Gazpacho as a post training recovery drink? Why not?

My husband, during one of his trips to Spain, cycling in the mountains of Madrid

An avid cyclist and gazpacho drinker, my husband has been drinking gazpacho for years after his arduous 50 mile cycling rides. He walks into our kitchen at 10:30 in the morning with the typical post ride look of contentedness and exhaustion.  He immediately opens the refrigerator door, grabs the glass pitcher full of gazpacho, pours himself a huge glass, and drinks it.  Growing up in Spain, I never thought of gazpacho as a recovery drink. When I think of gazpacho, I see it more as a snack that you drink in between meals,  as "the meal" instead of a salad or as a first course before a meal. Why have gazpacho instead of your typical recovery drink?  I did a bit of research on the subject and this is what I found out:

• First, gazpacho contains Lycopene -- a vital anti-oxidant that helps in the fight against cancerous cell formation as well as other kinds of health complications and diseases. It takes as little as 540 milliliters of liquid tomato product to get the full benefits of Lycopene (about a daily glass of gazpacho).
• Second, gazpacho is a great source of carotenoids, folate, copper, vitamin B-6 and manganese. The latter is involved in wound healing and the formation of bone and cartilage. You can read more at the LiveStrong website:http://www.livestrong.com/article/546499-gazpacho-soup-benefits/#ixzz1tZhc5J6u. 
• Thirdly,  the salt (preferably sea salt) contained in the gazpacho aids the replacement of  the electrolytes lost during exercise. Electrolytes are minerals, primarily salts, which exist in your blood and which carry electrical impulses (such as muscle contractions) between cells. They are important to bodily processes that involve your heart, nerves and muscles.  
• Finally, an 8 oz glass of gazpacho has only about 90 calories, yet it's loaded with all the aforementioned vitamins and minerals. Thus, it has a small caloric content, yet it packs a big punch.

Next time, before grabbing a bottle of your favorite post workout drink think of grabbing a glass of, why not? Gazpacho!

Gazpacho going mainstream in the US: iPhone commercial

It's about time!! Gazpacho is finally here! Apple's newest iPhone commercial features actor Samuel Jackson instructing Siri to remind him to put gazpacho on ice. Way to go Apple! You guys know how to spot and feature the latest and coolest trends!

Calling all purists: Gazpacho is from Spain, Mexican salsa is from Mexico

Picture of my gazpacho taken by my friend Yamarashi

Do you consider yourself a purist when it comes to food? If you do let's get some things straight: Gazpacho originated in Spain hundreds of years ago. It does not look like Mexican salsa or Pico de Gallo and it does not contain Tabasco.  Gazpacho's consistency may vary depending upon the method used to prepare this dish. My mother used a two step process: She blended all vegetables together and then she used a food mill to remove all seeds and skin.  The result: A smooth, creamy and silky gazpacho. In other instances, tomatoes were peeled and seeded and then blended with all the remaining vegetables. The goal was always to achieve a smooth consistency. In years past it was difficult since it was made by hand.  Today in Spain, the smoothest gazpachos are created with the help of a wonderful food processor, Thermomix.  The outcome: no resemblance to Mexican Salsa.  By the way, no cilantro either.