Want power? I have a little secret I’ll let you in on. Shh, don’t tell anyone. Eat, drink and be merry- with tart cherries. Seriously.

www.choosecherries.com states this: Cherries contain anthocyanins 1 and 2 that researchers believe can have a significant impact on relieving muscle and joint soreness more quickly. And that my friends, equals, POWER. We all want to run faster, right? Start incorporating tart cherry juice and dried cherries in to your training.

Another secret of POWER is what we all “do”. Train. But training isn’t all about swimming laps, track work or hill repeats. It’s about eating right. And more importantly timing of the eating. You can down a leafy green “shot”, eat pasta like it’s going out of style, or chug milk till the cows come home. Well, maybe not. But you get the idea:)

I recently spoke with Leslie Bonci (M.P.H, R.D. LDN, CSSD). As a sports dietitian she told me that she sees the wrong kind of training taking place. Hydrating right before a run as opposed to through out the day. She also mentioned that not eating at the right times in the day is a set up for fatigue, lack of energy and poor performance. It’s important to remember to fuel your body for success. Through out the day.

I don’t know your training schedule, but for me I run/train in the morning. I need fuel to not only get my eyes open but to also keep my legs awake (or at least attempt to). Starting your day off with a healthy blend of carbs AND protein is key. I like Steel Cut Oats with a tad of unsweetened Almond Milk, nuts and top it off with dried cherries (no sugar added). And then I’ll have some Greek 0% yogurt.

Here are some of my tips that you might want to incorporate in your daily routine:

#1) Tart Cherry Juice in your training. It will help aid with your recovery after working out!

#2) Read labels. You’ll be surprised what products have sugar in them. Remember sugar (the white or brown sugar, HFCS, etc, not natural sugar) is evil!

#3) Drink water primarily. Your body doesn’t need soda or sugary drinks.

#4) Breathe. Personally, this is one of the hardest things I have to do. Seriously. I have to remind myself to breathe. So join me in breathing:)

You see, what you put in your body is what you’ll get out of your body. That’s my simple POWER philosophy. To be powerful, you have to eat and live powerfully.

Sarah Stanley is a sponsored athlete by the Cherry Marketing Institute & includes Tart Cherry juice as part of her training routine. She will be running the National Marathon in Washington, DC on March 20, 2010 & the Boston Marathon in Boston, MA on April 19, 2010 on behalf of Cherry Marketing Institute.

I don’t know about you, but I love the Winter Games.  But even more so, I love the USA & our athlete’s.

Sadly, I am not in Vancouver to watch the sports live, but that isn’t stopping me from getting in on the action. Did you know that you can receive texts & emails of the recent sports performances? How cool is that?

Go sign up here: http://support.teamusa.org/site/Survey?ACTION_REQUIRED=URI_ACTION_USER_REQUESTS&SURVEY_ID=1320
I’ll be posting more about Team USA throughout the 2010 games, so stay tuned!

Photo: Jasper Juinen/Getty Images

My wish for 2010: More compassion, less complaining. More service to others, less things. More caring, less judgement

Photo by Johntrainor

Forgive quickly. Help someone else. Judge less. Love all. Show compassion. Don’t fear. Be happy. Have fun.

Photo by Pink Sherbet Photography

Life is built around relationships. Surround yourself with genuine people & not superficial people.

Photo by CarbonNYC

Don’t let fear stop you. What do you fear? Is it keeping you from something or what you could be? Embrace that fear. IMHO

Photo by ClickFlashPhotos

You are crazy [ for running OR running in cold weather ] = “I love you”, or “I envy you”, or “I wish I could be like you”.

Photo by Pink Sherbet Photoraphy

Happiness is found by being happy yourself first. Don’t look for things to make you happy.

Photo by Pink Sherbet Photography

Be slow to judge. Quick to love. Fast to forgive. Courage to have compassion. A will to survive.

Photo by erin MC hammer

Life is short. Make the most of every opportunity you have. Live with passion. Live with purpose.

Photo by .Mitch