We enjoyed this snack last night with homemade cinnamon sugar corn tortilla chips. It’s a berry salsa. The salsa goes well with so many things such as pita chips, a crostini, cinnamon toast, or plain yogurt. It’s simple, fast, and delicious. It not only packs antioxidants and fiber, but tastes great!

Very Berry Salsa

• 1 c. fresh blueberries
• 6 oz. package fresh raspberries
• 3/4 c. fresh strawberries, chopped
• 1 tablespoon + 1 tsp. fresh squeezed lime juice
• 1-2 tsp. granulated sugar

Directions:

Combine all of the ingredients in a medium to small bowl. Gently crush with potato masher. Serve.

Makes 6 servings.

Each serving is approximately 40 calories, 0 grams of fat, 9 grams carbohydrate, 0.5 grams of protein, and 3 grams of fiber

**To make your own homemade chips lightly brush a corn tortilla with melted butter. Mix 1 tablespoon of granulated sugar with 1 tsp. cinnamon. Then sprinkle the tortilla with a little of the cinnamon mixture. Cut corn tortillas into fourths. Then bake at 375 degrees until nice and crisp (about 8-10 minutes for 6 corn tortillas/24 chips.)

I enjoyed a couple weeks of relaxed running after the Olympic Trials Marathon. Now that I’m now getting back into the swing of things, it feels so good to be adding harder workouts back to my training. This week got me thinking, what do you think about during a race or hard workout to keep you motivated and focused? Do you have a phrase, quirk, or some kind of incentive to keep you alert and in the moment?

I know I hang on to the hope that if I flood my mind with positive thoughts perhaps I’ll have that little extra push to get through the challenges of racing. Such thoughts even serve a purpose in simply snapping me out of la-la land when the repetition of running mile after mile leads to daydreaming and lackluster running.

During my mile repeats workout earlier this week I realized that there are many quotes and phrases I find inspiring; but, over the past few years I’ve found myself repeating the same thing. “Own the pavement.” I know, I know, it sounds absurd – right? I can’t really say exactly what got this started; but, I’ve gotten to the point I do it without even thinking about it.

I say this because when I get tired during a race or hard workout I start envisioning myself as a big slug. I feel like there are times as I’m planting one foot after another that I’m surrendering to the pavement. I’m letting my body mold as the pavement tells me. My response is to remind myself to “own the pavement.” I try to run a little taller; plant my feet directly beneath me; and lower my arms, driving them like my elbows are being pulled toward the clouds.

….Or, could it be that I just need to be hitting the weight room more often

I’d love to hear any thoughts, phrases, or quirks you have to keep you going.   Consider adding your favorite thought to the comment section or on the Nutrition Success Facebook page.  Maybe we can help each other in staying driven to the finish!