Veg:
​2 Carrots
One red pepper.
About 6 inches worth of cucumber.
Pack of sugarsnaps and baby corn.

Slice all the veg thinly (I have a julienne peeler for the carrots, which makes life easier) and put in a bowl.

Dressing:
1 tblsp Fish sauce (unless vegan, obviously...)
1 tblsp Soy sauce or Tamari.
Juice of one lime.
One red chilli, finely chopped.
One clove of garlic, finely chopped.
1 tsp finely chopped fresh ginger.
1 tsp black sesame seeds, 1 tsp white ones (or just white if you can't be arsed with black ones - they look pretty though!)

Add all the dressing ingredients to the bowl and stir up.

At this point, it would make great spring rolls....

If you're eating it now, then add some coriander too, and tuck in.  If you're planning on it being lunch, I'd leave the coriander out, as it wilts a bit and gets a bit slimy (ew).

We added noodles to this for a bit of carbs, we use fine rice noodles, as they're really good at soaking up sauce.  Prepare according to pack instructions, then stir it all together.  We added some seaweed to ours too, which was very tasty - Tesco now sells sea spaghetti, or we have a pack of dried wakame (ooh, posh) that we re-hydrate with a bit of boiling water.  You could also add some chopped peanuts if you felt the urge.

Lots of veggies, not fiddled about with too much.  Add some prawn crackers on the side if you like?  It's all about choices, and you making your own decisions how 'filthy' your food is.  Enjoy, and do let me know what you think?

Ok, so Chinese style balls and broth isn't a particularly tempting title, but it is what it is.  Plus, it amuses me to look at the search terms and see that people have got this page when looking for a whole different sort of 'tasty balls'.
​People have been bothering me for semi-healthy free-from Chinese-style bits and pieces for a while, and I've been perfecting vegan, gluten free options.  Here's what I've come up with.  You can, of course, add extras and leave out anything you don't like.  This takes approx 30 mins max to make, is dead easy, very satisfying tasty and possibly vaguely good for you.  I've got a vegan/non-vegan alternative for you on the balls, but the broth is much the same either way.  Let me know what you think?
I've deliberately sourced a lot of it from supermarket ready packed veg (as it's easy that way...), but you can add any sort of veg you like.  Beansprouts would be particularly good I think (I didn't have any...).

Tasty balls

50g rice (uncooked weight), cooked.
150g cooked chicken or tofu.

Add both ingredients to a food processor and pulse to blend.  Shape into small balls and shallow fry these for approx 5 mins, to cook and firm up.  
(I added a spoon of gram flour to the tofu ones to keep them together, but I'm not convinced it's needed.)

Set aside, and start on the broth....

Broth

1 pack of 'asian mushrooms' (Tesco do good ones).
1 pack pak choi, rounghly chopped.
1 pack mange tout and sweetcorn, roughly chopped.
1 tsp chinese five spice
1 portion of rice noodles
Spring onions
3 cloves garlic, chopped.
1 bunch coriander.
To taste:
Chilli
Soy sauce/tamari
Chinese rice wine
Fish sauce (for the non-vegan version, obviously!)

Stir fry the veg quickly, then add approx 2 pints of veg stock, the garlic and five spice.  You can add a sachet of miso soup here if you have any (awful stuff, in my opinion!).  Add the chilli and sauces to taste, then bring to the boil. Add the balls and noodles and simmer for 5-10 mins until everything is cooked and heated through.

Serve in large bowls with coriander and extra chilli sprinkled over the top.  There is likely to be slurping and spattering as the noodles flick around the place, so perhaps not a first date meal.....

Mr Strongman Fitness gave me a 9.5/10 for this.  He meant 10/10 of course, but likes to keep me grounded ;)

Do I have new stuff in 2016?  Well yes, yes I do.
Can I tell you about it?  Nope, as the new timetables haven't been released by all my centres yet.

But, I have new STEP, AEROBICS and PILATES classes on the cards, in addition to more RUNNING options too - both for beginners and improvers.  All alongside the existing stuff too.  Should be a great timetable for the new year, looking forward to it :)

Check back here in the next few weeks and I'll update my class list for you :)

Mr Strongman Fitness doesn't like that fried chicken.  You know, the stuff from the famous place.  Too greasy apparently.  So he was quite pleased last week when I took it upon myself to create a tasty healthier version.  

If you've been keeping up with my "not-quite-so-filthy" recipes, you'll know that it's minimal ingredients and faffing, for maximum tastiness.  You choose how filthy you make stuff, so you can deep fry this if you should feel the urge - you make the decisions about what you shove in your gob, after all.

Anyway, two chicken bits is plenty per person.  The other half prefers drumsticks, I like a thigh myself, works with other bits too, but adjust cooking time accordingly.  
In addition to the chicken, for two people:
1 tblspn paprika
1 tblspn turmeric
2 tblspn gram flour (wheat free, but also makes it taste nice).
Stick the dry stuff on a plate and mix well.
1 egg, beaten in a decent sized bowl.


I skinned the chicken, but you don't need to, then dip in the egg to cover, then the dry stuff.  You can repeat this if you like to get a thicker crust (there's plenty of dry stuff with this recipe, so you can do).
Then roast in the oven for approx 15-20 mins until the chicken is cooked through.


We has this with the coleslaw I made here and (with a fruity pudding) that was plenty.  This would BBQ very well I suspect....  I tend not to season before cooking, and this needs a bit of pepper and salt (or sumac) and appreciated a quick squeeze of lemon too.


Finger licking good, apparently :)

I was chatting to a running club member yesterday and trying to convince her to enter a race.  'Oh, no I'm not someone that does races'.  Of course, those seasoned racers out there will know that this is only because she's not done one yet.  
I was volunteering at the Ickworth Hoohaah at the weekend.  As you do.  It's a great chance to see who's out and about and remember why we do this stuff.  

I'll never be a racing snake.  Various injuries have sorted that for me, sadly.  So why do I bother?  I can't chase PBs any more (49:49 for 10k, I'll have you know...), and I'm tending to get slower rather than faster.   In fact, usually I'm somewhere up the back having a chatter with some poor unsuspecting person-that-I-don't-yet-know (my apologies if this has ever been you...).    

It's good being at the back, as people that have already finished give you a bit of a cheer and a clap when you cross the line (not that I've ever been at the front, but I imagine it's a much quieter affair).  Now that I no longer have any chance of a PB I don't even look at the clock, just have a nice little trot and look at the scenery (and chat, as previously mentioned).  And sometimes you're raising money for stuff, which is all well and good - that's worth racing for isn't it?

The other thing about being towards the back, is that we make the faster people look good.  If it wasn't for us, the people in the middle would be last, after all...  That cliche your mum used to roll out at sports day is spot on. It is all about the taking part, and making the races into the place to be.  Giving people someone to beat.  I am happily embracing my role, it's a public service :)

And, until you've driven miles with a hangover, fought through a crowd of fast-looking racing-snake types in expensive-looking compression clothing to get your number, forgotten (again) how to put the chip thingy on your shoe, pinned your race number wonky (without writing anything useful on the back), and worked out where the last minute loo stop is, you'll never quite appreciate what racing is.  It's not about times, not really.  It's about family.  The running family that know exactly what I'm on about with the chip thingy and the loo stop (and probably the hangover).  Those familiar faces that pop up over and over again at events, cheerful and chatty and happy to just be there.  The ones that bring cake for after and sympathise about chafing and the hills on route.  And that wait for the very last person across the line and clap and cheer more for that one than any other.  
That's what racing is.

It's that time of year again.  It's cold, it's dark, at the moment it's also pretty darn wet.  So any motivation you might have had to get out there and go running may well have evaporated.  Add to that the over-consumption of the Christmas period and the general malaise that's about this time of year, and I'm amazed anyone gets off the sofa at all.

Anyway, reaching the point (I usually get there in the end...), I have something to motivate you.  Actually, I have four things to motivate you, and those things are Tom, Luke, me and Dotty the running dog.

Our next beginners 0-5k running programme starts on Monday 12th January at 6:30 at Prime Time Fitness, which is between Girton and Oakington.  

We meet three times per week (also Weds and Fri) for eight weeks, and have a unique technique to get you moving - Tom is just the most encouraging person in the whole world, Luke is only there so he can drink beer later, Dotty is the cutest black lab you'll ever meet, and I just chatter you into submission all the way round.  There is not another programme like this.  It works.  It's fun.  It's unique.  You've got to try this.  Oh, and it's safer running in a group on those dark stormy nights too, isn't it?  And you might meet some new friends, and new potential running buddies, and you get to find out all about my cats and my plans to take over the world (that last bit is optional, just run with Luke instead and chat about beer if you like...).

FAQs:
What if I can't come along three times per week?  : No problem, you can do some of the sessions in your own time if you prefer.  But generally, people find it loads easier to run with the group, so do try and come along as much as possible.

Will I be too slow/too fat/too unfit? : Nope. It's genuinely open to all, and for complete beginners.  You'll find a real mix of ages, sizes and experience.  People that have been on previous programmes tell us that it's nowhere near as scary as you expect it to be :)  And, the answer to my most asked question, no, no-one ever gets left behind.

Do I need any special kit? : If you've got something visible to wear that would be great, and lights if you have them would be good too.  As you get towards the middle of the programme we'd encourage you to be properly fitted for some trainers to prevent injury - there will be an option to do this at the group, so don't worry.  And ladies, please make sure you have a good, supportive bra!!

When are the sessions? : We meet every Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 6:30pm in the gym reception.

How much does it cost? : Nothing.  Yes, that's right, it's completely FREE.  No catch :)


Facebook signup event is here, any questions do get in touch?

See you on Monday.  Go on, you won't regret it :)

We've started our next beginners programme, and as usual, most of the people that turn up say that they can't run.  They've tried before with this programme or that programme, with this club or with that trainer.  And they can't run. Clearly, I chip in now and will say 'of course you can'.  And they can.  Really.  I'm not just saying that, I know.  I've seen it before.  And seen so many people conquer it.
Want to know what the problems are?  Read on...

Going too fast.
My beginners generally have a very different idea of 'running' to mine.  They see Mo Farah trotting out his 60 minute half, and think that running is all about going as fast as you can.  Here's a little secret (shh, don't tell...) : no-one starts running and goes at it like Mo.  Except maybe Mo, he probably was always speedy.  For the rest of us mere mortals, that don't have a natural aptitude for running, we do something different.  We do that thing that some people disparagingly refer to as 'jogging' (tsk). We take it steady.  When you start out, the most important thing is to build a base of endurance that you can then develop.  So take it really slow.  Once you can run far, it's easy to get faster.  Really.  But you need to train your heart, lungs and legs to get that base level of endurance.  So stop going at it like Mo.  Nice steady little trot is all that's needed.  Trust me, this happens at every single group, we spend the first three weeks slowing people down, and the last two weeks speeding them back up.  To quote one of our fabby run leaders, Luke: 'it's not about doing it fast, it's about getting it done'.

Not doing it enough.
'Do I really need to do it three times per week'.  Pretty much, yes.  You can get away with less in the first few weeks, but then this tends to sneak up and bite you in the bum when you realise you've not built up the base level of fitness to increase from.  Do it often.  Have rest days between.  But keep on doing it.  Miss one or two and it's not a disaster, but get complacent and you'll not keep up once the rest of the group start doing decent mileage.  You need to commit.  

Giving up too soon.
Running is not supposed to feel nice.  You're supposed to feel like you can't breathe and your lungs want to explode out of your ribs.  Not too much (see 'Going too fast').  You're supposed to feel a bit nauseous.  It's normal to get unpleasant chafing.  It's normal to go bright red.  It's normal to sweat like that.  If you always enjoy running, then you're probably doing it wrong.  Don't give up.  Come out with the group and we'll get you round.  Even if I have to chatter you into submission for distraction (want to hear about my cats and recent culinary experimentation?  Fab).  If you stick with the programme, you will succeed.  I promise.

Not believing.
Always, around week 5, I get someone phoning me in tears.  They 'know' that they can't do the longer run that week so they're going to give up.  Usually the longer run is the Friday session.  So I persuade them to come along just one more time while we're still doing the shorter ones to say goodbye to everyone.  And then sneakily do the long one without them noticing.  Your head is your biggest enemy to completing the programme.  Your head doesn't want to do this running stuff.  It tells you that your legs can't do any more.  That your lungs will explode.  It's usually wrong (I've not had any exploding lungs yet, anyways).  It's the most frustrating reason for people dropping out, as it's something that we really struggle to overcome.  
You need to believe.  You need to believe that you can do it.  
Or, if you prefer, you need to believe that we can get you to do it. Because we can.
You need to believe that you're a running ninja.  Because you are.

Our next eight week 0-5k programme will be starting on Monday 15th September in Hardwick.

Who is it for? :  anyone that fancies learning how to run 5k!  Aimed at complete beginners, but more experienced runners welcome to come along as 'helpers' too.

What do I get? : run leaders that will motivate and encourage you, that will meet with you three times per week and run with you, at your pace.  A progressive 8 week programme that builds slowly to 5k.  Online support including weekly emails and a closed Facebook group.  Access to our experienced team of run coaches, leaders, personal trainers and sports therapists for any advice you might need on running safely or preventing injury.  And most of all, you get a whole load of new friends, a new running community, and a great new hobby.

What if I can't come along three times per week?  : No problem, you can do some of the sessions in your own time if you prefer.  But generally, people find it loads easier to run with the group, so do try and come along as much as possible.

Will I be too slow/too fat/too unfit? : Nope. It's genuinely open to all, and for complete beginners.  You'll find a real mix of ages, sizes and experience.  People that have been on previous programmes tell us that it's nowhere near as scary as you expect it to be :)  And, the answer to my most asked question, no, no-one ever gets left behind.

Do I need any special kit? : If you've got something visible to wear that would be great, and lights if you have them would be good too.  As you get towards the middle of the programme we'd encourage you to be properly fitted for some trainers to prevent injury.  And ladies, please make sure you have a good, supportive bra!!

When are the sessions? : We meet every Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 6:30pm.

Where? : We'll meet in the Petpaks car park (just so it's easy for people to park) for week one. 

How much does it cost? : Nothing.  Yes, that's right, it's completely FREE.  No catch :)

Sound good? See you on the 15th then!  Please let us know to expect you via email, or Facebook.

Any questions?  Please email me!

Bank holiday weekend and I had a sudden urge for some curry.

My last efforts at a 'healthier' curry recipe was a tandoori based affair, so I wanted to create something a bit more 'filthy' and a bit more 'takeaway' this time, but keeping my usual general principles of fresh ingredients, minimal fussing about.  We had this with some wild rice, but would be fab with some nice chewy naan and some mango chutney.  

I'd say this was a medium sort of heat - Mr Strongman Fitness being my litmus test for this, he went slightly pink and didn't request yoghurt - but the chutney is a little deceptive (you've been warned).  Would be good with paneer instead of beef too (reduce cooking time accordingly).  Loosely based on a recipe from Good Food magazine a few months ago, but loads of the faffing about removed.

It's dead easy, just a bit of grating and then just leave it alone for a bit.  Well worth a try.  
Feeds 2-4 depending on hungryness.

Beetroot and Beef curry

1 tsp cumin seeds.
1 tsp coriander seeds.
1 tsp cardamom pods.
3 beetroot, raw, grated.
400g beef, cut into chunks.
2 onions, sliced.
1 tsp grated fresh ginger.
1 tsp grated fresh garlic.
2 red chillis, chopped.

Bash the cardamom in a pestle and mortar (or bowl and rolling pin....) and remove the outer 'shell' to leave the black seeds.  Add the cumin and coriander and bash well (no need to make a powder - it will all cook down).  Fry this mix quickly in a dry pan until toasted.  Add the remaining ingredients, and about a pint of water. Cook for 90mins (or as long as you can), just check every so often and top up with water if you need to.  It should be quite a thick curry without much sauce.

Coriander chutney

1 pack coriander.
Small handful of mint leaves.
Juice of one lemon.
1 chilli.

Whizz all the ingredients in a blender, adding enough water to get a loose paste.  

We happened to have a chunk of raw coconut, so I also grated this and whacked it in too.  You'll need to season this well - I used sumac rather than salt and plenty of pepper.  I'm told the chutney keeps for a few days in the fridge, but we never needed to find out.  

Damn tasty scran.

More beetroot tastiness here: http://www.lovebeetroot.co.uk/

Would you like to start running, but are not sure where to start?  Need some motivation and support?

Our latest 'pop up' running group is due to start next week, on Monday 30th June at 6:30pm, meeting on Cottenham Village Green for **eight weeks only** (don't miss it!)

This group is for complete beginners with no prior running experience.  We meet three times per week (Monday, Wednesday, Friday at 6:30pm) and take you through a graduated programme to ensure you can run 5k in just eight weeks (you can do some of these as 'homework' in your own time if you prefer).  The programme is delivered by qualified run leaders, who are all trained, CRB checked and insured by UK Athletics.  You'll also receive weekly emails and online support from our experienced running coach and personal trainer, Clare, who can answer any questions about kit, injury, stretching, fitness and so on too.

This programme has a great track record, with over 200 people now successfully completing the course and achieving that 5k.  We also won the Pride of Cambridge awards last year for the Community Group of the Year, which is a great reward for all the hard work put in by our volunteer leaders.

The programme is completely 100% FREE, inclusive and great fun - so what are you waiting for?

As part of the programme you also get temporary membership to the Fen Edge Runners club, so you can see what they get up to and meet some of the members (some of whom started with our last beginners group!).  You can also mix and match with the beginners sessions at Wimpole on Mondays and Thursdays at 10am if that's more convenient?

Come out and make the most of the summer evenings and explore the village!   Get fitter, make new friends and find a great new sport.  

Kids, buggies and dogs very welcome (although please let us know they're coming so we can adapt the route if need be!).

Any questions, please email or ask on Facebook?  Please tell friends - let's get Cottenham running!