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Creamy Tomato and Spinach Pasta
Ingredients
½ lb penne pasta
1 small onion
2 cloves garlic
1 Tbsp olive oil
15 oz can diced tomatoes
½ tsp dried oregano
½ tsp dried basil
pinch red pepper flakes (optional)
½ tsp salt
freshly cracked pepper to taste
2 Tbsp tomato paste
2 oz cream cheese
¼ cup grated Parmesan
½ 9 oz. bag fresh spinach
Directions
Bring a large pot of water to a boil over high heat. Add the pasta and cook until tender (7-10) minutes. Drain the pasta in a colander.
While waiting for the pasta to cook, dice the onion and mince the garlic. Cook both in a large skillet with the olive oil over medium-low heat until softened and transparent (about 5 minutes).
Add the diced tomatoes (with juices), oregano, basil, red pepper flakes, salt, and some freshly cracked pepper to the skillet with the onions and garlic. Stir to combine. Add the tomato paste and a ½ cup of water to the skillet and stir until the tomato paste is dissolved into the sauce.
Turn the heat down to low. Cut the cream cheese into a few pieces and then add them to the skillet with the tomato sauce. Use a whisk to stir the sauce until the cream cheese has fully melted in and the sauce is creamy. Add half of the Parmesan to the skillet and whisk until it is melted in. Add the remainder of the parmesan and whisk until melted in again.
Add the fresh spinach and gently stir it into the sauce until it has wilted (3-5 minutes). Add the pasta and stir until it is well coated in the creamy tomato sauce. Taste and adjust the salt and pepper as needed. Serve warm.
Navigating Life with Stomach Issues: Coping Strategies for a Healthier You Shaina Tranquilino December 17, 2023
Living with stomach issues can be incredibly challenging and impact various aspects of our lives. The difficulties in eating, drinking, and dealing with pain and discomfort can take a toll on both our physical and mental well-being. However, by adopting certain coping strategies, you can regain control over your life and work towards healing. In this blog post, we will explore some practical tips to help you cope with stomach issues effectively.
1. Seek Professional Guidance: If you're experiencing persistent stomach issues that are affecting your daily life, it's crucial to consult a medical professional. They can evaluate your symptoms, diagnose the underlying cause, and develop an appropriate treatment plan tailored to your needs.
2. Identify Trigger Foods: Take note of foods that exacerbate your symptoms or trigger discomfort. Maintaining a food diary can help you identify patterns and make informed choices about what to eat or avoid. Consider consulting with a registered dietitian who specializes in gastrointestinal health to create a personalized meal plan suitable for your condition.
3. Opt for Small, Frequent Meals: Rather than consuming large meals that may overwhelm your digestive system, try switching to smaller, more frequent meals throughout the day. This approach can reduce strain on your stomach while still providing essential nutrients.
4. Focus on Digestive-Friendly Foods: Incorporate easily digestible foods such as lean proteins (chicken, fish), cooked vegetables, rice, bananas, oatmeal, and low-fat dairy products into your diet. These options are generally gentler on the stomach and less likely to trigger discomfort.
5. Stay Hydrated: Drinking adequate fluids is crucial for overall health but can be challenging when you have stomach issues. Sip water throughout the day instead of chugging large amounts at once. If plain water worsens symptoms, consider infusing it with fresh fruits or opting for herbal teas to help with hydration.
6. Manage Stress: Stomach issues can often be exacerbated by stress and anxiety. Engage in stress-reduction techniques like deep breathing exercises, meditation, yoga, or gentle physical activities. Prioritizing self-care and making time for activities you enjoy can significantly impact your overall well-being.
7. Experiment with Natural Remedies: Some individuals find relief from stomach discomfort through natural remedies such as ginger tea, chamomile tea, peppermint oil capsules (under medical guidance), or probiotics. However, it is essential to consult your healthcare provider before trying any new supplements.
8. Practice Mindful Eating: Eating mindfully involves paying attention to the taste, texture, and aroma of your food while being fully present during each bite. This practice can aid digestion and prevent overeating. Avoid distractions like screens during mealtime to focus on enjoying your food.
9. Support System: Living with stomach issues can be emotionally challenging. Seek support from friends, family members, or online communities who understand what you're going through. Sharing experiences and learning from others' coping strategies can provide comfort and valuable insights.
Coping with stomach issues requires patience, perseverance, and a proactive approach towards managing symptoms effectively. By implementing these coping strategies - seeking professional advice, identifying trigger foods, adopting a digestive-friendly diet, staying hydrated, managing stress levels, trying natural remedies cautiously, practicing mindful eating, and building a support system - you can take control of your life once more and work towards healing both physically and emotionally. Remember that everyone's journey is unique; therefore, finding what works best for you may involve some trial-and-error alongside professional guidance.
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This is so true!!
I really don't want to end up like a whole lot of people I see at my place of work. Their lives are so regimented, and the shadow of dead dreams and caged ideas hangs around them like a cloak that can't be shrugged off, ever.
I am tired, really tired. Not just physically tired, but I am even more tired, mentally. I seem to be stuck. Although, I know that things tend to open up and become clear if you keep seeking positive growth, but, I am tired. Must I really strain and labour like this on a daily basis, for so long???
I am broke, in debt, and much of what I earn goes to other people and almost none to funding a better future for myself.
I wish to quit and pursue what will give my life more meaning, what will return a spark to my eyes, blow alive the dying ember of LIVING in my heart, and re-instill in me a love for LIVING, and a joy that overflows from deep within. But, I have the weight of my family to carry, the burden of certain responsibilities, and a raging need to be disciplined in other to be good enough to open the way forward for my people.
But, I am tired, almost frustrated.