Before we get into the recipe this week, I read a quote that I’d like to share with all exercise and/or running enthusiasts. This says it so well for me, how about you?
Workouts are like brushing my teeth; I don’t think about them, I just do them. The decision has already been made. – Patti Sue Plumer (one of the most outstanding American middle and long distance runners of all time).
Great tip on Spark People the other day regarding exercising on an empty stomach. I can be guilty of this bad habit. Sometimes, if your body lets you get away with something you tend to take advantage of it. That’s why I don’t always eat before exercising and with as much as I do, that’s not healthy.
Here is the info. from Spark regarding exercising on empty:
Question: I heard that when you exercise on an empty stomach (such as first thing in the morning) you’ll burn more fat. Is this true?
Expert Answer:
In the morning, your body has gone 8+ hours since eating or drinking anything. Your blood sugar levels are lower at this point, and your body doesn’t have adequate fuel to workout optimally. Usually, experts recommend eating something–even if it’s just a small snack–within 2 hours before working out. When your body doesn’t have proper fuel in it, many problems can result, the lesser being that your workout performance suffers, and the greater being something like passing out during exercise.
However, every body is different. Some people can workout on an empty stomach with no problems, while others would end up very sick and feel the negative effects of it. When I workout in the morning, I always eat (and drink) something first thing after I wake up. Usually by the time I start my workout it doesn’t hurt my stomach to exercise with a bit of food on it.
Also, I think there might have been a bit of confusion here about metabolic rates in the morning. Eating breakfast in the morning has a positive effect on your metabolism, but exercising on an empty stomach does not. Some people say that it will burn fat stores, but overall, the number of calories your burn during a workout (regardless of where they come from) is much more important. Plus, fat burns in the carbohydrate flame. This means that exercising without eating (such as after “fasting” during sleep) your body does not burn fat efficiently, or sometimes at all.
A good quick fix to start the flame burning is Vita muffins. Ever try them? Here’s a link to a try them for free:
This week’s recipe was chosen by Bri of Yoshimi vs Motherhood. Interesting blog name. It’s meatless and completely delicious.
The oven roasted tomatoes (and green, red bell pepper strips that I added) accentuate the taste of this pasta dish for a brilliant garden fresh burst of flavor.
I used whole grain penne pasta and topped each serving with a healthy dose of Parmesan cheese.
The cannellini beans were the legume of choice. One of our favorites!
The only adjustment needed next time this recipe is made will be a doubling up of the sauce mixture (roasted garlic mash, lemon juice, oil, salt and pepper). It was a bit too dry for us.
Visit Bri’s site for the recipe. It comes highly recommended!
Do you enjoy whole grain pasta as much as durum wheat semolina?
Joanne
Looks wonderful. I debated on the whole wheat pasta and decided to use up a box of regular since I have been switching to whole grain now. Yours looks great with that…instantly looks more delicious and healthy! Peppers were an inspired idea as well. So colorful and pretty!
Thanks. We enjoyed this pasta dish.
I adore whole wheat pasta! your pasta looks very very good, I’ve always hoped I would have been born in Italy, so that I could have endless access to all the yummy pasta 😉
I bet the pasta in Italy has such a different taste than what we get here. I’d love to try it.
Good morning! I love coming to your blog to see your photos. They are always so clear and colorful, unlike my dull and boring ones. I liked that you added some peppers to yours. It was a very good dish although I agree it needed just a tiny bit of something something for a bit more flavor. I hope you have a wonderful and safe 4th of July weekend!!
Thanks Peggy. Happy 4th weekend to you too – have fun at the lake.
Thanks for cooking along with me this week! Your dish looks delicious; I love the addition of the peppers, and the lemon slices as garnish were too cute!
My blog’s name confuses many! Yoshimi is actually a reference to a Flaming Lips song that my hubby and I listened to a lot before we were married, so it holds a special significance for us.
Oh, and we love whole wheat and whole grain pastas around here! My family is so used to it I don’t even think they realize they’re eating healthier!
I couldn’t have missed making this delicious pasta dish. It was excellent. Great pick.
This is really a beautiful dish and a tasty one. I think it wins based on simplicity.
So right.
That is a gorgeous looking dish of pasta there! I forgot to sprinkle on the cheese and it really wasn’t missed. But I agree…next time, I would make more of that garlic and lemon sauce. Pretty tasty!
I could never forget the cheese. It goes on everything.
Oven roasted tomatoes do wonders! I love to add them to pasta salads and to spread them on lightly toasted bread. Thanks for the words on exercising on an empty stomach; I’m never super hungry when I first wake up, but I should probably make sure to eat a banana or something before my morning exercise routine.
Looks delish! good idea to add peppers.
Wonderful idea adding the peppers! I totally agree about increasing the ratio of roasted veggies to pasta and will definitely do that (as well as use your idea about the peppers) next time! Great pics.
I LOVE how you added bell peppers to the mix and a lemon on top. Fantastic presentation 😀 I agree with you, doubling the sauce would’ve made this recipe even better.