Posted on 14 June 2013 by Chuck Rey

Another reason I love Chicago. Local, organic restaurants abound. I’m so proud to call Chicago my hometown (except for the dreaded winters).
We had a recruit in Oxford today and it got me on the road to Chicago a little later than anticipated. I decided to stay out near the airport to save the budget (I didn’t stay with family as they retired to the south and we can only bother friends to stay with them so many times) and looked up new local and organic restaurants in the area. I found on Yelp a place about 20 minutes away. I typically wouldn’t rave about a restaurant, especially on my volleyball blog, but it’s Chicago and this place to eat was perfect. Continue Reading
Posted on 04 June 2013 by Chuck Rey

I love this picture of Olympic Silver Medalist, April Ross, getting interviewed at a coffee shop BECAUSE April Ross chooses a healthy smoothie over a sugar laden coffee…and YOU SHOULD TOO!
Workouts are only 1/3rd of a healthy lifestyle. The other 2/3rds are proper nutrition and a solid night’s sleep. Workouts breakdown muscle. Nutrition feeds the muscle. Sleep repairs the muscle. It’s a vicious cycle
Replenishing your body with proper nutrients within 30 minutes of your workout is essential. Regular or Chocolate Milk is a great post workout fuel, but I understand you may want to enjoy something more refreshing in the warm summer months. Try a smoothie! Smoothies are another great post workout source. Following are 47 different types of smoothies. Find one that will entertain your pallet, grab a blender, mix in the ingredients, and enjoy!
Nom, nom nom!
Reeses Pieces Shake!

Ingredients
- 1 cup skim milk
- 1 cup egg beaters
- 1 heaping tbsp peter pan honey roasted peanut butter
- 2.5 scoops double rich chocolate whey protein
- 1 heaping tbsp micronized creatine
- A sufficient amount of Coffeemate sugar free hazlenut flavoring!
Blend For 30-40 Seconds
The Bad Girl
Ingredients
- 12 oz skim milk
- 4-8 Thin Mint Girl Scout Cookies
- Handful of ice
- 2 scoops of chocolate whey protein
Blend and enjoy!
Berries & Cream Shake
Ingredients
Blend and enjoy!
Banana Bread Shake
Ingredients
Blend and enjoy!
Banana Protein Shake
Ingredients
Throw into blender for several minutes. Solid filling shake with zero fat and plenty of energy. Great as a meal replacement or after workout snack!
Orange Vanilla Shake
Ingredients
This will get your taste buds going!
Berry Good Shake
Ingredients
It is so good that you should serve it with a little umbrella in it!
Protein-Carb Almond Blast
Ingredients
It’s like pudding!
Strawberry Nut Shake
Ingredients
Plum Ice Shake
Ingredients
Peppermint Oatmeal Shake
Ingredients
Chocolate Coffee Shake
Ingredients
Tastes like a gourmet concoction!
Plum-Lemon Cooler
Ingredients
Wild Berry Boost
Ingredients
Peanut Butter Chocolate Truffle
Ingredients
Creatine Catalyst
Ingredients
Peanut Brittle Protein Shake
This is a delicious favorite I discovered quite by accident as I sat staring at my “boring” vanilla protein powder and wanting something sweet. This mimics peanut brittle only in taste. It won’t send your blood sugar soaring and it’s a fun way to get in some healthy unsaturated fat.
Ingredients
Directions
Add all ingredients to blender, blend, and serve. I like to add the peanut butter in last so it stays a little chunky, just like the peanut brittle it is replacing.
The Hulk
Ingredients
- 2 scoops vanilla whey protein
- 1/2 tbsp sugar-free pistachio pudding mix
- 1 mint leaf or a few drops peppermint extract (optional)
- 1 few drops green food coloring (optional)
- 8 oz cold water or low-fat milk
- 3-5 ice cubes
Directions
Add all ingredients to blender, blend, and pour into cup. This tastes great without the mint so don’t worry if you don’t have it around. The shake is a light green even without the food coloring but if you want it green (like The Hulk!), you’ll need a few drops.
Oatmeal Meal Replacement Shake
This is a homemade meal replacement that contains all the nutrition of a hearty bowl of oatmeal. It’s got complex carbs, protein, and a little good fat to extend its contribution to your energy stores. If you expect the rest of the day to be hectic, why not double it up and take half of the shake to work to ensure you don’t skip a meal just because you’ll be stuck in a meeting.
Ingredients
Directions
Add all ingredients to blender, blend, and pour into cup. If you’re short on time, just use dry oatmeal or oat flour.
Cinnamon Roll Protein Shake
Ingredients
Directions
Add all ingredients to blender, whip, and serve.
Nada Colada Protein Shake
Ingredients
- 2 scoops vanilla protein powder
- 1/2 cup pineapple-orange juice*
- 1/4 tsp rum extract
- 1/4 tsp coconut extract (or 2 tbsp shredded coconut)
- 1 packet artificial sweetener
- 4 oz water (or low-fat milk)
- 3-6 ice cubes
*Low-carb version: Omit juice and use 1/2 tsp sugar-free pineapple-orange drink mix (dry). Increase water or milk to 8 oz.
Directions
Add all ingredients to blender, whip, and serve.
Iced Breakfast Protein Shake
Ingredients
- 1 cup skim milk
- 2 tsp safflower oil
- Several pieces of ice
- 1 banana
- 1 package of Carnation Instant Breakfast (there’s also a lo-carb mix)
(any flavor–strawberry, chocolate, cappacino, French vanilla, chocolate malt)
Directions
Mix together in blender until ice is completely crushed and mixed well.
Banana Delight
Ingredients
- 8 oz pure water
- 1/2 banana (frozen)
- 2 oz protein of choice
- 2 tsp flaxseed oil
Strawberry Cheesecake
Ingredients
Blueberry Dream
Ingredients
- 10 oz pure water
- 1/2 cup fresh or frozen blueberries
- 1.5 oz protein of choice
- 2 tsp flaxseed oil
- 15 drops liquid stevia (optional)
Fat Burning Peaches and Cream
Ingredients
Quick Start
Ingredients
- Juice from 3 oranges (fresh juiced only, not canned or bottled)
- 6 drops liquid stevia (optional)
- 1 oz protein of choice
Tropical Treat
Ingredients
- 8 oz pure water
- 1/2 banana (frozen)
- 2 tbsp low fat sour cream
- 1 tsp coconut extract
- 10-15 drops liquid stevia (optional)
- 1.5 oz protein of choice (vanilla flavor)
Tropical Pleasure
Ingredients
- 8 oz pure water
- 1/2 tsp pineapple extract
- 1/2 tsp coconut extract
- 1 tbsp heavy cream
- 1/2 frozen banana
- 1 heaping scoop of egg protein
- Stevia or Agave to taste (optional)
- 2-3 ice cubes (optional)
Chocolate Almond Delight
Ingredients
- 10-12 oz pure water
- 15 raw almonds
- 1/2 tsp coconut extract
- 1.5 oz protein of choice (chocolate flavor)
- Stevia to taste (optional)
- 3-5 ice cubes (optional)
First, blend the almonds until creamy smooth in 1/2 the water, then add the rest of the ingredients.
Chocolate Lovers
Ingredients
High Energy Shake!
Ingredients
- 10 oz pure water
- 10 strawberries (Fresh or Frozen)
- 1 tbsp flaxseed oil
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 heaping scoop of protein of choice
- Stevia to taste (optional)
- 2-3 ice cubes (optional)
Super Slimmer
Ingredients
- 8 oz pure water
- 1 tbsp flaxseed oil
- 1/2 ripe peach (peeled)
- 6 frozen strawberries
- 1 heaping scoop of protein of choice
- Stevia to taste (optional)
Heavy Gainer
Ingredients
- 10-14 oz pure water
- 1/2 cup raw almonds - blend with water only until creamy smooth then add…
- 1/2 large frozen banana
- 2 level scoops (2 oz) of protein of choice
- Stevia to taste (optional)
Weight Gainer
Ingredients
- 14 oz pure water
- 2 bananas
- 3 tbsp peanut butter
- 6 drops liquid stevia (optional)
- 2 oz protein of choice
Mineral Power
Ingredients
- 10 oz pure water
- 1 oz liquid minerals
- 1 packet knox gelatin
- 1 tbsp flaxseed oil
- 1 heaping scoop of protein of choice
- Stevia or to taste (optional)
Super Healthy Honey Banana Shake
Super healthy shake that tastes pretty damn good – the flax seed oil helps the nutrients digest gradually so you get a steady supply of protein, I always put some honey in, cause it’s healthier than sugar, and after a workout it will feed your body’s need for simple sugar.
Ingredients
- 1 cup of pure water
- 1 big scoop of vanilla whey protein powder
- 3/4 cup of natural yogurt
- 1 banana
- 1 tsp of flaxseed oil
- 2 tsp of honey
- 1 tsp spirulina
The spirulina definitely changes the color and flavor of this shake a lot! So if you can’t get used to the taste simply leave it out. The shake provides carbs, protein and plenty of vitamins/minerals, so you can easily use it as a meal replacement.
Banana Almond Creme
Ingredients
Fruit Smoothie
Ingredients
- 2 scoops whey strawberry
- 4 large strawberries
- Small handful blueberries
- Water (just a few drops)
- 1/2 cup ice
- Splenda
Start off by crushing the ice in the blender and then gradually add the fruit and enough water to get it smooth. Finish off with the two scoops of whey and enough Splenda to make it sweet.
Pineapple Power
Ingredients
Orange And Cream Delight
Ingredients
- 1 bottle of orange Gatorade
- 1 packet Vanilla Myoplex
Simple, yet tasty!
Strawberry Savior
Ingredients
Tastes great and is an awesome mass gaining combination!
Vanilla Coffee Delight
Ingredients
Add all ingredients in blender. Blend and enjoy.
Iso-Egg Heavy Gainer
Ingredients
Put all in blender, and mix, mix, mix!
Egg-cellent Shake
Ingredients
Add all ingredients in blender. Blend and enjoy.
The Best Protein Shake Ever
Ingredients
You can add more or less caramel topping, depending on how sweet you want your shake.
Peanut Butter And Banana Shake
Ingredients
The Best Overall Tasting Homemade Protein Shake
This recipe includes cottage cheese – the king of all cheap, easy, high BV protein sources! Don’t worry, you can’t taste it and the blender eliminates the texture.
Ingredients
Directions
Blend together and chill. Makes 3 two-cup servings.
Guzzle for an awesome post-workout shake. The high-glycemic-value carbs spike insulin to deliver protein to your muscles. Add dry oats for more complex carbs, and add more cottage cheese to boost the protein! Add more milk if the mix is too thick.
Posted on 19 June 2012 by Chuck Rey
Information provided by the USA Olympic website: http://www.olympic.org/hbi Official Website of the Olympic Movement
When girls and women practice sport, they can profit from many health benefits. While these positive attributes far outweigh the risks involved in sports participation, there is scientific evidence that, under certain circumstances, the healthy body image of some female athletes can suffer through sport. In particular, the female athlete triad can have a significant impact on the lives of the girls and women concerned. Continue Reading
Posted on 20 April 2012 by Chuck Rey
This pic came through my feed and became my little picture of the day.

My father was diagnosed with adult onset diabetes in his mid-forties. It is my belief that he came across the disease because of poor diet and lack of exercise. It’s what got me into my nutrition and exercise kick. Continue Reading
Posted on 03 October 2011 by Chuck Rey
The weather is starting to change and the cold season will fall upon our teams. I sent out the following to my team after some research online and modified it to fit our athletes.
Follow these 10 tips NOW to feel and perform at your best.
#1 Wash Your Hands
It seems pretty obvious, especially immediately after practice and use of the weight room. The common cold is mostly spread by direct contact. So, someone sneezes onto their hand, and then touches something, which is then picked up by the next person, who touches that object. Washing your hands and using hand sanitizer often can significantly reduce your chance of picking up nasty germs. Continue Reading
Posted on 28 January 2011 by Chuck Rey
“I just want to open a dialogue…where we can define our own beauty and approve of ourselves. We have to approve of ourselves before anyone else will.” –Iman Continue Reading
Posted on 26 September 2010 by Chuck Rey
How to Fuel for Your Workout
By Nancy Clark, MS RD CSSD
Athletes of all sports and abilities commonly ask what they should eat before, during and after a competitive event:
When should I eat the pre-game meal: 2, 3 or 4 hours beforehand?
How many gels should I take during a tournament? Continue Reading
Posted on 06 April 2010 by Chuck Rey
How should I eat on game day?
Game day is when it counts. You must be ready physically, mentally, and nutritionally for top performance. It is important to prepare by eating properly daily, but your game day eating can make or break your performance.
The goals of your pre-competition meal:
Provide adequate energy (carbohydrates are especially important)
Help avoid fatigue
Allow the stomach to feel relatively light at the start of the game, but avoid hunger pains
Minimize gastrointestinal distress
The timing of your pre-game meal should be based on the time of your game. If your game is in the: Continue Reading
Posted on 11 February 2010 by Chuck Rey
Do you let your kids smoke? Then why do you let them eat french fries?
Maybe I’m somewhat of a food nazi, but I believe proper nutrition is essential to the development of volleyball players. Equally as important is eating right during long tournament weekends. Unfortunately, food choices at convention centers are usually terrible and even “healthy” fast foods (subs, burritos, etc.) are often laced with unhealthy Continue Reading
Posted on 17 September 2009 by Chuck Rey
Aaron Brock MS, ATC, PES
Director of Sports Medicine and Performance to the U.S. National Teams
USA Men’s Olympic Volleyball Team
E-Mail: aaron.brock@usav.org
If you haven’t given nutrition much thought, you may want to start… now!
Research clearly demonstrates the beneficial effects of optimal nutrition on athletic performance. While many factors need to be considered when discussing an athlete’s performance – nutrition is among the most important variables.
As the Head Athletic Trainer (ATC) for the Men’s Olympic Volleyball Team, I oversee the nutrition of elite athletes on a daily basis, and now I am passing along my knowledge onto you: Continue Reading
Posted on 19 August 2009 by Chuck Rey
I often get into a rut of healthy foods to eat. The following was emailed to me by Earth Fare Market. Hope this spurs some ideas for you too.
(Click on the image for full size) Continue Reading
Posted on 20 March 2009 by Chuck Rey
If Chuck Norris can have the Total Gym, an AVP star should at least get an ab machine!?!? Maybe I am biased, but beach volleyball players are the best conditioned athletes in the world. Try walking around in sand all day and tell me how you feel, nevermind running and jumping in it. I’m surprised an AVP star hasn’t hooked up with a workout video company or new ab machine.
My father was diagnosed with adult onset diabetes (Type II) when he was in his 40s. I believe his father also had Type II Diabetes, but during his generation it wasn’t understood or diagnosed as often. Because of my father’s diagnoses, it forced me to think about my eating habits, which is why I try to live a healthy lifestyle. I hope through my example, I influence the players I coach. Continue Reading