Trying exotic food has always been my hobby; I pan-fried the lamb brain, which I got from my butchering lamb class, last night for dinner. While some of the images may have already grossed you out, I still can’t get over the creamy and soft texture of the brain. Making a delicious brain dish is all about adding the flavors: salty, sweet, and acidic. First, I caramelized shallots and sautéed sweet peas with balsamic vinegar, then I sautéed garlic and capers; they provided all the essential flavors to make the brain tasty. For the brain, I poached it for 30 seconds in vegetables stock, made with half of an onion and a few stalks of scallion. I coated the poached brain with all-purpose flour before pan-frying each side for 3 minutes. (If you have been reading my entry until point, I salute you.) Besides adding proper flavors, a great tasting brain needs to be crispy outside to balance the creamy texture inside. Lamb brain has definitely made onto Guinea Pig’s casual dining menu.

Fresh brain needs to be stored in milk. This brain was kept in my organic milk for 24 hours before I turned it into dinner.

If I didn’t tell you this was fried lamb brain, what would you have though it was? Looks like grilled chicken!

Sautéed vegetables with pan-fried lamb brain, and a touch of white wine vinegar at the end to lift the overall flavor of the dish.

That is pretty!

I am getting ready to roast some mutton meat that I got from my butchering lamb class last night. I am planning on making two types of stuffed lamb dish this Friday in Jersey. Let me know if you’d like to come!

Vegetables:
1 bunch of rosemary: $1.75
1 bunch of thyme: $1.75
1 bunch of scallion: $1.00
1/2 lbs. of shittake mushrooms (approximately): $6.80

Fruits:
3 apples: $1.20

Dairy:
8 oz. butter*: $3.50

Total: $16.00

*The farmer, who sold me the butter, supervised the butter-making last night at the facotry…how cool is that when you know you are getting the best quality butter!

Warm-up:

800 meters: 400 free-style, 100 butterfly drill, 100 backstroke drill, 100 breast stroke drill, and 100 free-style drill

Main Set:

8 x 25 kicks, 50 seconds
5 X 50 free-style with fins
5 x 100 hand paddles and pull buoy
6 x 100 hand paddles swim
12 x 25 hand paddles swim
3 x 100 hand paddles swim
6 x 25 hand paddles swim

Warm Down:
1 x 200

Total:  3300 meters

Note to myself: Didn’t finish the workout; only swam 2,700 meters. Swimming with hand paddles for the first time slowed me down.

Every Wednesday, The Sweaty Guinea Pig will feature a fresh individual who will share his or her thoughts and experiences on fitness and healthy living.

Name: Jay M.
Age: 25
Location: Downtown Los Angeles, CA
Occupation: Graduate Student

What is your current routine? How many days do you dedicate to exercising every week?
I commute ten miles by bike everyday and run four miles about three times a week. Sometimes I cut down on the run and do the elliptical if I’m feeling sore or my joints are achy. I enjoy making it out for a longer run/hike/bike with friends on the weekend. I’ll participate in some sort of race (10k, etc..) every so often.

How did you come up with your current routine?
The running is a vestigial component from marathon training and will increase when I’m back in season. The biking is just a practical way of getting around. The weekend activities are a way to socialize while doing something wholesome.

What are your short term (within 6 weeks) and long term (3 months and beyond) goals?
My short term goals are just to make it through my exams without straying too far from the routine. I would like to run a 3:30 marathon in 2009.

What are other types of training that you’d like to try?
Is there anything for strengthening upper body that’s also a cardio training? I guess that means swimming.

What is your favorite post-workout meal?
My favorite part of exercising socially on the weekends is going out to eat afterwards. There’s no real pattern to what I’ve eaten except that I like both protein and carbs, and I eat a lot. A few examples of recent post-workout meals include: Chinese dumplings and noodle soup, Italian deli sandwiches, In-and-Out double cheeseburgers animal style, Lebanese chicken kebabs with hummus and rice, BBQ pulled pork sandwiches, etc.

What is your ideal “cheat” meal or favorite guilty indulgence?
It’s 2 am in Los Angeles and you just left the bar: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Danger_dog

Any advice or words of encouragement for other Sweaty Guinea Pig readers?
No agony no bragony! But seriously, listen to your body.

If anybody who’d like to be featured on Sweaty Guinea Pig Discovered, please e-mail me at reggie.soang@gmail.com. I look forward to discover new Guinea Pigs!

New York City Triathlon is a little more than two months away. The race will officially be the first Olympic distance competition for me. To ensure that I fully prepare for the race, including knowing the course, I ran the race route in Central Park today. The race route in Central Park goes from west to east side. The race route is just as challenging, if not more difficult, as my usual training route from east to west; hills are longer and curvier. While running the loop, I did body weight strength training: 200 push-ups and 30 squats.

Total workout time: 1:05:04

The walk back to the office was soothing and enjoyable. New York City is beautiful when it’s sunny and warm!

Would you care to join The Sweaty Guinea Pig for a nice run next time?

I ran with my teammates from swim team last night. We swim average 3,500 meters in every practice. Last night’s run was nice change of routine from our usual grueling practice. We ran 6 miles approximately. Kate, a triathlete, actually ran an extra lap around the reservoir while others and I were stretching at the end.

Here’s our route:

Since joining Bearcat Master Swim back in February, I have improved swimming drastically. Thanks to two excellent coaches, Joel and Shawn, for helping me gain confidence in the water.

I will be updating our team workout after every practice. Be a guinea pig and try the workout!

Sunday, 5/04/2008

Warm Ups:
600 meters free-style
300 kicks (with kickboard)

Main Sets:

Set A: Sprint sets, 30 seconds per 25 meters pace

3 x 50 meters
1 x 75 meters - nice and easy
3 x 100 meters
6 x 50 meters

Set B: Drills

200 meters back stroke kicks (without kickboard)
4 x 50 meters free-style,  breathe every three strokes in the first two 50-meter, and every 5 strokes in the last two.

Set C: Aerobics

2 sets of 3 x 50 meters with descending tempo*
*Descending tempo goes from easy to hard.

Warm Down:
100 meters, any stroke.

Every weekend, I will be visiting the green market and buying fresh groceries. I will share my shopping list and the cost with my readers. I hope to promote eating locally and bring back the enthusiasm of hands-on cooking.

Vegetables:
1 bunch of Dandlion: $2.00
1 bunch of Pea Green: $2.50
2 bunches of ramp: $5.00
1 bunch of Japanese Parsnip: $2.00
5 potatoes, 4 carrots, 2 shallots, 1 bag of red onions, 6 cipollini onions: $8.80
2 tomatoes: $4.85 (not shown in the picture)

Fruits:
5 apples: $2.40

Dairy:
1 quart of skim milk: $2.00 (with a returned bottle)
1 tub (32 oz.) of fat-free yogurt: $3.50
mozzarella and ricotta cheese: $9.00

Meat:
Smoked top loin (already sliced): $9.00

Total: $51.05

Andy Ni, a consultant turned aspiring pro-golfer, starts training with me today. Not only does Andy need to sharpen his golf skills, but he also needs to build up his endurance to play on a 18-hole golf course four days consecutively (we are aiming to make the cut in every tournament he enters) without feeling fatigue.

Our conditioning routine consists of calisthenics, sprinting, and plyometrics.

Here’s our workout:

Warm-up:

• 1/4 mile running

Core Activation:

• 35 yds high jumps, followed by 20 push-ups, crunches, and jumping jacks (or parachute jumps), repeat 4 times.

Main Workout:

• Set A:
  10 yds sprint, 10 push-ups*, 20 yds sprint, 10 crunches**, 20 yds sprint, 10 push-ups, 10 yds sprint, 10 crunches, 10 seconds break. Repeat the series for 4 rounds with 5, 7, and 3 seconds (in that order) of rest between each round.

• Set B:
  Jog along the short side of the soccer field and sprint down the longer side, followed by 30 seconds of rest after each lap; total 2 laps around the field.

• Set C:
  Tag team sprints: sprint a lap around the soccer field, rest until the other person comes around, and go again.

Total Workout Time: 35 minutes

* Push-ups: wide, normal, diamond, and spiderman
** Crunches: regular, bicycles, v-ups, and full-body rows

To read more about Andy’s quest for a successful golf career, please visit www.hoching.com/doublepar

Every Wednesday, The Sweaty Guinea Pig will feature a fresh individual who will share his or her thoughts and experiences on fitness and healthy living.

Name: Boris Khaykin
Age: 23
Location: New York, NY
Occupation: Advertising Sales by day, Comedian/Musician by Night

What is your current routine? How many days do you dedicate to exercising every week?
I try to workout during my lunch break at least 3 days a week. I focus on back, legs, and chest. I do shoulders, biceps, and triceps less frequently. I also work my core every other day except on the weekend. Besides lifting weight, I run on treadmill and do elliptical at least 3 times a week. In addition, I go snowboarding in the winter and keep my workout interesting by playing other recreational sports.

How did you come up with your current routine?
I’ve experimented with workout programs from Arnold’s Guide to Bodybuilding and other fitness books. However, I hardly find any program that suits me. Nothing is going to be perfect, you just have to experiment and take in as much information as possible.

What are your short term (within 6 weeks) and long term (3 months and beyond) goals?
Short term, I’d like to get to 7.5% body fat. I’m at about 8.5% right now and could tell a bit less fat will make me look more toned. Beyond that, I’m mostly concerned with maintaining lean muscles and staying healthy. I’m not interested in being much more built than I am now.

What are other types of training that you’d like to try?
I want to run more and try a half marathon after proper training. I also plan on swimming more this summer. Swimming is a great workout. I find swimming in the ocean more enjoyable than in a pool. I look forward to the beach weather!

What is your favorite post-workout meal?
My favorite meal is probably a whole lot of sushi. I like to get Chirashi on brown rice (assortment of raw fish). Fish has healthy fats and contains a lot of protein; I could eat a lot of sushi without feeling too full.

What is your ideal “cheat” meal or favorite guilty indulgence?
I eat a lot of omelets with just about anything in them. I’d fry pasta, pieces of chicken, vegetables, 3 or 4 whole eggs, and top the eggs with cheddar and mozzarella. Also, I love my grandmother’s apple pie. I set no limits; I will finish a whole pie and wash it down with tea, no joke!

Any advice or words of encouragement for other Sweaty Guinea Pig readers?
Don’t assume what works for one person will work for you, vice versa. Everyone is different. The key is to challenge yourself consistently and stay active. Find an activity you truly take pleasure in if you don’t enjoy going to the gym. Start cooking for yourself too; make cooking fun and don’t treat it as a chore. Eat everything in moderation and don’t waste food. For instance, eating a whole egg is healthy. Egg yolk has a great amount of good cholesterol and contains most of the protein of an egg, so don’t throw the yolk out!