A berry delicious solution

I’ve discovered the secret to Track and Field success! Canola oil.

Sounds ridiculous, right?

But it’s the only way I can explain my performance this past week. It’s been epic!

When I was out at the farm last weekend, I had a heart-to-heart with Grandma. I told her I was cutting out sweets, and all fats. She seemed okay with it, until I suggested (carefully) that she use less canola oil.

My bad.

Apparently, canola oil is one of the healthiest oils out there. It’s low in saturated fat and has NO trans fat or cholesterol. I know, I should KNOW this.Turns out, adding just two teaspoons of canola oil to something as simple as a breakfast smoothie can boost its vitamin E and omega-3 fat content – the stuff I need to run faster, like Superman.

Grandma found a recipe from a former Olympic champion – Janet Evans – for a Berry Smoothie that is OUT OF THIS WORLD. I’ve been drinking it every day and I can already feel the difference in my running.

Grandmas are so smart.

Gotta jet. I’m slamming my smoothie and then heading out for my morning practice.

-       Chase Superman Duffy

P.S. I’ve included the recipe below. If you’re Gordon “Lightening” Smith, or any of my other competitors, close your eyes!

BERRY DELICIOUS SMOOTHIE

Ingredients

1 medium banana

1/2 cup blueberries

1/2 cup strawberries

1/2 cup green tea, cooled

1/2 cup cranberry juice,

4 ice cubes

2 teaspoons canola oil

Blend it all until it's smooth.

Eyes on the prize

It's been a busy week. Between studying for exams, practicing for track and field, and getting used to my new smoothie breakfast regime, I'd almost forgotten about submitting my story for the Martyn Godfrey Young Writers' Award.

Just kidding.

Really. How could I forget?

That's not to say I didn't try to push it out of my mind. I mean, there's not much I can do until the winners are announced on June 1.

But then I got the WordsWorth poster in the mail. It came with my bright yellow canola notebook, a Martyn Godfrey novel I'm half-way through reading (wow! he could really write) and a pen. Of course I started jotting notes for a new story right away. But I also made use of the poster. It's hanging on my fridge. Every time I grab the ingredients for my smoothie, I see it.

And drool.

I keep checking out the WordsWorth blog and the camp sounds SO amazing. I know I should be studying or logging some extra clicks while the sun is shining, but in the back of my head I've always got my eyes on the prize.

Of course, it doesn't hurt to have the poster in front of Mom's eyes, too. Maybe she'll send me to camp even if I don't win...

Gotta jet.

- Chase Superman Duffy

PS - If you want to register for WordsWorth, the camp for youth who believe in the power of words, you can download the registration forms here. For full details, check out the WordsWorth blog or the Young Alberta Book Society website.

Me, DIET? Yikes!

I’m usually ready for my school Track and Field Day.  By the time we line up for the 100-metre dash, I’ve practiced a thousand times. Gone over my strategy. Worn in my new track shoes.

But I was so focused on my short story for the Martyn Godfrey Young Writers’ Award this year, the day kind of…snuck up on me.

Don’t get me wrong. I aced the 100-metre dash, and scored a personal best on the long jump. I just kind of…faltered…on the longer runs.

Not cool.

Now that the snow has melted, Grandpa will be out in his canola field – my usual practice grounds.  He’ll put me to work, too, which means I’ll be toning some of the muscles that have been mostly inactive throughout the winter.

I think it’s more than that, though.

I’ve been chowing down on Grandma’s home cooking – she’s the best bakers in the world! – but I haven’t been doing much to balance what I’ve been eating. It’s not like I need to go on a DIET.

Maybe I just need to ask Grandma to back off the chocolate zucchini loaf for a bit?

That’s a very scary thought.

Gotta jet.

- Chase Superman Duffy


PS - The deadline for the Martyn Godfrey Young Writers' Award may have passed, but there's STILL time to register for WordsWorth, the camp for youth who believe in the power of words.

Today is the BIG day

It's finally here - the deadline for the Martyn Godfrey Young Writers' Award. I've been working on my submission for weeks - creating a first draft, asking for help from some of Alberta's top writers, and then making the necessary edits.

My story is short (just under 1500 words), funny (my mom laughed out loud), and includes the colour yellow in a unique way. I'm ready!

So today I'll be dropping by the Young Alberta Book Society office (11759 Groat Road, Edmonton) with my masterpiece - and then I'll start pacing. More likely, I'll go for a run to work off some of this nervous energy.

The stakes are huge! Two winners receive free admission to WordsWorth, a writing camp for young writers like me, as well as a visit to his/her school during the October 2011 Taleblazers festival. I've already figured out who I'd pick if I'm the winner.

If you haven't finished your story...what are you waiting for? The deadline is TODAY!

Gotta jet.

Good luck!

- Chase Superman Duffy