Mediterranean Pasta Salad

I'm the first to admit I'm not the best in the kitchen. I have a lot of people around me that are wonderful chefs and I use this as an easy excuse not to learn with statements like, "But so-and-so is great and loves cooking, my food just doesn't compare!"  That said, I've also realized at this stage in life eating out or simply making pancakes every night is way too much like my college days and I need to step up my game. So, I'm starting to experiment in the kitchen from tricks I’ve learned from others while passively observing their magic from safely behind the counter.

  

My first easy trick of the cooking trade is learned from my mother.  She had a hearty family of five to feed, so she needed to make large batches of meals for her growing clan. One of her tried and true answers: Pasta Salad.  She gave me her recipe from when we were growing up (over the phone, while I was in the grocery store – thanks mom!), but I quickly realized really anything can go into a pasta salad.  You just need pasta, meat and/or cheese (I am from Wisconsin after all), vegetables and some sort of sauce.   Hence my creation:  The Mediterranean Pasta Salad.   Enjoy!

  

Mediterranean Pasta Salad

 


Ingredients:

• 1 package of Spaghetti
• 1 small head of Broccoli
• 3 Roma Tomatoes
• Artichokes from Antipasto Bar, per personal taste (found in my local grocery)
• Assorted Olives from Antipasto Bar, per personal taste
• Kraft Italian Five Cheese, One Package
• Wishbone Italian Dressing, Small Bottle

Instructions:

1. Cook spaghetti al dente per package directions
2. While spaghetti cooks, cut up broccoli, tomatoes, artichokes, and olives into bite size pieces and set aside in bowl.
3. Strain spaghetti and wash in cold water (cold water prevents cheese from melting)
4. Combine strained spaghetti, vegetables, shredded cheese, and whole bottle of Italian Dressing together.  Toss together.
5. For best results, let sit overnight to merge flavors.

  

Total Time: 20 Minutes

Observation: Is Pauly D a Roma Gypsy?

I'm going to come right out and admit it:  I like reality television.  And while partaking in my fair share last night, something occurred to me while watching My Big Fat American Gypsy Wedding,  something in the back of my reality TV numbed brain, but Pauly D from Jersey Shore looks a helluva lot like these American Gypsy boys.  Now, a note:  This by far not an educated guess and it's most likely just a coincidence.  However, once it hit me I couldn't get it out of my head.  It is also of note that I used Wikipedia for all of my "research."  My College of Liberal Arts professors are probably kicking themselves right now and wanting to rescind my degree...


However,  here are my three observations as to why Pauly D could be a Roma Gypsy:

1. "Most Roma do not communicate their ethnic identity to non-Roma, and may claim to be another ethnic origin..." (Wikipedia)
2. The Gypsy Wedding series, both in the UK and now in the US, depict gypsies as loving a good party.  Who better than the fist-pumping, GTL loving, Pauly D to love a party?  And HOST them with his DJ services? 
3. And most importantly and the thing that started me thinking about all of this:  the HAIR. it.is.exactly.the.same.  



Exhibit A - Pauly D
photo credit: contactmusic.com





Exhibit B - Roma Gypsy Teen Males
photo credit: screen grab, tlc.com



Just saying, people.  Something to stew over. 

New Obsession: The Nail-Pak

I'm all about streamlining.  Streamlining processes, streamlining workflow, and most of all streamlining time spent packing for travel.  And this woman, made my loves of nail polish and traveling STREAMLINED.

I don't know about you but I loathe checking baggage on flights and anything that can help me cram even more clothes (rolling instead of folding) or shoes (stuffing other items inside) I am a huge fan of. That said, I am also a do-it-yourself at home nail polish lover.  Before Duality Cosmetics, I packed nail polish, polish remover, and nail files in my carry-on that took up prime real estate.  Now, and you know I get excited about this, it's streamlined!  The product, the first product I ever got excited about buying from Shark Tank, has nail polish, a nail file, and pre-soaked remover pads all within one small simple package.  It's easy to put in your "clear plastic bag" for TSA and frees up just enough room to have your favorite travel sized hair spray along with the mousse you always bring along.

Books!

When things come together effortlessly, it makes my heart a little bit brighter. As a marketing professional, my life is full of details, deadlines, next steps, and lots of areas that seemingly need my attention that tend to result in long hours. That's why when I have "me" time, either it on a business flight or a moment to myself at home, I enjoy delving into a good book. Here's my dilemma: I dislike trying to FIND good books to read. It's much more effortless receiving suggestions, such as this piece recommended by my mother's book club: Freedom by Jonathan Frazen. It's true it was recommended because the plot is mostly based in an area where I used to live; however, I'm a sucker for love triangles coupled with a great story. I would recommend reading this one and if you have any suggestions, please fill me in!