a dusty gym and a delicious dinner

The gym we checked out this morning really was a dismal place, but my friend and I had a fun time anyway. It was really a blast from the past: some of the equipment was exactly the same as from our days at the YMCA in the early 90s. (Possibly the exact machines- they were pretty old.) We also accidentally walked into and left our stuff in the men's change room. har. The door was open and no one gave us a tour and I thought that the first change room was the ladies. lol. LUCKILY (or unluckily? ;)) there was just one dressed man in there when we went back to get our stuff AND we'd both worn our workout clothes there (mine covered by a pair of jeans since it was coolish in the morning.) He guarded the door for us while we ran and got our stuff.

Anyway, this gym still has the projected floor plans in all their glory on the wall, but it doesn't look like any of the renos will take place though the management is still saying that it's starting shortly (April). I guess they've been saying - this for years.

So, we're still undecided about which gym we will join- if any. This gym has a parking pass and my friend works downtown. The other gym is super fancy- recently renovated- (guess we shouldn't have gone there first, eh?) but has no parking and we're not sure what kind of a deal we can get. AND then there's always boot camp again. They are offering a deal, too.

Anyway, I have been enjoying doing weights and the cardio machines at the gyms. Neither seem to offer many classes- well, the fancy one definitely has more. The rundown one's aerobic room is a wreck with bits of equipment scattered about and a big hole in the wall. "Ghetto" as my friend summed up. :P BUT we could still get a workout there...though we might be depressed during it. ;) decisions, decisions...

I made two more recipes tonight from In the Kitchen with Anna: Sweet Potato with Onion & Pumpkin Seeds and Arugula with Avocado, Blackberry & Feta. They were both very good. I went to our local butcher to find steaks (as suggested by Olson to go with the arugula side ). Anyway, when I got there, I found the Berkshire (heritage meat) pork chops that the liquor store recipe called for last week. Soooooooo...I did the pork recipe again. It was even better this time. :)

Sweet Potato with Onion & Pumpkin Seeds

3 Tbsp olive oil I used 2

2 c sliced onion I chopped mine and mine darkened too quickly (but tasted good!)

1 tsp chopped fresh thyme

1 1/2 lb sweet potato, peeled and sliced into 1/2 in, diced I only a pound

salt & pepper

2 Tbsp lemon juice

1 /2 c unsalted pumpkin seeds, toasted

Preheat oven to 375 F. In a med, heavy-bottomed pan, heat oil over med heat and saute onions and thyme until onions are caramelized, about 40 mins. Toss with potato in a baking dish and roast for 30 mins. Remove from oven and toss in lemon juice and seeds.

(6 servings/ 4 points)

Arugula with Avocado, Blackberry & Feta

c arugula, washed and trimmed

1 avocado (sliced)

1/2 pint of blackberries

1/2 c crumbled feta I used 1/4 cup of light feta

juice of 1 lime

good quality olive oil I used 2 tsp

salt & pepper

Arrange salad ingredients. Sprinkle salad with lime juice and olive oil. Season lightly.

(6 servings, 2 points)