Greek Meatball Bowls

I think I died at the gym and am now haunting this blog.

I was on the elliptical for 55 minutes and clocked in a little more than 3 miles at a 10% incline. I’m beat. Dead. I can barely walk. My knees feel like they belong to an 80 year old.

Can we pause from my much maligned death for a moment so I can vent?

I have a problem with people being near me at the gym.

I go to a pretty sizable gym. There are many elliptical machines, among other things. However, there are only three of the brand I like to use. Two of them are right next to each other, and one is by itself on the next row. The lonely machine is a little wonky. It still works, but it isn’t quite level on the ground or something. I prefer to use one of the pair that are next to each other.

For weeks, I was by myself. Weeks. I go in when I get off work at 7:30, so most of the pre-normal-workday people have already showered and left.

Then last week, this guy started using the arm machine next to me. Ok, fine. That’s fine. Just…fine.

But there’s literally another one right next to it. Why can’t he use that one, giving us a nice, breathable space between us? Whatever, I thought. At least nobody is on my other side.

Also strange to note: this guy drinks coffee while he works out. Coffee. What in the Sam hill…

No sooner had I thought that I only had to deal with the coffee drinking, uncomfortably close to me man—a dude starts using the elliptical next to me. So now I’m surrounded. It’s not so much that I hate people—well, actually I’m not quite fond of people, really—but it’s that I sweat.

A lot.

I’m talking sweat everywhere. Sweat pouring down my forehead like a waterfall. Sweat covering my back like I walked 20 miles in the desert. Sweat under my armpits. Under my knees. I’m a gigantic monster of sweat when I start doing even the most minsicule amount of work.

So I’ve been surrounded by these two guys everyday for the past week. I tried to trick elliptical dude (who also runs for like 5 minutes then does this power workout with weights, then goes back to running, then repeats this 87 times) by taking his usualy machine today. I had hoped he’d move to the back row. Nope. He took the machine I’m usually on. Dude! Just run on the wonky one!!

I know I’m shaking sweat on them. I have to be. Those sweat beads go flying when I’m in mega-power mode. These two men are taking daily showers in my sweat. So maybe that gives me a little bit of relief…

Anyway, food. Here’s another sublime bowl I made the other day. I know I’ve been in this bowl mode…but this one could be the best one yet. Turkey meatballs, tzatziki sauce, cucumbers (get English! Trust me!) and all the good good you could want in a bowl. It’s a delicious meal to eat when I’m done sweating on two dudes at the gym.

Step-By-Step Instructions

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. In a large bowl, mix together ground turkey, Greek seasoning, parsley, salt, pepper, breadcrumbs and eggs (using your hands is best). Roll into about 1″ sized balls (makes about 24 meatballs).

Heat one tablespoon of oil over medium high heat in a large skillet. Add meatballs, a few at a time. Cook until browned on all sides, about 3-4 minutes. Continue with rest of meatballs.

Place parchment paper on a large baking sheet. Spread pepper in a single layer on one half of the baking sheet. Drizzle remaining oil over pepper strips and season with salt and pepper. Add browned meatballs to the other side of the baking sheet. Bake for 12-14 minutes until meatballs are cooked through and peppers are crisp-tender.

Build your bowl: Start with brown rice, then add about 5-6 meatballs and a few strips of pepper. Top with cabbage, cucumber and Tzatziki sauce.