Athlete's Corner by Marie DeJournette

Back in the Saddle


Today I am officially done with my injury. I’m so over it. I’m still hyper aware of my ribs and they didn’t like surfing but they held up during yoga class last night so I figure I’m good to go. As I begin my training for a half Ironman in June I try to focus on proper nutrition that will keep my muscles strong for the duration. I’m so lucky to have Mana Foods at my fingertips. Here is a sample day of my training meals. Everything on the list can be found in Mana’s aisles.

Breakfast – Acai bowl

Sambazon acai packet (freezer), sliced banana (produce), salted cashews (bulk), Mana’s Grand Granola (bulk), coconut flakes (bulk)

Lunch – Salad with tuna

Lettuce, tomato, cucumber, celery, carrot, beet, jicama, radish, red onion (all from produce), with Season brand albacore tuna thrown on top. This tuna is super convenient, comes in a pouch drained and ready to eat. It’s great for backpacking too.

Dinner – Gnocchi and veggies

Rising Moon Garlic and Basil Gnocchi (freezer) cooks up in 5 minutes. Roasted Brussels sprouts. I cut them in half, drizzle with olive oil and sea salt and roast in my toaster oven until slightly browned.

For snacks during the day I’ll munch on carrot and celery sticks, olives, almonds or an apple. Occasionally I can’t resist one of the delicious cookies from Mana’s bakery but I try to steer clear of sugar as much as possible. I try to drink two liters of water during my work day. As my event gets closer and I ramp up training I will be eating MUCH larger meals with more protein powders and bars added in but that's for another post.

Happy New Year, and happy training to all you athletes out there, whether serious or just weekend warriors. It’s great to get outside and get moving on a comfortably full and happy belly!

New Year's Hours

We will be open regular hours on New Year's Eve (8am - 8:30pm).
Our hours will be shorter on New Year's Day (10am - 6pm)

Did you know?

Cherimoya's name originates from the Quechua word chirimuya, which means "cold seeds," because the plant grows at high altitudes and the seeds will germinate at higher altitudes.

Cherimoya!

We have an abundant local source of cherimoya. Come and get them while they are plentiful!

Merry Christmas!

Mana Foods is closed today, Christmas Day, Tuesday, 12/25. We hope you are having a wonderful celebration with your ohana.

Last minute gifts & feast items

Mana Foods will be open normal hours today, 12/24, from 8am - 8:30. We will be closed on Christmas Day, Tuesday, 12/25.

Visit Paia for Paia Gives

Discover the magic of Paia on this Saturday, Dec 22nd. during the 7th annual Paia Gives. Mana Foods will have a Food Drive for the Maui Food bank, where you can donate non perishable food items. The most needed items are: Canned meats & Tuna, Cereals, Canned Soups, Meals with Protein, Canned Fruits, Rice, Canned Vegetables.

For the entire month of December, Mana Foods is collecting bag credit donations for the Maui Foods Bank. When you check out at the register, instead of taking your $.05 reward for bringing your own shipping bag, you can choose to donate it to the Maui Food Bank. You can also donate $1.00 to the Maui Foods Bank at the register.

Happy Solstice

Today is the first day of winter and the longest night of the year. Yes, even in Hawaii!

Local Gifting: Blue Bottle Love

These cool reusable blue glass water bottles from Blue Bottle Love are hand etched on Maui with positive, inspiring messages.

Holiday Hours

Mana Foods will be open normal hours from 8am - 8:30 on Christmas Eve, Monday, 12/24. We will be closed on Christmas Day, Tuesday, 12/25.

Local Gifting: Malie Kai chocolates

Hawaii is the only state in the U.S. where cacao can grow. At the Waialua, Oahu plantation where Malie Kai gets their cacao, only about 18,000 lbs of cacao are produced each year. This makes their single-estate chocolate one of the rarest in the world!

Local Gifting: Filthy Farmgirl soaps

These playfully naughty soaps are handmade with attitude on the Big Island. 100% natural, No Yucky Stuff! They make great stocking stuffers.

Gift Sets at Mana Foods

We have lots of gift sets available in the Vitamin room, including these lovely sets from Pacifica and Burt's Bees.

Local Giftfing: Island Essence

Island Essence products are made on the beautiful island of Maui. These pure and natural body care and hair care products are free of animal ingredients and are not tested on animals.

Local Gifting: Coffee

Another great gift idea, 100% Maui grown and roasted coffee with a reusable travel mug

Homemade Applesauce

Ingredients: 4 crisp apples, 3/4 C water, 1/4 C sugar, 1/2 tsp cinnamon. Turn on burner to medium heat. In a saucepan, combine apples, water, sugar, and cinnamon. Cover, and cook for 15 to 20 minutes, or until apples are soft. Allow to cool, then mash with a fork.

Mahalo Mana Foods customers!

During the month of November, you raised $406.90 for Roots by donating your bag credit at the register. ROOTS is a community-based alternative to conventional education for students from kindergarten to eighth grade.

For the month of December, Mana Foods will donate your bag credit to the Maui Foods Bank. It's really easy, whenever you bring your own bag to use at Mana Foods, you receive a bag credit of $.05. You can donate this or take it off your bill.

Benched!

About 8 weeks ago I rode my mountain bike off a short bridge in an obstacle course. OUCH! I ended up with four broken ribs and a torn shoulder ligament. Unfortunately there is not much you can do for broken ribs but wait, rest, hold as still as possible and try not to sneeze. But I did find some things to help with the healing and inflammation; all of them found at Mana Foods.


Curamin: Great for reducing inflammation. I take this even when I’m not injured because it reduces soreness after tough workouts.

Doctor’s Best Proteolytic Enzymes: good for inflammation, sports injuries and trauma.

Comfrey: Comfrey contains allantoin, a chemical that helps encourage the growth of muscle, cartilage and bone. (I got the root form in the vitamin room and made a poultice and applied it to my ribs; it's not meant for internal use.)


I've just gotten the OK to slowly start training again thanks to a little help from some great products. Thank goodness because I've been going crazy sitting still.
Marie at Mana, signing off.