From Spice to Glitzerland
I set a big steaming bowl of spicy shrimp before him. Devouring my homemade heat, I watched his eyes widen and fill with water. A nice rose color flushed his cheeks as his lips whistled, “Oooooh.”
“Can you make this less spicy next time?”
“Less spicy?”
“Just a little bit, please.”
Hmmmph. Not everyone likes four alarm fights in their mouths. I understand, heart burn starts with lip burn and ends with ass burn. Ahhh the ring of fire, much like the circle of life. Poetic. However, apparently loving spicy food says something about a person. NPR discussed the issue this week and a little web surf turned up what ought to be true- loving spicy food picks at a human being’s fascination with negative sensations. In other words, it’s a touch of culinary masochism. This love of things that hurt so good can only be equated to those sensation found in activities like LONG DISTANCE RUNNING.
Eating spicy food apparently triggers similar endorphins to the “runner’s high.” This chili head love is also associated with a love of roller coasters. Damn! I love roller coasters too. Now do I know a thrill seeker who does not like spicy food? Yes. One comes immediately to mind. There are outliers to every good hypothesis.
This coupled with Cinco de Mayo brings back fond memories of eating east side salsa until my thighs started to sweat and I had to sink my tongue in milk….and leave it there.
“What are you doing?”
“Noshing, I wus need om melk.”
Spicy Pony!
Speaking of GiddyUp….. workout went nicely again this morning despite hacking yellow crap out of my lungs and chucking it on the pavement like seagull poop. I turned out a solo 23:34 four mile tempo without thinking much of it. Which of course makes me think of it. OK, three good workouts is better than two. This trend is free to continue, thank you.
And now for this brief interruption…..
THIS WEEK’S PRODUCTS THAT I LIKE
Socks. Yes, socks are good, but SmartWool socks are amazzzzzzzing. I recently bought a few pairs from Santa Barbara Running Company. Now I just want more and more of these little foot fillies. If having feet feel buttery during a run is a good thing, and I think it is, than here is your better butter. Paradise running requires the nice thin ones which coincidentally, come in pink.
Lotion. Yes, lotion is good, but glittering butter cream lotion is amazzzzzzing. Hawaiian Tropic has this coconut papaya body butter, BUTTER THEME TODAY, that makes your skin shimmer. I love it! Body glitter, not just for strippers and My Little Ponies anymore! Who knew? Vampires. Yes, I know, but I didn’t.
AND FINALLY
Next Saturday evening from 6-8pm at West Beach is 12 on the 12th with LuLuLemon! Bring your yoga mat or beach towel!
6 Responses to “From Spice to Glitzerland”
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I think there’s a correlation between runners loving the burn…and also loving the burn of food. Sriacha is god to me.
You’re an excellent role model to any woman struggling to find that sweet spot between health, happiness, and life’s little roadblocks. I am an avid runner and a Master’s Student in Nutrition- I also have a fitness/nutrition blog and am inviting mothers to comment on the “Healthy Moms, Healthy Kids” post in honor of Mother’s day!
I’d love to hear what lessons your mother or other special lady in your life taught you about health and happiness!
As always, thanks for what you do- you’re awesome at it! Happy Mother’s day!
I am a spicy food addict too (sambal oelek goes on EVERYTHING I eat)…and I love roller coasters. Don’t chili peppers have anti-inflammatory properties? So it makes sense that we always want super spicy Mexican food after long runs.
Congrats on another good workout. I did notice that your string of good workouts coincides with the re-beginning of the Santa Barbara Running Strong class. Just sayin….keep up the great work!
Ah yes, this makes perfect sense
Will you please try Bragg’s Organic Apple Cider Vinegar???!! It is like internal Draino, but in a GOOD way
It will scrape out of your system any seagull like goop and then some. It doesn’t taste good, but is extremely effective at getting rid of what you described. A couple of tablespoons two or three times a day and you’re gonna be like, wwwhhhhaaat??? I swear by it. Okay, and gargling with Listerine – it truly does kill germs. Oh, and yay for the workout!!!
I will get it today!!!