Saturday, April 21, 2012

Born To Run and some gross-looking foods.

When I think I've reached rock bottom with my gross-looking-yet-healthy foods, I always find ways to surprise myself :D

First, I'm damn sure you've read this book:


Wait, you haven't? Really, and you call yourself a runner? Ok, just kidding, but really you really should just buy it like yesterday. I won't spoil it because I really don't believe anyone hasn't read it yet. What I want to talk about is chia seeds. Yes, the chia recipe that the Tarahumara tribe drinks before a run. Yes, I did it. And no, it doesn't taste nearly as gross as it looks!

Chia seeds, water, lemon and honey.

Like it's said in the book, after a while the water gets this gel-like consistency. So you drink it. And in 5min you feel like someone has injected redbull straight into your veins. Now, you should really try it for yourself since the placebo effect can really affect me ha. But seriously, I've tried 3 times now and all of them were like really awesome. A staple in my house now. 

So, you want something worse? 



Ginseng!

If you know me you well, you'll be aware of my passion for korean dramas. Well, it was only their dramas at first. Now I pretty much love their whole culture in general. Music, food, literature, movies, language (although I don't study and have never studied korean, only japanese ;) ). Anyway, the ginseng tea is known for TONS of good stuff. To list some:

Benefits of korean ginseng

The main active ingredients of Korean ginseng are ginsenosides. These steroid-like phytochemicals have adaptogenic properties, which give ginseng property to counter the effects of stress. The glycosides act on the adrenal glands, helping to prevent adrenal hypertrophy and excess corticosteroid production in response to stress. Ginsenosides increase protein synthesis and activity of neurotransmitters in the brain. Ginseng stimulates the formation of blood vessel and improves blood circulation in the brains, thereby improving memory and cognitive abilities. Ginseng is also used for diabetes, migraine, infections, radiation and chemotherapy protection, to aid in sleep, and to stimulate the appetite. 
Korean ginseng contains steroids such as panaxtriol. The steroids are remarkably similar in structure to anabolic steroids found naturally in our body. This makes Korean ginseng ideal for athletes and body builders looking for a natural alternative to anabolic steroid. Korean ginseng is also used by women for treatment of post menopausal symptoms.

Other facts

The word panax is derived from the Greek word panacea, which means all healing. In China, ginseng is the most used herb, where it has been used for more than 7000 years. Also in the Western world people are convinced of health benefits of ginseng. 
In China, the Korean ginseng roots are called Jin-chen, meaning like a man as they resemble the same shape our body. The ginseng plant can live for over 100 years. (source).




So yes, I've been searching for it for a while now, 'till I finally found it! Although I was looking for the roots, they were out of it, so I brought home the tails instead. I'm not quite sure yet what to do with the ginseng tails... they're too thin to make tea (I think?). I've heard you can pretty much just boil them a little then EAT them. And, yes, I did. Well, this one tastes funny. I mean, not horrible. Just funny. I've been brewing and eating them, just like that, since I can't find anything else to do with it. Anyone? Ideas? 

That's it for weird stuff. ;) I've been in a funky mood lately. It's like there are lots of good stuff but lots of nhen stuff at the time time. I finally got the spinning instructor job, so I'm psyched! But I was really looking forward to teach english at Berlitz, but they haven't called me yet :(  So I've been filling my days with:

Friends and wine.


Some nights out.

Hanging out with the rommie.

Satisfying my biggest addiction ;) 

Not much running in my books those days. No excuse except for the fact that I, to put it simple, do not want to run. I don't wanna stress over this anymore. I've cried enough on my own. It's a phase, or at least that's what I said to convince myself that it's something temporary. I don't want to run to feel bad. Running is my passion and it's supposed to make me feel fresh and happy, not devastated. So let's just take a breathe, do some more bodyrocking and spinning while my mind sort its shit out ;) 

RIGHT? 

2 comments:

  1. Ewwww the chia seed water looks just awful!

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    Replies
    1. Man, you should give it a go!! I can't say enough how great that thang is lol I've been taking it every time I have to run at night because I'm usually bummed and can really use that extra energy!

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