pasta Tag

I've been so busy teaching and with hockey games, I haven't been very social these past few months. So now that hockey season is over for my team (boo, but also kinda glad because...) I have so much more free time! Last weekend I ran the Pat Tillman Memorial Run (more about that later), hit up a burger and beer tasting at the ball park, stayed for the baseball game, and then hit up a pool side yoga class on Sunday morning, ended up staying and hanging with some friends (old and new) and enjoying a few mimosas. I was so chilled out.

So the last two days have been in the upper 90's, and we have even hit 100 here in Arizona. Welcome "Spring"! We've just turned our air conditioning on here, so I am writing this with a hoodie on, since my husband likes to duplicate the weather in Northern Alberta in February. Spring means its officially the start of grilling season in the East, and north - and anywhere where it dips below 50 at any time of the year. The recipe I am sharing with you today was originally titled "Spring Chicken" but I thought that was deceiving, since we make it throughout the year.

So, it's really been awhile since I have posted. Our lives have been going through some fairly big changes, and I'm teaching more classes, and even some other formats. I also really wanted to work on formatting my site to be prettier, more professional looking. I haven't gotten around to it yet, but soon, hopefully! I made this little dish after I taught my Monday yin yoga class; its one of those recipes that comes together pretty quickly, is vegetarian (depending on the ravioli you choose) and is absolutely delicious!

I consider myself to be someone who is in pretty good health, above average even, as it relates to how healthy I am. I usually feel good, I am able to live a fairly active lifestyle, and I am able to do most of the things I want to do. Most of the time. Then one of my chronic conditions flare up: my allergies that lead to sinus infections, the ever continuing back saga, chronic migraines, IBS... and sometimes they all flare up at the same time and make me feel like I am not as healthy as I believe I am. If I am totally honest, they make me feel like I am the exact opposite of healthy; sickly, inferior, and weak.

When I know I won't be home until later in the day, and I can anticipate that making dinner will not be one of the things I am going to want to do when I get home, I try and meal plan something using my slow cooker or dutch oven. This way I can just get home and not worry too much that dinner is going to be pizza. And since my back is recuperating again, I've been trying some new fitness classes. Monday I tried a "Muscle" group class (at Mountainside Fitness) taught by Dana. It didn't start until 6, which meant I wouldn't be home until 7:30. For what  it's worth, two days later and my calves are still mad at me! If you are reluctant to strength train on the weight floor like me, I really recommend group fitness classes like this. Dana was great, and offered several modifications.

I love how flexible butternut squash is! In general, it tends to add a sweetness to the dishes it is added to, and in this dish, it pairs very well with the savory of the sausage. However, this sauce is excellent without the sausage too. If you're kids are reluctant to eat butternut squash, give this recipe a try and let me know how it went!

Butternut Squash Pasta with Spinach and Sausage

img_7256 I try to find butternut squash that is as close to a long cylinder (as opposed to a long piece and a bulbous end) to make it easier to peel and dice. Also, a good peeler works well for peeling these! And you want to make the pieces as uniformly as you can, to ensure consistent cooking times.