This quick and spicy pasta dish is reputed to have originated with ladies of the evening, after their work was done. It’s a nice pasta dish for a hot day, since the sauce is fresh, and just tossed with the hot pasta. Also, eating spicy foods on a hot day is supposed to help you feel cooler (we’re not sure about that, but this is a tasty way to find out!).
The anchovies are optional, if you prefer a vegan version.
~*~ ~*~ ~*~ Pasta Puttanesca Blue * Serves 6
5-6 cups fresh tomatoes, peeled, seeded and crushed (or use two 28-ounce cans Italian tomatoes, drained and crushed)
1 Tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
1 teaspoon dried hot red pepper flakes
1-1/2 Tablespoons capers, drained and rinsed
3 Tablespoons Kalamata or oil-cured olives, pitted and chopped
1 Tablespoon garlic, minced
2 Tablespoons fresh basil leaves, minced
4 anchovy fillets, minced (optional)
1 pound dried penne pasta
3/4 cup soy or rice parmesan
In a large bowl, combine the tomatoes, olive oil, red pepper flakes, capers, olives, garlic and basil. Let stand at room temperature for 1 hour.
Cook the pasta in rapidly boiling water until al dente. Drain well. Toss the hot pasta with the tomato mixture. Top with soy or rice parmesan and serve immediately.
The Rrazz Room
at Hotel Nikko
222 Mason Street (at Ellis)
San Francisco, CA
Fri-Sun, Aug 6-8, 7 PM
Tickets: $40
866.468.3399 or check online
Marilu Henner is one of our most energetic actresses. She has shined on stage, brilliantly reviewed in Broadway’s hit musical Chicago. She has starred in the long running Emmy-winning comedy series Taxi (nominated for 5 Golden Globes as Best Actress) and Evening Shade. MARILU returned to the movie screen with Jim Carrey in the critically acclaimed movie Man on the Moon. Her book, “Marilu Henner’s Total Health Makeover” reached the New York Times Best Seller List. In it, MARILU shares the knowledge and discipline that she has gathered to maintain one of the most energetic and concentration-demanding schedules in show business. Whatever health books you come across by Marilu Henner, be sure to buy them. Whatever advice she’s giving in them, it sure works, as she, herself, demonstrates in her cabaret debut. She was a bundle of energy that never seemed to let down. Her opening number, “Zip,” featured special additional lyrics by her brother, Lorin Henner, loaded with contemporary cultural references from David Sedaris to Anna Faris.
Her appearance at the Gardenia was particularly appropriate for her, as she described how she used to drive past the club on her way to Paramount to film the TV series Taxi, and thinking about wanting to play there. The show followed a biographical path and the fact that a large flat screen television was in position behind her could have meant an ego-driven journey through her career highlights. Instead, it served to offer up an opportunity for her to deliver some self-deprecating humor, as she showed a selection of early career moments as well as a hilarious mix of suggestive talk show appearances.
Always in command of her voice, she shined on both belt and pop numbers. Her early career as a body part model served to provide a forum for a body part medley, including “Gonna Wash That Man Right Outta My Hair,” “Cheek to Cheek,” and “Redneck Woman.” If you see this Taxi driver in your neighborhood, be sure to flag her down, as she will give you a helluva ride.
Does your neck get “tight” staring at a computer all day?
Do your muscles ache after a busy work day?
Have you worn heels so long your legs hurt when you wear flats?
Are your movements so routine that any extreme movement leads to pain?
Then you need to get loose and s-t-r-e-t-c-h!
No matter what exercise you do, stretching is important at the end of your workout. There are great stretching routines on most exercise DVDs, and you can always choose a simple yoga or tai chi routine to end your workout.
Now get moving!
And then s-t-r-e-t-c-h it out when you’re done.
Vegetable-based supplements (like powdered green drinks) and water with added vitamins have become a big business. They’re everywhere, and their labels are loaded with health claims.
Before you spend money on those products, remember (because you do already know this) that no single supplement can replicate all the healthy components found in a variety of whole plant foods.
Vegetables, fruits, whole grains and legumes are packed with lots of healthful substances beyond vitamins, such as fiber, minerals and cancer-protective phytochemicals. Increasing your fruits and veggies can be almost as simple as popping a pill, be a lot more satisfying and is far more beneficial.
To get at least 5 servings a day (and really – you can get to at least 8 pretty easily) try these ideas. You won’t need to buy a special drink if you eat your vitamins the way nature packaged them – in food.
Add vitamin-rich veggies, like bell peppers, broccoli, carrots, tomatoes and spinach to salads, stir-fries, and soups.
Add cooked, pureed pumpkin or sweet potato to soups or stews as a thickener.
Take a bowl of fresh fruit to work each week (apples, pears, bananas, oranges) and snack from that instead of the candy dish or vending machine.
Pack raisins and other dried fruits, or dried fruit and raw nut mixes, in your purse, briefcase or backpack to keep you fueled with healthy foods.
Add shredded or finely chopped veggies to turkey or bean burgers, “meat”loaf or “meat”balls.
Serve fruit for dessert.
One supplement you may not get from a plant-based diet is B12, which is required for healthy nerves and blood. Get it in a multivitamin, B12 supplement or fortified cereals or soymilk, and some brands of nutritional yeast.
Loads of vegan recipes and info about vegan living! Download and print recipes, and get more recipes in class. Get help converting your favorite recipes to delicious vegan versions.
You don’t have to be a vegan to take this class!
This is the place to ask your questions and get real answers from real people who have chosen veganism. Join Jan and Kyra and learn what it means to be a vegan, making the transition to veganism, living in a “mixed” (animal-free and animal-eating) family, and the challenges and rewards of being vegan.
Classes at Marilu.com are available free to all members. Just check your inbox on Monday for your daily email, log in to Marilu.com and get to class on the message boards. There’s even a handy class page with all the resources and links you’ll need for class. Not a member? Sign up now and get a free class (sometimes two!) every month.
If it’s older than 4 months, it’s time for a new one. Another option is to boil your toothbrush for 10 minutes to kill off the bacteria – but the bristles don’t last too much longer than 6 months anyway. Remember to switch out all the toothbrushes in the house.
When was the last time you flossed?
Why do we skip this simple step to better teeth? It’s so easy to floss, and it takes very little time. Flossing helps get rid of food particles between your teeth, and it also strengthens your gums.
As we prepare for our next online class – Viva la Vegan! (class starts in a week!) – we’d like to offer this deliciously spicy and protein-packed vegan salad. Make it early in the day so it gets a chance to marinate a bit.
Take it to picnics and potlucks where it will be devoured. The salad does not need to stay refrigerated – pack it cold, and it will be fine as it warms up.
Quinoa is very high in protein, and offers all 8 essential amino acids (complete nutritional protein). Black beans and sunflower seeds add more protein.
When fresh tomatoes are in season, we like to add a seeded and diced fresh tomato to the salad.
Chipotle peppers in adobo sauce are sold in small cans in the Mexican food section of your grocery store. Make the salad with just one pepper the first time, and if you want more heat the second time, then add another half pepper. Freeze the remaining peppers in the adobo sauce in a freezer-weight zipper bag (squish out the air and flatten the bag). It’s really easy to break or cut off a pepper while it’s frozen. Now you’ll have chipotles in adobo the next time you need them.
~*~ ~*~ ~*~ Quinoa and Black Bean Salad Green * Serves 8-12
2 cups quinoa, rinsed really well under running water
1/4 raw sunflower seeds
1 chipotle pepper in adobe sauce (comes in a small can)
2 marinated sun-dried tomatoes
4 cloves garlic, minced
1/8 teaspoon ground cumin
1/8 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon sea salt
1/3 cup olive oil
1-15 ounce can black beans, rinsed and drained
1/3 cup chopped cilantro
In a medium saucepan, combine quinoa, 4 cups water and pinch of salt. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce heat and simmer until most water has been absorbed, 10 minutes. Remove from heat and let stand 5 minutes. Fluff with fork and let cool.
In a small skillet, toast sunflower seeds over medium-high heat until lightly golden, about 5 minutes. Set aside to cool.
In a food processor, combine chipotle pepper with 1 Tablespoon adobe sauce, tomatoes, garlic, cumin, cinnamon and salt and process until smooth. With machine running, slowly add oil through fee tube and process until blended.
In a large bowl, combine beans and quinoa, sunflower seeds and cilantro. Add dressing and toss to mix. Cover and refrigerate, allowing the salad to marinate for an hour or two before serving.
We love this song – it’s beautiful music and it’s great for stretching or cool-down or meditation. It also reminds us of the years we lived in very rural America, where there were no fireworks on the Fourth of July, and our celebration was with public television.
Take a moment today to remember the gifts or blessings you’ve been given – your life, your health, your family, your friends, your attitude, your character, your strengths (and weaknesses). Meditate. Reflect. Appreciate. Enjoy.
Fiber is only found in plant foods. That’s why vegetarians, and especially vegans, often have a high fiber intake – which is a good thing.
Fiber provides many benefits, including cancer prevention, lower rates of heart disease, diabetes and obesity.
There are two types of fiber: soluble and insoluble. It’s best to have both kinds in your diet, but most foods contain both kinds, so it’s easy to do. Fiber type isn’t noted on food labels or recommendations, so just eat from both categories, and you’ll be fine.
Insoluble fiber * Not readily metabolized in your intestines and does not easily dissolve in water. It increases fecal bulk, and decreases intestinal transit time. Good sources * all plants, especially vegetables, wheat, wheat bran, rye and rice.
Soluble fiber * Dissolves or swells in water and is readily metabolized in your intestines. Helps lower cholesterol and slow gastric emptying time (makes you feel full longer). Good sources * beans, fruits, oats, guar gum, locust bean gum.
Most health authorities recommend 25-35 grams of fiber per day as a minimum. The average American eats 14-15 grams/day – and vegetarians get 2-3 times that.
Examples of fiber content (1 serving is generally 1/2 cup)
