The Pre-Workout Snack

LOOKING TO WIN SOME CHIA CHARGER BEKIND NUT BUTTERS?  

CHECK OUT OUR CONTEST & TELL US ABOUT YOUR POWER SNACK.  

 Our current favorite power snack combines two heaping spoonfuls of peanut or almond butter, a small dollop of coconut oil, a drizzle of maple syrup, and a dusting of raisins or mini chocolate chips. About an hour before a workout, I’ll swirl all this into a ramekin and eat it off a spoon.

The idea comes from our friend and training partner Jodi. A few years ago, she invited me to her house in the Hamptons for a training weekend while she was prepping for the Ö TILL Ö, a dawn-to-dusk swimming and running race in Sweden (it's like a super-charged S.O.S.). One afternoon between workouts I caught Jodi slathering peanut butter, coconut oil, and honey on rice cakes. I figured if it energizes her through ultra-distance events, motherhood, and running her own business, it ought to see me through a two-a-day.

Bec had the idea to de-bulk Jodi’s combo. She swapped the rice cakes for a ramekin and spoon, making this the perfect quick-hit before a workout. We usually enjoy this treat up to one hour before a run or 15 minutes before a bike ride or swim. If I’m literally running out the door for a swim, I stop at one spoonful of nut butter. More and I’ll taste peanut butter on my flip-turns. (But if I have a workout on the schedule that's longer than two hours, I'll mix up this combo and spread it on a bagel or toast and have it with an espresso.)   

If you want to step it up from traditional peanut butter, order our eponymous nut butter combos from Chia Charger, one of our sponsors. These butters include chia seeds (the superfood made famous in the book Born to Run) and are made by hand in small batches. My mix is peanut almond butter blended with vegan dark chocolate. Bec’s smooth peanut butter with agave nectar is just a hint sweet. They’re pricier than nut butters at Trader Joe’s, but a worthy indulgence: part of the proceeds go to the Ulman Cancer Fund for Young Adults. 

—Laurel 

Wassner Twins Pre-Workout Snack

Serves 1

2 heaping tablespoons peanut, almond, or other nut butter

1 teaspoon coconut oil (or unsweetened shredded coconut)

1 teaspoon mini chocolate chips, raisins, or dried cranberries

a drizzle (about ¾ teaspoon) maple syrup or honey

teeny pinch fine sea salt

Layer the ingredients, in order, into a ramekin or small bowl. Grab a spoon, scoop, eat, SWIM, BIKE, or RUN.

 

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Comments

[??]

What does coconut oil taste like? Do you use it in any other recipes?

[Wassner Twins]

Coconut Oil definitely has a coconut flavor. It isn't too overwhelming though. I've used coconut oil in lots of recipes like muffins, blueberry crisp and stir fried veggies. -Bec

[Wassner Twins]

COMMENT HERE for the CONTEST. We're looking forward to reading about your favorite snacks!

[Greg Vick]

That looks incredible. It is something that I bet that my kids would even like. I'm always looking for something that is healthy for adults and my kids. That looks like the ticket.

[Greg Vick]

Also, I think that would be great on some multi-grain toast in the morning.

[Ben]

Nothing beats a few apple cinnamon rice cakes with jam and almond butter on one, and honey and almond butter on the other.

[Aliza Wassner]

This is along the lines of your snack above, but Sam and Jack's pre-workout/play snack is a pb&honey spoon or the all-time favorite Nutella spoon (we can only find "Ja" brand in Germany, so we have to go with the real deal here)

[Wassner Twins]

Good ideas so far! Leezie, is Ja different than Nutella? Have you tried the TJ's almond cocoa spread? The chia chocolately spreads are nice because they aren't as sugary, but you still get a chocolate fix.

[MKN]

Sticky rice + chia seeds + sea salt + cinnamon
It all sticks together in a tasty treat that is easy to make & simple to digest pre-workout
If I win the BekindButter- I would add it to the mix!