Adaptogens, or adaptogenic substances, decrease our sensitivity to stress. Our adrenal system often gets overtaxed by common life events: getting married, increased job responsibilities, buying a house, social pressure and for some athletes, overtraining for an event. Adaptogens are not…
The Art of Giving Simple Gifts
Running along the coast of the picturesque Maui shoreline, in the early morning hours, with an Epic5 Athlete will remain in my memory for a lifetime. The Epic5 Challenge, which consists of 5 full Iron Distance Triathlons on 5 Hawaiian…
What Are the 4 Levels of Organic Certification?
Most people understand that there is a difference between organic and conventionally sourced foods. Conventional farming methods include synthetic fertilizers, whereas organic farming uses natural fertilizers such as cow manure or compost. Organic farming is often concerned with sustainability, biodiversity…
Five Rules for Fasting During the Holiday Season
Shortly after Halloween Day passes, I start to notice changes in friends and clients’ eating behavior. Suddenly, they become more concerned (and rightfully so!) about the upcoming holiday season and associated potential for weight gain and vow to cut out…
A Hawaiian Foodie Adventure (Part I)
My Adventure of Racing (and Eating!) through Hawaii Waking up at 2:30 am on the first day of the inaugural Epic5 Ultra Run Challenge, I was greeted by my ohana Lisa, who graciously offered me a cup of island coffee (as…
What it Takes to Make the Journey from Casual Jogger to Ultra-Runner
For many years, I reserved the ‘runner’ title for those who ran often, usually fast, and/or trained for marathons. Many years later, I realized I was always a runner. From those first strides as an adolescent, with intentions to keep…
A Low-Sugar Fueling Approach for Athletes
Selecting an energy bar from the seemingly endless available options can be quite daunting. We see sports nutrition bars being sold with labels promising “energy” and “performance” despite containing over 20 grams (or 5 teaspoons) of sugar per serving. Not…
How Much Protein Do You Need During Pregnancy?
During pregnancy, it’s critical to obtain extra nutrients for you and your developing baby. Protein, made up of amino acids, is an important macronutrient, which plays an important role in every cell in the body. During the second and third trimesters, it…
‘Tis the Season for Homemade Broth
During this time of year, many of us can feel run down, weary and spread too thin due to increased holiday stress, and year-end financial pressure. Healthy, comforting foods can sometimes be hard to find amongst sugary treats and drinks,…
Instead of Carbo-Loading, Try a Ketogenic Approach to Athletic Fueling
A common sports nutrition phrase that you may have heard is “carb-loading” (or “carbo-loading”). This refers to filling the body with (often) very starchy, carbohydrates to top off glycogen stores to fuel a training or race day. While there is…
