Ultimate Refueling Contest Winners and Other Entries

The results are in for the Ultimate Refueling Contest! We had some pretty amazing submissions which made the task of choosing three winners incredibly tough. However, after much deliberation we have chosen the Katrina Howe and her “Energy Bombs” as our grand prize winner! Not only do the energy bombs look tasty and revitalizing, but they are easy to prepare and transport which makes them the perfect recovery food.

We awarded our second place prize to Amy Katz, for her Maple Apple Bacon Stuffed French Toast. The combination of sugar, carbohydrates, and protein make it perfect for a post-workout meal. We granted Claire Waichler and her Turmeric Beet Recovery Smoothie with the third and final prize. While we may not be huge fans of beets, the creative combination of the smoothie’s ingredients won us over. 

Thanks to all our contestants! Check out the contest’s photo gallery to see our best submissions and read the prize-winning recipes below!

First Place: Katrina Howe – Energy Bombs

I call these things energy bombs. They’re super easy to make (warning: you will be sticky before it’s over), the recipe is easy to alter according to what you have/don’t have in your pantry, and they pack well into a drink belt if you want to actually bring them with you on the road/trail. In addition, if you buy the right oats it can be a gluten free snack too!

Recipe for my “Energy Bombs” 

Makes 20-30 “bombs” depending on how big you make them. 

First, prepare the container you want to store them in. I usually have a large tupperware container with pieces of wax paper or foil between layers.

Measure the following into a bowl: 

– 2 C rolled oats

– 2 C rice crispy cereal

– 1/2 C raisins/craisins

– 1/2 C flax seeds (ground flax seed meal….whole flax seeds are not absorbable)

– 1/2 C pumpkin/sunflower seeds

– 1/2 C slivered almonds 

– 1/2 C carob or chocolate chips.

In a large pot melt together till creamy: 

-1 C peanut butter

– 1/2 C honey

– 1/2 C brown sugar

Remove from stove and add the dry ingredients from the first bowl to this pot (you’re doing it in this pot so the remaining heat will help melt the chocolate/carob). 

Once it’s all mixed together roll balls or rolls out of the “dough” with your hands. Set them on a cookie sheet or cutting board to cool. Once cooled they will harden into whatever shape you’ve made them.

Second Place: Amy Katz – Maple Apple Bacon Stuffed French Toast

When it comes to refueling your body after long workouts or a lot of intensity, the three categories I always pay attention to are sugars, carbohydrates, and protein. For most endurance athletes, including skiers, our carbohydrate intake should be much greater than that of protein. Given this, what better way to refuel than eating your carbs covered in your protein? Since many times we get done with our workouts early, breakfast is the perfect recovery meal.

Ingredients for 2 pieces of french toast:

4 small pieces of some sort of whole grain bread (frozen or stale loaves work well)
1 apple
2 slices of bacon
1/3 cup of heavy whipping cream
1/2 tablespoon maple syrup
a pinch of salt
1 egg
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

To make filling:

1. Whip the cream until it has very stiff peaks- you don’t want to make it into butter but it should be stiffer than you normally make cream.
2. Cook the bacon in a pan or the microwave until crispy, and then dice it along with the apple and add it into the cream.
3. Add the maple syrup and a pinch of salt.

To make french toast batter:
1. Whip the egg with a fork until it is mixed with the yolk and add cinnamon and vanilla.

To make:
Soak 2 pieces of bread in the batter and put on a hot pan. Cook until golden on one side, and then flip and cook slightly on the other side. Add the filling and stack the two pieces and cook for another few seconds. Take out when the cream starts melting.
Can garnish with butter, coconut oil, more syrup, whatever works. But its good on its own!!

Third Place: Claire Waichler – Turmeric Beet Recovery Smoothie

Contains protein, potassium, iron, antioxidants, detoxifiers, and lots of anti-inflammatories.

(Quantities are a rough estimation)

Makes 1 blender full, 2 or 3 servings

1 medium beet, peeled

2 cups of milk

1 scoop or serving of protein powder – the one in my smoothie is 34g and vanilla flavored

2 cups of greens, spinach or kale

1 banana

A handful of candied ginger.

A turmeric finger/root

Ground cinnamon and nutmeg to taste. You can also substitute ground ginger and turmeric for the whole ingredients

Ice

Blend all the ingredients in a blender. Then guzzle.