Good afternoon, friends! I had a great run earlier today, despite the fact that I thought I might blow away in the wind. My Garmin Forerunner's battery also went flat just as I started to head out, so I'm also unsure of exactly how far and fast I ran. All I know is that I did a little more than three miles, and I did two runs in one week. What an improvement!

After runs or intense workouts, I like to do the following for recovery:

1) Use my foam roller. It's great for my muscles and for breaking up scar tissue. 
2) Stretch. I make sure to get my hip flexors, quads and hamstrings
3) Make a smoothie. I don't do this every time, but I wish I did it more often.
4 )Ice. I put a bag of frozen peas on my sore spots for ten minutes. 

Today, since I had time, I made a fantastic recovery smoothie. I'm calling it the Chocolate Banana Cherry Recovery Smoothie.

I used:

• 1 scoop chocolate whey protein powder
• 1 gross, almost-rotten banana
• 1/2 cup plain soy milk (although any milk will do)
• 1/2 cup tart cherry juice

Add them together, blend, and enjoy!

For my protein powder, I used Pure Protein. I haven't tried many chocolate protein powders, but I like the taste of this stuff. 

Did you know that tart cherry juice is an excellent anti-inflammatory agent? It's one of the best things that you can put in your smoothie for that, and it's much safer than taking ibuprofen to reduce inflammation. Pass it on!

While icing, I drank my smoothie in my Tervis Tumbler that Foodbuzz sent me from the Tastermakers Program. I got it in the mail last week, and I am not kidding when I say that I have been drinking everything from it. Ask my parents if you don't believe me. I love this glass.

Here is what Foodbuzz says about it:

Tervis tumblers are virtually indestructible - they won't crack, melt, shatter, or chip, and they come with a lifetime guarantee. Even better, their double-wall insulation means hot drinks stay hot, cold drinks stay cold, and your furniture stays clear of those annoying condensation rings! 

I haven't tried to smash it (haven't gotten angry enough, I guess), but I do believe that it would be hard to break. It looks like it's only for cold drinks, but I like how I can also put something hot in it and won't burn my hand off. I'll have to give it a shot in the winter. 

Thanks Tervis and Foodbuzz!

Now, I'm off to a friend's house to watch the Blackhawks game. Have a great Saturday night!