Trimarni Coaching and Nutrition

Last weekend we froze...this week calls for shorts and it is absolutely beautiful. What a change in the Florida temps. Regardless of where you live, the weather is going to change and you will likely find yourself around people fighting colds or the flu. I haven't gotten the flu shot in a good 5 years. I believe my immune system is pretty strong. Sure, exercise, good sleep and minimizing stress helps with maintaining a healthy immune system but more than anything, the diet plays a critical role in how our body fights off infection. I find it amazing that I don't get sick. Despite training for Ironman's, working out in gyms, interning outside the home (school, nursing home, etc.) and traveling, I feel as if my immune system stays strong because of the foods I emphasize in my diet and because of the foods I de-emphasize in my diet. Yet another reason to take pride in wholesome and natural foods. Of course, even the most nutritious diet does not ensure that a person won't ...

Once again, I'm falling behind on my stack of enjoyable reading. I'm 7 interning days away (1 1/2 weeks) and 1 final away, from being finished with my 11-week, 372 hour, food service rotation. I can't believe it!! In 2 weeks I will officially be over half-way finished with my 10-month dietetic internship. Nutrition Action is one of my favorite nutrition magazines and the material is absolutely excellent! The scientific advisory board is comprised if PhD's and MD's and there are even a few RD's on staff. I love the back page of the magazine titled "Right Stuff. Food Porn". In the July/August 2010 issue, the feature food (Right Stuff) was Orzo. The magazine suggests RiceSelect Whole Wheat Orzo and DeLallo 100% Organic Whole Wheat Orzo. This product doesn't toss out the bran and germ like refined pastas. The Whole Wheat Orzo contains B vitamins, iron, fiber (6-9grams), 10% or more of a day's vitamin B-6, magnesium, zinc, copper, and selenium in ...

This past weekend was the last official cycling race of the Florida Cycling racing series. What a LONG season. Karel typically races in early Feb and then takes a short break in mid summer and then finishes up the cycling season in the fall. This year Karel finished his last official race a week after I did IMWI. Karel had an excellent race, finishing 2nd and guaranteed his win as Florida Cup Pro 1,2 Series Champion. The State Road Race was not on Karel's to-do list but since the award banquet was on sat evening (after the age-group road race) he decided to race both on sat and sun (category road race). As I mentioned in a previous post, Karel has been spending much of his off-season drinking beer (opps..don't think I mentioned that) as well as lifting, doing plyo's, mountain biking and fixed gear riding. There have been a few runs and swims in his off-season routine as well. Not so much road biking but we did ride together a few times in the past month. Even though Karel w...

This is just what I needed after a long day of interning. It was a breezy 80-degrees yesterday so I'm thinking that this recipe is going to comfort all of my blog readers who live outside of Florida. When it comes to comfort food, I think we all associate the comforting food with a former memory or habit. In order to change a few old eating habits, try adding some of your favorite treats to your heart-healthy recipes. It may take some time weaning yourself away from old favorites, but eventually I think you will find yourself gravitating more towards wholesome foods and less towards processed (or high fat) options. We had some leftover Sun Chips from my Theme menu a few weeks ago so I decided to top our soup with a little crunch from the chips. If you are a salty or crunchy eater, topping a bowl full of veggies is a perfect way to incorporate something old with something new. The cornbread was super spicy. It was a little dense because I used whole wheat flour but when served warme...

Although I'm a lacto-ovo vegetarian there is no part of my diet that is short on protein. From peanut butter and nuts to cottage cheese, cheese, eggs, milk, vegetarian meats, tofu, beans, lentils, whey protein and greek/low fat yogurt...I sure do love my protein. Considering that my diet is primarily plant-based, I enjoy rounding out my meals and snacks with high fiber carbohydrates (ex. whole grains) as well as healthy fats and good sources of vegetarian protein. One of the essential proteins in my diet (as well as for Karel) is whey protein. There is always a container of whey protein in my kitchen. Even if I am not training intensely in the off-season (or high volume during the week), whey protein is an excellent complete protein to help me meet my daily protein needs and when necessary, quickly repair after workouts. Considering that I have used whey protein since college, I am thrilled with the amount of scientific research done on whey protein in relation to the elderly, indi...

This recipe never gets old....Enjoy my previous Halloween post (and recipe).. One word: YUM! I made these on Fri for Laura's Halloween Party and then again on Sat for Shawn's party. Pics of our costumes will be posted tomorrow. I couldn't decide what to make for Laura's party. I had a zillion ideas but pretzels came to mind while I was at swim practice at 6am Fri morning. I had heard of chocolate dipped pretzels for the winter holidays, but I decided to do my own Halloween/black and orange spin on this easy recipe. Athletes are pretty familiar with pretzels and they seem to be a staple in the taper-diet of an Ironman athlete. Not sure if it is the salt or the carbs, but I must say that pretzels do make a yummy snack. Although pretzels do make a healthy snack compared to many chips which are high in fat or sodium, the calories in pretzels can add up as you reach in the bag and before you know it, you've been snacking for more than 10 minutes. Here's...

I am not one to repeat articles or repeat blogs. However, I wrote this blog in 2009 and I would like to re-post it for my new readers. In anticipation for this upcoming holiday (and for the holidays in Nov and Dec), I'd like for you to please keep in mind my philosophy of having a healthy relationship with food as you read this article. I'm not a parent (only a doggy parent) so it is unlikely that there will be Halloween candy in our place on October 31st. I do not work in an office so I am pretty sure that I will not be indulging in the office candy bowl at 10am and 3pm everyday. Lastly, I am not a big fan of the selection of candy at Halloween so there will be no tootsie rolls, lollipops or butterfingers in our place. I am not anti-Halloween Candy. I am just not ok with people going with the all-or-nothing approach when it comes to sweet treats. You eat something you normally don't eat and you feel guilty. Then you say "who cares" and you overindulge. Or, on the...