The Salad Days of Summer - A New One

I was only just given this recipe over the weekend, I haven't made it as yet - it's on the menu plan for Wednesday, so I cannot tell you what if any thing I will change although,  I'll probably mince some fresh garlic rather than use garlic powder & for the cucumbers, I'll be going with English cucumbers.  For Mr Man's protein needs, I'll grill some extra chicken breasts on Monday, so he can have one piece cold with this salad.  

Spaghetti Salad

Ingredients

• 6 oz. Spaghetti, uncooked 
• Garlic powder to taste 
• 4 to 6 oz basil Pesto sauce, extra to taste, divided 
• Seasoned Salt and ground black pepper to taste 
• 2 cucumbers, peeled and chopped 
• 2 to 3 medium tomatoes, chopped

Directions

1. Cook spaghetti according to package instructions; drain and run cool water on spaghetti in a colander. Once cooled, drain well.
2. Place spaghetti in a big bowl or pan; season spaghetti nicely with garlic powder. Add approximately 4 ounces of Pesto sauce to cooked & cooled spaghetti; blend thoroughly. Refrigerate. One hour earlier than serving, add cucumbers and tomatoes; add seasoned salt and black pepper as wished. Mix well ensuring all ingredients are included with the pesto sauce. Serve  6 to 8 servings.

"never eat ingredients you cannot pronounce, except Quinoa, you should eat Quinoa."

TGIF - July 26th

Thank you to Dr Brene Brown for this meme ...

Trusting:  that the medication our vet gave us to give to the fur girls 90 minutes before their vet visit this weekend does the trick of relaxing them & making the whole adventure less stressful for them.  I'm also trusting that the administration of these pills does not result in either Mr Man or myself being clawed!  If any of you have ever tried to pill a cat you know of my fear & trepidation.    

Grateful: to the skills & kindness of my friend.  She was home from her cottage to tend to a few appointments so we got together for tea.  Since she won't be around for my birthday, she presented me with my birthday gift early.  She's an amazing crocheter & she's made me a pretty face wash cloth & market carry bag.  She knows I like pink.  

Inspired: I must admit that there's not a lot inspiring me lately. I've been reading some online articles about battling the thought process we all use of "I deserve it".  This thinking is what often gets us into trouble, either with too much weight, too much debt, too much stuff.  I won't say that I feel inspired by this new information, but I am pondering how in my own life I've justified certain purchases or behaviours with this very thought.  Bad day at work, I deserve that donut, or any other bargaining excuse.  These articles were accompanied with one other article.  There's two things you need to do to create a better version of yourself or your life; (1) stop doing "X'" (fill in the behaviour you want to change & (2) start doing "x" (fill in the positive behaviour)  Seems rather simple, but is it really that simple?  I'm not sure.  

Fun: Mr Man & his best friend have spent a few hours at our local library using the 3D printer, for free, to make knobs & gadgets for their telescopes.  Luckily one of the stock colours of plastic thread the library had, was Celestron orange. Celestron is the maker of their telescopes.  Boys & their toys ...

Source: Internet

Take Notice Thursday - SPSH

In an effort to notice more of the ordinary in my life, I have decided to share what I have noticed this week in Take Notice Thursday.   The idea is to take photos that are linked some how; by theme, by colour, by date, by moment,  by points of view. There is no formal link in but please feel free to join in.  What have you noticed this week?


Taking notice that the next SPSH Link In is only a week away.  Here's a few of the fish that I have found for the SPSH, which I thought was going to be a really difficult find for me, turns out I was wrong ...  it's finding shells that has me stumped (so far).

I think this is my favourite fish find

these are real fish - babies of some kind

"the charm of fishing is that it is the pursuit of what is elusive but attainable, a perpetual series of occasions for hope." John Buchan

The Salad Days of Summer - 2 More Shares

Some more yummy summer goodness to share & an update to last week's two recipes.  The Where's Waldorf, I found that using Quinoa pasta (it's a protein) required a lot more yogurt that the suggested amount.  I think the Quinoa just soaked up the original amount & I like it just a tad more on the creamy side.

Broccoli Apple Salad

• 4 cups fresh broccoli florets, (about 2 medium heads)
• ½ cup shredded carrots
• ¼ cup diced red onion (I use white sweet onions)
• 2 large apples, finely chopped (I used gala apples)
• ½ cup pecans, coarsely chopped (I've also used almonds)
• ½ cup dried cranberries
• Creamy dressing ingredients:
• ½ cup lite mayonnaise
• ½ cup low fat Greek yogurt, plain
• 2 Tbsp lemon juice
• 1 Tbsp sugar
• ¼ tsp salt (I don't use)
• ⅛ tsp pepper

1. In a large bowl combine broccoli, carrots, onion, apples, pecans, and dried cranberries.
2. To make the dressing: Whisk together mayonnaise, Greek yogurt, lemon juice, sugar, salt and pepper. (I omit the salt)
3. Add the dressing to the salad and toss to coat. Chill until ready to serve.

CITRUS BEET & SPINACH SALAD

1 pkg. (284 g) baby spinach leaves

1 can or package (14 fl oz/398 mL) whole rosebud beets, drained, quartered

2 large navel oranges, peeled & sectioned (in a pinch I've used canned mandarin orange slices)

1 small red onion, thinly sliced (I use white sweet onions)

3/4 cup walnut pieces, toasted (I prefer pecans or almonds)

1/2 cup Kraft Signature Raspberry Vinaigrette Dressing (or any other brand of a raspberry vinaigrette dressing)

TOSS all ingredients except dressing in large bowl.

ADD dressing; mix lightly. Serve immediately.