Peek Into Kelly’s…Tennis Bag

For The LOVE of Tennis

Tennis is my favorite sport to play and to watch.  And, it is not just because I think Rafael Nadal is incredibly cute!  While I never had the opportunity to play team tennis as a child, I’ve always wanted to learn this lifelong sport.  So, about the time I turned 35, I signed up for a community ed beginner class and my love of tennis was born.  Who knew I could have so much fun and get a workout at the same time? 

Fortunately for me, both of our daughters have a passion for tennis, as well.  They play on the Sartell Sabre Tennis Team.  That makes me a tennis mom.  I am lucky enough to spend many hours sitting in my blue camping chair (silently) cheering on the Sabre girls.  Yes, silently.  For those of you unfamiliar with tennis etiquette, it is NOT like a basketball game, wrestling match or hockey game where you can cheer loudly for your team.  Unlike my hockey mom friends, we tennis moms (and dads) are required to keep our inner cheerleader voices quiet.  For some of us, like me, that kind of expressive restraint is no small task.  

Fueling My Athletes

As a tennis mom, I try to show my support in other, less noisy, ways.  I make sure the girls’ uniforms are laundered and ready to go before each match.  I pack ice and ibuprofen for my injury-prone child.  I praise their great shots and forget the misses.  And, I keep plenty of healthy foods on hand to fuel my athletes. 

Since they head out to practice immediately following a long day in school, they often pack a quick snack in their tennis bags for a boost of energy.  Some of their favorites: whole almonds (NuVal 81), Almond & Cashew KIND Bars (NuVal 51), Oatmeal Raisin Walnut Clif Bar (NuVal 29), a mini box of raisins (NuVal 87) or a piece of fresh fruit. In fact, today Karen took a fresh pear (NuVal 96).  Learn more about the NuVal Nutritional Scoring System

Nutrition At The Net

When the Sabre girls are hosting a home match, the teammates take turns bringing a meal to share after they play.  That usually means their tennis moms make some “grab & go” foods for the hungry girls to devour. 

On our day to provide the team meal, the girls and I prepared 2 kids of wraps.  We smeared a little Laughing Cow Spreadable Swiss Cheese (NuVal 23) inside a LaBanderita Extreme Fiber tortilla (NuVal 35) and rolled in Oscar Meyer Turkey Breast (NuVal 25) and fresh alfalfa sprouts (NuVal 96).  Since Brooke is not a fan of meat, we also made a vegetarian option.  We rolled up Athenos Roasted Red Pepper Hummus (NuVal 46), yellow pepper strips (NuVal 96), fresh spinach leaves (NuVal 100) and tomato slices (NuVal 96).  We cut them into easy-to-handle quarters and held them together with toothpicks.  They were a big hit!   We served carrot sticks (NuVal 99), fresh strawberries (NuVal 100) and grapes (NuVal 91) on the side.  And, of course, we provided plenty of water.  We have to keep all of our athletes well-hydrated.

For more simple and tasty recipe ideas at your fingertips, check out the After School Snacks found on the BLEND website. 

This tennis mom is sad to see the girls’ season coming to an end.  I’ll miss the sunny afternoons of silent cheering.  However, maybe I’ll have a little more time to head to the courts and hit a few fuzzy yellow balls myself.  

If only Rafa would join me!
Kelly 

Passionate about food and good nutrition, Kelly, a BLEND Program Specialist for CentraCare Health Foundation, is also a mom who wants to set her kids up for a lifetime of good health.  NuVal is a system designed to lead customers to the most nutritious food choices. It is not a diet or weight-loss plan.  The opinions expressed in this blog are the opinions of the writer and not the opinions of NuVal LLC, Coborn’s, Inc., BLEND, and the CentraCare Health Foundation.