Quinoa. It's a Super Grain!

6 perks to including quinoa in your cooking:

1. Quinoa is very rich in protein.
2. Quinoa contains almost twice as much fiber as most other grains. Foods high in fiber help reduce cholesterol levels.
3. Quinoa contains iron. Iron increases brain function by keeping red blood cells healthy.
4. Quinoa contains lysine. Lysine is essential for tissue growth and repair; a very important thing for athletes.
5. Quinoa is rich in magnesium, riboflavin (B2) and manganese. Magnesium helps to relax blood vessels, alleviate migraines, and quell Type 2 diabetes. B2 increases energy production in the brain and muscle cells. Manganese helps reboot your cells! It prevents damage cell damages and protects your red blood cells.
6. Quinoa supports weight loss. Because quinoa is high in fiber and protein, it keeps you full longer and curbs your appetite. Quinoa also helps to reduce cravings!

Quinoa is an excellent supplement for rice and other simple carbohydrates. It's a super grain! Try this easy and delicious quinoa recipe:

QUINOA STUFFED PEPPERS

Serves 4 - 6 people.

INGREDIENTS:

• 6 bell peppers, tops cut off, stemmed and seeded
• 3 cups cooked quinoa
• 4 oz. can green chiles
• 1 cup corn
• 1/2 cup diced tomatoes
• 1/2 cup canned black beans, drained and rinsed
• 3/4 cup favorite cheese (pepperjack, colby jack, white cheddar all be great)
• 1/4 cup crumbled feta
• 2-3 Tablespoons fresh cilantro, chopped

Spices:

• 1 1/2 teaspoon cumin
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
• salt and pepper, to taste

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  
2. Spray a 9X13 pan with cooking spray, or line with parchment paper.  
3. Put bell peppers into pan.
4. In a large bowl, combine all remaining ingredients.
5. Spoon filling into each pepper.  
6. Bake (open side up) until peppers are tender and filling is warm throughout, about 30 minutes.
7. Serve immediately.

Airports

8 Ways to Stay Fit This Winter

Is the cold weather getting to you? If you’re like us, winter weather can sometimes make working out feel like a chore. Here’s seven tips to keeping up with your summer body:

1. MAP YOUR RUN

Making sure you have safe and stable footing should be a priority when you are planning a winter running route. Make sure that the streets you plan to use for early-morning or evening workouts are plowed and well lit. You don't want to slip on black ice.

2. WARM UP WISELY

Walk around or jog in place indoors for five minutes before venturing outside! Also, when your home give your body a chance to adjust to the conditions by taking 30-second breaks every few minutes for the first 10 minutes.

3. BUNDLE UP

Wear a hat, mittens and several layers of clothing. It's better to be safe than sorry. You can always take layers off!

4. COOL DOWN QUICKLY

Try to avoid being outside during your cool down. Slow your pace for three or four minutes and then go inside to stretch.

5. EASE IN

If you run four miles in the summer, start off running two miles in the winter. You can build back up to your summer running routine, but take your time. Allow your lungs to acclimate to the cold weather.

6. STAY HYDRATED

Even though you don’t sweat as much in the winter as you do in the summer, it's important to stay hydrated!

7. BE FLEXIBLE

If you normally run in the mornings, be flexible and wait until the afternoon. It's usually the warmest between 2 - 5 PM. Temperatures are at their lowest in the morning and roads may not be plowed.

8. TRY A NEW KIND OF WORKOUT

We know you're a runner. Runners are the best. Feel free to try something new a couple times a week though. Aerobics and CrossFit are great ways to build strength and increase stamina. 

We brought the NEON, Southeastern Florida brought the VIBE!

 Last week the Neon Vibe was able to escape the cold confines of the rocky mountains and head Southeast to beautiful Sunrise, FL! There's nothing like taking off on an airplane surrounded by snowy mountains and landing in warm weather and palm trees. What a trip and what an event!

After taking care of business on Thursday we had a relaxing dinner at Quarterdeck Restaurant on the pier in Dania Park, FL. Before dinner we walked the beach and put our feet in the water. There were film crews filming an episode of USA's Graceland. Watch for us in season 2--we'll be the extras in the background on the beach looking at the camera and laughing. I think it's safe to say we caused the director headaches. At the restaurant we feasted on coconut shrimp, fresh salmon, and some of the best lobsters we've ever had. The delicious food combined with breathtaking views was a sweet combination.

We held packet pickup at the Runner's Depot store off S University in Davie. The owner Renee and her employees were very helpful. We'd recommend all you runners swing by their stores whenever you're in need of new running shoes or running gear. The staff is courteous and they always go the extra mile.

That night we had dinner at Bahama Breeze, which we highly recommend. The food was fantastic! It was Valentine's Day and the place was packed, but they seated us quickly and we ended up having a nice meal. We were decked out in neon tutus and colorful clothing. Among the fancy love birds we stuck out like sore thumbs.

The day of the event can be summarized in two words. Organized chaos. Every event we hold has its obstacles and our Southeastern Florida event was no different. We spent many hours setting up the course, glow zones, arches, pillars, lighting, etc... and it was all worth it. There's something about the melting pot of cultures in Florida that makes it a special place. We were thrilled with the energy of the runners and the enthusiasm of the after party.

Thanks to Yulia and Kristen from Youfit Health Clubs for inviting all their members to participate in our event. Youfit led runners in stretching exercises before the run, sponsored a glow zone, and handed out free merchandise on stage. Zumba Fran also led the runners near the stage in an energetic dance. A special thanks to all the other vendors that made it out including Joji Frozen Yogurt, Naked Juice, PopChips, Neon Energy Drink, Slow Food Truck, Curbside Gourmet, Veggie Xpress and Juice Plus. We also want to express our gratitude to the staff at the BB&T Center--especially Pablo. We couldn't have done this event without your help and the use of your beautiful facilities.

Last and definitely not least we want to thank all the runners that came! We can't begin to tell each of you how important your participation is to us. You're the lifeblood of Neon Vibe and you made this event happen. You should be proud of yourselves! You made the state of Florida proud!

Easy Post-Workout Smoothies

Post-workout smoothies are one of the best post-workout meals! Just add a scoop of protein powder to make it a complete meal! 

Here are some of our favorite recipes here at The Neon Vibe. They’re quick, easy, and made with only five ingredients each! My personal favorite is the mango and yogurt smoothie.

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Pack your smoothies with some extra health power by adding these ingredients:

1. Green Tea - Carries cancer-fighting catechins.
2. Pomegranate Juice - Helps relieve sore muscles after exercise.
3. Coconut Water - Low in calories, naturally fat- and cholesterol free, more potassium than four bananas, and super hydrating.
4. Silkin Tofu - Loaded with protein to help curb snack attacks.
5. Kale - High concentration and excellent source of vitamins A, C, and K.
6. Flaxseed - Adds fiber and heart-healthy omega-3 fats.

Let us know which one you plan on making! Feel free to share your recipes with us!

A Glowing Fiesta in Tucson

What a great weekend we had in Arizona!

The Neon Vibe spent this last weekend throwing an event for the city of Tucson. The run took place at beautiful Reid Park in the heart of the city. We had a great time getting to know the people of Tucson and partying the night away. We can't wait to get back!

We flew in to Tucson on Wednesday. We took some time getting to know the city, driving through the down town area and going to the venue later that night to check on lighting for the course.

Thursday was packet pickup at the hotel. We want to give a shout out to Steven at the Holiday Inn for making our packet pickup in the lobby comfortable. Zach from Memory Lounge spent the day inviting each runner to download the new photo sharing software he created. Thanks to all the runners that came out the day before the run to pick up their packets. It makes race day a lot less stressful knowing you don't have to wait in line.

That night we went out to dinner at La Parilla Suiza, and it was absolutely delicious. Tucson has great Mexican food and we were lucky to find one of the better restaurants in the area to have dinner. To any of the Tucson locals that haven't had a chance to try out their food, go as soon as you can! I wish we had La Parilla Suiza closer to us!

Friday was race day. We got to Reid Park around 7:30 in the morning to begin set up. Race day is always a very long, but rewarding one. We did our best to set up a vibrant environment that our runners could be proud of. There is a lot of background work--setting up barricades, lighting, organizing the course, etc.., but we were lucky to have a great crew with plenty of energy.

The event itself was awesome! The people of Tucson had an impressive amount of vigor and enthusiasm and we were proud to be a part of it. Thanks to all the people that came out to the run and a special thanks to all the volunteers that came to help. We were overwhelmed with the hospitality and helpfulness the people of Tucson showed to the Neon Vibe. Again, we had a great time in Tucson and look forward to continuing our tour around the rest of the country!