Pasta de Los Angeles Recipe from Appetite for Reduction- Or The Best Pasta Recipe in Existence

So today in my test kitchen I tried the "Pasta de los Angeles" recipe from Appetite for Reduction cookbook and I've got to say this has got to be my all-time favorite pasta recipe HANDS DOWN. I mean this stuff is DELICIOUS. The best. I could probably live off this crap. The recipe? Oh. Here it is:

Pasta de Los Angeles

8 ounces whole-wheat angel hair pasta
1 teaspoon olive oil
1 cup thinly sliced shallot
3 cloves garlic
1 jalapeno, thinly sliced
1 cup chopped fresh cilantro, plus extra for garnish
4 plum tomatoes, chopped (about 3 cups)
½ teaspoon salt
Zest and juice from 1 lime
1 (16 oz) can black beans, drained and rinsed (about 1 ½ cups)
1 bunch spinach, coarse stems removed (about 1 pound), washed well

1. Bring a covered to of salted water to boil for the pasta. Then prepare the sauce.
2. Preheat a large skillet over medium heat. Sauté the shallots, garlic and jalapeno in the oil for about 5 minutes. Stir in the cilantro and let cook for about a minute. Add the tomatoes, salt and lime zest (reserve the juice). Cover the pan and cook for 10 more minutes, stirring occasionally. The tomatoes should be nicely broke down and saucy, but some whole pieces remaining are just fine. Add the black beans.
3. By this time the water should be ready. Add the pasta and cook according to the package directions.
4. While the pasta is cooking, add the spinach to the skillet, tossing to wilt. Once everything is added, cover and cook until the spinach is cooked down, about 3 more minutes. Squeeze in the lime juice. Turn off the heat. 
5. When the pasta is ready, drain and add to the sauce. Use a pasta spoon to toss it, making sure that the pasta is well coated. Serve immediately, garnish with extra cilantro if you like.

Per serving (when serving 8): Calories 220; Fat 1.75 g (saturated 0.25 g); carbohydrates 44.5 g (fiber 9.5 g); Protein 12 g; Sodium 200 mg; Vitamin A 125%; Vitamin C 50%; Calcium 10%; Iron 22%

So here's my subs: I couldn't find shallots so I used purple onions, I couldn't find whole wheat angel hair pasta so I used whole wheat plain ole' spaghetti pasta, and I used canned plum tomatoes. I also used baby spinach. I must say I think this is one of my favorite dishes sp far and can see it being a new staple. I would consider this recipe to be restaurant worthy. I can't say enough good things about it. Make this stuff. You'll love it.

Yoglates II South Review (Highlandia Location)

So I’ve been going to Yoglates 2 South for on and off once a week for about half a year. I typically attend the 9:15 class on Mondays, and the instructor is usually the unsinkable April and she was definitely a drill instructor in a previous life- and I mean that in a good way. I came into Yogalates expecting some powderpuff pseudo-exercises, some stretching, some feel good mantras, and some rest and relaxation. What did I get? Sore muscles for a week. This surprised the heck out of me. I am a hardcore gym attendee and haven’t been sore from working out in probably a year yet this exercise class had me feeling the pain. It was a major, yet pleasant, surprise. The temperature is amped up to a grueling 250 degrees. Ok, so it’s not 250 degrees, but dang is it hot! You stretch, of course, but you also lunge, plank, squat, and perform other amazing feats of epic pain until your body is slenderized, sculpted, and exhausted, guided by the encouragement of your instructor who is simply not going to let you slack on it. You are left feeling sweaty, somewhat Superwoman-ish, and ready to take on the day. Yoglates is great for those who need something to reboot their fitness regime, want something a little different than your typical Bikram Yoga, or has become tired with the traditional fitness classes.