I Ate From The Cookbook "Run Fast Eat Slow" And Here's What Happened

I am a post collegiate runner turned road racer after my first Boston qualifying marathon in May. Lately, I've been running 30-40 miles per weeks and I'm eager to optimize my nutrition for longevity and fitness. I love to cook and run so after hearing about the new cookbook from Olympic marathoner Shalane Flanagan and runner-chef Elyse Kopecky, titled Run Fast. Eat Slow, I knew I had to have it. The flavorful recipes are good for the body and soul. So, here's a list of what I've made with a rating out of 10, how many times I've made it, and if I'll make it again. The book is divided into categories: thirst quenchers, morning fuel, snacks and appetizers, salads, soups, nourishing mains, sides, sauces and dressings, wholesome treats and a runner's remedies with practical advice. My photos of the food are not heavily staged or edited for a healthy dose of realism.

Thirst Quenchers

Lydia Rudd / Via snapchat

Can't Beet Me Smoothie (pictured)

9/10

This smoothie has it all. I usually make creamy smoothies with yogurt and fruit, but this smoothie is my new favorite. I would never have thought to put beets, blueberries, bananas, ginger, almond butter and coconut water/almond milk together. It's refreshing and satisfying. I've made it 4-5 times and will make it again.

Coconut-Kale Smoothie

6/10

Maybe someday I will have a Vitamix and the smoothie will be what it was destined to be. I enjoyed it, but there was a bit of a "THIS IS GOOD FOR YOU, KEEP DRINKING" going through my head in order to finish it. I have only made it once, and with my current high speed blender it is unlikely that I will make it again.

Green Tea-Green Apple Smoothie

8/10

I love me some caffeine so I couldn't wait to try this one. The apple, kale, dates and peanut butter with cinnamon just tastes indulgent and cozy as a frozen smoothie can be. The green tea doesn't come through taste-wise very much. I have only made it one time, but will make again next time I remember to set aside some green tea in the refrigerator.

Next, there are two recipes for whole fruit juices. The authors suggest making your own juices to maximize nutrition.

Grapefruit Carrot Berry

5/10

So sour! I'm hoping to get another sweeter grapefruit this winter and try this again.

Orange Carrot Mango

8/10

I was so surprised at this one! You drink this smoothie and you get about three servings of fresh fruit/vegetables without even noticing. The addition of fresh ginger has inspired me to put it into more smoothies, it gives it a nice kick!

Homemade Hazelnut Milk (pictured below)

8/10

Another inspiring recipe! I've made my own almond milk, but I would never have thought to make non-dairy milk with hazelnuts (or filberts as they were called at my local grocery store). I've made it twice and I will make it again in the future.

Only downside? It has to be consumed within three days. Alas, real food spoils.

Next Thirst Quencher I'll try: Apple-Ginger Cider

Lydia Rudd

Homemade Hazelnut Milk

Morning Fuel

Lydia Rudd / Via snapchat

I love breakfast! Many store bought breakfast foods are loaded with sugar and preservatives. I prefer to make my own batch of goodies and freeze half. This section is full of gems.

Superhero Muffins

10/10 (possibly an 11)

These muffins are amazing. With oats, almond meal, spices, real butter and maple syrup plus zucchini and carrots, they are a masterpiece. I've made them 4-5 times, twice with a substitution of pumpkin for the zucchini and carrots. Not only do they taste good and have good ingredients but they keep you full for a long time. I will make them again, maybe today.

Lydia Rudd

Banana Bread French toast (pictured)

8/10

The banana bread recipe is in another section, but I'll just talk about it here. The banana bread is 10/10: delicious, buttery, and not too sweet. I've made it three times and will make it again. I'm not really a french toast person but I enjoyed this rendition, although I prefer the bread unaltered.

Teff Pumpkin Pancakes with Currants

8/10 - extra points for convenience

Teff is a mysterious grain. It fuels runners in Africa, so I bought some to try. If you have access to Bob's Red Mill brand at your local grocery (online, too!), you are good to go when it comes to most of these recipes with less conventional ingredients.. My husband hails from the pumpkin capital of the world, Morton, IL, so trying this recipe was a no-brainer. The pancakes are tender, not overly sweet and cozy with spices. I freeze what I don't eat and pop them into the toaster, as the book suggests, and breakfast is ready!

Ginger-Molasses Granola

9/10

This is not your typical store bought granola. It is aromatic and seedy, in a good way. I have never really used pumpkin seeds (pepitas) in baking before, and they lend the granola a nice crunch. I eat this treat with milk, yogurt or top smoothies with it. This granola keeps well and no refined sugars! I have made it twice and will make again.

Lydia Rudd

Ginger-Molasses Granola

Lydia Rudd

Sweet Potato Breakfast Cookies

6/10

When I read this recipe, I thought: what can go wrong? Sweet potatoes, oats, almond flour, ginger, maple syrup and coconut oil...sounds good. Maybe I put a bit too much ginger in or maybe the yam wasn't pureed well enough. Either way, these were kind of meh in comparison to the muffins and the granola. I have no reason to try these again.

Giddy-up Energy Bites

8.5/10

I would never have put these ingredients together! I've made energy bites with dates, almond butter, almond meal and chocolate chips before and those pale in comparison to these. I used pecans instead of walnuts, but kept everything else the same. Dates, dried cherries, cocoa, almond butter, coffee beans and coconut, am I in caffeine heaven? Yes and you can be, too! Tip: try to find date paste in the baking section, it's much cheaper. I frozen half the batch of these, too. I have made these bites twice, and they take me a while to get through.

Lydia Rudd

Giddy-Up Energy Bites

Next to try from Morning Fuel: Make-Ahead Breakfast Burritos

Snacks and Appetizers

Lydia Rudd

There are three shining stars in this section: hummus, garlic, and pepitas. I am not much of a snacker, but next time I go hiking I will make my own trail mix like the one in the book.

Chipotle Hummus

6/10

I only made it once, and it was too lemony for me. If I adjust the seasoning, I would probably like it better. I won't make it again because I found a hummus I like much more.

Lydia Rudd

Don't Get Beet Hummus

7/10

I am not a big fan of hummus, but this made me one! I ate it with cucumber slices and really enjoyed the earthy flavor. I have only made it once, but would make it again for a party.

Roasted Garlic

8/10

I have made this before, but I'll review it anyway. It's delicious and one of the best ways to eat garlic. Next time you roast some potatoes, put a few whole, unpeeled cloves in the oven and thank me later.

Turmeric Pepitas

9/10

Pepitas, ginger, beets...sensing some repetition? I actually like that the ingredient list is rather focused in this cookbook. It makes it more approachable and realistic for a busy lifestyle. Anyway, I have made these for salad a few times and will continue to roast a batch to keep on hand. They are surprisingly delicious and guilt free.

Next recipe I'll try from Snacks and Apps: Banana Chews

Salads

Lydia Rudd

I love salad and this book has made me love it even more. When you add a hearty grain like farro, quinoa or wheat berries, it transforms a rabbit's snack into a toothsome experience.

Kale-Radicchio Salad with Farro

10/10 --> 7.5/10

This was the first salad I made from this cookbook and my husband and I ate it consistently for several weeks. It is delicious, but I don't make it as often anymore for a few reasons. 1. There is so much kale and very few other vegetables. So, I was buying a lot of kale and it took a while to strip and cut that much. 2. It tastes better the next day. Not really a big problem, but a drawback nevertheless. 3. Have I mentioned that it took a long time to make?

It is a great salad, but not one for everyday. The lemon miso dressing is divine.

Lydia Rudd

Moroccan Lentil Salad with Cauliflower Couscous

9/10

This salad is a new staple for my house. It keeps well, it's full of veggies and it fills you up. The apricots and pistachios add a lot to the dish. It requires less kale (Read: less time cutting) and if you have a hand in the kitchen it will be on the table in no time.

I have made it many times (6+), and will continue to make it.

Lydia Rudd

Recovery Quinoa Salad

8/10

I'm lactose intolerant and I discovered a cheese that doesn't bother me: Cojita! This salad is zesty and delicious, with turmeric pepitas, beans and lime...mhmmm. I have made it twice and would make it in the future, maybe when my husband is out of town because he doesn't love it as much as the other salads.

Next Salad I'll try: Soba noodle salad

Soups

Lydia Rudd

I love soup. I have made my own Long Run Mineral Broth and Classic Chicken Broth from this cookbook several times and will continue to do so. 10/10. I use these homemade broths (so much better than store bought!) to make the soups reviewed in this section.

Broccoli Chevre Soup

7.5/10 (extra points for ease of prep)

The authors sure love their blenders! This soup comes together quickly and tastes really comforting without being too heavy. It has goat cheese and tanini in it and I love the amount of vegetables you get from eating it. I have made it twice, and it's pretty good!

Lydia Rudd

Fartlek Chili (it's a runner thing)

8/10

I am a beans and corn in my chili kind of gal. I like that the cooks add some extra veggies like carrots and bell pepper into it, making it very unconventional but healthier. I would hesitate to serve it to friends because they might be skeptical, but I would make it again for myself. I have made it twice and sometimes I serve it in a squash boat for an added vegetable serving.

Next Soup I'll try: Curry Lentil with charred cauliflower

Nourishing Mains

Lydia Rudd

I am more of a salad/veggie with a side of protein person than a big main dish person, so I haven't made a lot of these recipes. I am also the only runner I know that doesn't like pasta. Here are the ones I have tried.

Millet Pizza Pies

5/10

These millet pizzas were too crumbly and too hard to work with. If someone can make them better than me then I would try them again, but I'm not very motivated to give it another go. This has been the only recipe that I've tried that was a for sure no-go for me, and that is a compliment! The rest of this cookbook is reliable and good for everyday living.

Wild Salmon Sweet Potatoes Cakes (pictured above)

8.5/10

I have made these patties twice and wow, are they good! Another recipe full of nutrition and flavor! Sweet potatoes are a runner's best friend and the good fat in the salmon just ties it all together. They aren't a super quick recipe, but still in the monthly rotation.

Lydia Rudd

Fish Tacos with Mango-Avocado Salsa

7/10

No complaints about this one. It's a good dish, nothing earth-shattering. I've made it once and I would make the salsa again.

Zucchini Quinotto with roasted garlic

8/10

This is a less dairy filled risotto made with quinoa! I used homemade broth and good Parmesan. I have only made it once, but I would make it again. Like all risottos, it requires lots of stirring so it isn't feasible for a quick dinner. It is better for a special occasion.

Next recipe I'll try from Nourishing Mains: Greek Bison Burgers

Sides

If you've gotten this far, bravo!

Cauliflower Couscous

8/10 (extra points for functionality)

I am all about adding more fruits and vegetables into my diet and cauliflower is a great way to do so. I used pulsed cauliflower in the Moroccan salad as well as in my Fried rice. It's not scrumptious, but it's good for you and isn't offensive.

Charred Cauliflower

9/10

Okay, now this is tasty! You can season it with whatever flavor profile you like, roast it in a very hot oven and they will disappear quickly. I have made it several times and will again because it is so easy.

Next Side I'll try: Spicy Black Beans

Lydia Rudd

PURPLE charred cauliflower

Sauces

I have only made salad dressings from this section and now I never buy store bought! Making your own is so much better and healthier, too. Buy a large bottle of olive oil, apple cider vinegar (or squeeze fresh lemons) and the rest are simple additions. 10/10

Next sauce I'll try: Mighty Marinade

Wholesome Treats

Lydia Rudd

Ginger Molasses Quick Bread

8/10

I have made this one twice and will make again once I get sick of the autumnal pumpkin baked goods! I love this not-too-sweet spicy bread. As you can see, it looks like a literal brick. But believe me, it tastes delicious.

Lydia Rudd

Double Chocolate Teff Cookies

10/10

Ah yes, teff. I have made these cookies twice and will make again. Most cookies have you reaching for more or leave you disappointed; this cookie magically does neither. They are satisfying and indulgent. The dough rests overnight and tastes really good raw (no eggs!), too.

Lydia Rudd

Baked Mount Hood Apples

8/10

I had never had a whole baked apple before and this was a lovely introduction. I have made two batches and would consider making them again.

Lydia Rudd

Cocoa-Coconut Macaroons

7/10

I didn't have a cookie dough scooper so these were a bit flatter than normal macaroons. They have great ingredients and do help with a sweet tooth, but I would prefer another treat. I would make for a party or gift.

Next Wholesome Treat I'll try: Pecan butter chocolate truffles with sea salt

The Verdict

Lydia Rudd

So did I feel any different after eating these recipes? Actually, yes! I have been notably less sore after runs and have been recovering quickly. I do not feel the urge to snack throughout the day and have been satisfied at meals. I ate healthy foods before I bought the book, but I feel more confident in my vitamin absorption with the inclusions of healthy fats. I recently ran a half marathon and got a PR in that, too! I'm pleased with how I look and more importantly, how I feel. You can buy this cookbook on Amazon or in stores. I was not paid to do this review, but from one runner I would highly recommend it to add some healthy inspiration into your diet!