Spin me right round

To a friend, I recently compared the experience of watching the film "Burn After Reading" to a spin class: the ride is enjoyable but doesn't take you anywhere. The friend, a spin aficionado, accepted my (clumsy) analogy despite his distaste for the movie. He might have even chuckled. He's a good conversationalist.

If I mentioned that the teacher of tonight's spin class focused on strength, you might wonder where strength training and spinning intersect. I believe that if they could speak, my tired and sore quadriceps would probably pipe up and answer your question for me; it would be an uncomfortable venting session, and nothing good would come of it, so their lack of agency and cognizance is a relief right now. Let's just say that they worked very, very hard in class.

Tonight, during our 60-minute workout, the minimum amount of effort level we were permitted to experience was 65%, which is quite high. Our amazing teacher verbally set the scene: several long and winding hills ahead of us and an ambitious pack of cyclists behind, breathing down our necks and itching to overtake us should our speed and determination wane. There were several standing sessions with the resistance handle turned to its maximum, and a long session of flatland cycling, and lots of 90-second quick-paced pedaling from 65-85%. My fluffy towel and thin running tank were soaked as a result of the hard effort put in by my dear quads, so after a protein-rich dinner I treated them, and my tastebuds, to some double-chocolate & banana mini-muffins:

Potato and Cauliflower Curry

Potato, cauliflower, onion, garlic and ginger are humble vegetables & aromatics that play very nicely together. Almost nothing can disturb their joyful unity: I added tomato scraps from lunch, and had to resort to using (gasp!) a generic curry powder, yet this dish tasted marvelous.

The rice, yogurt and coriander chutney are handy, low-maintenance sidekicks.

Breakfast of Rockstars

We know that rock stars are fuelled by constant applause and waking up in unfamiliar surroundings every day, but even the most rogue entertainer needs a reliable breakfast. Our Rockstar Breakfast begins with a bagel, arguably one of the most dependable breadstuffs to come out of Saskatchewan bakeries. Grab one half when it pops, piping hot, from the toaster, and spread upon it a thin layer of full-fat cream cheese. Top it up with a panful of scrambled eggs and smoked salmon for the salty, yummy protein energy our rock star heros need for knocking about hotel furniture and setting guitars on fire. The fresh tomato slice isn't just garnish; it adds colour and vitamins to bolster bodies for a long day on the tourbus. A few twists of the "Cajun Spice" mill and our glam breakfast morsel is ready to serve.

Double Bloody Mary optional. Rock on.