I've become newly obsessed with spinning. Not in-a-circle-with-my-arms-outstreched-until-I-feel-like-I-want-to-vomit spinning, but actual spin class.
I was a spinning newbie up until a few weeks ago. Then, I walked into this new state-of-the-art spin studio down in Chelsea. I walked sheepishly to the counter and asked how to register. The pretty girl behind the counter handed me a waiver and a pair of shoes with metal clumps on the bottom.
Now, I am always wary when I have to sign something that says, "We are not responsible for your death." Especially when all I am doing is riding a stationary bike. But seriously, I thought, what are these metal things?
I walk into the spin studio and see women on their bikes, spinning furiously (class hadn't started yet) and chatting away with one another. I found my way to my bike and began to examine. The pedals were tiny little magnetic bars. OK. So these attach to my feet.
Um?
I got on the bike and tried to attach my feet to the medal bars. Of course, I slipped right off, knocking off the little meter showing the Torq and Resistance. CLANG! CRASH!
Great. I'm that girl right now. I thought to myself, as I sheepishly tried to get back on. After I finally was able to keep my balance on the seat, I struggled with attaching my feet to the medal bars. Finally, I heard the click and suddenly, I was locked in. No way out now.
Now, I am a workout nut. I love working out. I love athletic challenges. So I. Loved. Spinning. I didn't want to stop. The studio has a Torq Board where you can see your position against all of the other spinners in the class on a large screen in the front of the room. Some people call that torture. I call that... well, I guess it is torture. I didn't sign up for it and was glad that I didn't.
Class was over and it was time to stretch. The instructor told us to unlock our feet (such an odd statement). Of course, I did not know how to do that. I pressed the red release knob and of course, nothing. I struggled and pulled but my feet were stuck.
This sucks. I'm totally that girl.
I gave up and just pulled my feet out of my shoes, falling forcefully backwards as I released myself. Luckily, I was in the back row. I stretched and ran out before the lights went on, just to save face.
I went back the next day. Some may call me a masochist. But I loved it.
In the March 2010 Issue of Food and Wine Magazine, Editor-In-Chief Dana Cowin stated that she wanted to redirect the focus of the recipes in F&W to feature healthier recipes.
I'm down for some healthy recipes. It energizes me when I get stuck on my spin bike.
So I tried the cover recipe from the magazine. Soba noodles, tossed with a tamari-soy sauce sauce,topped with lime marinated shrimp and sprinkled with pan-fried garlic and shallots, cilantro and scallions.
Easy enough.
It was quick to make and smelled delicious. But I was a bit disappointed with it. I found the sauce to be very salty on the already salty soba noodles. Sure, I loved the crisp garlic and shallots, the lime flavored cilantro (and I never like cilantro) and the scallions. And the lime shrimp were incredible. But I wasn't crazy about the dish.
But the next day. Oh, the next day was different. The flavors mellowed. The sauce became a subtle coating to the tender noodles. The lime flavor of the shrimp was even more pronounced. Definitely a winner. A nice, healthy winner.
Click here for the recipe.



