Something Delicious this way comes...

     The Mr. and I have been minding our food intake - and typical of men!!... he lost 13 pounds in the first two weeks on Nutrisystem and I've lost 2.   I aim for healthy foods, plenty of greens, smaller portions, much less dairy,  much less sugar, grains, no red meat.   He has more to lose than I do, but still... I'd be more than half way to my goal if I lost 13 pounds by now!  I don't like Nutrisystem though, even though it works - if you ask me - that's crap food although it's tasty,  and if you like eating healthy fresh not frozen and packaged processed stuff, it's not sustainable for the long haul.  That's probably why he lost 40 lbs on it last year, and gained it all back when he went off the program.  I think what it does teach is portion control.  So you can succeed on the system once you get off their food program, as long as you keep to the portions, etc.  That's the trick.

      I've always been active due to the horses and farm chores and I like to walk/hike/kayak, etc.  I've also got a full weights system out in the garage/gym thanks to the men of this family and I've used it frequently for light weight training.  It definitely helps with the fibromyalgia pain to KEEP MOVING.  When I was diagnosed a few years ago after living with chronic all over muscle pain for years without answers, I was given the option to take various meds.  Ask me how much I hate to take pills - and so I opted to try natural ways of coping with this pain-in-the neck condition.  I'm here to tell you - If you suffer with chronic pain from any source - good diet and exercise definitely help.  Choose with your doctor what's right for you depending on your condition, but no matter what, keep moving. 

     I had my yearly physical yesterday and all is good - blood pressure, sugar, cholesterol, etc.  Low on Vitamin D, which is important, so I'll take in more dairy and broccoli, etc.. and add a supplement back in.  I'm going to continue with the weight loss goals, hopefully by summer I'll be 15 pounds lighter.  Or at least 10.  

     That being said!!... there was a recipe in last week's paper that looked delicious and easy and made with fresh ingredients and I just had to try it regardless of our weight loss goals.  WOW - it's super good, and super easy. We had it for dinner last night and I'll share it here with you...  I don't even like pepperoni, but it was not overpowering in this dish - If you like a good vodka sauce that tastes really  fresh and light? This one's for you..

Pepperoni Pasta

• 2-3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• 1 medium sweet onion, diced
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 28 ounce can diced tomatoes
• 1 jigger vodka  (optional but really adds to the flavor) 
• 1/2 pound thinly sliced pepperoni
• salt and pepper to taste
• 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper  (if you like it spicy, add more, but be careful) 
• 1/4 cup heavy cream ( I added a little more for creamier texture) 
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil
• Fresh grated Parmesan Romano mix cheese
• 1 pound pasta- the grooved kind hold the flavor of the sauce better, but any pasta will do

* next time I will use less pasta so that there is more sauce, but truthfully it was so flavorful it wasn't a problem for taste. 

 Fill a large pot with water and cook your pasta of choice - al dente when done. 

While that cooks, in a dutch oven or large skillet, warm oil and add onion and garlic. Cook over medium-low heat until translucent (try not to brown it). Add the entire can of diced tomatoes. When hot, add vodka and cook for about four minutes, at which point most of the liquor will have evaporated.  Toss in pepperoni and stir, cook for another few minutes.  Add salt and pepper to taste and add cayenne pepper. Just a little gives a punch, so don't overdo it unless you love spicy hot.  After a few more minutes, add the cream.  It should be a pretty coral color.  When pasta is al dente - drain and put it in the sauce in a bowl or the dutch oven, whatever works for you. Toss to coat - then add the grated cheeses and the fresh chopped basil, toss again - and  Enjoy! 

You will not be disappointed with the flavor.