One of my best-received recipes was for a one-pot garlic Parmesan pasta. Since the weather is turning and I am starting to cook more..I have been looking for some easy family weeknight recipes. I came across this cheesy, Tomato pasta, and decided to give it a try. The recipe itself is rather simple but it is really tasty. I added some cheese and parley sausage that I ordered from Vincent’s Meat Market on Arthur Ave and the dish was perfection!!! I think it is going to be a weekly go-to for the next year!! Bon Appetit!
adapted from Rasa Malaysia
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 cup chopped onion
- 6 cloves garlic, minced
- 14 oz. fresh tomatoes, diced
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1 tablespoon chopped Italian basil
- 8 oz. spaghetti
- 1/4 teaspoon salt or to taste
- 1/2-1 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
- 1 tablespoon chopped Italian parsley
- 1/4 teaspoon butter
Heat oil in a wide skillet, pan or pot over medium heat. Add the onion and garlic, saute 3 minutes or until they start to brown. Add tomatoes, chicken broth, Italian basil and spaghetti.
Press the spaghetti with a spatula to submerge the pasta in the liquid. If your skillet, pan or pot is not wide enough, break the spaghetti into halves before cooking. Cover with the lid and reduce heat to medium-low. Cook for 8 minutes or until the pasta is al dente. If the pasta is not cooked after 8 minutes, add a little bit more chicken broth, cover the lid and cook for another 1 to 2 minutes.
Uncover the lid and add salt and the butter. Turn off the heat and top the pasta with Parmesan cheese and parsley. Serve immediately.
There’s nothing like making your home cozy and special for the end of fall and winter. Everyone has their own vision for how to go about this, but there are some really quick and easy ways to make your home feel a bit special in the winter months. It seems to be the main goal is to create a different feel to suit the season. A lot of people are spending more time than usual in their homes too. Coronavirus seems to be settling in again. Unfortunately, it means a lot of places, depending on where you live, might be limited right now and you and your family will be spending more time at home. Let’s try to make it the coziest it can be….
A Fresh Coat Makes All The Difference
Sometimes a home can look a little tired and dreary when all it needs is a fresh coat of paint. This can be a refresh of the same color that’s already there, or it can be a different color entirely, to match the winter mood in the house. Of course, for bigger projects speak to a professional like Barker-Whittle painters, but if it’s only one room or so you can do it yourself. Make sure you get a sample first to ensure you get the right color. It’s such a simple thing to do and will make the room look completely different even if you keep everything else exactly the same. Make sure you invest in some decent tarps to cover your furniture, especially if you’re using heavy-duty and dark color paints. You need to cover the floor too, especially if it’s carpet. One simple mistake can end up costing a lot of money.
Change Things Around
One easy way to help the home feel a bit different is by simply switching around some of the furniture. Change the focal point in the room from one wall to the other. It really does make a difference. This coupled with some new paint or decorative objects and you’re onto a winner look. All this might just mean is putting the sofa against another wall, and the TV somewhere else. A lot of people get hung up on TV placement and think they can’t move it…but consider putting the TV up high on the wall instead to give a new dynamic to the room.
Curb Appeal Makes A Difference
If you’re planning a fall./halloween display or a winter/Christmas decorations it’s a good idea to clean up the front porch. Consider using some varnish on the wood, or even sanding it down to help it look fresher. Cut the grass and clean the garden out one last time before winter sets in. It is best to do it now before it gets freezing. If you have a porch or any kind of external awning, consider repainting or repairing warped or damaged wood. Knowing your home looks great on the outside helps you to feel good on the inside.
Do you shop at H&M? I didn’t until about a year or so ago. There was never a store close enough to us. I had no idea really what to expect from this brand. I had heard really good things but not until I started shopping at the one near my parent’s house and ordering regularly online did I really discover how truly great it is. The styles really mimic all those of the high-end brands. The quality is soo great and the fit is actually pretty good. It has definitely surpassed my love for Zara lately. Unlike Zara, H&M has a wonderful return policy and the sizing is so much better. Things do sell out pretty quickly so you have to grab it when you see it but overall, H&M is a really wonderful choice for inexpensive fashion-forward styles. I looked over the current fall line and found some really good pieces…Here are a few of my favs….
When you enter many homes, you will notice that overall, they are pretty similar to one another in terms of contents. While we all have personal belongings, most properties will have similar uses for their rooms (lounges, bathrooms, bedrooms, kitchens) and similar main features (a television, shelving units, wardrobes, etc). But there’s no rule saying that this has to be the case. There’s nothing stopping you from changing up your home and adding in luxury or novelty additions that could make it better fit your needs and preferences, especially now that we are all staying home more. There are all sorts of options open to you, as long as you’re open to them! Here are a few that you might like to try out!
A Hot Tub
Hot tubs are a pure luxury. People tend to associate them with spa days. Not only are they fun, but they have health benefits. They encourage you to unwind and relax. They soothe your muscles. Plus, they’re great for entertaining! Having your friends and family over for a catch up in the hot tub is a great way to spend time with your nearest and dearest.
A Swimming Pool
Sticking with a water based theme here, why not consider a swimming pool if you have the space. The cheapest option is an outdoor pool, which can be covered over and used throughout the year (though use during warmer months is more likely). Alternatively, if you can afford to spend a bit more, you could have an indoor pool, which is slightly easier to maintain and probably will genuinely get year round use. A pool doesn’t have to be olympic sized. Instead, something that you can swim a few widths in should be sufficient. Not only is this a great home addition for health and wellbeing, as it gives you a fun and simple means of exercising without leaving your property, but it can be great for entertainment too! Who doesn’t love a pool party? Just make sure to invest in quality water pumps and ensure your pool is cleaned due to schedule.
A Cinema Room
If you have a spare room, it doesn’t necessarily have to be a guest room or an office. Instead, why not transform yours into a cinema room? This is relatively cost effective, but so few people do it! All you need is a projector, a screen and some comfortable seating. If you want to go all out, you could invest in a surround sound system. Invite your friends and family over, get the popcorn out and you’re bound to have a great time watching your favourite shows and films!
Of course, there are countless other luxury investments you can make to improve upon your home. But those listed above hold some real value! Not only can they help your home to better suit you and your wants and needs, but they could all serve to improve your social life too! So, why not give them a go? A little planning can go a long way!
I know, I know all you are hearing about is Amazon Day and you are sick of it!! BUT today is the day to debut something for ME>>>>>>>
I thought you might be interested in MY NEW page on Amazon.
https://www.amazon.com/shop/nslifestylesblog?ref=cm_sw_em_r_inf_own_nslifestylesblog_dp_rTFTTnIhDU4Jy
Here is where you can find all of my top picks in fashion, home, jewelry, seasonal decor and so much more…I have been working on it for months and I am finally ready to debut it for you!!!
Now you have one place to go to find my monthly best sellers long after the post has gone. And the best part, I will update it often so there will always be something new. In the upcoming Holiday months, I will be adding aspecial gift-giving sections that I know you will LOVE.
So check it out and let me know your thoughts!!!
Happy Columbus Day!! I hope everyone had a relaxing long weekend….If you are looking for a fun, easy read choice for your October book club, I recommend, Barbarians at the PTA by Stephanie Newman. Dr. Newman is a psychoanalyst/psychologist/author and public speaker has practiced in New York over 25 years, treating adults/adolescents and families struggling with anxiety, depression, workplace concerns and more recently Covid-19 stress.
Barbarians at the PTA is a hilarious must read, with the same sharp and witty tone of Mrs. Maisel. Here is the story:
Desperate Housewives Meets Mean Girlsin this Heartfelt and Hilarious Debut Novel about a Mother-Daughter Duo Facing Cliques, Cyberbullying, and Snobs in a Wealthy NYC Suburb
Victoria Bryant is starting over. After a rage-inducing scandal and the realization that her dreamy fiancé is faker than a faux Fendi purse, she moves her psychology practice and 10-year-old daughter, Rachel, to Mayfair Close, an idyllic Westchester, NY, suburb known for its manicured lawns and excellent schools.
The transition is initially seamless; several PTA moms befriend Victoria, her already busy practice booms, and Rachel finds a group of friends. But before anyone can say “helicopter mom,” in walks Lee DeVry. Wealthy, glamorous and perfectly toned, the PTA president is everything Victoria is not.
Vic tries to fit in with Lee and the other SUV driving, athleisure-wearing mothers. At first, she manages to balance the demands of her practice, single parenthood, and her budding romance with Jim, a handsome school administrator. All seems well until Rachel is suddenly targeted, first by the girls at school, and then by an anonymous cyberbully. As Rachel spirals, becoming isolated, playing hooky, and exhibiting signs of depression and disordered eating, Victoria vows to find out who has been messing with her daughter.
After she learns a secret that will help her rescue her child, Vic faces the ultimate dilemma: should she expose the bully publicly, despite the potential consequences to her professional reputation and relationships with Rachel and Jim? – Amazon.com
For more information or to purchase this book, click HERE. Also, Dr Newman is available to come speak to your book club via Zoom and talk about the book in detail!! I cannot wait to do this! If you are interested Email Me and I can help set it up!!