The Road To Wellness

Nice to see you! Wishing you a healthy day!

Perhaps as an artist, I may be more keenly aware of my surroundings. The more I create, the more I am aware of my “artist’s eyes,” which can see shades and tones of color that I never was aware of before. That is probably why my eye health is so important to me.

I am nearsighted, like many. I can’t drive without eyeglasses. Actually, it’s hard to watch TV even without them. If you wear glasses, you know how frustrating it is not to be able to see something.

I make it a point to get my eyes checked every year. Because my vision issue, I prefer to be able to see well all of the time. I remember walking to the grocery store once without my glasses. It was odd, but I felt so vulnerable. I like to be aware of my surroundings, but my hampered vision prevented that.

I use both contacts and glasses. Online retailers like Eyeglasses.com make vision care affordable. There’s just no excuse for not taking care of your best asset–your sight. If you haven’t had your eyes checked lately, do so. Good sight is a terrible thing to waste.

Tweet This Post

This week’s recipe comes from the Barilla Pasta website. Whole Grain Rotini with Spicy Peppers and Italian Cheese is simple and packs a lot of strong flavors sure to please. I like preparing meals like this one, calling for two different color peppers. It helps to create an attractive presentation that I believe makes foods taste better.

Barilla’s whole grain line of pastas are tasty without having a cardboard texture. I can eat pasta and not feel guilty. The recipe calls for three different kinds of cheeses, which you can adjust to taste. Opting for low fat varieties will cut back on calories. The recipe also includes 1/2 teaspoon of red pepper flakes. Cut back a bit if that’s too spicy for your tastes. In a pinch I will use store-bought marinara sauces but only if I can get a little creative and add my own touches as in this case. This is hearty Italian fare. Bon appetit!

Recipe:
1 boxBARILLA Whole Grain Rotini
1 jar BARILLA Marinara sauce
4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
1 red bell pepper, diced
1 yellow bell pepper, diced
1 cup Romano cheese, grated
1/2 tablespoon thyme
1 container (16 ounces)fresh ricotta cheese
1 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded

Directions:
PREHEAT oven to 375F and bring a large pot of water to a boil.

ADD the oil to a large skillet over medium-high heat and heat through, about 2 minutes.

ADD the garlic and red pepper flakes to the pan, sauté for 30 seconds, add the bell peppers and sauté for an additional 3 minutes, until the peppers are slightly wilted.

ADD Marinara Sauce and simmer for 5 minutes.

STIR in ricotta, Romano, and chopped thyme.

Meanwhile COOK the Whole Grain Rotini half of the recommended cooking time.

Drain and toss with the sauce. Place in a greased 13×9 baking dish, top with mozzarella cheese and place into the oven.

BAKE for 40 minutes. Allow to stand 10 minutes before serving.

Prep time: 5 mi
Serves 4-6

Photo by rawku5

Tweet This Post

“Failure is the opportunity to begin again more intelligently.”

~ Henry Ford

Photo by mushanga

Tweet This Post

“There is no failure except in no longer trying.”

~ Elbert Hubbard

It’s not easy to accept our shortcomings, even if they are only what we perceive them to be. Life constantly challenges us. Today’s motivational tip is about persistence. Even when fear takes over, even when we doubt ourselves and our abilities, the only failure is from not trying. Fear of inadequacy is not a reason to pass up an opportunity to try. The only result of doing so is a sense of loss. What is gained by the prospect of trying is success. There is only one path to success–trying.

Tweet This Post

“Never, never, never, give up.”
~Winston Churchill

Photo by Brendan Loy

Tweet This Post