A Dish Popeye Would Love

Spaghetti with Creamy Spinach Sauce

8 ounces whole-wheat spaghetti
2 1/2 tsp olive oil
1 large onion, chopped
2 garlic gloves, minced
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
8 ounces fresh baby spinach
1 1/4 cups fat-free ricotta cheese

1. Cook the pasta according to package directions, omitting the salt if desired; drain, reserving 1/2 cup of the cooking water. Transfer the spaghetti to a large bowl and keep warm.

2. Meanwhile, heat the oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat; add the onion, garlic, salt, and pepper. Cook, stirring often, until the onion is tender, 6-8 minutes. Add the spinach, in batches, if necessary and cook, stirring constantly, until the spinach is wilted, 2-3 minutes. Add the spinach mixture and the ricotta to the spaghetti, toss to coat, adding the reserved pasta cooking water as needed to make a creamy sauce.

Per Serving Nutritional Info: (1 3/4 cups) 321 calories, 4 g fat, 1 g sat fat, 0 g trans fat, 13 mg chol, 468 mg sodium, 58 g carbs, 11 g fiber, 16 g protein, 200 mg calcium.

*instead of the baby spinach, you can use an equal amount of regular spinach. Remove the tough stems and coarsely chop before adding it to the skillet. You can also add mushrooms, or other vegetables according to taste.

Monthly Review

How was everyone's month? I hope you have been doing well, but if not, keep at it. I would love to hear your stories and what is working and what challenges you are having. Please post them so we can all share how we are doing. Even if you are in tip-top shape (hmm, Dallin & Darin) please share what you are doing to look so good. You two are such an inspiration!

I wanted to post my results for January and my February goals so I can be motivated to keep going. I loved the running challenge that I did over the holidays (mid-November to New Years) by running a marathon's worth of miles during the break. Check! I reached my goal and I think a little bit more. So that was great and I lost weight over the holidays (3 pounds to be exact). In January I challenged myself to do this same amount of miles in less time. Check! I ran 27 miles during the month of January. And now, I have to go buy some new jeans, because mine don't fit anymore. Dang it!

So February is much of the same, but I am raising the mileage. I am going to try and do 30 miles by the end of the month. That is more miles and less month. I will have to work a bit harder, I'm afraid! Also, I am committing to 3 races in the upcoming year: a 5k in March, a 10k in May and a 1/2 marathon in November. Can you say crazy? Oh it would be such a day if I could do such a challenge.

Here's hoping you have a great February. Give yourself some love this month by making health and fitness a higher priority.