IMG_0413

Winter makes me not want to leave the house.

It makes me want to curl up in bed and argue with myself about going out for a walk.  Or putting on four layers of clothing to go for a run.  Or walking five blocks to the gym.

Sometimes.  It even gives me second thoughts about going grocery shopping.

That’s when I know things have gotten bad.

IMG_0391

And yet, day after day.  Week after week.  I find myself lacing up my sneakers.  Putting on four layers of running shirts.  Telling my roommates that if I’m not back in two hours, they should probably do a sweep of Central Park.  And heading out the door.

Given that our theme for this week’s Eat.Live.Be. is “Baby, It’s Cold Outside”, I spent a fair portion of my 8 mile run on Saturday pondering how I inevitably get from Point A to Point B. Day after day.  Week after week.

And what I came up with was a whole lot of disjointed and confused thoughts.  Best presented in list format so that you can’t really tell just how disjointed and confused they are.  Here goes.

1.  Good old Catholic guilt.  It’s not just for Catholics anymore.  I know that if I don’t go to the gym or go for a run, I will inevitably just sit on my butt all day.  I will feel lazy. I will feel fat.  I will feel like I have cheated myself of that happy, inspired, post-workout glow.  And knowing just how much that guilt will ruin the rest of my day is enough to get me out the door.  ASAP.

2. Endorphin rush.  This is the positive spin on point 1 up there.  Rather than thinking about how terrible I’ll feel if I don’t go, I also remind myself of how amazing I will feel if I do go.  Whenever I come back from a run, I feel like I’m walking on air.  You can ask my roommates – I’m like an entirely different person.  You would think I had just gotten engaged.  Or had the best sex of my life.  (Neither of which, tragically, is anywhere close to coming true.)  I feel so good about myself.  I’ve heard it said that you never ever regret a workout and, in my experience, it’s true.  That feeling of accomplishment that I get at the end dominates any reticence I may have felt about heading out the door in the first place.  Moral of the story – just do it.

3. Tell everyone you know.  The day before I’m going to go for a long run, or if I’m going to go to an exercise class at the gym, I make sure everyone knows about it.  About sixty times in the few hours preceding my workout, I tell my roommates what time I’m going to leave, where I’ll be going, how far I’ll be going or which class I’ll be going to.  The night before, all my friends know that I won’t be drinking or going out until all hours of the night because I have a run to do.  Oh, and I tweet about it.  This holds me accountable.  Once I put it out there, it’s done.  I’m doing it.  This way, when and if someone asks me, “Oh so how was your run?”, I don’t have to hang my head in embarrassment over the fact that I was just too damn lazy to leave my room.

4. Make a schedule.  I go to the gym at approximately the same time.  Every day.  While this may make me seem boring.  Predictable.  Anal retentive.  It also means that exercising has become as intrinsic a part of my daily routine as, say, brushing my teeth.  You wouldn’t think to not brush your teeth just because you had an exam the next day, right?  Same goes for me and going to the gym.  It is just something that I do.  Every day.  No matter what.

I hope you guys found this helpful, and if you have any other tips you’d like to share with how you manage to stay in shape or eat healthy even with the winter dragging you down, feel free to post about it and link up here, or write about it in the comments!

Next week we are going to be writing about our biggest challenges and how we are tackling them, so get thinking and stay tuned.

And feel free to check out the other Eat.Live.Be. blogs to see how they keep themselves motivated!

IMG_0426

Now for the food.  I think we can all agree that summer produce makes us all want to eat better.  The farmer’s markets are filled with color and vibrancy.  There are peppers, heirloom tomatoes, eggplant, zucchini.  It is a veritable rainbow of health and goodness.

Winter, on the other hand?  Eh, not so much.  Root veggies, while delicious, are not the prettiest things to look at.  And so they just don’t feel as inspirational.  Which may or may not be why so many of us crave good old meat and potato dishes at this time of year.  That’s fine, of course, every once in a while.  But you still need to get a little color into your plates.

One of my favorite ways to eat the rainbow during the winter months is to eat greens.  Kale, swiss chard, collards – all of these are beautifully in season at the moment.  Swiss chard happens to be my current favorite as it is a little less bitter than collards and a bit lighter than kale, which is why when I saw this recipe for pasta with ruby chard in one of my cookbooks, I knew that I was going to have to make it.  Simple though it may seem, the red pepper flakes and the tart cranberries give it just enough spice and pizazz to make you want to keep eating it.  And, you know.  The ridiculously high amounts of vitamin A, along with the knowledge that you are doing something so ridiculously good for your body?  They don’t hurt either.

IMG_0399

Pasta with Ruby Chard and Cranberries
Serves 4-6, adapted from Moosewood Restaurant Cooking For Health 

1/2 cup dried cranberries
1 lb chunky-shaped whole grain pasta
3 bunches ruby or red swiss chard (1.5-2 lb)
2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
4 garlic cloves, minced
1 tsp salt
red pepper flakes
1/4 cup chopped toasted walnuts
1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese

1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.  When it comes to a rapid boil, ladle a few tbsp of it into a bowl.  Add the dried cranberries and set aside to soak.  Cook the pasta until al dente and drain.

2. While the water heats, rinse the chard and remove the bottom 1/2 inch of the stems.  Discard.  Cut the remaining stems crosswise into 1/2 inch slices and set aside.  Chop the leaves.  Set aside.

3. While the pasta cooks, warm the oil in a large soup pot on high heat.  Add the chard stems and saute for a minute.  Add the garlic and the chard leaves and cook, uncovered, stirring often, until the chard is limp but the leaves are still bright green, about 5 minutes.  Stir in the salt.  Add a sprinkling of black peper and red pepper flakes to taste.

4. Drain the soaked cranberries.  Divide the pasta into serving bowls and top with the garlicky chard, plump hot cranberries, and toasted walnuts.  Sprinkle with parmesan cheese.

I am submitting this to Presto Pasta Nights, which is being hosted by the lovely and wonderful Heather of Girlichef!  And to the Hearth and Soul Blog Hop!  And to Meatless Mondays hosted over at My Sweet and Savory!

IMG_0421

You are reading this post on Eats Well With Others at https://joanne-eatswellwithothers.com. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to the author and or owner of Eats Well With Others. All rights reserved by Joanne Bruno.
blog_share_subscribe
Share →

114 Responses to Pasta with Ruby Chard and Cranberries…Eat.Live.Be. for a Better 2011!

  1. Those are definitely great gym motivators! I really do feel significantly better mood-wise on days I workout. Sometimes remembering that helps, sometimes at 5:45 when my alarm goes off I am too tired to remember that fact!

  2. Barbara says:

    I hate the gym. But I go. I hate eating healthy. But I try. I hate dieting. But I’m on one at the moment. It’s a bitch to get old. Your metabolism takes a hike for one thing.
    After looking around at my friends, we are all better off mentally for having worked out. Stronger too. Keep it up, girl. Even when you don’t want to.

  3. No chard in my stores but I do have spinach which might substitute well. I can see that will be successful in all of your goals Joanne.

  4. The Moosewood cookbook is great!! I am impressed with your greens consumption– I have to step it up!!

  5. It’s great that you go out for a run despite the cold weather. I totally understand the guilt part.

    Delicious pasta, Joanne!

  6. janet says:

    Ooh, beautiful pasta, Joanne. I have tried 2 recipes from that cookbook, and love it so far! I haven’t yet tried chard, but it is on my to-do list. 🙂

  7. These ruby chard look gorgeous, and by reading your post I actually feel like going to the gym tonight (it’s been days… ahhemm, weeks, that I haven’t done so…)

  8. Little Inbox says:

    I never see this type of veggie here. Nice to share with PPN. It’s the PPN of new year.

  9. I’m too tired to eat after reading your post; however, I’ve “bookmarked” this good recipe for making after I rest for a spell.

    Best,
    Bonnie

  10. Mmm your tips are great, Jo! I think I’m going to try and force myself to go to the gym today. Eating healthy is really my biggest issue. I’m not noshing on french fries all day by any means but cutting the calories is the hardest part for me. Perhaps not with a pasta dish like this! Beautiful!

  11. Big Dude says:

    You are definitely my health heroine, doing all the things I should be doing. I’m always amazed at the dishes you come up with – pasta and greens I could have gotten to, but would never have thought of the cranberries. The dish is beautiful.

  12. Amy says:

    Something else that helps with exercise? Having a really awesome dumb show to watch while on the treadmill. Like LOST reruns. That motivates me. And when all else fails, I tell people I’m going to make cookies the next day. I like being held accountable in that way too.

    I absolutely love spinach. Love. But I’ve never been sold on Kale, swiss chard, or collards. Now I know the problem…I need YOU to cook them for me.

  13. Looking at your list of motivations depresses me. It reminds me of how down right lazy I am…and not even just in the winter. Let’s face it, I’m a waste of exercise space.

    On the other hand, your pasta looks amazing. I’m not a huge fan of collards, but this combo of ingredients makes me want to dive right in.

  14. The Moosewood cookbook was one of the very first cookbooks my mother-in-law ever bought me! Love mine!

  15. I have been logging my treadmill miles! My goal is 15 miles a week (I know that doesn’t touch the miles you run) but for me I think it’s a realistic goal and keeping track of them keeps my honest! 🙂

    This dish is stunning! I really love this one!

  16. great, great, great post, my dear. i agree: making a schedule is key!

    xo Alison

  17. Eden says:

    I thought the guilt was purely a jewish thing! I suppose its good to know its an equal opportunity curse! I dont know what planet your from, but where I from, sitting on your butt all day IS exercise! 😉

  18. Terrific post and fantastic dish…I have a large amount of rainbow chard growing in my garden, even after I gave a ton away…This looks delicious 🙂

  19. Swathi says:

    Love all the healthy ingredients, it makes the pasta more delicious and healthy.

  20. Faith says:

    Joanne, I seriously think we could be long-lost sisters or something! Lol, I know what you mean about wanting to stay inside in the winter — and yesterday I actually convinced myself that I could make it a couple days longer without a trip to the grocery store! Another similarity…I just made a similar pasta dish, but with beet greens (it also had walnuts and Parmesan though). This looks fantastic with the chard, I’ll have to try it!

  21. Hannah says:

    Gorgeous leafy greens! Chard is usually not one I pick up, but now I want to give it another try. I’ve been going pretty heavy on the kale lately, so it wouldn’t hurt to switch things up. Plus, pairing greens with pasta = fast, fool-proof meal, perfect for any day.

  22. Its awesome that you maintain a work out schedule even through bad weather and busy times, but girlfrien, you shouldn’t feel guilty if you miss a workout! It is perfectly healthy, normal, and natural to not work out every single day. Bodies need to rest and recover! I adore your blog and I hope you don’t take my 2 cents the wrong way! Your rules, guilt, and strictness just didn’t sit well with my idea of having a healthy relationship with exercise and your body, ya know?
    And beautiful recipe, as per usual!

  23. Mary says:

    You have a gift for making healthy but neglected ingredients seem appealing. I really like this recipe and your pictures are terrific. Have a great day. Blessings…Mary

  24. nico. says:

    This really is impressively colorful for a winter dish! And it sounds very tasty too.

  25. marla says:

    Love all the sweet, savory and health you share here! This pasta is colorful & gorgeous – my kinda meal girl! xo

  26. Martha (MM) says:

    How yummy and so healthy too! I ‘ll make this for me and make those delicious cookie dough truffles for the kids – ok maybe I’ll just have one… or two 🙂

  27. Those are really, really excellent tips on keeping up w a work out routine! Telling people is an excellent idea, It totally works for me. I’m giving you a huge cyber-blogger pat on the back for sticking w your running in the freezing temps! Yeeesh, I have no excuses here in Phoenix….
    p.s.
    What’s Eat.Live.Be??? I’ll have to look into this!
    p.s.s. I came here because I’m writing my grocery list and am so exited to make this recipe tomorow! thx 4 sharing!

  28. Katerina says:

    I am such a lazy person. When at school I was always trying to find excuses to avoid gymnastics. I feel such an admiration for all of you who are desciplined and work out daily. I love this green pasta. It goes perfectly with the work out and healthy eating concept.

  29. It’s the guilt that gets me going every time, I have to say! 🙂

    That ruby chard is so pretty, I can’t find them so pretty here! 🙁

    ?
    Camila F.

  30. Greens are definitely the best part of winter produce! They are so versatile and make any dish nutritious. This pasta sounds so delicious and healthy… can’t wait to try it!

  31. I totally agree with the tell everyone about it. Otherwise it is so easy to just slink away and deny you ever intended to do it.

    I’ve never done chard before but this looks good! I LOVE cranberries! Thanks!

  32. I just got back from the gym. When I go – I have a GREAT day and live my life with a greater joie de vivre! I eat better. I think better. You chose a great cookbook for this lifestyle focus.
    🙂
    Valerie

  33. i am all about twitter-accountability for health/ wellness goals. it really works! i mean, i don’t know 90% of my twitter followers, but a promise is a promise after all. am i right?!

  34. Sarah Caron says:

    I so agree about the accountability of using Twitter/Facebook/IM/etc. It’s hard to blow off a workout when you’ve made a huge deal out of it. You know?

  35. As an OCD Catholic boy who loves Swiss chard and has a four mile run ahead of him which he can’t wait to finish so he can immediately post it to Facebook via his Nike GPS app, I think you and I need to get married. P.S. I’m a homosexual hope that’s ok – Gary

  36. Kristin says:

    I love that there are cranberries in this! This looks delicious and really healthy. I cannot wait to give it a try.

  37. This is a wonderful pasta dish! And so is your photography…makes me salivate!

  38. This is a such a wonderful recipe for pasta.Love the green chard and cranberry combo.Your pics are so amazing.

  39. Dawn says:

    I had to laugh because I have that good old Catholic guilt too. I’m loving the Eat Live Be thing! This pasta looks wonderful. I have some kale I need to cook up. I was thinking golden raisins but cranberries would be really good too….hmm….

  40. OohLookBel says:

    I think it’s great that you exercise in cold weather. I start, then stop when it’s too cold, or too hot, or too humid… Love this recipe, too, as the chard looks incredibly healthy and delicious. Also love the spotted placemat in the first pic 🙂

  41. MaryMoh says:

    Joanne, your discipline to exercise is truly inspirational. I’m so glad I went for 3 hours badminton just now. Just came back and so happy to read your post to know that I had done the right thing. Otherwise I would have felt so guilty for staying in…haha. Love your pasta dish here. The vegetables look so fresh and healthy.

  42. Juliana says:

    Joanne, what a nice pasta…colorful, tasty and so healthy 🙂 Love the idea of cranberries in it.

  43. Pierce says:

    You are a real motivator! I may want in on this blog hop 🙂 The food, as always, is amazingly tempting.

  44. Looks sooooooooooooooooo good!

  45. Hahaha! I do the same thing! I try to make sure that people know that I’m going to the gym or out for a run… otherwise, it’s so easy to just go home and sit on your butt all night. 🙂

    This recipe is just the kind of thing I’d make for dinner. Great post!

  46. Julie says:

    great dish! your dishes ALWAYS make me want pasta haha but i really suck at pasta so i’ll leave that up to you 🙂

  47. Kat says:

    Beautiful! Wow. The only thing I’d change is the walnuts. I’m not their biggest fan. Sliced almonds, maybe?

  48. Claudia says:

    My challenge has been the cold and not going to the gym. Not wanting to put on five layers of clothes for a thin layer of clothing at the gym and then shower and put on five layers for clothing to go back home. I seem to spend more time dressing than exercising.

    Now your greens – yes, definitely will do that. It is inviting,comforting and does not derail me!

  49. gotnomilk says:

    Looks and sounds delicious.

  50. Reeni says:

    I work out at the same time every day too! And use the same ‘mind’ talk telling myself how good and proud I’ll feel when it’s done and how much I hate living with the regret that will plague me for the rest of the day! I love this colorful green and red pasta, it’s such a hearty and healthy dish. Love the Moosewood cookbooks too.

  51. elra says:

    I love Swiss chard, and I can eat lot’s of this high fiber vegetable. Pairing this with pasta sounds really superb.

  52. Claire says:

    I love greens but I’ve never had chard. Maybe I should try!

  53. aipi says:

    Looks simple, healthy ad delicious….yum. I love it.

    US Masala

  54. Johanna GGG says:

    lovely colourful pics to bring a bit of cheer into your winter – I actually hated chard (or silverbeet as we called it so it sounded too like silverfish) when I was a kid – I admire your love of it – I enjoy it not but can’t embrace it like you!

    Great little summary of what keeps you running – you really need a comic line like – I leave just as the jehovah’s witnesses are arriving! ha ha

  55. Sarah says:

    Not only do I love the blog and recipe, but I love the Mister Linky Magical Widget. Where did you get it?

  56. I love the idea of “Tell everyone you know – holding yourself accountable” 😉

  57. Wow, an 8-mile run! Good for you! I’ve never been a runner (bad knees), but I’m trying to force myself to do yoga every day =). The chard looks fabulous…I always forget about chard! That might be on the menu this week.

  58. I love chard. I love pasta. This is a winning dish, no doubt. I can’t help but say I’m so thankful to live in California, where it was 71 degrees today and I went swimming. Yeah, it’s like that. Sorry. My motivation, as you know, is to show my doc that I won’t need meds to control my blood sugar. I got to the gym at the same time, every other day. Even if I don’t feel like it, I go and workout for at least 30 minutes. I don’t want to break the habit. My reward is that I’m digging out jeans that I’ve had tucked way back in the closet. I need to eat more greens though. Definitely.

  59. Shannon says:

    i always go for kale, but really should choose swiss chard more 🙂 this looks like a wonderful dish!

  60. The ruby chard is sure pretty! The pasta sounds excellent with it and I also love the dried cranberries here.

  61. sweetlife says:

    catholic guilt can really get you down, oh goodness…i need to tweak my schedule..my girls there so rude..to need constant attention, lol ..chard is amazing a perfect pick me up veggie, after all those miles!

    sweetlife

  62. Ha ha, our winters are not cold at all , ok slight nip in the air, and i actually miss real winters:-)lol!
    Oh yeah the rush and the flush and good skin that stays that way the whole day is reason enuf {ok jus for a min , i forget the bad skin days ok:-)}
    Pasta with chard is a delicous way to get all those greens and health in:-)

  63. theUngourmet says:

    Okay, first of all…I suck! What I need is a good dose of guilt to get me off of my lazy butt! I also have to admit that I bought a great big bunch of delicious kale the other day and then never got it into a recipe and so into the garbage it went. Ugh! Winter gets me down…makes me want to hibernate! I need some motivation!

    Good for you for getting out there day after day for your runs!

    Your pasta is rockin’! The chard adds such a nice punch of color and goodness. Nice!

  64. Stripwis says:

    Gorgeous and probably delicious! I love greens. The only thing I’d add is onions-caramelize them before sauteeing the stems. Caramelized onions elevate greens to heavenly status.

  65. tigerfish says:

    On the same note, I just do not want to be out of the house during winter too!

  66. Jessie says:

    I like motivator #2 the best, but I think motivator #3 would actually get me off my butt and out the door. Who says I don’t care what people think? 😉 While root veggies are wonderful at this time of year (especially the 20 lbs of squash I’m going to secretly leave on your doorstep), I find myself craving greens, too. I actually have a bunch of rainbow chard in the fridge. No cranberries, but I do have a heap of dried cherries – perhaps that would work?

    Here’s to braving the cold! 🙂

  67. Lea Ann says:

    I refuse to go to the gym the first few weeks of Jan. I’ll be back at it as soon as the New Year’s Resolution folks have given up.

  68. Tasha says:

    With that delightful combination of ingredients, this couldn’t be any thing less than fantastic. I love the cranberries in it!

  69. Marcia says:

    brr Joanne. It was 80 degrees here yesterday. Just saying.

    I just had chard myself (with bacon). Not sure about the cranberries…

  70. teresa says:

    i know what you mean about that post-workout high. i love that feeling, i get so much more done after a good workout.

    i love chard, but rarely find it around here, maybe i’m just not looking in the right places. this dish looks so good, and packed with such good stuff!

  71. Ada says:

    Thanks for the great workout motivation tips! I definitely find it exponentially more difficult to peel myself from the covers and workout during the frigid winter weather!

    Chard is such a great and under-utilized ingredient. I always see it on sale for super cheap at the grocery store, but never know what to use it in. Now I can use it in this awesome recipe!

  72. Ben says:

    Thanks Joanne for this post. It is very helpful and I’ll keep in mind your advice to keep my work out schedule. I need to feel more guilt, I’ll write in big letters “you are fat” on a piece of paper and place it in front of my desk, LOL.

  73. FireMom says:

    I don’t think my boys will eat that, and not because of the cranberries (they love them) but because of the leafy greens. Texture issues like mad over here. Sigh. It looks SO good!

  74. I have to hand it to you. There are times when nothing will get me to work out. But you are right that on those days I do, I NEVER regret having worked out. Maybe I need to print that on a laminated card for a constant reminder.

    Maybe if I ate this lovely, carb-loading pasta dish, I’d have more energy to get off my butt.

  75. Mo Diva says:

    i love the texture of chard and pasta together! And the flavors sound like the perfect combination of comfort for this shitty weather.
    I am no good when it comes to wokring out… but i like to plan my day accordingly and it helps to have dinner already made when i plan to work out so i have something to look forward to after my sweat session.

  76. Dimah says:

    Wonderful flavors, looks so delicious!

  77. I totally agree with the Catholic guilt…If by some slim chance I don’t make it to the gym one day I am ridden with guilt.

  78. Lizzy says:

    I love Chard- that looks so delicious. And I totally hear you on going to workout at the same time and telling people you know. I announced on twitter I was going to run 5X1000s for speed today and I wanted to quit at 4 but I already said I would so I had to!

  79. Victoria says:

    I love recipes that make me feel less guilty about eating pasta 🙂 Because God knows I will never cut pasta out of my diet, haha. I enjoy dark leafy greens but under-utilize them, maybe I need to get with the program!

  80. This is a delicious recipe Joanne, I need to give chard a go! Love the addition of walnuts, they’re my favourite 🙂

  81. Cara says:

    Can I just say, that is gorgeous. Can you please come to my house and make me pasta with cranberries and chard and show me how to light up my space and style my food?

    ps, bring some cookie dough too.

  82. Joanne says:

    That’s the perfect way to stay accountable: Put it out there.
    I love that dish and it comes as no surprise that it’s based on a Moosewood recipe. The best!

  83. I’ll use spinach…love the colour !

  84. I love Swiss Chard but have never tried it in pasta. What a great way to eat your greens!

  85. Megan says:

    I have to agree with your #1 motivator…since it is usually mine. Good old guilt…gets me every time. Once the snow hit, I feel like I eat spinach or kale almost every day. I love the pasta recipe with swiss chard, I will have to give it a try!

  86. vincent says:

    Hello,

    We bumped into your blog and we really liked it – great recipes YUM YUM.
    We would like to add it to the Petitchef.com.

    We would be delighted if you could add your blog to Petitchef so that our users can, as us,
    enjoy your recipes.

    Petitchef is a french based Cooking recipes Portal. Several hundred Blogs are already members
    and benefit from their exposure on Petitchef.com.

    To add your site to the Petitchef family you can use http://en.petitchef.com/?obj=front&action=site_ajout_form or just go to Petitchef.com and click on “Add your site”

    Best regards,

    Vincent
    petitchef.com

  87. girlichef says:

    Oh, I love it when you call me lovely and wonderful 😉 And I must tell you…that chard is equally…okay, probably even more…lovely and wonderful! I really do admire your devotion to running and getting to the gym. I totally suck at the willpower to exercise. You’re so right about telling people…that’s why I keep my mouth shut. Man, I’m definitely going to be taking lessons from you woman. This pasta sounds fabulous, thanks so much for sharing it w/ both the hearth and soul hop and Presto Pasta Nights this week!

  88. Patsyk says:

    Great post! I totally agree with you on remembering how good it will feel once I’ve done my run. That is huge in keeping me motivated!

  89. Meesh says:

    i got a moosewood cookbook for christmas and I haven’t delved into it yet. after seeing this, I am going to read it tonight!

  90. This post actually motivated me to get off the couch and go to the gym after 3 days of being a lazy hobo. I thank you!
    And that salad? Looks like heaven! Awesome job 🙂

  91. Debbie says:

    I have never had swiss chard before but love kale. I will have to try it. My exercise is walking…love to walk.

  92. Allison says:

    Tell me about the catholic guilt! Ugggg. This looks amazing and I want to try but, I am going to make the chocolate chip truffles this weekend they look so good!

  93. Karen says:

    This looks like it’d be good even cold!

  94. Raina says:

    Great post Joanne! Very motivating. I love your attitude! Love your list of how you keep it going too, especially the part about the Catholic guilt…lol I have plenty of that:)

    This dish looks wonderful. Swiss chard reminds me of my grandmother who makes it all the time. She would love this too:)

  95. Just got some Swiss Chard and didn’t know what to do with it…this looks like a great idea!

  96. wow what a cool use for swiss chard

  97. Catherine says:

    This is my kind of meal! I love dishes like this. Healthy and delicious, AT THE SAME TIME!
    Blessings, Catherine

  98. daphne says:

    I know exactly what u mean! Most days, once i wake up and wash up, I put on my running clothes straight away! that prompt me to do it.. NOW! LOL

  99. Shannon says:

    This is such a pretty dish.

    On my way into the gym today I stepped into about 4 inches of cold, wet, slush. That’ll definitely be on my mind when I’m gearing up to head there after work tomorrow grrrr.

  100. Julia says:

    The dish looks very wholesome, colorful, and wintery. I especially like the tips you listed. I definitely use my good old Catholic guilt to my advantage as well, although it’s never good to get into the habit of working out only when I hate myself. Thanks for the comment and thank you for posting this recipe!

  101. Monet says:

    I have a hard time mustering up motivation during the winter too. I so admire your ability to get out and run those long distances! I motivate myself to go to the gym because it is the only place I can watch TV 🙂 Thank you for sharing your tasty pasta with me. We are growing a bunch of winter greens right now, and I need all the recipes I can find! I hope you had a great day…may tomorrow be even better!

  102. I find myself going less frequently to the grocery store and substituting ingredients. It can be a hassle sometimes to go out especially when the driveway is covered with snow. Thanks for the motivational tips.

    This dish looks very pretty and colorful. It sounds healthy too!

  103. Great tips on staying on track with exercising. I still need to get off my butt and move. This pasta looks great and I adore winter greens. Here I thought I’d seen all the Moosewood books in existence and you pull out a new (to me) one. Love it.

  104. I am amazed at people who can run. I assume they are from some sort of alien stock, possibly a higher form of being.
    And the greens look great! I love the flavour combos, I usually end up doing onions, garlic and balsamic with them – this is a bright change.
    I have at least 3 Moosewood cookbooks. I keep thinking that someone should start a Moosewood Mondays initiative. You know, someone who isn’t me.. ?

  105. Miriam says:

    Ooo, I love this pasta dish aleady! Great food combinations. Miriam@Meatless Meals For Meat Eaters

  106. grace says:

    i never really know what to do with chard, but this looks delicious. i REALLY like the cranberries in there. well done.

  107. Marisa says:

    Love the added sweet hit from the cherries here. Great tips on the exercising bit too – couldn’t agree more with nr 2 – I always feel excellent (smug even?) after I’ve exercised. Which totally trumps the drudge factor of dragging myself out of bed and motivating myself to go.

  108. Melynda says:

    Love pasta and chard together, this looks wonderful. thanks.

  109. Great tips and a healthy and colorful pasta dish. Loving the cranberries.
    😉

  110. Jo jo baby, I commend you on your dedication! I seriously need a dose of that, but I used to do it too, so if you EVER have that feeling like eh, i can skip this…dont! Your chard looks lovely. I beg to differ on your assessment of winter vegetables, I find them beautiful and fecund and they are absolutely my favorite. I went to the store yesterday for some dark greens like kale, and they were out and I almost cried! Linking up my baby steps to a rockin life for this week! all the best, out to shovel my drive for some exercise! 🙂 Alex

  111. Chris says:

    WOW! That chard alone is gorgeous so you can’t go wrong using it in a sexy pasta dish.

    Wait, I’m describing food as sexy and gorgeous….I have issues.

    But it looks great:)

  112. Kankana says:

    It looks so gorgeous !

  113. We just joined a gym last week and I’m still trying out different times to figure out what works best for me. I’m a real wimp when it comes to exercising outside in freezing weather. :)That pasta dish looks great- we’re trying to do several meatless meals each week.

  114. I’ve never cooked with chard at home. This looks like the perfect way for me to start!! And I love how you tell everyone what your exercise plans are to help keep you motivated. Great idea. 🙂

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *