Everyday we’ll suggest original stocking fillers for the active person in your life.

Today Gifts For a First Time Marathon Runner.

Looking through the searches made on Strenua’s World there are a lot of people wanting inspiration for presents for a first time marathon runner. If your recipient is an experienced runner who is just moving up from half marathon to the full then they probably have their own favourite products to wear or use. But if they are new to long distance running and for example have won a place in the London Marathon ballot or a Golden Bond place for a charity then here are some suggestions of what they will be grateful to receive this Christmas.

Training Plan and Motivation

If they are completely new to training, needs some motivation, or help with nutrition and injuries, then I found a subscription to a running magazine useful when I first ran a marathon. An additional benefit for subscribing to Runner’s World is that you can have access to their detailed on line training schedules for whatever time you plan to finish your first marathon in from under 3 hours to just get round. Giving you ideas to vary  your training to keep motivated whilst pushing you but allowing you to recover as necessary.

Currently it costs only £30 for a one year subscription to Runner’s World.

Safety

Chances are that over the next few months a lot of their running will be done in the dark so make sure they can be seen.

Time To Run Men’s High Vis Reflective Running Gilet Bib £10.99 this Reflective Gilet offers superior protection for nightime running. Manufactured from lightweight polyester, the Gilet offers protection from light wind and rain as well as being highly reflective. For additional comfort, the garment also features a half mesh back for added breathability.

Time To Run High Visibility Reflective Running Bib Vest £4.99 this lightweight high visibility breathable yellow mesh vest has three distinctive colours of reflective tape which combine when moving to increase visibility. One convenient size with adjustable velcro to allow ease of adjustment.

Reflective Arm Bands- From £1.49 these wrap around reflective strips store flat then click in place round your arm or ankle.

Hilly Lady Hi-Viz Reflect Jacket From £24.99 this High visibility jacket has a fluorescent yellow body with reflective trim for superb night-time and low light conditions and visibility; Zipped pockets; air vents and a drawstring waist.

Adidas Run Safety Running Light- £8.95 A great accessory for late night and poor light runs! Make sure others can see you. Light Weight you hardly feel you are wearing it and doesn’t drag down your arm.

Food Hamper

Whilst some people may be looking forward to loosing weight from their marathon training, it is actually important that you fuel yourself correctly before, during, and after training or racing. Why not make a hamper of runner friendly products.

Find out who is the drinks sponsor for the race they are competing in (in the case of  the London marathon it’s Lucozade Sport Body Fuel ) and help them get used to the energy drinks that will be provided on the race day. I for example used prefer to train with the citrus flavour which is fine until the big race and all that is available on the course is the orange flavour.  After 4 bottles it became too sweet and sickly to drink but knowing that will be the only energy drink available I’ve learnt to train with and tolerate it  on long runs.

The marathon runner also needs to consume protein after long runs to repair their muscles so sports Protein Recovery Powder, bars and drinks are also useful.

But the food doesn’t have to be boring sports products and most can be found on  a quick trip to the supermarket. Before training you want to load up on easily digestible carbs and my favourites are McVities Jaffa Cakes . At 45 calories a cake, they contain only 1gram of fat, but 70g carbohydrates per 100g.

Normally Bassetts Jelly Babies are a high calorie treat, but for runners they are source of instant fuel at 20 calories from each little baby and they contain real fruit juice so they even nutritionally good for you, although not suitable for vegetarians.  Buy them a large box and they can take a handful with them for sustenance on their 13mile plus runs.

Finally post race you want something high in protein such as a 9bar with almost 9g protein per bar. 9bars are widely available across the UK and are stocked by health food stores, Holland and Barrett, Tesco and other major supermarkets.

First Aid

Hopefully not something they will need to use but it is inevitable over the next few months they will need some of this kit. Injuries always feel worse after an expensive trip to Boots to help your recovery, so why not make a gift pack of these injury preventing products, and add a packet of ibuprofen too.

Bodyglide Anti-Chafe Stick £11.29, chaffing, nipple rub and blisters, prevent them all with this easy to use stick. Vaseline is messy to apply and ruins your clothes but like a solid deodorant stick this is water resistant and contains aloe vera and vitamin E.

I always have a supply of Compeed Blister Plasters. Whether it is when wearing in a new pair of shoes, blister prevention during a long race or for recovery after a blister has appeared. These plasters work like a second skin. Prevents and treats blisters providing instant relief from pain and pressure. Ideal for heels and arches.

Deep Heat Spray and also Deep Freeze Cold Spray are convenient ways to provide fast and effective warming relief from muscular pain and stiffness, rheumatic pain, sprains, sciatica, lumbago and fibrositis.

Pampering Treats

Of course if you are looking for a traditional Christmas gift that the runner in your life will appreciate then treat their feet. They will be running over 500 miles before London so how about a Foot Massager to give them an invigorating massage to ease muscle stiffness and tension. This one from HoMedics Deluxe Shiatsu Foot Massager (Model FM-TS9-GB) currently has £20 off at Boots, get it now for £39.99.

Let them Pamper their feet with this unique collection of Royal Jelly products in a Royal Jelly & Pure Honey Pedicure Gift Set from Marks and Spencer. These indulgent formulations combine royal jelly and acacia honey for beautifully soft and smooth skin. Includes foot scrub, wash, and cream.

<<<Personalised Kit<<<More Christmas Gift Ideas>>>Adrenalin Fuelled Experience Days>>>

Everyday we’ll suggest original stocking fillers for the active person in your life.

Today Luxury Chocolates

Chocolate is traditional Christmas present. The problem is getting a regular box from the supermarket shelf can look like you haven’t put much thought into the gift or it was a last minute grab on Christmas eve. The other issue is they aren’t too helpful for people whose New Years Resolution is to lose weight and they have tins and boxes of chocolates stored in their wardrobe.

If you are present buying for an active person then the chances are they won’t be looking to cut down their calories, in fact I love chocolate as a quick post training energy boost on the way to the shower. But if you are looking for a present for a chocoholic who is looking to cut down then buy them quality dark chocolate to satisfy their cravings with fewer calories.

To ensure your chocolate gift doesn’t look like a last minute gift, why not buy some luxury chocolates gift set and hampers from these chocolate suppliers.

Chocolate Trading Company

Champagne & Chocolate Hamper (Large)

This stylish hamper contains a bottle of Perrier Jouet, NV Grand Brut Champagne, a 24 assorted box of Superior Selection chocolates, Michel Cluizel Premier Cru dark chocolate neapolitans and Superior Selection drinking chocolate flakes. Stylishly presented with brown tissue, gift wrap and satin ribbon and tag. Suitable for vegetarians.

Price £77.95

Organic Chocolate Hamper

This organic chocolate hamper contains a selection of the finest, organic chocolates from around the world. Includes; four boxes of award winning, Booja Booja, dark chocolate truffles from England. A milk and dark chocolate bar from Valrhona and a single origin, dark chocolate bar from Pralus. Incredibly good chocolate and certified organic. Stylishy presented and finished with satin ribbon and gift tag. A gift card is already included in the price.

Price £36.99

Organic Luxury Gift Box

This colourful, hand painted gift box contains a second wrapped chocolate box holding an assortment of 30, award winning Booja Booja truffles. Made in Kashmir this velvet-lined, hand painted gift box, made from papier-mch, certainly is different from any other and will surely be treasured long after the chocolates have been enjoyed. Each box is unique and so the design styles and colours do vary from this particular picture. Dairy, Wheat and Gluten Free, it is suitable for vegans and vegetarians.

Price £49.50

Thorntons

Personalised Thorntons Chocolate Boxes

Upload a photo, create your own chocolate box AND choose your own chocolates.

Price from £12 for one layer to £22 for 3 layers and 36 chocolates.

Winter Wonderland  Hamper

Grab a piece of  Winter Wonderland with these scrumptious festive treats and cute models. This wonderful winter hamper is bursting with delicious chocolate, fudge and toffee treats. Now at half price, this hamper not only makes a great gift for the serious chocolate lover but is fantastic value too. There are so many chocolate treats in this hamper, everyone can have a taste! Was £120.00 Now £60.00

No Added Sugar (Diabetic) Selection Box

There are just so many amazing treats here, including Fruit Drops (85g), Mint Truffles (115g), Assorted Chocolates (115g), Vanilla Toffee (100g), Turkish Delight (45g), and Milk and Dark Chocolate bars (75g each). Oh, and the best bit is, they’re all made with no added sugar and an improved taste. There are just so many different types of lovely chocolate, truffles and toffee here – and they’re all made with no added sugar. Vegetarian, Gluten Free and Diabetic Friendly. Price £11

Virginia Hayward Hampers

Use code ‘VHL-WGAFGEN’ when prompted at the checkout will entitle your user to claim a 5% discount on all products on the Virginia Haywood site, excluding delivery costs.

<<<Secret Santa Gifts & Stocking Fillers under £10 <<< More Christmas Gift Ideas >>>Personalised Kit>>>

9Bar is a deliciously nutritious seed bar designed to get the maximum nutritional goodness from seeds in a convenient and tasty way.

To find out more visit 9Bar and read our review.

We’ve teamed up with 9Bar to offer Strenua’s World’s readers the opportunity to get their hands on a box from 9Bar each containing 16 nutritious bars of either pumpkin or original flavoured 9bars.

UPDATE 18.08.10 The competition has now closed. Congratulations to our winners Tabby B from Swindon and Julie T From Aldridge who win a box of Pumpkin and Original 9bars respectively.

Terms and Conditions.

• Competition open to UK entrants only.
• You may enter by email, Twitter AND Facebook, but must only enter by each method once (i.e. three entries in total).
• Tweets not including the tags #9barOriginal or#9barPumpkin indicating which box they wish to win will not be considered for either prize. Entrants must still be following @StrenuasWorld on the closing date.
• Email entries not including ‘Pumpkin’ or ‘Original’ in the subject line indicating which box they wish to win will not be considered for either prize.
• Facebook entrants must still ‘Like’ Strenua’s World’s Facebook page on the closing date. Entrants must comment under the competition post indicating which box they wish to win or they will not be considered for either prize.
• Closing date for entries is 11:59pm 18th August 2010 and late entries will not be considered.
• Prizes are to be donated by 9Bar and 2 winners will each win one box of either 16 bars of pumpkin or original 9bars
• Prize winners will be chosen at random and notified by method of entry (i.e. email, Twitter, Facebook). If after 7 days the entrant has not responded with their contact details the prize will be redrawn.
• Strenua’s World reserves the right to cancel or amend the Competition or these Rules at any time without prior notice.

GOOD LUCK

9bar is described as having been designed to get the maximum nutritional goodness from seeds in a convenient and delicious way’.

The bars are great for active people as the unique mix of seeds and other natural ingredients provide a valuable source of nutritionally dense energy for both physical endurance and immediate impact. The company has many endorsements from a variety of competitive sports people who claim that it is easily digestible and that they have no problem eating them during an event or training such as ultra running and triathlons.

As a sports person looking to refuel without empty calories a 9bar is great. Each 50g bar is free from egg, dairy, gluten, lactose, wheat, yeast, preservatives and artificial colours. It is also approved by the vegetarian society.

9bars come in five different varieties: pumpkin, organic, nutty, flax and original. As an example of the nutritional content here is the nutritional information for the flax bar:

• 262 calories,
• 8.7g protein,
• 16.75g carbohydrate
• 17.75g fat of which
  • 5g saturated
  • 4.8 mono unsaturated
  • 7g polyunsaturated
  • <0.1g trans fatty acids
  • 0.6g omega 3 fatty acids
  • 6.5g omega 6 fatty acids
  • > 3g fibre
  • <0.1g sodium.

With an average egg or 150g pot of low fat yoghurt each containing only 6g of protein a 9bar is a good hit of natural people protein to help rebuild muscle after competitive exercise or training.

The Taste Test

I have to admit that looking at the packaging it doesn’t look that appetising.  I know this as before being asked to review them I received a bar in a post race goody bag and I chose to give it away. The description of a nutritious carob topped mixed seed bar with flax and hemp combined with the images or piles of dried seeds conjured up thoughts of seed bars we leave out for birds and did not seem appealing after a race compared with the post race food I had bought with me.

Fortunately for the benefit of our readers I agreed to give them a taste test and I am glad I did. Firstly 80% of the time cereal bars are hard, crunchy and dry which always puts me off or hurts my teeth. These 9bars are soft and chewy.

The second important discovery was carob. I had never eaten carob before and didn’t realise that it tasted like chocolate.  In fact even when I was really concentrating on trying to describe the taste it could only come up with chocolate. As such a healthy alternative to chocolate I’m surprised that there aren’t more products using it.

Most cereal bars are made up of rolled oats and bran. But the mixed seeds in this 9bar comprised of sunflower, pumpkin, sesame, poppy, flax and hemp making a tasty combination. I was unable to distinguish great differences between the various flavours when I ate a different bar every day. Pumpkin may have been slightly sweeter although it did not have the carob topping and the Nutty may be slightly nuttier but fortunately the texture and chew-ability remains the same.

After this taste testing I certainly won’t be complaining if I receive any flavour 9bar in my next post race goody bag.

Overall

For active people who are looking for nutritious energy source 9bars are a great source of calories and protein, before or after exercise. They are easily digestible making them ideal for taking on long walks, cycles, runs, or paddles.

For those dieting I feel that a whole bar is quite high in calories, although half may be suitable when you are craving something sweet, without stocking up on empty calories and the fibre will help fill you up.

9bars are widely available across the UK and are stocked by health food stores, Holland and Barrett, Tesco and other major supermarkets.

For more information you can visit www.9-bar.co.uk

]]> http://strenuasworld.com/2010/07/21/review-9bar-energy-bars/feed/ 3 http://strenuasworld.com/2009/10/14/scientific-claims-probiotic-yoghurt-misleading/ http://strenuasworld.com/2009/10/14/scientific-claims-probiotic-yoghurt-misleading/#comments Wed, 14 Oct 2009 22:43:30 +0000 Strenua http://strenuasworld.com/?p=2138

ASA claim this advert was misleading

Today’s upholding of a complaint by the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) supports my view that you should investigate claims of health benefits of products you supplement your diet with, to ensure you don’t waste your time, money or even damage your health.

The TV advert in question is for Actimel, a pro-biotic drinking yoghurt intended to be consumed by every one of all ages. One viewer had challenged whether the claim by the ad voice-over that “Actimel was scientifically proven to help support your kids’ defences” could be substantiated.

In their defence to the ASA, Danone claimed that the health benefits of Actimel had been demonstrated in 23 human studies conducted on over 6000 people across different age ranges, with eight studies carried out on children up to 16 years of age.

Danone claimed that the health benefit of Actimel is through the support of the human body’s natural defence system, helping to protect against pathogens and harmful environmental factors, as some of the most important defence systems are located within the gastrointestinal tract. Danone said they had referred to Actimel as being “scientifically proven” in their ads based on a significant body of published scientific evidence that showed that Actimel supported the natural defences of different age groups, including children.

The ASA thought that the ad suggested through the image of an Actimel bottle jumping over a skipping rope and the sound of children laughing and playing implies that the product is intended for normal, healthy children of school age (five to sixteen years old). The ASA also considered that most consumers would understand the claim that Actimel “was scientifically proven to support your kids’ defences” to mean that the product would help defend those children against common, every-day childhood infections. Whilst Danone submitted scientific studies in support of the claims, they were not involving subjects who could be considered ‘normal, healthy children of school age’.

• One study examined the effect of Actimel on hospitalised children in India suffering from acute diarrhoea another involved those receiving medication for chronic Helicobacter pylori. Both trials were considered to be unsuitable for use in support of a claim that was likely to be seen as referring to normal, healthy children.
• Children in another study assessed the effect of Actimel on the occurrence and duration of a range of symptoms, including asthma, rhinitis, diarrhoea, nausea and vomiting, abdominal pains and fever, in children aged two to five years who suffered from allergic conditions. Again meaning the results of the study could not necessarily be applied to normal, healthy children.
• Three other trials were on children between the ages of 6 and 33 months, much lower than the target group of school-age children suggested by the ad. The ASA understood that the developing immune systems of children under two differed from those of older children, and so did not think that it could be safely assumed that the results reported for the young children in these studies would be the same for school-aged children.
• A further area of concern was the portion sizes used in the studies. The children in some studies were supplemented with portion sizes that were larger than the recommended serving size of one 100 g pot of Actimel per day. The observed benefit for Actimel in the clinical trials might not therefore, be representative of the effect of the product when consumed on an ‘everyday’ basis.

The ASA considered that the ad was making an absolute claim that Actimel would support the defences of children, and that the reference to “your kids” was implying to consumers that Actimel would benefit their child.

The ASA understood that some children would not see a benefit from consuming Actimel, and because were concerned that any observed effects for Actimel in the trials might not be representative of the efficacy of the product when consumed in line with the recommended daily serving. It was concluded that a serving of Actimel was not scientifically proven to support the defences of normal, healthy school-aged children against common, every-day childhood infections and that the ad was misleading.

The ASA have ruled that the ad must not be broadcast again in its current form. Whilst there is no suggestion that this product could damage anyone’s health, the findings of the ASA support my previous articles on supplement efficacy and safety: Even with claims of supporting scientific evidence, many products may only benefit specific groups of people. Before you waste your money on ‘healthy’ products, consider if you are actually deficient in the nutrients they are supplying?  If they can cure illnesses, is it something you are suffering from? Do you fit the target group scientific studies have shown benefit in? If in any doubt consult a healthcare professional.

Chocolate is an addictive drug and many of its ingredients can have an effect on the brains chemistry. It is well known that chocolate contains caffeine, which whilst found naturally in many products, is a highly addictive stimulant.

Other stimulants found in chocolate include theobromine and phenylethylamine, which is related to amphetamines and increases neurotransmitter activity increasing your ability to pay attention and stay alert. Phenylethylamine also has an anti depressant effect along with two other substances present called tyramine and tryptophan, which the brain converts into the feel good chemicals dopamine and serotonin.

This could be why people self-prescribe chocolate for depression. If you want to self-medicate with chocolate it is recommended that you should reach for cocoa – or dark chocolate, which can contain two to three times as much of these compounds, per ounce, as milk chocolate.

Chocolate also contains cannabinoids, the same compound that is responsible for the high of marijuana. But don’t worry the concentrations are too low in chocolate bars to cause an effect.  Dark chocolate delivers plenty of cannabis related substances and compounds that stimulate the brain to release opiate like substances adding to the addictive nature of the chocolate. This probably explains why when we chocoholics crave chocolate, inexpensive, low-quality candy won’t do, we want very high fat, dark chocolate.

Aside from the feel good factor associated with eating chocolate the health benefits of dark chocolate have been researched considerably over the last few years and with each report new evidence reveals the many benefits of eating higher cocoa dark chocolate in moderation as part of a balanced diet. Some of these claims include:

• Dark chocolate, eaten in moderation, can lower blood pressure.
• Dark chocolate includes a substantial amount of antioxidants that reduce the formation of free radicals.
• Dark chocolate is a rich source of the flavonoids epicatechin and gallic acid, which are thought to possess cardioprotective properties.
• Dark chocolate may reduce the possibility of a heart attack when consumed regularly in small amounts.
• A compound has also been found in chocolate which in the laboratory stops breast cancer cells from dividing.

Before you start self prescribing chocolate as part of you healthy diet, then make sure you are eating the right type. If we were to eat pure cocoa then we may be able to enjoy the health benefits however the majority of people eat processed chocolate. Cadbury’s Dairy Milk for example contains just 21% cocoa solids.  Processed chocolate also contains a high percentage of less desirable ingredients such as extra sugar, corn syrup, milk fats and hydrogenated oils which may offset any health benefits achieved by eating chocolate.

To obtain the greatest health benefits you need the finest, plain dark chocolate, which contain at least 70% cocoa (both solids and butter). Milk chocolate usually contains up to 50% and high-quality white chocolate contain only about 33% cocoa.

Chocolate higher than 75% tends to be more bitter than sweet, and is classed as high cocoa chocolate but is not to all tastes. The higher cocoa content leaves less room for sugar however, high cocoa chocolate is popular for those wanting to reduce their sugar intake and also experience the many health benefits gained from the active properties contained within cocoa.

If you wish to experiment with discovering your own preferred level of cocoa you could try the Le Nauncier collection of 70 milk and dark chocolate tasting discs from Chocolate Trading Co. Each disc has varying cocoa contents from 33% milk all the way up to 99% dark chocolate.