sugar-free energy gel

Launching the first-of-hopefully-many experiments in "real food for fuel" recipes. This time: energy gels / goo. By real, I mean edible materials that people would normally not turn to a consistency of a soft, pulpy mass unless directed for specific dietary means.

For a while now, I've been convicted to minimalize sugar intake. Thus, ingredients I use will try their best to be sweet by way of either honey, brown rice malt syrup and fruits. Read-along and determine for yourself if you'd like to join me in food-processing adventures.

Servings: makes 2 cups

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup water

• 2 T chia seeds

• 6 dates (get the pit out)

• 1/4 cup brown rice malt syrup

• 2 tsps salt

• 1/2 banana (I felt like eating the other 1/2)

• optional: almond or peanut butter, dried or fresh fruits (We're in experimental mode. Next time, I'm goin cray & adding frozen berries)

Directions:

1. Soak chia seeds in the water for about 5-10 minutes (I was too excited & could only wait 5).

2. Pour mix into food processor. Add everything else; blend until you get a saucy substance.

3. Place into some sort of container (I used Goob Toobs) & refrigerate until use. Hoping to use one of these on my next long run.

Enjoy!

Post how this works out for you and ideas you have to modify these gooey treats.

new year, 2015

(photo credit: Jesse W. Carrington)

To look backward for a while is to refresh the eye, to restore it, and to render it the more fit for its prime function of looking forward.

- Margaret F. Barber

Let's pause for a moment and reflect on 2014... 

Ups & downs? Successes & failures? Easy or hard lessons learned? Growth in areas of physicality, mentality, spirituality, relational? Goals met? Dreams realized? Life milestones? Beliefs solidified or shaken? Bucket-list items checked or created/added?

2014, looking back for me, without first replaying it, seemed like a quiet year. But I stopped to think about it. 

Lessons learned on my 2014:

Physicality: shoulder surgery; new right shoulder; 6 months sedentary lifestyle; back on cycling, running, swimming, backpacking; qualified for Boston marathon '16; got a personal trainer; remembering my ol' love for running

Mentality: battling winter & post-surgery depression; working toward letting go of what people think about me, focusing more on doing the right thing; inspired by book "Packing Light" by Ally Vesterfelt; realizing dreams of passion for the outdoors; certified Wilderness 1st Responder & organized a trip to the Pac NW

Spirituality: feeling back-peddled because of decreased frequency of prayers, religious-involvement, & solitary time with God; developing honest standards for what I'm convicted of and what is right, thus not worshipping my idol of people-pleasing and saving-face by being pretentious

Relational: was an emotional roller-coaster upon discovering my trend of seeking friendships on basis of sucking attention from them; reestablishing friendships on sincere grounds of loving them for who they are (good, bad, everything -- LOVE), not what they give me; my dear brother Sammy and his beloved wife Chelsey got married in May; Jesse and I begin dating in July -- learning invaluable, rich lessons of love, respect, community, family, fun, & communication

My most treasured lessons of last year: Be present. Slow down. Live in the moment. Forgiveness is freeing (grudges enslave).

May your reflection of 2014 happen, enlighten, encourage, inspire.

Here's to a great year and life to the fullest in your year to come. 

Happy new year, your 2015!