Flour Tortillas and Salsa

I got up at 6:00 in the morning to make homemade flour tortillas because I didn't have anything to make for breakfast. I had no eggs, no bread, no tortillas of any kind and thus there was nothing to do with my cheese or peanut butter unless I made tortillas so I did that and they came out perfect for the first time in my life. Along with that I made some salsa using jalapeno, onion, garlic, tomato, a dash of lemon juice along with salt and pepper. That came out perfect as well so after breakfast (quesadilla with salsa) I took a portion of what I had made to work with the intention of giving some to Safa who I keep promising Mexican food to but I had to take enough for my other coworkers as well so that it wouldn't look weird.

Then the Palestinian line cook didn't show up yet again so, in having to make up for his absence, we were busy as hell. In short, I never got the chance to invite all my coworkers to partake of the food at once but I made sure to offer some to Safa at the end of her shift when she typically makes her falafel wrap to go. Instead of using a pita bread for the wrap, she threw a flour tortilla on the grill to get it nice and hot. Then she made her typical falafel wrap but added the salsa in with the usual ingredients. She took a bite and said this is good. I smiled and said thanks. She took another bite and her eyes got big and she said "This is REALLY good!!" Nothing else about my day before or after that mattered, that made my day. Teh end!

The Heavyweight Champion

When I was younger, as a goal oriented workout motivator, I used to imagine how I would respond if I were given three months or so to physically prepare for a professional boxing match. Never mind that I'm not actually a boxer and that in reality any such endeavor would be horribly irresponsible and self-destructive, as a hypothetical it was good because it caused me to analyze my physical self critically. Goal #1 would be to decrease body fat as much as possible so as to avoid having to fight someone at a higher weight category.  Two would be to increase muscle mass so as to have the proper strength to fight at that weight.  Three would be to train for endurance since three minute rounds would be incredibly grueling, more so than most people would imagine. I would take a good look in the mirror and say to myself there is no way I could fight effectively carrying this extra weight.

Enter the current heavyweight champion Andy Ruiz weighing in and looking every bit of his 260 lbs when he won the title. Take nothing away from him, his fight skills are impressive and his power is fearsome. But if you saw him on the street, there is no way you would ever guess him to be a professional athlete. And while his success in the ring does not disprove the idea that one should be in tiptop shape when facing elite level competition, one wonders if he fought that well at that weight, how much better could he be if he were in shape?

Back to my exercise motivation and my mirror. The reason I like the fact that Andy Ruiz is champion is because he makes me look sleek by comparison. Truth be known, I don't even know my current actual weight but my mirror shows added muscle in my chest, shoulders, and arms and although I've lost a little body fat my belly stubbornly remains. The rest of me looks very athletic, even youthful for 49. Only my stomach looks out of place. I think it's time to add some cardio days.

As far as Andy Ruiz is concerned, it should be pointed out that the reason he came into the championship fight so overweight was because he wasn't even supposed to be fighting in the first place. He was tossed in to replace the scheduled challenger who was removed after repeated failed drug tests. In preparing for the December championship rematch however, Ruiz vows to come back in better fighting shape. I think that's a good idea. If I were him, I would ditch the between-round Snickers (I'm not making that up) and add some cardio days.

Content

I think this is it. I think this is the happiest I've ever been and the best it will ever be. Being in a relationship has bigger highs but they also have the concomitant lows which I cannot stand. This is better. I work, have a weight training regimen that has me looking and feeling better than I have in years, and my kitchen lends itself to cooking the precise things I need support this physically active lifestyle. Then, as far as my need for social interaction goes, as an introvert I don't need a lot. I have my daughter here with me and that's enough.

At the moment I am making lentil soup in preparation for working out triceps and legs later on. Why bother with protein powder for building muscle mass when I can get the same effect with red lentils, steak, ground beef, fish, and beans, plus I love to eat anyway. And I am building muscle mass. To be honest, I exercise primarily for looks but my increase in strength and stamina is a positive side benefit as well as having the ability to eat large meals without worrying about weight gain.

noon

Went to Meijer and bought $40 worth of stuff, came out ahead because I saved $3 using MPerks. Baking cornbread and chicken thighs seasoned with coriander, chili powder (hot & regular), turmeric, and paprika. Have leftover rice to go with it. It's the perfect preworkout meal. My appetite has returned with a vengeance since I started working out.

8:48 p.m.

Had successful workout, increased weight on tricep and leg exercises. Came home and ate chicken and cornbread again, watched an episode of "the End of the F***ing World" on Netflix with daughter. Life is good

Fitness Regimine

I quit drinking and started weight training regularly about three weeks ago. I wish I would have weighed myself because I can feel the change already. On the one hand, I've staved off the post Ramadan weight gain that would have happened, especially since my appetite has returned. On the other hand I know I've gained muscle mass in my back, arms, and chest. Since I eat more for the sake of muscle building protein, I've offset that by completely eliminating soda pop and sweets. I feel and look better than I have in a long time.