The ChatterBox's Top 5 Ways to @ChooseCherries

You may have already read on Twitter and in some of our Race and Relax posts about the benefits of cherries and tart cherry juice for recovery after exercising...

"Cherries contain anthocyanins 1 and 2 that researchers believe can have a significant impact on relieving muscle and joint soreness more quickly. And, cherries’ powerful bundle  of antioxidants and carbohydrates offer added nutrition active people need. Available year-round as dried and frozen cherries and cherry juice, it’s easy to make cherries part of your training regimen." - Cherry Marketing Institute.

It was great news to me being that this "super fruit" is my fruit of choice during the late spring and summer plus I'm always drinking cherry-blend juices (pomegranate-cherry, cran-cherry).  I love me some cherries!

Our wonderful Race and Relax sponsor, Cherry Marketing Institute, sent all racers bottles of tart cherry juice to try out during our training.  When I got mine out of the mailbox, I immediately put it in the freezer to give it a quick chill.  Then... I forgot about it.  About 30 minutes later, I remembered it and fished a dynamic slushie out of the fridge.  As I savored my accidental frosty treat, I began to think of all the outside-of-the-box ways to enjoy the benefits of this bottle of antioxidant joy! (because that's what I do)

ChatterBox's Top 5 Ways to Choose Cherries

5 - Cherry Slushie:  Well, duh!  Pop the bottle in the freezer for about 30-45 minutes and have a chilly treat after your outdoor exercise / activity.

4 - Cherry Smoothie:  I make breakfast smoothies from vanilla nutrition drinks (i.e. Boost or Ensure). Running them through the blender with a bit of crushed ice froths them up to milkshake consistency.  Skip the ice and throw in your frozen cherry juice!  Yum!

3 - Cherry Popsicles:  Go old school with popsicle sticks and cherry juice poured in ice cube trays.

2 - Cherry Ice Cubes:  Ditch the sticks and drop your frozen cherry cubes in a glass of orange, apple, pomegranate, or cranberry juice.  Add a splash of club soda or lemon-lime soda for a fizzy kick.  (okay, diet lemon-lime soda...sheesh!)

1 - COCKTAILS!:  And speaking of kick... you know I had to go there, right?  Add a shot of your favorite adult indulgence to any of the above combinations in #2.  Now that's what I call recovery!

As you can see, though kind of unconventional, you can incorporate the benefits of tart cherry juice in many ways.  How do you choose cherries?  Check out these recipe suggestions.

Race & Relax Beauty: Krystal Grant

With our first Get Moving! Race & Relax event just days away, we are continuing to highlight some of the lovely participants who will be running or walking and celebrating their accomplishments with us on June 5.

Our next Race & Relax beauty is Krystal Grant. Always a huge supporter of The BlogRollers, Krystal signed on to race with us early and we’re so excited that she did! You can find her at KrystalGrant.com after you read her introduction below.

“After three pregnancies and two C-Sections I’m ready to slim back down to my pre-pregnancy body; and the 5K run is what I need to get my jumpstart. I also have a big trip to Miami planned in October and I’m desperate to wear a bikini. So I figured I better get rid of my flab! I’m excited to see all my blogger buddies and happy to meet new friends. I don’t want to be the girl to pass out and get escorted away in an ambulance so I think I’ll take it slow and just try to make it to the finish line. You can check out my “Bikini Bound” video at: http://wp.me/PFvK4-3L You can also find me on twitter at: www.twitter.com/krystalgrant or join my fan page at: www.facebook.com/KrystalGrantEnterprises”

Thanks, Krystal! We’re so glad to have you and, most importantly, we’re glad that you are moving!

Race & Relax has several wonderful sponsors including The Cherry Marketing Institute, Walt Disney World Resort, The Wine Sisterhood and Pampered By Adrienne. You can learn more about Get Moving! Race & Relax here.