LOL = Just Say No

I don't think I can properly describe my hatred for the term "LOL." I mean, if you're laughing, is it not out loud? I feel like anyone typing this sounds like a 12 year old girl. Only, I'm pretty sure even the tweens think "LOL" is passe. The worst part is that people actually SPEAK this term now. ARE. YOU. FREAKING. KIDDING? If it's funny, just laugh... and I don't care if it's out loud (but the narcissist in me appreciates the chuckles). Don't even get me started on the wide array of initialisms like LMAO and ROFL. People just sound like drones using these terms over and over. Use a little creativity!  I have no issues with a ha, hehe, hahahaha, bahaha. Go crazy, but use a WORD that actually is a sound!

Now this brings me to an initialism that is even new to me. When I received this in a text the other day (from a 33 year man mind you) I actually had to text my friend Kelly to find out what it meant. When she told me the answer I didn't believe that could possibly be right and looked it up on Urban Dictionary. To my absolute horror she was correct. SMH = Shaking My Head. Please, PLEASE explain to me why this needs to be a term? Not to mention, that it really didn't even make sense in the context I received it in. Why shake your head? Why tell me you're shaking your head? Did your kid receive a bad math test score? Are you reading that taxes are going up? What????

Whatever happened to descriptive words, or even just typing a word out? How hard is it to write out "you," instead of "u" or "are" instead of "r?" This is the end of the English language as we know it. The entire human race will be talking in text shorthand in the next 10 years. Things will get so bad that babies will start saying "LOL," instead of laughing. The elderly will have to walk around with multimedia to English translation books. The world will sound like a bunch of smartasses non-stop. Or morons. I say morons, but that's just me.


So kids (and ESPECIALLY adults) JUST SAY NO TO LOL!

Spinach & Goat Cheese Pasta

In case you haven't noticed, I LOVE goat cheese. I could eat it on just about anything. I love finding and creating new recipes to incorporate it! So, here's my latest creation and it is super easy and deeeeeeelish.

 

Serves 4

Ingredients:

1 bag fresh baby spinach

1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil

2 cloves garlic, from press or finely minced

4 ounces goat cheese

8 ounces fettuccine noodles (I used Fiber Gourmet www.fibergourmet.com)

Fresh black pepper

Kosher salt

Boil noodles according to package directions, with kosher salt in water, and drain. Meanwhile, heat olive oil and garlic in large pan. Once garlic is softer, add spinach. Cover with lid and then stir after 1 minute. Replace lid and cook for 2 more minutes. 

Once spinach is cooked add noodles and goat cheese. Will be easier to incorporate goat cheese if added in chunks or crumbles. Add pepper. Toss all together and enjoy! 

**I often make this same recipe with wheat noodles and/or with broccoli. It's delicious that way too!

Pesto & Goat Cheese Pinwheels

I love to cook for people and I always love new recipes. I found a pinwheel recipe and decided to put some of my favorite ingredients in it instead! I also make a pizza with these ingredients (plus a few extra) that is my absolute favorite!

Ingredients

• 1 can (8 oz) Pillsbury® refrigerated crescent dinner rolls
• 4 Tablespoons Pesto 
• 2 oz Goat Cheese, crumbled
• 6 (or more according to taste) Kalamata Olives, diced
• 1/4 cup shredded Mozzarella
  

Directions

• Heat oven to 350°F.
• Unroll crescent rolls; separate into 2 long rectangles. Press each into 12x4-inch rectangle, firmly pressing perforations to seal.
• Spread pesto over each rectangle to edges. Sprinkle each with goat cheese, olives and mozzarella.
• Starting with one short side, roll up each rectangle; press edge to seal. With serrated knife, cut each roll into 8 slices; place cut side down on ungreased cookie sheet.

Bake 12 to 17 minutes or until edges are deep golden brown. Immediately remove from cookie sheet. Serve warm.  Yield: 16 appetizers.

Chicken & Spinach Pasta Bake 

(my lightened up version from www.savingmoneyli...) 

Serves 8 (generous portions)
326 Calories per serving

8 oz uncooked Ronzoni wheat penne
3/4 T olive oil
1 c chopped onion
1 (10 oz) pack frozen spinach, thawed
3 c cubed, cooked chicken breasts
1 (14 oz) can Italian-style diced tomatoes, drained
1 (8 oz) container 1/3 less fat Philadelphia chive & onion cream cheese
1 t salt, ½ t pepper
1½ c reduced fat shredded mozzarella cheese

Prepare pasta according to pkg directions. Spray cooking spray and then spread oil on bottom of 9x13 in baking dish; add onion in a single layer. Bake at 375 for 15 minutes or just until tender. Transfer onion to large bowl, set aside.
Drain chopped spinach well. Stir in pasta, spinach, chicken, & next 4 ingredients into onion in bowl. Spoon mixture into dish & sprinkle evenly with shredded mozzarella cheese. Bake covered at 375 for 30 minutes; uncover & bake 15 more minutes or until bubbly.