gather up some confidence

Spinach and Cheese Stuffed Shells

Since being home, my mom and I have been experimenting with new recipes. Both of us are wanting to change things up and we needed some "pin-spiration." I came across this recipe and it seemed like something the whole house would enjoy (it was). Served with a spring salad, these stuffed shells were delicious!

Here's what you need:  Serves 10
30 jumbo pasta shells
15 oz fresh spinach (steam until wilted and dry with paper towels and chop)
15 oz Ricotta cheese
1 large egg
1 1/2 TBSP chopped fresh basil
1 tsp chopped fresh thyme
3 C (12 oz) mozzarella cheese, finely shredded, divided
1 C (3.5 oz) Parmesan cheese, finely shredded
3 cups marinara sauce

Here's what you do:
1. Cook shells according to package instructions and preheat the oven to 375 degrees.
2. In a bowl blend the Ricotta cheese and egg, using a fork. Next, add in the basil and thyme. Then stir in 2 C mozzarella and Parmesan cheese and toss the mixture to combine. Next, mix in the prepared spinach and then season the mixture with salt and pepper to taste.
3. Spread 1/3 C pasta sauce along the bottom of a 13 x 9 inch baking dish.
4. Stuff each pasta shell with cheese mixture (about 2 TBSP each).

5. Arrange the shells in the baking dish side by side and cover shells with remaining marinara sauce.

6. Sprinkle with remiaining 1 C mozzarella cheese.

7. Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake for 30 minutes.

I was lucky there were left overs because I can't wait to have it for lunch today!

June's Resolution

This is my 6th month of resolutions and I am pretty excited I have kept it up. It gets hard to think of ideas but resolutions should be challenging and get you out of your comfort zone!

Do you get in a habit of ordering the same thing when you go out to eat? I have a "favorite" at just about each restaurant I visit regularly. I always order it because I know I will like it. Well this summer is all about trying new things for me and I think I need to start by actually experimenting with these menus I so frequently never look at. So for June my goal is, when I go out to eat, to order something from the menu that I normally wouldn't try. What can you change up?

Last month my goal was to read 3 books for fun and I did it!! I read:

If you  need something to read this summer the Divergent series and each of these short books are easy reads and hard to put down!

Resolution recap:
January: use my cell phone less
February: take Denny to the park twice a week
March: avoid eating chips
April: dress like an adult
May: read 3 pleasure books