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Getting the Thrive Diet recipes right
I've recently started making things from the Thrive Diet book. They smell and taste really good, but I have a few questions on perfecting the recipes.
Firstly, I followed the instructions exactly but my almond burgers were more like a grain than a burger - they just wouldn't really stay in a pattie shape, even when cooked (and they tasted better raw).
Is there a secret to getting them to behave more like burgers? :)
Secondly, I made the spicy black eyed bean pizza again following the intructions pretty closely - although my base was a little thicker. It was delicious but again it was very soft, not really crispy.
Thirdly, how much of the recovery drinks is the ideal amount to have after a workout? The Ginger Papaya one says it makes 3 cups - does one cup = one portion?
I also had a problem with the dulse in the recovery drink. I couldn't find ground dulse and my blender didn't like trying to cut it, so I was left with chunks of dulse which weren't nice. Do I need to soak it first?
Finally, Brendan recommends Medjool dates. I've opted for regular ones as they are cheaper, but they're also smaller. When he refers to dates in the recipes is he referring to medjool dates, meaning that I should use more smaller ones? (I figured a 3:1 ratio).
Sorry for so many questions, I just really want to get the most out of my workouts by eating the right things.
Ed
Firstly, I followed the instructions exactly but my almond burgers were more like a grain than a burger - they just wouldn't really stay in a pattie shape, even when cooked (and they tasted better raw).
Is there a secret to getting them to behave more like burgers? :)
Secondly, I made the spicy black eyed bean pizza again following the intructions pretty closely - although my base was a little thicker. It was delicious but again it was very soft, not really crispy.
Thirdly, how much of the recovery drinks is the ideal amount to have after a workout? The Ginger Papaya one says it makes 3 cups - does one cup = one portion?
I also had a problem with the dulse in the recovery drink. I couldn't find ground dulse and my blender didn't like trying to cut it, so I was left with chunks of dulse which weren't nice. Do I need to soak it first?
Finally, Brendan recommends Medjool dates. I've opted for regular ones as they are cheaper, but they're also smaller. When he refers to dates in the recipes is he referring to medjool dates, meaning that I should use more smaller ones? (I figured a 3:1 ratio).
Sorry for so many questions, I just really want to get the most out of my workouts by eating the right things.
Ed
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Brendan Brazier on
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When making recipe with whole, natural ingredients, moisture levels can very quite a bit based on crops. Some will be drier, some will have more moisture. This of course will effect how the recipe turns out if it’s one that needs to hold together. So, if the recipe is too dry and crumbly to form into a burger, add more of a wet ingredient or a bit of water so it will form into a burger. If too moisture and sticky, add more of a dry ingredients. Natural ingredients take a bit of playing around with to get just right. The recipes serve as a basic guideline, but will likely need to be altered slightly based on actual ingredients.
Serving sizes depend on the individual. After a tough workout, the 3 cups of smoothie may be a one-person serving for snacks, 1 cup will work. For the dulse, you could soak first or try a coffee grinder.
Good luck!
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Permalink Reply by Anne de Champlain on -
HI Ed
I use the dulse all the time in my recovery drinks and have no problems with this. However the brand I use is quite soft (I never soak it) and I use a hand blender to make those drinks. I always use a full recipe of recovery drink to refuel after a workout and find that any less would not be enough.
I have also tried some recipes, some more sucessful than others but I know I need to experiment to get it right with the moisture. For energy bars for exemple I found that I have to spread the mixture on a plate (board or whatever), make some indentations with a knife for separation and freeze the whole plate (recipe) before I can actually separate them into proper chunks.
Hope this helps.
Anne
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Permalink Reply by Ed McCosh on -
Thanks Brendan and Anne, really appreciate you taking the time to reply. Brendan perhaps your next book or product could be a guide to working out with the thrive diet - when to eat things to get maximum results.
Anne de Champlain said:HI Ed
I use the dulse all the time in my recovery drinks and have no problems with this. However the brand I use is quite soft (I never soak it) and I use a hand blender to make those drinks. I always use a full recipe of recovery drink to refuel after a workout and find that any less would not be enough.
I have also tried some recipes, some more sucessful than others but I know I need to experiment to get it right with the moisture. For energy bars for exemple I found that I have to spread the mixture on a plate (board or whatever), make some indentations with a knife for separation and freeze the whole plate (recipe) before I can actually separate them into proper chunks.
Hope this helps.
Anne
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Permalink Reply by Anne de Champlain on
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HI Ed,
Just another comment as I forgot to comment on the dates. I also use normal dates that I soak rather than the Medjool dates that Brendan refers to. I always assume he's using medjool dates which are bigger and I sort of put a bit more depending on the size of the dates I'm using. I find this works well for me.
I think that the Thrive Diet and Thrive Fitness seem to indicate well what food to consume before or after workouts. In essence, before a workout you want easy to digest carbohydrates. Depending on the length of time and intensity, the best pre workout food might range from straight glucose (dates) and Coconut oil for quick burst of energy lasting less than an hour, to more sustain like the Energy Pudding for Exercise from 1 to 3 hours and Energy pancakes for longer day hikes and all sort of variation in between.
To be honest I use the energy pudding almost every morning before I work out whether I run (14 km or so), do the Grouse grind ( plus or minus 50 minutes), go to the gym for a 2 hour weight training and 1 hour cardio session or swim because I tend to work out more than a hour and I find this recipe is easy to digest and satisfying. I vary the recipe with different fruit, ginger, cinnamon etc.
Because I exercise often first thing in the morning, this solves my problem as to what to eat before and after I usually have a recovery drink (this replenishes your glycogen and has a 4 to 1 ratio of carbs) followed by a WFHO shake about 60 to 90 minutes later when your body is ready to have protein. After that, when I get hungry (another hour or so later) I'll eat lunch which usually is a salad with lot's of veggies, spouts, seeds or nuts etc.
Basic rule is carb before you workout and straight after. Then protein.
Bye for now
Anne
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Permalink Reply by Ed McCosh on
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Thanks Anne, it really is great to get help from you all.
Ed
Anne de Champlain said:HI Ed,
Just another comment as I forgot to comment on the dates. I also use normal dates that I soak rather than the Medjool dates that Brendan refers to. I always assume he's using medjool dates which are bigger and I sort of put a bit more depending on the size of the dates I'm using. I find this works well for me.
I think that the Thrive Diet and Thrive Fitness seem to indicate well what food to consume before or after workouts. In essence, before a workout you want easy to digest carbohydrates. Depending on the length of time and intensity, the best pre workout food might range from straight glucose (dates) and Coconut oil for quick burst of energy lasting less than an hour, to more sustain like the Energy Pudding for Exercise from 1 to 3 hours and Energy pancakes for longer day hikes and all sort of variation in between.
To be honest I use the energy pudding almost every morning before I work out whether I run (14 km or so), do the Grouse grind ( plus or minus 50 minutes), go to the gym for a 2 hour weight training and 1 hour cardio session or swim because I tend to work out more than a hour and I find this recipe is easy to digest and satisfying. I vary the recipe with different fruit, ginger, cinnamon etc.
Because I exercise often first thing in the morning, this solves my problem as to what to eat before and after I usually have a recovery drink (this replenishes your glycogen and has a 4 to 1 ratio of carbs) followed by a WFHO shake about 60 to 90 minutes later when your body is ready to have protein. After that, when I get hungry (another hour or so later) I'll eat lunch which usually is a salad with lot's of veggies, spouts, seeds or nuts etc.
Basic rule is carb before you workout and straight after. Then protein.
Bye for now
Anne
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