Definitely join a squad, if you aren't already in one! Karla Gilbert has a website and she posts some awesome healthy foods! check it out www.ironmumkarla.com.au
Always great if you can find a training group so you can paddle with people faster then yourself. The more you paddle the better you will become, remember to get faster takes years of training and won't happen overnight.
I've not read it, and can't vouch if it's any good or not, but maybe something like this as well...?http://www.suzietrainsmaui.com/new-book/
Certainly nothing like training with other people though, if you can. There's nothing like doing an activity with people who are substantially better at it than you are if you're wanting to improve in a hurry!