Lauren Canepari blogs at Eater Not a Runner. She is a twenty-something on a mission to be healthy and eat well in the process. Along this journey she went from not being able to run a mile to completing her first half-marathon. The only thing she likes more than writing about food is eating it!
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When I was training for my first half marathon this summer and fall, I realized the importance of fueling your body before and after runs. I used to eat whatever I felt like without thinking about how it might affect my performance. When going on a long run, I realized that right when I finished I needed some fuel to replenish and get me going for the rest of the day!
One of my favorite discoveries has been oatmeal. I know it can seem boring, but done the right way it can be a delicious way to refuel. Here is one of my favorite oatmeal combos.
Banana-Pumpkin-Peanut Butter Oats
½ cup Quaker rolled oats
½ cup water
½ cup skim milk
½ large banana
¼ cup canned pumpkin
1 tbsp ground flax seed
1 tbsp unprocessed wheat bran
¼ tsp vanilla extract
Cinnamon, cloves and nutmeg to taste
1 tbsp Teddie all natural peanut butter
Directions: Mix the first 4 ingredients together then cook as directed (on stovetop or in the microwave). Right when the oatmeal is done cooking I stir in the rest of the ingredients except for the peanut butter which I plop right on top! This refills you after a long run with plenty of potassium, carbs, and some good fats and protein.
I can’t wait until Nuval comes to a supermarket near me so I can use the scores on the shelf instead of looking online. It is such a great way to find delicious trade-ups for foods you didn’t even know you were missing!
Developed by an independent panel of nutrition and medical experts, the 
I make this combo all the time — so good and packed with nutrients. But I agree that Nuval needs to come to more supermarkets.
I can’t wait to try this! I love pumpkin and peanut butter. Yes, please NuVal, come to WholeFoods!!
[...] 25, 2010 by eaternotarunner Before I start this post, check out my guest post at Trading Up Downtown!! This is the Nuval blog written by Tina from Carrots ‘n Cake. Hope you all like [...]
I make this exact breakfast and love it! Such a tasty yummy combo.