Twitter Party w/ @ChooseCherries and @ScritchfieldRD — Join and win PRIZES!

I always tell my athlete clients “if you can’t fuel it, you can’t do it”. Fueling your workouts is a critical part of performing at your best. Whether you’re a marathon runner, or a casual runner, your body needs energy to keep it going the distance.

The Cherry Marketing Institute is sponsoring a special Twitter party on Tuesday, May 15 at 8:00 p.m. ET (watch video announcement) to talk about how proper fueling with antioxidant-rich (like cherries) before you workout can help prevent and manage post-exercise muscle pain and soreness. They’ll also talk about what foods are best for pre-fuel, post-fuel, and discuss proper hydration.

Studies have shown that cherries contain antioxidants called anthocyanins– which give cherries their bright RED color — and have anti-inflammatory properties that can help protect muscles and joints even before you lace up, making exercise recovery less painful.

On top of the anti-inflammatory benefits, they’re delicious! I love dried cherries in oatmeal before a workout, and frozen cherries and tart cherry juice are perfect in smoothies after a workout. You can find a ton of great-tasting recipes on their website, so check it out!

Best of all, you’ll have a chance to win awesome prizes. Who doesn’t love prizes?!  I hope to see you there!

* Be sure to follow @ScritchfieldRD and @ChooseCherries and #RedRecovery on Tuesday May 15 at 8:00 p.m. EST to participate!

* Add your Twitter handle to the comments section to RSVP.

Special #MeFirst Twitter Chat w/ @ChooseCherries and @ScritchfieldRD

We all know that an important part of the “Me” movement is setting aside time for taking care of YOU. If you’re exercising (and I hope you are) then you need to fuel that exercise with good nutrition before and after your workout. May is National Runners Month — but even if you don’t run you will benefit from learning how to optimize your performance (and maximize health benefits) from fueling well.

The Cherry Marketing Institute is sponsoring a special #MeFirst Twitter party with sports nutritionist (and ultra marathoner) Rebecca Scritchfield, RD (that’s me!) on Monday, May 16 at 8:30 p.m. EST to talk about how your body’s “fuel” plays a key role in managing post-exercise muscle pain and soreness – especially anti-inflammatory foods, like tart cherries.

Studies show that cherries contain powerful antioxidants called anthocyanins – responsible for cherries bright RED color — that may help the body recover more effectively after a tough workout. And this is just my opinion, but they taste GREAT too! I love them in oatmeal pre-workout and the juice is a smart foundation for your recovery smoothie.

Join the Twitter party and learn more helpful tips and where to find great-tasting recipes to fuel the body for performance. Best of all, you’ll have a chance to win awesome prizes. Who doesn’t love prizes?!

So, the #mefirst check-in: nutrition? check. exercise? check. fun? double check!! There’s something #mefirst for everyone on this Twitter chat. Even if you can only pop by for a few minutes, I hope to see you there!

* Be sure to follow @ScritchfieldRD and @ChooseCherries with #MeFirst and #RedRecovery on Monday, May 16 at 8:30 p.m. EST to participate!

* Add your Twitter handle to the comments section to RSVP and add your name to one of the prize drawings. The prizes are various “cherries” packages, which @ChooseCherries will award during and after the Twitter chat.