I’m about to drop a bomb of a metaphor on you. Life is a spin class. (If you have never been to a spin class, you need to go right now and then continue reading this post.)

When you go for the first time, you’re not really sure what the heck you’re doing. You adjust the settings, and then you get on and just go. It’s always better with some serious jams to encourage you to move along and step it up. You start to really get into it. There are going to be parts where you’re kickin ass and takin names, and then there will be a lull at some point or a slow and steady climb.

It’s always better with a friend.

It’s kind of comforting to know that there’s always someone better than you and always someone not as good as you. Hopefully you’ll have someone shouting/telling you that you can do better. In the end though, it’s all on you. No one else knows how much you actually pumped up that resistance or if you’re doing your best and having fun while doing it. But really, having a friend next to you to notice when you, in fact, turned the resistance down and give you that “Cooooome onnnnn!” glare, or to shout “Wooo! Yeah!” with you when you just climbed a mad hill – that is honestly the best.

And when you’re done, you feel so accomplished, and you’re drenched in sweat….well I hope you’re not drenched in sweat all the time in life, but the rest of that metaphor is pretty spot-on.

Life is also like this cucumber salad: sweet and spicy.

…ok, so I really just wanted to share that “life is like spin” metaphor. Life: sweet and spicy? Yes. Quick and easy? No. This salad is an incredibly refreshing summer treat that’s super easy to throw together. Just some cucs, rice wine vinegar, honey, dill, and red pepper flakes. If you have a mandolin slicer, now’s the time to bust it out!

Here’s what I did:

Sweet and Spicy Cucumber Salad

*from the kitchen of Elizabeth Packer

Serves 2-3 people

Thinly slice on an angle and drop in a bowl:

-5 small cucumbers (use more depending on how many peeps you’re feeding)

Chop:

-2 Tbs. fresh dill (or parsley if you prefer!)

In a small bowl, whisk together:

-the dill

-2 tsp. honey

-1 tsp. red chili flakes (adjust for your personal heat preference)

-1/2 tsp. salt

-1/4 c. rice wine vinegar

Pour the dressing over the cucs, taste, adjust the seasonings to your liking, and serve! It would also be good with fresh radishes, zucchini, or cabbage – GO CRAZY!  :)

*French phrase for fun

Allons faire du vélo!

Let’s spin!