Is winter over yet?

It’s like the frigid weather suddenly hit us all in the face one day, without us having any say in the matter. How rude.

I long for spring weather…and spring’s running races. I hope you are all signing up for one this year!

I recently read an article about runners’ pre-race routines. Avid runners do not stray far from what they learn works for them. Runners can be creatures of habit and a bit superstitious.

When I thought about my own pre-race routine, I realized I have fallen into that same runner routine. I always do the same thing before every half-marathon, or really any race. (except for that one time in college… when my alarm didn’t go off and I ran out the door with 20 minutes to the start of IU’s half-marathon, eating a spoon of peanut butter as I drove to the race).    

Around 60-90 minutes before a longer race: I toast one slice of Ezekiel bread and eat it with a scoop of natural Smuckers chuncky peanut butter and ½ of a sliced banana. It has to be Ezekiel and it has to be natural pb.

This combo of carbs and protein just works for me; it’s not too heavy; and it powers me through.

But, this combo has not only been my pre-race go-to, but it is also something I eat pretty regularly for lunch or a quick dinner… (I may or may not have lived off this combo for the better part of a year).

The sprouted grain bread is always my go-to bread, because it is easier to digest.  When I’m eating this on a regular day, I like to add honey and cinnamon.

I could make this in my sleep.

So, today I share with you what I call my “toasted peanut butter & banana sandwich.”

Have it before a race;

Pack it in your lunch; 

Or, eat it for a quick late-night dinner. 

Trust me, this stuff is good …

Toasted Peanut Butter and Banana Sandwich

• 2 slices Ezekiel Sprouted Grain Bread
• 1-2 tablespoons Smuckers Natural Peanut Butter, chunky
• ½ large banana, sliced
• drizzle of honey
• sprinkle of ground cinnamon

Directions:

- Toast the Ezekiel bread. Spread the pb on the warm bread. Drizzle the honey and sprinkle the cinnamon over the pb.  

- Layer on the sliced bananas and top with the other slice of Ezekiel. Smush together the sandwich and cut in half.     

MY TIP: to make my pb and banana experience last even longer, I make this an open-faced sandwich and spread the pb on both slices and top with cinnamon, honey, and bananas.

double the enjoyment.

double the energy.