I had a fun time last weekend filming a YouTube video of me and my daughter-in-law making the Veggie Lovers Pasta Salad from the cookbook “Run Fast. Cook Fast. Eat Slow” by Shalane Flanagan and Elyse Kopecky.

I’m finding this book a really good source for healthy food, that even those that aren’t runners in my family like. It’s also full of really good nutrition information WITHOUT telling you how many calories are in each dish.

The perspective of Shalane and Elyse is that we don’t need to be ruled by calorie counting if our nutrition is good. Obsessive calorie counting can be a trigger for disordered eating or even full blown eating disorders.

Elyse shares her story of going 15 years without a period, because her nutrition was poor. I won’t share her whole story (you’ll have to buy the book), but she was able to learn how to eat properly for fuel and went on to have two children after getting her period back.

Shalane also tells how she learned to eat correctly, and naturally can reach her racing weight without having to obsess over calories.

Both women sing the praise of butter! Good fats are essential to our fueling, and we really need to start embracing that.

There is information on how NOT to diet and things you can do to make eating the way they are advocating for easier.

The recipes make real food. They aren’t just thrown together so a famous person can say they have a cookbook, which I appreciate.

Fueling right is such an important part of any kind of training, and this cookbook can help you see that and cook those good for fueling meals.

They have a website with a blog and other information about them and their Run Fast, Eat Slow way of life.

The recipe for the Veggie Lovers Pasta Salad I shared here on the blog a few weeks ago. It is really tasty! Everyone in my family loves it, including my very picky son. We make this for my daughter-in-law, who is a vegetarian, but even if she won’t be here for dinner I make it to accompany our meals. The Lemon Miso Dressing recommended for the salad is SO GOOD.

Try out the recipe, and then get the book for great fueling advice and a ton of good recipes.