight out of the container; however, these recipes to boost fitness are awesome too. Enjoy!

Recipes to Boost Your Workout:

#1. For the EARLY RISER…

We all know someone who has the get-up-and-go to workout early in the morning (I envy them!) For the early riser it’s a good idea to fuel up with something that’s quick, easy & portable. And, of course something that requires little digestive energy.

That’s why this “Get up & Go” Green Smoothie a perfect option.

Green smoothies are great to increase veggie intake. Adding a Medjool date or two offers natural sweetness that makes even the bitterest green go down easy (even if you’re not a veggie lover). The featured smoothie was made with almond milk, Greek yogurt, frozen banana, baby spinach & Medjool dates.

#2. For the LUNCH-HOUR WARRIOR…

If you’re working out on a lunch-hour or on a tight timeline your workout is likely, intense. This makes recovery nutrition essential!

One of my favourite recovery meals is what I like to call the “Warrior Wrap.”

To make this wrap you’ll need chickpeas, beans or chicken – basically a protein of your choice – and your favourite salad items. Chickpeas offer awesome plant-protein and an excellent source of iron. Since Medjool dates are an excellent source of vitamin C – adding chopped dates to this recipe ups the iron absorption, a lot. This is a great tip for both female & vegetarian athletes. Add this salad mix to a whole-grain wrap, or pita and enjoy!

#3. For the PM POWERHOUSE…

This next recipe is what I like to call a “mini meal.” Most people, who work out late in the day, do not want a heavy recovery meal afterwards and this “Powerfruit Parfait” fits that bill. Non-fat Greek Yogurt topped with grapefruit, Medjool dates & pistachios.

#4. For the ALL-DAY ATHLETE…

The All-Day Athlete is someone who has always active – long workouts, twice a day training or tournament play. Boxing, rock-climbing or long-distance running; whatever endurance activity you can think of. These athletes are hardcore. They need sustainable energy, but cannot afford to be slowed down.

“Medjool Date Energy Bars” are ideal for the All-Day Athlete. They have fibre and healthy fat, so they provide not just a quick burst of energy, but sustained energy. They’re raw & vegan energy; made with Medjool dates, cocoa & coconut. The “Medjool Date Powerballs,” are also great!

Thanks for stopping by 🙂