Odd combinations

While working out this morning I took a look around and it just hit me how funny I might look. Every morning it’s always me and 5-6 big black men in the gym all lifting. I don’t have the luxury of a “women’s area”, or a variety of machines to do exercises on. I do know that a lot of females feel intimidated or self conscious lifting in front of, or with the guys. Myself, I don’t particularly care. I find it much more motivating to be lifting in the presence of people who are busting their @$$ to squeeze out those last couple of reps, then to be surrounded by a bunch of pansies doing stiff-armed side lateral raises with 5 lbs dumbbells (if this comment somehow pertains to you then stop wasting your time). Likewise, I like to think that I provide a source of motivation for the men in the gym (not in the way that you are thinking!). I pretend that when they see me putting up respectable weights, they’re thinking “damn, I better starting working harder or a girl is going to be lifting heavier than I do”.

Anways, now that we only have two weeks to go, I have started the process of utilizing everything that’s left in the refrigerator and cupboard. This usually leads to odd combinations of food (last semester I even tried combining oatmeal and tuna fish together – horrible). This weekend’s combination was actually quite palatable so I’m posting up the recipe:

¼ c. canned corn
¼ c. canned black beans
2 c lettuce
3 oz. chicken breast chopped into small pieces
2 Tbsp chick pea paste (or hommous)
1-2 Tbsp barbeque sauce (I had honey hickory barbeque sauce in the fridge)
1oz. shredded skim milk mozzarella

Calories = 408 Protein = 42 g Carbs = 42 g Fat = 9 g Fibre = 8 g

Mix together beans, chickpea paste and barbeque sauce first, then add chicken, cheese and lettuce, and voila a tasty summer salad! It was the chickpea paste and barbeque sauce that seemed like an odd combination – but who knew - they actually taste excellent together!