Written by Katherine Mone, RD LD
The benefits of consuming multiple servings of fruits and vegetables daily are not a new concept to most athletes. Many of you, however, may not be familiar with how choosing seasonal, local fruits and vegetables can cost less, provide peak flavor and supply optimal nutrients to nourish and replenish your body. Be sure to keep this month’s article and use it as a resource when shopping for seasonal fruits and vegetables grown locally.
January - March
Ohio’s cold winter weather causes growing season to be dormant January through March. To prepare for this lull in fresh crops, stock up on root vegetables, apples and pears in the fall to have plenty to last through the winter. Another option is frozen fruits and vegetables, which are immediately frozen after being harvested to maintain their freshness. Try adding frozen, unsweetened berries to warm oatmeal. The berries cool down the oatmeal and provide antioxidants.
April
Come April, look for asparagus and spinach. Adding a spinach salad to your dinner will provide calcium, vitamin A, vitamin C and riboflavin. Asparagus is full of folate, which is necessary to maintain a healthy cardiovascular system.
Written by Karen Haas
The physical, mental and spiritual benefits of yoga have long been documented. Physically, yoga strengthens one’s entire
body with improved balance, flexibility, endurance, breathing capacity and circulation. Yoga also provides a calming influence that reduces stress, and its practice helps lead to inner harmony.
sults that competitors say help them maximize performance and duration on roads and trails. Tami Schneider, owner of Cleveland Yoga in Beachwood and a certified yoga instructor, says that yoga is “a wonderful tool for the endurance athlete, bringing awareness to proper body alignment and an understanding of how to stand taller and stronger. Cyclists have said that they sit taller on their seat and feel stronger in their core. Runners find that they run taller and feel lighter as a result.”
Marni Horvat of Orange Village is one such runner who has found that since she started yoga a year ago, she has seen improvements. Horvat has been a dedicated runner for 20 years, including running five marathons in the last two years.
Read more: How it does an athlete's body good, improving strength and endurance
