#flowertherapy might be right up there with #water #flowertherapy might be right up there with #watertherapy.  Love passing the time in secret wildflower patches. As you do. 🌸
I remarked how pretty that tiny sliver of the moon I remarked how pretty that tiny sliver of the moon was on the way home tonight, and my friend pulled over right away so I could grab a photo. That’s when someone really knows you! It was just too beautiful to resist. 🌙
Weekend photos in review, old school style. ✨ C Weekend photos in review, old school style. ✨ 
Context: 1/ picture perfect weekend, 2/ threw together a quick meal w udon noodles, steak and broccoli, so good, 3/ the sun reflections on this painting struck me today, looked like a cross 4/ it takes all afternoon but nothing like Sunday Gravy, 5/ six months old, 6/ when he wants some serious zzzz’s, he covers his eye with his ears, the cutest, 7/ breakfast pastries at @coniglios
I have plenty of reusable shopping bags since New I have plenty of reusable shopping bags since New Jersey banned the plastic ones last year. But when I spied this beauty for a buck, how could I resist? It just is so darn happy, which makes me happy. The little things aren’t so little. 💛
Cheers to the weekend! This may look like a staged Cheers to the weekend! This may look like a staged photo, but Lola just has ZERO boundaries and Clifford is exceptionally patient. 😂
I’ve been on a smoked salmon kick lately (it’s I’ve been on a smoked salmon kick lately (it’s so good for you), so when I saw that a local patisserie has a smoked salmon croissant available (weekends only), I added it to my list of things to seek out. I popped into @chocolatinenj early on Mother’s Day and was rewarded with this deliciousness. Layers of soft flaky croissant dough, tender smoked salmon, light whipped cream, thinly sliced red and green onion slivers and dotted with capers… it was every bit as amazing as you’d imagine it would be. If you’re local, don’t sleep on this one. 😋
Weekend photos in review, the belated edition. 1/ Weekend photos in review, the belated edition.

1/ hit up a few yard sales and snagged this beautiful pasta dish from Italy with my favorite color for a buck, 2/ and one of these printer trays came home with me too, 3/ pre Mother’s Day celebrations with 30 local moms, 4/ finished the weekend supervising furniture assembly
Today would have been my friend Cathy’s 53rd bir Today would have been my friend Cathy’s 53rd birthday. Unfortunately she’s not here to celebrate because she died suddenly at age 49. I think of her often … every Mother’s Day because we spent most of them together since her husband worked weekends … when I discover a new food adventure (we once did a day long donut crawl) … when I’m sharing a special time with my kids knowing that her then-11 year old is growing up without her. Before she passed, I always appreciated every day, but since then, even more so. You never know what the next day can bring, so relish in the sunshine, surprise rainstorms, making wishes over railroad tracks and all the wonderful randomness life can throw your way. Don’t waste a single second, say yes, live on the outskirts of your comfort zone, laugh often, tell people you love them, give eight second hugs, and squeeze every ounce of joy you can out of life. Do it for the people who can’t. ✨
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Food and Life

Green Spaghetti

July 20, 2010 · Narrative

Green Spaghetti

“Green sketti?  I don’t know about that.  It would take an awful lot of convincing to get me to eat that.  I’m a meat and potatoes guy.”  Luckily that came from a work friend, and not my kids or Jamie, who all had Green Spaghetti for dinner last night.  But he’s right.  I could see how it could be sort of a hard sell.

The recipe came from the July issue of my old trainers’ newsletter.  I had the ingredients on hand.  I’m not really eating pasta much these days (staying away from most white flour), but the kids love it, so this would be a good compromise.  It was quick and easy.  Healthy to boot.  Sketti dinner it is.

I set the kids’ plates down on the table and started loading up the dishwasher before I sat down to my own plate.  By the time I got there a few minutes later, Nick was scraping the last few bites together and polishing off his portion.

“I really liked this.”

“You did?” I asked, surprised.

“Yes.  I think I like it better than regular spaghetti.”  (He meant better than spaghetti with red sauce.)  That seriously shocked me.  But it just goes to show you that a) even though you think your kids might not like something, you have to try it anyway, b) they can continue to surprise you at every turn, and lastly c) it’s not that hard to get green veggies in their little bellies!

This is not a very saucy sauce, so if you like it a little wetter, that could probably be remedied by adding a bit more chicken broth to your mixture.  It’s also a fairly forgivable recipe.  I only had 3/4 of a bag of spinach left (which was about half of what the recipe called for), but did have some roasted asparagus, so ended up adding  4-5 stalks of that to the mixture in the blender to make up for my spinach shortfall, and it was perfect.  While you are waiting for your water to boil, and pasta to subsequently cook, make your sauce.  Once the pasta is done, dinner is ready.  For the pasta, I’ve been using Ronzoni’s Smart Taste pasta lately.  More calcium, and that is making up for my nearly dairy-free diet, and it doesn’t have the tougher bite of whole wheat.  It also cooks up in six minutes, so seriously, ten minutes flat and your dinner from scratch is done.  A dinner you can feel good about plating up.  Get yer fork ready and dig in!

Project 365
July 20, 2010, Photo #130

By Any Means Possible

We had dinner at a friends’ house tonight, and one of their kids helped make a yummy chocolate parfait dessert. The pudding portion didn’t set completely (but, of course, that didn’t stop the deliciousness), and Madeline was having a hard time using the spoon to scoop it into her mouth (it was more drinkable). I caught her holding her chin as she scooped it in; she was thinking that would help keep it in her mouth. Too cute.

Green Spaghetti
Recipe courtesy of Bronco Gym client, Pam Andersen

This recipe is prepared just about as quickly as commercial macaroni and cheese. Many children who don’t eat spinach will love Green Spaghetti, it is pretty bright green! You can substitute plain yogurt or cream for the milk, and any other green leafy veggie for the broccoli or spinach.

1 bunch broccoli-rinsed and coarsely chopped
or
10 oz. spinach-fresh or frozen
1/4 cup chicken stock
1/2 cup Parmesan cheese-grated
1/2 cup milk (I used half fat-free and half whole milk)
1 lb. spaghetti-cooked and drained
1/4 cup butter-optional

If using spinach, steam until spinach is just wilted or frozen is warm..If using broccoli, steam or microwave until very tender.

Combine spinach or broccoli in a blender with warmed chicken broth and process until smooth. Add cheese and milk.

Toss cooked spaghetti with butter if desired. Then add spinach or broccoli mixture and toss well to mix.

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Posted In: Narrative · Tagged: Green Spaghetti, healthy dinner

Comments

  1. Eliana says

    July 20, 2010 at 11:38 pm

    This spaghetti looks awesome. Love that it’s made with spinach because you can use whole wheat pasta and grilled chicken and turn this into a super healthy balanced meal.

    Reply
  2. Joanne says

    July 21, 2010 at 6:12 am

    I love how healthy this is! Everyone gets a full serving of veggies and if you use whole wheat pasta – it’s perfect!

    Love that picture of Maddie. What? you don’t hold your mouth while you’re drinking pudding as well?

    Reply
  3. Patsy says

    July 21, 2010 at 8:47 am

    Don’t you love when the kids surprise you like that? My oldest hasn’t enjoyed shrimp in something like forever… but, last night told me that it “rocked”. Gotta love it!

    Reply
  4. Ramona says

    July 21, 2010 at 10:30 am

    Cute picture. Glad everyone enjoyed the Green Sketti!

    Reply
  5. beth says

    July 21, 2010 at 1:52 pm

    yum! we eat a lot of the barilla plus and/or whole wheat pasta. so good. this would be great w/ some feta cheese mixed in… just sayin’.

    i see you found a rerow shirt! :)

    Reply

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#flowertherapy might be right up there with #water #flowertherapy might be right up there with #watertherapy.  Love passing the time in secret wildflower patches. As you do. 🌸
I remarked how pretty that tiny sliver of the moon I remarked how pretty that tiny sliver of the moon was on the way home tonight, and my friend pulled over right away so I could grab a photo. That’s when someone really knows you! It was just too beautiful to resist. 🌙
Weekend photos in review, old school style. ✨ C Weekend photos in review, old school style. ✨ 
Context: 1/ picture perfect weekend, 2/ threw together a quick meal w udon noodles, steak and broccoli, so good, 3/ the sun reflections on this painting struck me today, looked like a cross 4/ it takes all afternoon but nothing like Sunday Gravy, 5/ six months old, 6/ when he wants some serious zzzz’s, he covers his eye with his ears, the cutest, 7/ breakfast pastries at @coniglios
I have plenty of reusable shopping bags since New I have plenty of reusable shopping bags since New Jersey banned the plastic ones last year. But when I spied this beauty for a buck, how could I resist? It just is so darn happy, which makes me happy. The little things aren’t so little. 💛

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#flowertherapy might be right up there with #water #flowertherapy might be right up there with #watertherapy.  Love passing the time in secret wildflower patches. As you do. 🌸
I remarked how pretty that tiny sliver of the moon I remarked how pretty that tiny sliver of the moon was on the way home tonight, and my friend pulled over right away so I could grab a photo. That’s when someone really knows you! It was just too beautiful to resist. 🌙
Weekend photos in review, old school style. ✨ C Weekend photos in review, old school style. ✨ 
Context: 1/ picture perfect weekend, 2/ threw together a quick meal w udon noodles, steak and broccoli, so good, 3/ the sun reflections on this painting struck me today, looked like a cross 4/ it takes all afternoon but nothing like Sunday Gravy, 5/ six months old, 6/ when he wants some serious zzzz’s, he covers his eye with his ears, the cutest, 7/ breakfast pastries at @coniglios
I have plenty of reusable shopping bags since New I have plenty of reusable shopping bags since New Jersey banned the plastic ones last year. But when I spied this beauty for a buck, how could I resist? It just is so darn happy, which makes me happy. The little things aren’t so little. 💛
Cheers to the weekend! This may look like a staged Cheers to the weekend! This may look like a staged photo, but Lola just has ZERO boundaries and Clifford is exceptionally patient. 😂
I’ve been on a smoked salmon kick lately (it’s I’ve been on a smoked salmon kick lately (it’s so good for you), so when I saw that a local patisserie has a smoked salmon croissant available (weekends only), I added it to my list of things to seek out. I popped into @chocolatinenj early on Mother’s Day and was rewarded with this deliciousness. Layers of soft flaky croissant dough, tender smoked salmon, light whipped cream, thinly sliced red and green onion slivers and dotted with capers… it was every bit as amazing as you’d imagine it would be. If you’re local, don’t sleep on this one. 😋
Weekend photos in review, the belated edition. 1/ Weekend photos in review, the belated edition.

1/ hit up a few yard sales and snagged this beautiful pasta dish from Italy with my favorite color for a buck, 2/ and one of these printer trays came home with me too, 3/ pre Mother’s Day celebrations with 30 local moms, 4/ finished the weekend supervising furniture assembly
Today would have been my friend Cathy’s 53rd bir Today would have been my friend Cathy’s 53rd birthday. Unfortunately she’s not here to celebrate because she died suddenly at age 49. I think of her often … every Mother’s Day because we spent most of them together since her husband worked weekends … when I discover a new food adventure (we once did a day long donut crawl) … when I’m sharing a special time with my kids knowing that her then-11 year old is growing up without her. Before she passed, I always appreciated every day, but since then, even more so. You never know what the next day can bring, so relish in the sunshine, surprise rainstorms, making wishes over railroad tracks and all the wonderful randomness life can throw your way. Don’t waste a single second, say yes, live on the outskirts of your comfort zone, laugh often, tell people you love them, give eight second hugs, and squeeze every ounce of joy you can out of life. Do it for the people who can’t. ✨

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