Sweet Potatoes - Dare to Tri ?

If sweet potatoes are not a part of your triathlon, running or workout life then you are missing out. Faster to prepare than our common British (white) potato these guys are brimming with more great Vits and nutrients. Here's the skinny on Sweet Potatoes ...

1. Lower GI than white potatoes = more constant energy release (30% less of a blood sugar spike !)
2. Higher soluble fibre
3. Sweet potatoes are rich in carotenoids eg. beta-carotene. Accoring to this source beta-carotene can assist in reducing breast cancer risk : here.
4. You'll get more potassium from a sweet potato than a banana !
5. Centre for Science in the Public Interest (here) scored Sweet Potato as No1 for overall nutrition - ahead of the Superfoods : kale, broccoli and spinach.
6. Peel, boil for 15m, mash with organic butter .... it's done. Need more ? Try here.

Yes, but are they Paleo ? (Need to know more about the Paleo Diet ? check here) According to Robb Wolf (here) they have their place....

The popularity of the sweet spud has sky-rocketed among the paleo community. It’s commonly associated with the term “safe starch” and is a powerhouse post workout meal when paired with some protein.

Mark Sisson wrote :

“Evidence exists for human consumption of roots and tubers from multiple sites spanning multiple time periods: Northern Europe (specifically Poland), in the terminal Paleolithic and early Mesolithic. Clearly, we have the physiology (amylase production, glucose metabolism), the tools (fire, hearths, digging implements), and the motivation (attraction to dense caloric sources with negligible or easily neutralized anti-nutrients) to consume starchy tubers.”

.... and with sweet potatos there's none of that Nightshade family stuff (glucoalkaloids) to worry about. Check this out from paleohacks.com ....

 A lot of Paleotypes like to be low carb and that makes any potato a problem (more on this here). I like the fact that they are linked so much to an active lifestyle - where you need the energy. Anyway what clinches it for me is Sweet Potato fries. I first had these recommended to me on a trip back to Vancouver - they are excellent. You need to try this ...

So add Sweet Potato to your diet weekly and make like the guy in the clip - do a workout (or stretch) for the 20m these are in the oven - and remember to grill to crisp off. Enjoy

People (and cats apparently) don't eat enough salmon.

Beazley : Confused

When salmon is farmed ethically and grown with care it is simply an unbeatable way to access long-chain Omega 3 fats. These are essential to human health and play a massive role in brain function as well as normal development. We'll go further with Omega 3's another time but when I asked Beazley if he knew why people don't eat enough salmon he couldn't tell me.  It was simply beyond him.

M&S Lochmuir salmon is farmed to emphasise those aspects of oily fish that are healthful while miminizing concerns on contaminants or non-natural pigments – so I'd look there. If you are drawn to a Paleo-style diet then this recipe is for you. It's really quick and you can be as organic with the salad stuff as you wish.

Pan Fried Salmon Fillet with Avocado

• Approx 500g of M&S Lochmuir salmon fillet portions (* see the link)
• Approx 150g of cherry tomatoes chopped
• 1 Medium yellow pepper deseeded and chopped
• An Avocado also chopped
• A fat free salad dressing
• Seasoning
• Olive oil

(approx 2-3 portions depending on your previous workout and how hungry your cat is)

Heat the skillet with a tablespoon of the olive oil. Place the fillet portions skin side down & cook on a medium flame for 10 mins per 2cm of fillet depth. You'll see the colour change and the trick is to cook the portion without turning it – cover the skillet if you're concerned. Do this properly and you'll have a lovely crispy skin (on the salmon that is).

As the fish cooks chop the veg and add to a bowl ; fling in the dressing & season to taste.

Once the salmon is cooked simply serve with the salad. It works for me (and Beazley) – hope it works for you too.  If you want to visualize a variation to this try the link ...

Lovely Lovely Lochmuir Salmon.....