We understand the importance of recovery and fueling on the trails and the vital role food plays in a successful multi-day adventure. We want to see you thrive both mental and physically on our trips, so our menu is fine tuned to offer deeply satisfying, well-rounded, and healthy meals for runners.
During our time down south in the Sierra Nevada’s, we were eating a variety of whole-food, plant-centered meals daily and were inspired to add a new item to the Aspire menu. Dubbed the ‘Sierra Bowl’ after it’s place of inspiration, it’s already an instant hit among our community that we’ve incorporated into every trip’s menu.
Sierra Bowls are a simple, one-bowl meal that is whole-food and plant based that features a bed of whole grains, fresh vegetables, healthy fats, varying sources of proteins and topped with a variety of seeds, nuts, delicious sauces and a whole lot of love.
The best part?! We make room for creativity and personal flair with the ‘build your own bowl’ meals for runners. Choose from your favorite veggies, toppings and proteins to create a delicious dish that is catered to your own preferences, needs, and taste buds.
That being said, we do have a few favorite components of our Sierra bowls that have worked wonders for recovery and our taste buds.
We like to start our bowl with a warm base of quinoa. This naturally gluten-free whole-grain has gained popularity in recent years with it’s high protein status, containing all the essential amino acids that you need, making it an excellent protein source for veg and meat-eaters alike.
Next, we like to add roasted sweet potatoes. Not only are they delicious, they also are a perfect source of complex carbohydrates needed for exercise. In addition, they are also packed with phytochemicals that can help reduce post-workout inflammation.
From there, we add a variety of healthy proteins such as edamame, whole-food based vegan meats, roasted chicken and a variety of nuts to sprinkle on top. Pairing protein with healthy carbohydrates helps promote muscle recovery after a hard effort out on the trails.
Next comes a plethora of fresh veggies. We’re talking shredded purple cabbage, carrots, steamed broccoli, sauerkraut, kale, arugula, tomatoes and more. We aim to keep it fresh, colorful, and abundant! This adds essential vitamins, minerals and phytonutrients to your meal.
Healthy fats are another component of the bowl not to be missed. While protein and complex carbs take a majority of the attention when fueling as an athlete, healthy fats play a crucial role in a balanced nutrition plan for athletes. Not only do healthy fats create a truly satiating meal, it also aids in balancing hormone levels as an athlete. Whether it’s avocado, a drizzle of tahini, a dollop of hummus or a sprinkle of nuts, we got you.
For the grand finale and to cover all bases, we’ve got all the sauces. We have a wide mix of tahini, sriracha, dijon mustard, liquid aminos, hummus, and our personal favorite, Bitchin’ Sauce. This vegan, almond-based whole-food dip has become a huge hit with everyone!
At the end of the day, the creation of this bowl is centered around deep nourishment and nutrition to fuel your big days, but also with the acknowledgement that sharing of wholesome meals for runners in the company and community of others is just as important to feel truly nourished.
Kara Folkerts is a plant powered trail runner, sustainable travel advocate, yoga teacher, and passionate about all things sustainability, travel, health, and outdoor movement. Originally from Canada, Kara has spent the last few years exploring and living abroad in various countries across the globe before joining the Aspire crew in 2020. Kara has been guiding various trail running, sustainability, and health retreats internationally since completing her undergrad in Ecotourism and Outdoor Leadership. With all of these experiences, she seeks meaningful connections with others, loves to learn of new cultures, and fosters the mindset of a lifelong learner. With a big heart for trail running and exploring wild places, she’s always stoked to get out there with others.
She writes about all her adventures on her blog at www.karafolkerts.com and on her instagram @karafolkerts