2012: let's gain a lot!

No, this is not my open invitation to you all to just let loose and eat cheese doodles all year and not give a crap about resolutions. However, I think we all need to nip resolutions in the bud and quit the nasty habit. Did you actually complete your resolutions from last year? Yeah, didn't think so. (if you did, you are not human...) 

The recent campaign for Special K Challenge (Kellogg's I know, evil corporations but hear me out) asks us what we want to GAIN this year. Gain? Last time I turned on the TV or opened a magazine GAIN was a negative word in the getting fit dictionary. But I like it.

So, for the sake of at least setting some goals, 

let's talk about what we want to GAIN in 2012:

self-confidence
self-awareness

a healthy appetite

energy

That's enough for now, let's not get ahead of ourselves. But the next step is how we're going to gain these things.  We can makes list until we are blue in the face. But it's just a list.

SELF-CONFIDENCE
Stop giving a shit about what other people think. Most people are only thinking of themselves  (unless they are Buddhists, and that means they are only thinking good things) so what makes you think they are actually thinking about the color of your socks, the size of your ass or what you're eating for lunch? The selfish bastards. Let your freak flag fly high!

SELF-AWARENESS
Wake-up. Realize what is happening around you. I know, I'm being vague on this one but if you are like me and a truth-seeker you know what I'm getting at and I don't have to go on a rant . Just be aware of what you are being told, look for the truth (don't be fed it) and always go with your gut!

A HEALTHY APPETITE
Give your body what it needs to survive and make it tasty. Any good nutrition book will tell you what nutrients, vitamins, and minerals we need to survive. So just find one and make dishes that include these valuable sources. If it tastes too healthy that's your problem. Healthy food tastes great. Or you are a bad cook!

ENERGY
Get up. No need to run a marathon or do so much hot yoga that you pass out. You can... but for now, just get up. 

Ok I'm done, and with that I'll leave you my recipe for a Seafood Pasta!

What you'll need for 5-7 (hungry) people:
1 pound peeled shrimp
1 pound bay scallops
(always get wild fish, never Farmed... self-awareness)

1 onion, minced
3 garlic cloves, minced

2 bay leaves

1 tsp oregano

1 tsp red pepper flakes
1/4 cup olive oil

1 cup white wine
4 tablespoons butter

6 plum tomatoes, diced

1 individual packet raw sugar

1 box whole wheat or spinach linguini

1/2 cup chopped italian parsley
1/2 cup chopped basil

What you'll do:

In a large sauce pan heat oil and 2 tablespoons butter. Add onions. and little salt  and pepper to soften. Cook for 4 minutes. Add garlic, bay leaves, pepper flakes and oregano. Cook 2 minutes. Add wine. Cook for 3 minutes. Add tomatoes. Cook another 4 minutes until it gets nice and saucy. Add sugar and stir to dissolve. This sauce should simmer for a good 10-15 minutes more to cook off alcohol and develop flavors. Meanwhile, cook the pasta. Now add fish to sauce. Stir to coat and cook the fish in all juices. Shrimp will turn pink when cooked, the scallops will be whiter. Reserve 1 cup pasta water before draining. In a large serving dish add pasta and melt in remaining 2 tbsp butter. When fish is cooked pour the fish and sauce over the pasta. Add parsley and basil leaves on top.