Quick and Easy Summer Pasta

As I was driving home from work yesterday, all I could think about was chewy, cheesy, carb loaded pasta. I needed it and I needed it now. (Don’t worry about the pasta I had for lunch, that caused me to break my fork in half and fling tomato sauce all over my new shirt and office. But thats another story entirely.) So I called my husband (!!) and asked him to boil some water (our stove takes an obnoxiously long time to heat up and every second counted at that point). If you don’t count the time it takes to boil water, this meal comes together in approximately 5 minutes. This isn’t really a recipe but sometimes I forget how easy it is to eat vegetarian so it’s more of an inspiration.

Easy Summer Pasta

-Cooked linguini, or any pasta you fancy really (amount depends on how hungry you are or if you want leftovers, I used about half a box)

-Olive oil

-Spinach (fresh or frozen–I sautéed 3/4 of a small bag of frozen spinach to thaw and cook off excess water)

-Artichokes, one can, chopped

-Kalamata olives to taste, chopped

-Cheeeeese, lots of it

– Fresh or dried herbs (basil, thyme, oregano)

Mix together vegetables and pasta with good olive oil, dried or fresh herbs, cheese (we used parmesan and goat cheese) and top with crushed red pepper. That’s it!

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Déjà vu

This year is starting out a little too much like last year. SICK. In bed drinking hot chocolate with lotsa marshmallows, which was preceded by a delicious and nutritious lunch.

hummus, goat cheese, artichokes, black olives, and romaine on toasted bread.

I hope I remember to make this again. Happy New Year! It’s gonna be a big one.

Crazy assparagus

This recent 80 degree weather has me craving summery meals.

Alexia chipotle sweet potato fries, portobellos marinated in the usual: olive oil, braggs liquid aminos, balsamic, liquid smoke and garlic.

and crazy “assparagus”, as Ian calls it. Topped with evoo, parm, salt and pepper. everything baked at 375 for about 15-20 min.

berries for dessert!

What i’m loving

1. This tomato sauce

(just a can of fire roasted tomatoes , 1 tablespoon of olive oil, 1 teaspoon dried italian seasoning, 4 cloves garlic, a pinch of crushed red pepper, and pepper to taste and pureed in blender or food processor.)

2. This bird lovin’ dog

3. This workout

4. The return of green smoothies (it’s finally warm enough!)

spinach, banana, kiwi, coconut almond milk, flax seed and brown rice protein powder

5. This wine

6. and this school

Go Bobcats!

fast 500 workout

• 100 burpees
• 60 squats
• 60 lunges
• 60 shoulder push ups
• 60 one legged squats, on each side
• 60 sit ups
• 100 jumping jacks

and lots of stretching in between.

After this I ran a mile. I have been so ADD with my work outs lately. I am getting SO bored with all of them. Running, swimming, yoga, body rock…I’ve been trying everything!  Help. I think it has to do a lot with just being tired after work, but I will be working for the next 50 years so it’s time to get over that.

Coconut banana bread

Rainy Saturday morning banana bread and cappuccino. Heavenly.

Adapted from Gingerbread Bagels

•1 cup whole wheat flour
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 cup melted coconut oil
• 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
• 2/3 cup unsweetened applesauce
• 1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup unsweetened coconut flakes
• 2 very ripe, mashed bananas
• 1/2 cup vegan sour cream ( I used tofutti brand)

Mix first 4 ingredients in bowl. Melt coconut oil and mix with sugar. Add oil and sugar to dry mixture, mixing well. Add applesauce and extracts. Add bananas, sour cream, and coconut. Pour combined mixture into greased loaf pan (9 x 5) and bake at 325 for 1 hour 15 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean. Let cool in loaf pan before slicing. Enjoy! Happy Saturday!

tortellini soup

Sunday night dinner in 5 minutes.

Tortellini Soup:
2 cloves of garlic
1/2 chopped onion
1 can diced tomatoes
2 cups vegetable broth plus 2-3 cups water
1 package refrigerated tortellini (I used buitoni 3 cheese whole wheat)
10 oz spinach (fresh or frozen)
salt, pepper, Italian seasoning, and garlic powder to taste

I made this for Ian 3 years ago when I was in college and I remember it being really good (and it is), and easy, but for some reason I never made it again until tonight. I love throw everything in a pot, heat and eat dinners.