Warning: Tonight’s blog is a mish-mosh of topics. My mind is sort of all over the place today and apparently so is my blog. Please excuse the random thoughts ahead!!
I love getting snail mail (when it’s not a bill that is) and I was really jazzed to have two fabulous things waiting on me when I got home today. First, I need to mention that last week I actually won a giveaway on another blog. (Pretty cool way to start the New Year!) Anywho, I won an awesome new Eat Smart Bathroom Scale from Gina’s blog. (Thanks Again!!) The scale arrived today and I am totally jazzed to have a bathroom scale that works and actually gives a consistent weight reading (basically, you know, a scale’s job!). My current scale is terrible so I am pleased to be moving this little gem in. I will now be able to do mid-week check-ins on my weight to make sure I am making progress toward my “official” Saturday weigh-ins!
Next (and I totally get that you won’t be as excited about this as I am) I was stoked to get my February issue of “Everyday with Rachael Ray” magazine. If you are a reader of the blog (or have ever met me in real life) you know of my love for all things Rachael Ray. I am not a huge magazine fan but I do get all excited about this one!
Moving on, a few months ago I had a blog fail moment when I made a new dish and completely blanked on giving you fab readers the recipe. Tonight I am going to rectify that wrong with my recipe for Balsamic Onion Pasta. This recipe was adapted from a recipe for a vegetarian balsamic onion linguini I found ages ago. However, I have made so many modifications to the original recipe I feel comfortable calling it my own.
- First, roast 2-3 red bell peppers (or cheat and buy them already roasted) then chop them into strips
- Prepare a box of whole grain penne while you brown up 1lb of Italian turkey sausage
- Set aside the browed turkey sausage and allow the excess oil to drain on a plate. In the same skillet add 1 table spoon butter and 3 small onions. Allow them to caramelize for 20 minutes. They will go from stark white to a gooey brown.
- After the onions are caramelized add in the red peppers and browned Italian turkey sausage. Allow this to cook up for approximately 5 minutes
- Next make the “sauce” by adding 1 cup chicken broth or stock, 3 tablespoons of balsamic vinegar, and 1 tablespoon of butter. Allow it to come to a boil and reduce heat
- Combine with the wheat pasta, add a touch of grated parmesan and enjoy!
The last thing on my agenda tonight is preparing for my yoga class tomorrow tonight. My friend and I are signed up for Bikram Yoga. For those not familiar with this term it is 90 minutes of a series of 26 poses completed in a room that is 105 degrees and 40% humidity! I have heard horror stories of people vomiting or passing out during their first class. To say I am a little nervous is an understatement. Any bikram yoga fans out there? Is it truly as intense as I am thinking it will be? I will be giving a full report tomorrow night if I survive!
Let us know how you like the scale – I’m in the market for a new one!
I LOVE BIKRAM. I was terrified to go, but you will be fine. Make sure to bring a small hand towel to wipe sweat off, and a bottle of water. And if it gets to be too much, go into child’s pose or down dog until you can start again. You’ll be just fine, I promise!
Will do on the scale. Class was great. I am so glad I went!
I started Bikram last week and absolutely love it. If you feel too hot or dizzy, just lie down for a few minutes. You can also walk out of the room and cool off if need be. Defintely bring a big bottle of water; I usually fill mine all the way up with ice and just a bit of water. That way it stays cold the whole class. I second the hand towel to wipe off with and don’t forget a towel to lay on top of your mat as well.
Good luck!
Great advice! I really ended up enjoying it.
Hot yoga is pretty much torture, but a good torture. It is pretty intense, especially the first time. Sit down (or lie down) as much as you need to! Seriously. Do it. Don’t worry about not doing everything. Sometimes my goal is just to make it through one set (they should do 2 of each exercise) and then sit out the second set. Make sure to bring lots of water.
I did have to sit a couple of times but the instructor said just staying in the hot room was a good thing so Im taking my first time as a success!
I’m excited to go again!! see you in a bit:)
You were a rock star! Thanks for coming with!
I went to bikram twice, and I threw up the entire day afterwards after each class. But that could just be me.
Just take your time and do what you can. They tell you to just sit down and breathe if you feel like you might pass out. Do not leave the room because the sudden change in the temperature could negatively affect you.
I heard that can happen because your body is detoxing. Right now I feel great so we shall see!
That’s great! I think I found the one type of exercise that I simply cannot do.
I had to sit through about 3-4 of the poses so overall I did ok for my first time.
[...] final note, it’s official: it’s LOVE with the new scale and I from Eat Smart. The scale is giving consistent readings AND it was exactly (to the ounce) [...]