food

>
>"To celebrate growing older, I once wrote the 45 lessons life taught me. It is
>the most requested column I've ever written.
>
>My odometer rolled over to 90 in August, so here is the column once more:
>
>1. Life isn't fair, but it's still good.
>
>2. When in doubt, just take the next
>small step.
>
>3. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.
>
>4. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends and parents
>will. Stay in touch.
>
>5. Pay off your credit cards every month.
>
>6. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.
>
>7. Cry with someone. It's more healing than crying alone.
>
>8. It's OK to get angry with God. He can take it.
>
>9. Save for retirement starting with your first paycheck.
>
>10. When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile.
>
>11. Make peace with your past so it won't screw up the present.
>
>12. It's OK to let your children see you cry.
>
>13. Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey
>is all about.
>
>14. If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn't be in it.
>
>15. Everything can change in the blink of an eye. But don't worry; God never
>blinks.
>
>16. Take a deep breath. It calms the mind.
>
>17. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.
>
>18. Whatever doesn't kill you really does make you stronger.
>
>19. It's never too late to have a happy childhood. But the second one is up to
>you and no one else.
>
>20. When it comes to going after what you love in life, don't take no for an
>answer.
>
>21. Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancy lingerie. Don't save
>it for a special occasion. Today is special.
>
>22. Over prepare, then go with the flow.
>
>23. Be eccentric now. Don't wait for old age to wear purple.
>
>24. The most important sex organ is the brain.
>
>25. No one is in charge of your happiness but you.
>
>26. Frame every so-called disaster with these words 'In five years, will this
>matter?'
>
>27. Always choose life.
>
>28. Forgive everyone everything.
>
>29. What other people think of you is none of your business.
>
>30. Time heals almost everything. Give time time.
>
>31. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.
>
>32. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
>
>33. Believe in miracles.
>
>34. God loves you because of who God is, not because of anything you did or didn't
>do.
>
>35. Don't audit life. Show up and make the most of it now.
>
>36. Growing old beats the alternative -- dying young.
>
>37. Your children get only one childhood.
>
>38. All that truly matters in the end is that you loved.
>
>39. Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere.
>
>40. If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else's, we'd grab
>ours back.
>
>41. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.
>
>42. The best is yet to come...
>
>43. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.
>
>44. Yield.
>
>45. Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift."
>
>Its estimated 93% won't forward this. If you are one of the 7% who will,
>forward this with the title '7%'.
>
>I'm in the 7%. Friends are the family that we choose.





Pasta All'Amatriciana (How to Cook Everything by Mark Bittman)

Ingredients:

2 tablespoons olive oil
1/4 to 1/3 cup minced good bacon or pancetta
1 small onion, minced
1 (28-ounce) can whole plum tomatoes, drained
1 pound linguine, spaghetti, fettuccine, or other long pasta
Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
Freshly grated Parmesan or Pecorino Romano cheese
Minced fresh parsley leaves

Directions:

1. Bring a large pot of water to a boil.
2. Place the oil and bacon or pancetta in a medium skillet over medium heat. Cook, stirring, until the meat becomes crisp, about 10 minutes.
3. When the meat is done, remove it with a slotted spoon, leaving the fat in the pan. Add the onion and cook, stirring, until it browns. Turn off the heat for a minute (this will reduce the spattering when you add the tomatoes).
4. Crush the tomatoes with a fork or your hands and add them to the pan. Turn the heat to medium-high. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the tomatoes break down and the mixture becomes saucy, about 10 to 15 minutes.
5. Meanwhile, salt the boiling water and cook the pasta until it is tender but firm. Drain it, toss it with the sauce, and top with the reserved bacon, the Parmesan, and the parsley. Serve, passing additional Parmesan at the table.

***This is really such a perfectly balanced dish! Salty, sweet and acidic all in one forkful. I did use whole wheat linguine instead of white and 2 can of diced and drained tomatoes.

***I calculated this without the Parmesan and Romano cheese as you can sprinkle this on yourself and it came out to 7 WW points based on 4 servings.

Mediterranean Lentils

DSC_0215

***Soak the lentils overnight

Ingredients:

1 cup lentils (green hold there shape better and are firmer)
2 thin leeks, whites only, washed well and chopped thinly
1 cup cilantro
2 tsp fresh mint, chopped
1 tsp fresh rosemary (or 1/4 tsp dried)
pinch of fresh ground black pepper
2 tsp ground coriander
2 Tbsp red wine vinegar
1 Tbsp honey
2 Tbsp fish sauce (called for 3 but I added less)
1 Tbsp best quality extra virgin olive oil

Directions:

Soak the lentils in plenty of cold water overnight.

Rinse and drain the lentils. Place in a large saucepan and cover with just enough fresh water to cover them. Bring to a boil. Skim any foam from the water and reduce the heat to a simmer.

Add the chopped leeks and cilantro to the lentils and stir. Add all remaining ingredients and simmer until tender-about 30 minutes.

Serve hot.

***I thought this was delicious! Sadly though the night that I made it all I had time to make to go with it was hamburgers! LOL. Not the best combo but I can assure you that they were delicious the next day for lunch!!!