I recently have been reading more into "superfoods" and foods for athletes. As many of my friends, fellow bloggers, and "tweeps" may know, I am a runner. I am currently training for the
Cleveland Half-Marathon on May 15 as well as a few shorter runs between now and then. Since many of us have made resolutions to eat healthier and become more active, I would like to summarize an article I recently read. I have recently came across a very interesting article about the best foods for female runners and have decided to share with you. Unfortunately, I did not bookmark the page so I cannot post it. I was surprised to see many foods I already eat and want to try are on this list. So here is the list and my thoughts on each.
1: Oatmeal. For the longest time, I only ate oatmeal in cookie form. Not because I didn't like it, but because I will admit, I fail EVERY time I go to make it. Yesterday was no exception either. You can smile and laugh at me all you want Mr. Quaker Oats guy. I will one day enjoy a nice creamy warm bowl of oatmeal for breakfast. Why oatmeal?? It has a lower-glycemic index which provides prolonged energy. Foods are measured at the rate they break down carbs and release glucose into your blood which in turn gives you energy. (I will spare the biochemistry lesson here)
2: Edamame: I was so happy to see my favorite sushi appetizer on this list! It turns out, these little legumes are packed with protein, fiber magnesium, potassium, iron, and Vitamins K and C. Just don't add too much salt to them.
3: Dried fruits: Instead of enjoying raisins, Crasins, etc. with my lunch, I have started eating them as a pre-workout snack since they are a healthy source of simple sugars which provide quick, rapid bursts on energy. Also, it was suggested sprinkling them in yogurt and oatmeal (can't seem to avoid Mr. Quaker now, can I??)
4: Green Tea: Since I already drank my 6-8 glasses of water a day, I decided to substitute my afternoon water for green tea. I use a 24 oz water bottle and fill it up at least 3x a day. When I fill it up after lunch, I throw in a green tea bag. It is a nice boost of flavor and caffeine as well as anti-oxidants (specifically EGCG) which improve endurance, increase fat burning, and boost immunity.
5: Olive Oil: Already my cooking oil of choice. Your body needs fats, just choose them wisely. Olive oil has been shown to aid in post-workout recovery.
6: Ricotta Cheese: Love ricotta already in cannoli and lasagna. However, I chose a reduced-fat ricotta and started putting it on high fiber tortillas sprinkled with a little cinnamon and pumpkin pie spice. Makes a great snack or breakfast filled with protein to increase the muscle to fat ratio during training.
7: Kale: This was on my list of foods to try in 2011. Once finding out it is a great source of fiber, vitamins C and K, beta-carotene, and manganese, it quickly moved up my list. I also found this great recipe for
creamed mushrooms and kale too!
8: Quinoa: Have heard many great things about quinoa and have many recipes to try. I bought a sack of it at
the West Side Market over the holidays. Look for a future blog all about quinoa and how to enjoy this whole grain full of complex carbs, zinc, B vitamins, iron, fiber, and magnesium.
9: Salmon: I love seafood so this one is easy for me. Salmon is a great source for omega-3 fatty acids which are one of the healthiest unsaturated fats for you. They have numerous anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, and other immune benefits.
With any food, read labels carefully and try to support local businesses. Next time you are dining at one of Cleveland's fine restaurants, look to see what they offer with these foods. I also want to mention
Healthy Heddleston's fabulous blog. She is a registered dietician and her blog provides a plethora of information on eating and living a healthy lifestyle.
And last but certainly not least, Hungry in Cleveland is now on
Facebook!!! How much do you "like" H.I.C.???
Until next time...follow your heart, fulfill your hunger!
A restaurant that serves only hot dogs (or veggie dogs for my vegetarian readers) and tater tots sounds simple right? Now, factor in over 30 different topping options and a plethora of dipping sauces and you have combinations to satisfy even the pickiest of eaters. For $5.00 you start with a quarter pound all beef dog and then let your imagination and taste buds go crazy. There are suggested combinations offered, but I love any place that lets me create my own meal. I have been there many times and do not think I have had the same combination twice. In the mood for something hot and spicy? Top your dog with Happy Dog's own chipotle ketchup or Momocho's habanero sauce. If you ever wondered how a peanut butter and jelly sandwich crossed with a hot dog would taste, get Marcela's grape jelly and chili sauce with chunky peanut butter on your frank. You also can add the chips right on the dog too. From cheese whiz to smoke gouda, there are cheeses for any palate too. For $2.50 you get a giant bowl of tater tots with as many dipping sauces as you wish. This is the perfect way to try new sauces you may have considered for the dog but wanted a taste first. Personally, I recommend sharing the tots. Aside from such a generous portion, you want room for dessert which will also take you back to childhood summers. The Happy Dog's desert menu consists of frozen treats which you probably bought from the ice cream truck such as orange push-ups and Good Humor bars. 
Now what to wash this nostalgic meal down with. The Happy Dog will make any craft beer lover happy boasting over 75 different brew choices. If craftbeer is not your thing, you can also opt for a PBR tallboy or other domestics. Yes, there are non-alcoholic options too. The Happy Dog also hosts monthly beer dinners with a 5-course meal for only $25. The next one is on April 12 at 7:30. On the weekends, local bands take to the stage at The Happy Dog. Be sure to check their Facebook page to stay up to date with acts coming and other fun events. 
As any other Clevelander, I love a good pierogi, my personal favorite being potato cheddar. I also am not a big red meat person, so I figured this would be an adventure in itself with the oxtail. I figured since it was in the ragout I could easily eat around it. We were presented with two perfect looking pierogies filled with truffled potato (you had me at truffle). To my liking, the oxtail in the ragout was mainly on one pierogi while the other had a bit more of the horseradish creme fraiche. However, being the curious foodie I am, I did try a bit of the oxtail and it was quite good. Not overly gamey and very tender. The pierogi itself was amazing. The outside was perfectly cooked, not too doughy, yet a slight crisp in the center. The truffle added a great "something extra" to the creamy potato filling. Usually, I am not one for sour cream on my pierogies, but I may be attempting to make my own horseradish creme fraiche to go with them in the future. A little of the creme fraiche really complimented the truffle potato. For an appetizer, it was the perfect portion for two. My palate was now ready for what was to come next.
Since I have been studying the menu for quite sometime, I knew exactly what I wanted for my entree. As I probably have mentioned at some point, I love seafood, specifically scallops. They are probably one of my "go to" dishes. The entree menu had something for everyone from a few seafood dishes, steaks, and even a vegetarian option. Aside from my love of scallops, the fact that they were served over a butternut squash risotto made my decision that much easier. I had 5 pnice sized dayboat scallops arranged in a star around the risotto. There were also four pearl onions on each corner of the plate. The presentation alone already made me happy. The scallops were cooked to perfection. Scallops can easily be over or undercooked leading to bad texture and consistency. Around the plate, there was a drizzle of apple cider demi which really brought out the natural sweetness of the scallop. I could have easily ate all five, but wanted to save room for dessert. Now on to the risotto. I like a risotto with a smooth texture and a flavor that will compliment the other components of the dish. The butternut squash seemed like it was made to go with the scallops. Texture-wise, I have nothing but praise for the risotto. Silky and smooth, just how I like it. My boyfriend went with the 14 oz. ribeye, which he also enjoyed. 
4: Olive oil. This one is probably the easiest to incorporate into your diet. Use it in cooking. Mix it with balsalmic vinegar and your favorite herbs and spices for a quick salad dressing. Our body needs healthy fats and oils. 
3: Dried fruits: Instead of enjoying raisins, Crasins, etc. with my lunch, I have started eating them as a pre-workout snack since they are a healthy source of simple sugars which provide quick, rapid bursts on energy. Also, it was suggested sprinkling them in yogurt and oatmeal (can't seem to avoid Mr. Quaker now, can I??)
