An Interview with Chris LaFlamme

My husband used to work with local bike racer Chris LaFlamme. Over the past few years we’ve enjoyed going to local events and cheering for him. For any one that knows or rides with Chris, you know he’s a great rider and an even better guy, always humble and supportive of the rest of us out there on our bikes, who also doesn’t mind a little heckling from his peers or giving it back to them when the tables are turned. I had the pleasure of asking him a few questions recently to post on my blog:

How long have you been racing your bike?

The very first race I did was a mountain bike race in the fall of 2004 at Sleepy Hollow in Huntington, Vermont while in college.  I was on an orange Klein Pulse Race that I bought on Ebay for the Trek Across Maine.  My friends, riders from St. Michael’s Cycling Team, were yelling at me not to lose.  It was so hard and my body was hurting in all kinds of ways theretofore not experienced.
What got you started in the sport?

As unlikely an answer as it is, the thing that got me into racing was the Trek Across Maine.  I had to give up basketball because of some intense and Earth shattering shin-splints I developed.  The summer after my freshman year in college my uncles convinced me it would be a really good idea to pedal a bicycle across Maine with them.  That was when the orange Klein was procured on Ebay.  I sprinted the first 20 miles on the first day and almost passed out on the side of the road.  I remember sitting on a moss covered rock thinking that I was going to die and people were calmly riding by asking me if I was alright…I wasn’t.

When I got to college and hooked up with the guys from the cycling club and after doing some rides with them they convinced me to do my first race, which was that mountain bike race in Vermont.  I was lucky enough to be involved with St. Michael’s College Cycling Club when it had a solid contingent of the region’s best riders and the psychological support for a beginner was indispensable.

How long were you with SMCC? Did you start out as a Cat 5 with them?

I started with SMCC after from a hot tip from Dan Vaillancourt.  I was checking out results on bikereg.com and saw that Dan was riding for SMCC.  I thought he was sponsored by the hospital in Biddeford (SMMC). I wrote him a drunken email one night at college requesting some advice.  We were both from Maine, going to school in VT, he was leading the ECCC, and I had once tried to date his sister so I thought that was enough to suggest a connection.  He said I should get involved with SMCC when I get back home during summer.  On one of my first rides (still one of my favorites) I bonked hard coming back on Route 9 and had to sit down on the ground.  Jack Beaudoin offered to stay with me and we all met at the pizza shop after the ride with Joe Moreshedd and other guys.  That is the reason SMCC is such a great thing.  There was so much pain on those SMCC rides and the company was first rate: Reverend Dan, Jamie Wright, Jacko, Joe Moreshedd, Joe Hepp & his calves, Dixon, the list just doesn’t stop.  I learned as much about being good person as being a good rider in their company, so I thank them for that.

Chris LaFlamme, second from the right, with a few of his previous teammates of Base36.

You recently became a Cat 2. How hard was it to go from a Cat 3 to a Cat 2?

Once you transition from 3 to 2 you realize that even though you were going hard as a 3 you were never truly racing in the same way as the pros that you look up to.  Once you get to the 2s you’re racing the Pro/1/2 category every week where you have regionally, nationally, and sometimes internationally talented riders ripping the race apart.  You have teams performing race tactics and, I apologize if this sounds elitist, but you are finally racing your bicycle for real.  The difficultly level is certainly higher and the gap between the best and the worst is a yawning chasm.  You have guys that have just upgraded from 3 and you have guys like McCormack, Vaillancourt, the Brothers King, and the Keogh Klan that regularly kill it on a national level.  The distance and speed both ratchet up significantly making having a team damn near indispensable.

You now ride for the Embrocation Cycling Journal Team.  How did that come about?  What has that transition been like?

Better than perfect.  I was showing up to all the early season races while I was still a cat 3 and I kept seeing these guys that I raced against the year before in the 3’s in these beautiful kits on these fantastic looking green bikes.  Even better, they were mixing it up in the Pro1/2 races.  I knew two of the guys, James Morrison & Jay Combs, fairly well so when I finally pulled the cat 2 trigger I approached them expecting to get declined.  Thankfully I didn’t.

The best thing about this team is the quality of each rider as an individual. I could spend a full week with any of these guys in a one room shack without a TV and talk about anything from fiscal policy, to philosophy, to tire tread.  This past weekend we stacked 7 people in my little apartment and had a blast.  You can’t underestimate how important a thing that dynamic is.

Chris racing for Team Embrocation at Fitchburg on his distinguishable pink Giant.

How much time do you spend training?

That’s a hard question.  After I upgraded I got dropped in my first Pro1/2 race (Sunapee Road Race) which was also my first race with the team.  That set off alarm bells in my head so I started hitting 20 hour weeks for 3 weeks in a row, which was no mean feat since I work for the Man 9-6.  I found that that is about my saturation point.  Most weeks I go for between 12-18 depending on where I’m at in my season.

What is your favorite event?

The Green Mountain Stage Race will always hold special meaning for me since it always feels like a homecoming.  I went to college at St. Michael’s in Colchester, VT as I said, which is right next to Burlington.  A lot of those roads the race goes through are the same roads that had an integral part in my starting up as a cyclist.  I have a very strong nostalgic connection to that race which adds to it’s desirability for me.  I never get quite as excited or nervous for any other race all year.

Cyclocross seems to be all the rage.  When did you start racing ‘cross?

Yeah, it’s fun right?!  The year before last I discovered this thing called cyclocross which I understood to be some idiotic form of mountain bike racing with road bikes.  I volunteered at SMCC’s Rotary Park ‘cross race that year and raced the B race on my mountain bike in swim trunks and a Hawaiian shirt.  The guys at the front of the race were a bit perplexed because I found myself up there for the first couple of laps.  I did a couple more races like that the following year.  Gloucester was great; on my mountain bike in a child’s Human Torch Halloween costume.  I think some parents averted their children’s eyes.  It was after that race in Gloucester that I knew I would try to race the following year (this year) to try to do well.

Chris in his Human Torch costume at Grand Prix of Gloucester in 2008

You had a great weekend in Providence with a podium spot the first day. Talk a little bit about that race – what worked, what didn’t work, your mishap on day two.

Thanks.  It’s great that people actually care and follow that stuff back home.  It’s motivating and keeps me honest to know that I’m not only representing myself and my team but also southern Maine.

I’m quickly discovering that I have a tendency to go out too hard and fade in the end – something that you witnessed first hand in New Gloucester.  So my plan for Providence was to just hang comfortably with the leaders and attack for the win with one to go.  It didn’t quite work out that way.  The two guys who beat me just went a little harder than I could in the end.  I was really disappointed because for the first 2 laps it was so easy that I kept forcing myself not to attack.  I attacked a little too early when one of the guys in our group of 3 hit the ground on a slippery turn.  I got reeled back in and didn’t have the punch to hang until the end.  I held onto a podium spot, which was nice.  The good thing about cyclocross, and even racing in New England in general, is that every time you take a clean beating – no mechanicals or issues of any kind – you can’t help but be really happy for those doing the beating since they are almost always really good guys.

I am always always always better on the second day so I had high hopes for myself.  When my front wheel washed out in front of me ½ through the first lap and someone landed on my wheels rendering my bike unridable I was a bit vexed.  After a very long pedal exchange into the put I was off on a neutral bike about 5 minutes off the back of the race.  Unfortunately, this was my fastest ‘cross racing form of the year so far.  I just felt better and better while I tried to pass as many people as possible but I was racing from 5 minutes off the back of the group due to pilot error.  My favorite thing about that weekend was battling to get back into the group.  You’d be amazed at how tenacious the riders where when I tried to pass them.  We were bumping elbows and battling for 70^th, 60^th, & 50^th place.  I actually lost a hard fought sprinting battle with a guy for 51^st.  That was awesome.

Chris at the Downeast Cyclocross race in New Gloucester, Maine. We could always pick him out by his bright orange gloves.

Chris, far right, proving he’s a better racer on the second day with a podium spot.

Why embrocate?

If you would have asked me that last week before DownEast my answer wouldn’t hold quite so much zeal.  Slathering my legs up before Saturday’s race and being able to race warm without leg warmers was borderline euphoric.  I didn’t even know the word embrocation before this year and now I am absolutely in love with it.  I’ll enumerate the reasons for my love:

1. The smell – so fresh and tasty you have to fight to not eat it with a spoon.
2. The look – shiny glistening legs make you look and feel faster than you really are.  That’s a double edged sword.
3. The function – cold and/or wet weather riding without the added mess and weight of heavy leg or knee warmers collecting mud and water.  Embrocation also beads off water and thin mud not allowing it to seep into your skin.
4. The feel (during) – if applied correctly (I’m still working on my technique) you’re legs start to get the slow burn right at the start line.  The warmth keeps going all through the race.
5. The feel (after) – in the shower after a ride the embrocation is re-activated giving your legs slow radiating warmth that is very welcome after a cold long ride.

What is your favorite Mad Alchemy product?

Although all the medium heat stuff is more in season right now (Uber Secret, Russisch Tea, Coffee & regular) I used the Cold Weather Mellow heat a lot this fall and summer.  It’s perfect for those early morning rides that are just cold enough to require leg warmers at the start but you know that it’s going to warm up to the point were you won’t want them towards the middle.  In the light rain it is fantastic.  I would say that is certainly the most versatile year ‘round Mad Alchemy product.  I’m using Russisch Tea a lot right now though.  Ask me again in April and I might have a different answer.  I hear Insanity is back on the market (hotter than the hottest hot).  I’ve never tried it so I’ll let you know.

What saddle do you ride? Why?

If I didn’t know better I would think one of my teammates put you up to that question.  For the longest time I was running an old Selle Italia Flight on both my road and mountain bikes.  After the Fitchburg crit there were some anatomical issues that arose resulting in my complaining within earshot of a teammate.  He comes up to me and says “as your man-friend you comments are concerning.  I’m going to send you an SMP.”  Sure enough, two days after I got home one arrived in the mail.  It has a very unconventional design which I think is part of why I like it so much.

Fizik recently sent the team some Tundra saddles to plop on our ‘cross rigs, which was exciting because I had transferred over that saddle that was causing all those problems to my ‘cross bike.  I was happy not to have to walk down that cold dark road again.  It also came in ridiculous custom team colors which was even more exciting.  I’ve happily been riding that all ‘cross season.  It is a bit wider and flatter than any saddle I have ridden, which makes it well suited for the ’cross application; during remounts you can’t really miss it and the platform is larger to accommodate the full body shifts that happen when ripping trails and mud.  It has also proven to be rather resilient as I have crashed it several times (as is my style) and there are no tears or scuffs.  Also, it’s wicked blue.  That adds cool points automatically.

(Chris’ Embrocation Cycling Team Ridley Cross bike with the Fizik Tundra saddle.)

What is your favorite piece of equipment for your bike or your body?

That saddle is right up there but my favorite, couldn’t live without, would die if I didn’t have it, item would be the Rapha Softshell Jacket I just got. It is so light you can wear it on mildly warm days but it’s also impervious to wind and rain. It has all these sneaky little secret features like a pump holder in the back pocket, a rain flap, a high collar, shallow pockets etc. The list goes on and on. I love that thing.

What’s up next?  Short term, long term goals?

That is something I’ve been struggling with for that past week or two.  In the short term there are some Verge races that I would love to do.  Northhampton being on the top of the list.  I am also registered for the JV B Team Nationals out in Bend, OR.  I don’t really know if I can train effectively for Nationals and still be as good as possible for the road season next year.  During this time I’m typically tootling around looking at leaves and riding my little ring a lot.

The longer term goals are a bit more exciting.

1. I want to be good enough next spring to help the team for Battenkill.  That is a fantastic race.  Absolutely one of a kind in this region.  I won’t have the fitness to contest the win I don’t think but I should be able to tear myself apart to see to it that someone on the team has a shot at the podium.
2. Fitchburg is a pretty big goal for me next year.  The course will suit me better since that are putting the finish climb back to the road race.  I would like to go ballistic here.
3. Ideally I would like to have enough points to be a cat 1 by Green Mountain Stage Race next year, which is a seriously tall order.  If not, I’ll have my sights set on the top spot on the box for GC.
4. I’m really looking forward to the Elite Amateur National Championships in 2011.  All the fastest guys in the nation without a contract will be there and by 2011 I should have what it takes to not get dropped and actually race the race not just participate.

You are pretty young and racing a lot. What advice would you give to a new kid just starting out?

Eat!  Eat food and don’t mess around with weight control.  I know there is a lot of pressure within the cycling community to hold extremely low weight but juniors should ignore this.  Stay away from unhealthy food and fake calories but, to quote Davis Phinney, “Eat a lot, ride a lot.  Ride a lot, eat a lot.”  Also, go out of your way to respect officials, promoters, and volunteers.  They are the pillars on which this bike racing thing rests and I rarely see them get the respect they deserve.  Don’t do it for any hope of favors to special treatment.  Just do it because it’s right.

November Riding

At 52 degrees at 7:30 this morning, it certainly didn’t feel like November. However, is still looked like November.

Due to the temperatures I was able to ride in shorts today with a little embrocation on my legs. I’m using the Mad Alchemy Cold Weather Mellow.

I managed a nice 2-hour ride this morning before a 1.5 hour yoga class. It felt good to dedicate my entire morning to my fitness.

It’s officially the off season for me so time to refocus, think about my goals for 2010, and set a plan in motion to achieve them. They won’t be lofty goals – nothing like making a podium at a given race. But more along the lines of which races I’d like to participate in, what areas in my fitness I need to work on, and whatnot.

Yoga will play a big part of my off season this year. What are some of the things you are going to do in your off season?

 

Cyclocross Weekend

We spent a good part of our weekend at the Downeast Cyclocross event at Pineland Farms in New Gloucester, Maine.

I’ll be working on uploading some photos and videos when they are ready. In the meantime, I was on Kurt Perham’s blog and found this really cool video. Enjoy!

A Quick and Chilly Ride

It’s been over a week since I was on the bike. Feeling particularly rested and frisky I thought I’d try to eek out a quick ride after work before the sun set. I won’t lie – it felt awesome to be on the bike!

It certainly was chilly and I should have worn a base layer. But I survived just fine and saw this beautiful view on my way back home – the last few minutes of light for the day.

(The view from the Falmouth Bridge as I was riding back to Portland.)

Stephanie Chase – Chase Cycling Group

Regular readers know I’ve mentioned Stephanie Chase on several occasions. So I thought I would post an interview so you could find out a little bit more about her:

Stephanie is a 45 year old woman who started racing when she was 41. She is very loyal, commited, honest, driven, and a comical lady.

MV: How long have you been cycling/racing?

SC: This is my fourth season…

MV: How did you get into racing?

SC: I hadn’t been living in Portland that long when I started dating a guy that rode for a local bike club.  He did not encourage me to ride, but rather told me I’d never be good enough to ride their Saturday morning ride.  I eventually joined Portland Velo Club (PVC) where I received encouragement and instruction from Paul Weiss (then the president PVC), Dave Brink (one of the owners of Cyclemania), Chris Green, Toby Walsh and a few others.  Within a few weeks I was making the PVC Saturday morning ride thanks to lots of support from Paul, Chris Karam, Chris Green and Morgan.  I may have gotten a push or two up Anthoine Street… but I made it. (she says with a smile) From there Lisa Maxwell (another local racer) took me under her wing and showed me the ropes of racing.  That first year changed everything for me in Portland.

(Stephanie Chase on the left.)

MV: What was your sports background prior to racing?

SC: I have been a personal trainer for years, love trail running, hiking, rock climbing and have raced dual slalom since high school.

MV: How hard was it for you to upgrade to your current category?

SC: It took a lot of commitment to race, to train and to find the right support system.  Again, Lisa and PVC were instrumental in this process.  I was able to upgrade to Cat 3 after that first year and was picked up by International Bicycle/NERAC on a Cat 3 elite development team.  Upon completion of year two, I upgraded to Cat 2.

MV: What has been your favorite event and why?

SC: Favorite Event….The Fitchburg Longjo Stage Race…why…it was a blast to train for and a huge success for me to place in the top ten on two stages and 5th in the final stage the second year of racing as a Cat 3.  Too bad I couldn’t time trial for a decent GC finish.  Winning the Concord Criterium New England Criterium Championship was pretty fun since it was my first time over the finish line first.  Also getting shelled in my first cyclocross race was truly memorable. I didn’t finish last but I thought throughout the whole race that I was last. It was a very funny day.  I should have ridden a ‘cross bike at least once before jumping into a race.

MV: Your least favorite and why?

SC: My least favorite? This hasn’t happened.

MV: Where’s the furthest you’ve traveled to race an event?

SC: I’ve only raced in New England.  The Green Mountain Stage Race seemed far away at first, but after racing in Burlington a fair bit, it’s not so far anymore.

MV: What are your short terms goals in regards to cycling/racing?

SC: To improve women’s cycling and get more women out there.  Personally, my goal is to have fun. I feel I’ve done everything I wanted and more for road/crit racing. Currently, I’m having a blast dealing with cyclo-cross and am toying with the idea of mountain bike racing next year.

(Stephanie Chase at Grand Prix of Gloucester, October 2008.)

MV: Tell me why ‘cross has become more of your focus.

SC: Again, it boils down to being told I’d never be good at it.  Gotta be honest, I stunk at it and still learn so much on every course I ride.  However, when I’m racing cross, I’m only racing the course. I really don’t care about anyone else out there.  I LOVE the handling element, the technical element and it’s not the ’strong girl’ that always wins. Many times it’s the calmest girl, the one racing both phycially and mentally.  I used to compete in three day events on thoroughbred horses and cyclocross reminds me of the cross country phase and steeple chase phase of the competition.   In ‘cross, the steeple chase of cycling, it suits me very well.  When I’m done racing a ‘cross race it’s all about “how well did I ride”, “did I nail that run up or many times why won’t my legs run”,”‘how smooth were the barriers” and, “what am I going to change on the next lap, if anything?”  Those are my thoughts in a cross race…not what place am I in.  I also snap pretty well off the line thanks to Tommy Gosselin.  I have a huge support system in ‘cross. Tommy is my coach and truly my mentor, John Burns taught me how to bunny hop which saved my butt at NoHo, Paul always encouraging, other friends that race ‘cross but honestly I love, love, love my teammates.  We have more fun out there then should be legal.  These girls are the best!

MV: What are your long term goals in regards to cycling/racing?

SC: At my age?  Long term?  Seriously?

(Stephanie, far left, just “one of the boys” during the spring Scarborough Crit Series.)

MV: You are a certified personal trainer and licensed coach. How has this helped you with your goals?

SC: I think it’s helped me in that I’ve always, always worked out and had fitness goals so my focus is very clear, bordering on OCD. (And she flashes that smile again.)

MV: Talk a little bit about the clinics you started this spring – how did you come up with the idea?

SC: Paul Weiss, along with the PVC elite team, had something similar the year I started riding.  I just embellished on them and made them more comprehensive.

MV: What was it like to host this clinic?

SC: Truly one of the best experiences in my cycling career.  Seeing others learn and attain something they didn’t think they could do on a bike was the MOST fun and the MOST rewarding.  It’s as awesome as coming across the finish line first.

MV: What would you do differently?

SC: There will be many changes this coming year in 2010.  Stay tuned.

(Stephanie Chase during one of her clinics.)

MV: What has been the most positive experience in your cycling accomplishments?

SC: Let’s just say, I’d like to invite that other dude from 4 years ago out on a bike ride.  We’ll leave it at that.

MV: Who has provided the most influence or inspiration in your riding?

SC: The boys in blue – Portland Velo Club.

MV: What’s your favorite pre-ride food?

SC: Cereal… shredded wheat with soy milk.

MV: Post ride food?

SC: Anything on the grill with a Dogfish.

MV: What’s your preference: Bibs or shorts?

SC:  Bibs all the way…skinsuits are cool too.

MV: Pump or CO2 cartridge?

SC: CO2 clearly..

MV: What’s one piece of advice you would give to novice riders or someone looking to get into the sport?

SC: Don’t take yourself too seriously…there will always be someone faster so just enjoy every accomplishment and know that you’re better then you were yesterday.  More than anything else, don’t let anyone ever tell you that you can’t do something or that you won’t be good at it.  If they do, prove them wrong in a big, big way.

MV: Favorite quote?

SC: “Cycling never gets easier, you simply get faster”. – Greg LeMond; and “She’s clearly DEEP in the pain cave and the lights are about to go out” – Richard Fries

Stephanie’s bike philosophy, “There are no excuses…I hate excuses…just ride your bike and accept that some days your rock and some days you’ll barely roll.”

(Steph Chase, far left, hanging with friends at the end of the Pineland Cyclocross race, New Gloucester, Maine, October 2008.)

Dempsey’s challenge raises more than $1 million | Sun Journal

Dempsey Challenge Recap

Today was the Dempsey Challenge, a 100, 50, 25 or 10 mile bike ride with also a 5k run/walk in Lewiston, Maine. It was a large fundraiser for the The Patrick Dempsey Center at Central Maine Medical Center that “provides free support, education and wellness services to cancer patients and caregivers”.

I had heard about it on a local news program during the off season and my friend encouraged me to sign up when the registration opened so I did. Good thing because they capped registration at 3500 participants and actually filled it weeks before the event!

This summer the call had gone out to the club I race for, PVC, looking for ride ambassadors. I figured since I was going to be there I might as well ride as an ambassador so I volunteered. Luckily I was selected as an ambassador for the 50-mile ride. Whew! The century that I originally registered for, I found out later, was extremely hilly. I was thankful to be required to ride the shorter route.

Duties as a ride ambassador include chatting with people to make them feel good about the ride, especially if it was raining, helping with any mechanicals, and calling for a SAG wagon if needed. I thoroughly enjoyed chatting with people throughout the ride, asking everyone stopped along the road if they were okay or needed assistance, and changing one flat tire.

It also gave me an opportunity to chat with local cyclist, OA/Cyclemania and PVC member, and fellow ambassador, Bob Baiguy. Super nice guy and I enjoyed riding with him for a few miles.

The weather was predicting rain all week. As we got closer to the weekend it started looking up a bit with only showers in the forecast, instead of heavy rains. I’m happy to report there was no rain whatsoever. Just some wet roads that dried by mid-day, and only some heavy fog to contend with on one descent.

Before the start of the ride I had seen George Hincapie and Ted King go by me towards the start line. I had a couple friends hold my bike as I made my way through the ever growing crowd to snap some pictures of them. Since they were standing around with no one with them, I asked if I could have my photo taken with them. They were gracious enough to oblige:

Ted King, me, and George Hincapie. I felt like I had won the lottery!

Unfortunately I missed seeing Dave Zabriskie but managed to snap a photo as he was leaving and I was settling in for a lobster after the ride. (Yup, you ride the Dempsey Challenge and they give you a lobster dinner at the end of the event.)

Photo by my friend, Spencer Reed.

I was questioning my fitness going into the event and spent a couple days on the trainer to loosen the legs a bit prior to the ride. Even though I didn’t ride the loop fast, due to my duties, I felt pretty good and didn’t struggle over the climbs like I thought I might.  I did, however, start to cramp after 45 miles, despite a Cliff Shot and some margarita shot bloks, Accelerade and water. I also experienced a bit of intestinal discomfort a few miles from the finish. I probably should have taken an almond butter & jelly sandwich with me for some “real” food.

It was nice to be on the Scott again. I know I’ve said it before, but this bike rocks! The Scott has my climbing cassette (12/27) on it so it was the one I wanted for the hills.

The course was a nice one, winding through great country roads in central Maine during foliage season. The sun would have made the foliage a bit more vibrant but it was a relatively mild day for this time of year.

I think the event was probably successful enough that it will become an annual event. You might add it to your cycling event calendar in the future!

Just About Perfect

Took the Scott in for service before the Dempsey Challenge Sunday. While it was there I had some cosmetic updates done by changing out the bar tape and hoods from red to white and also added white cable housing. This bike is so sweet looking! (Now I just need white bottle cages to complete the look.)

Rufus Wainwright

One of our favorite artists is Rufus Wainwright. The last time we saw him in concert was several years ago. I think it might have been 2003 when he performed at Bowdoin College when his album, Want One, was first released.

I’m happy to tell you that Rufus is making a return appearance to Maine on October 1st. We had heard about the concert from a friend the night of the Neko Case concert. The next day we looked it up and bought tickets.

My favorite song he has ever done is Hallelujah. Of course there are a few versions out there but his is one of my favorites. I wonder if he’ll perform it for me next week since it’s my birthday later in the month?

More on Bananas

I recently received this as one of those forwarded emails. I can’t verify all these health benefits to eating bananas but it’s definitely food for thought!

Bananas Contain three natural sugars – sucrose, fructose and glucose combined with fiber, a banana gives an instant, sustained and substantial boost of energy. Research has proven that just two bananas provide enough energy for a strenuous 90-minute workout. No wonder the banana is the number one fruit with the world’s leading athletes. But energy isn’t the only way a banana can help us keep fit.  It can also help overcome or prevent a substantial number of illnesses and  conditions, making it a must to add to our daily diet.

Depression:
According to a recent survey undertaken by MIND amongst people suffering from depression, many felt much better after  eating a banana. This is because bananas contain tryptophan, a type of protein that the body converts into serotonin, known to make you  relax, improve your mood and generally make you feel better.

PMS:
Forget the pills — eat a banana. The vitamin B6 it contains regulates blood glucose levels, which can affect your mood.

Anemia:
High in iron, bananas can stimulate the production of hemoglobin in the blood and so helps in cases of anemia.

Blood Pressure:
This unique tropical fruit is extremely high in potassium yet low in salt, making it the perfect way to beat blood pressure. So much so, the US Food  and Drug Administration has just allowed the banana industry  to  make official claims for the fruit’s ability to reduce the risk of blood pressure and stroke.

Brain Power:
200 students at a Twickenham (Middlesex  England ) school were helped through their exams this year by eating bananas at breakfast, break, and lunch in a bid to boost their brain power. Research has shown that the potassium-packed fruit can assist  learning by making pupils more alert.

Constipation:
High in fiber, including bananas in the diet can help restore normal bowel action, helping to overcome the problem without resorting to laxatives.

Hangovers:
One of the quickest ways of curing a hangover is to  make a banana milkshake, sweetened with honey. The banana calms the stomach and, with the help of the honey, builds up depleted blood sugar levels,  while the milk soothes and re-hydrates your system.

Heartburn:
Bananas have a natural antacid effect in the body, so if you suffer from heartburn, try eating a banana for soothing relief.

Morning Sickness:
Snacking on bananas between meals helps to keep blood sugar levels up and avoid morning sickness.

Mosquito bites:
Before  reaching for the insect bite cream, try rubbing the affected area with the inside of a banana skin.  Many people find it amazingly successful at reducing swelling and irritation.

Nerves:
Bananas are high in B vitamins that help calm the nervous system.

Overweight and at work?
Studies at the Institute of Psychology in Austria found pressure at work leads to gorging on comfort food like chocolate and chips. Looking at  5,000 hospital patients, researchers found the most obese were more likely to be in high-pressure jobs.  The  report concluded that, to avoid panic-induced food cravings, we need to control our blood  sugar levels by snacking on high carbohydrate foods every two hours to keep levels steady.

Ulcers:
The banana is used as the dietary food against intestinal disorders because of its soft texture and smoothness.  It is the only raw fruit that can be eaten without distress in over-chronicler cases. It also neutralizes over-acidity and reduces irritation by coating the lining of the stomach.

Temperature control:
Many other cultures see  bananas as a ‘cooling’ fruit that can lower both the physical and emotional temperature of expectant mothers. In Thailand ,  for example, pregnant women eat bananas to ensure their baby is born with a cool temperature.

Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD):
Bananas can help SAD sufferers because they contain the  natural mood enhancer tryptophan.

Smoking:
Bananas can  also  help people trying to give up smoking.  The B6 and B12 they contain, as well as the potassium and magnesium found in them, help the body recover from the effects of nicotine withdrawal.

Stress:
Potassium is a vital mineral which helps normalize the heartbeat, sends oxygen to the brain and regulates your body’s water balance.  When we are stressed, our metabolic rate rises, thereby reducing our potassium levels.  These can be rebalanced with the help of a high-potassium banana snack.

Strokes:
According to research in ‘The New  England Journal of Medicine,’ eating bananas as part of a regular diet can cut the risk of death from strokes  by as much as 40%!

So, a banana really is a natural remedy for many ills.  When you compare it to an apple, it has four times the protein, twice the carbohydrates, three times the phosphorus, five times the vitamin A and iron, and twice the other vitamins and minerals. It is also rich in potassium and is one of the best value foods  around.  So maybe it’s time to change that well-known  phrase  so that we say, ‘A banana a day keeps the doctor away!’

Footnote:
If your roses are covered with Aphids, drape banana skins over the branches,  It’s amazing, but in a day or less, they are GONE!