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.

Drama ... A Family Tradition Since 1979

I'm feeling rather dramatic today. You know the drill... the world has done me wrong, nothing goes my way, and so on. Sometimes I let all this small stuff fester and then it turns me into the over-reactor that I am. I'm having one of those moments of feeling sorry for myself because I should be in a different place at this stage in my life... or so I think. All of these thoughts are fighting the fact that I do in fact believe that God has a plan for everyone. I just wish he'd kick mine into overdrive. 

Since I was a kid I have been known as the family drama queen. Lots of things hurt my feelings. Some very warranted, many not. As a child I'm surprised I didn't wear a hole in the carpet of the landing on my parents steps where I stopped to say I hated everyone and stomp my foot before running up the rest of the way. This was a daily occurrence growing up. I like to think I'm better than that now. Well, I don't say "I hate you" anymore at least, and I only wish I had steps to stomp up.

My parents and I kept my 20 month old niece this weekend for my sister. It was a huge reminder of the fact that I have passed this genetic default onto her. She is a total drama queen. I dare to say that she may even surpass me at some point. She is giddy and adorable right up until you do something she didn't want you to... and then it's all tears and head throwing. You would think I would be immune to these games, due to being the originator of this little gem of a trait. However, I cave and tend to make it all better for her. I realize I am perpetuating the problem here. Lucky for society she isn't around me all the time to really cultivate her flair for the dramatic. I am hoping that my sister had my child and I will have hers one day... drama free children who behave and never do anything wrong. Should that NOT happen, I'm warning society now... this could get ugly.

Fix Your Hair, Your Horns Are Showing

As I sit here, in the very foulest of moods, I am trying my best not to let my horns show. I have thin hair, so I know they're poking out up there. It's just been one of those days, and I haven't been in a bad mood in a while, so I feel as though this is warranted. Everyone gets to be in a bad mood sometimes, right? The true test is whether you take it out on anyone or not. So far, I have been able to avoid doing that, but there's still time.

Well as I write this a telemarketer just called and that NEVER helps ANYONE'S mood. I honestly think it's the worst job on the planet. Cleaning sewer systems would be more pleasant. No one is happy to hear from you, and the one old lady who is, just wants to talk and not buy anything. It's a lose-lose situation.

Now, back to my bad mood... do you ever watch reality shows and see someone that everyone has pegged as the total villain or mean girl and think "would I be the that person on a tv show?". I fear that I could go either way. I get really annoyed with certain types of people, and I might not come off well on tv because of that. My hot buttons are people being outright mean to a nice person for no reason, and people who think they're too cool for school. Both of these types are ALWAYS on reality tv because they're all about the drama. I'd probably blow my lid in the first 48 hours. However, I'm all about having fun and laughing, so maybe that would make American love me? It's a crap shoot. The good news is that I never plan on being on reality tv, so I am safe.

Well now that I have rambled on and not really said much at all, I'm going to head on to my next victim of the day at my tennis lesson. You should all pray for my coach because he's going to be making me run and telling me what to do, and after today, there's little to NO chance I won't lose my cool on him.

Proper Poolside Attire ... What NOT To Wear

I will preface this post by pointing out that I in no way think that I look good in a bathing suit. I, however, try and cover up those parts that are worse than others, and in no way think I am bikini acceptable. Now, on a recent trip to the casino I was reminded of just how many people have no idea how bad they look in a bikini. The sad thing is, I can see someone from a mile away in a full length cover-up and tell if they're going to have a bikini on underneath... especially if they clearly shouldn't be wearing one. What can I say, it's a gift.

Rule of thumb, if your belly jiggles when you walk, or you can squeeze your tummy fat together to make a rather large sized looking "booty", you're not bikini ready. I don't understand the concept of putting out an untoned belly for the world to see. It only draws attention to your flaws. Now this doesn't just happen at the casino pools, however, they do provide a plethora of flab and bellies hanging over bathing suit bottoms for the world to see. Makes me wonder if white trash are paid to flaunt their goods (or not-so-good goods). Unfortunately, this is not limited to one class, ethnicity, social status, or the like. It's rampant.

So here is my plea ladies ... if it doesn't look good, COVER IT UP! You will thank me one day. You want people to notice your face and your other good attributes, not the jiggly bits.

Love, Anger, and All That Jazz

I actually began writing this blog last night. However, I, luckily, decided to wait to post it. As a result I just deleted most of what I wrote. Posting out of anger is never a smart move. After seeing Facebook post after post, I think most people should start taking a breath before posting angry thoughts.

There are days, make that weeks, that test your character. This has been one of those weeks. A very hectic work load, added by a heartbreaking time for my family, has really just broken my heart and beaten me down. Being helpless for someone you love is the worst feeling in the world. I can deal with my own pains in life, but seeing a loved one hurt is unbearable. I tend to get so angry, that I forget to try and understand the other side of the story.

So, here I come... back to the love. That's what really matters, right? I'm writing this to try and beat it into my own head and heart too. Nothing good comes from anger and bitterness. I'll admit, I am a Bitter Betty about things sometimes. I don't easily forgive. Hurt is a hard thing to overcome, sometimes pride is worse. I learned during my class on the 7 Habits of Highly Effective People to focus on your circle of influence, not your circle of concern. Meaning, your circle of concern contains things that may be going on around you, but you have no control over (which is A LOT). Your circle of influence is what you have the power to change and/or control. I can control my reactions and behavior in my circle of influence.

So I'm going to show the love and try to be a more understanding person. There are 2 sides to every story, something that I tend to forget. I don't have to agree with others' choices, but I can try and respect their decisions and have faith that everything happens for a reason... and for the best.

*I'm gonna need some prayers to do this. Even I know my strengths and weaknesses.