The good life. The good life? The good life? The good life? After a series of unmentionable triumphs and disappointments over the past week, the past twelve hours have left me in a particularly contemplative mood. Rather than bombard you with my inner thoughts (this is after all a food, and not a philosophical, blog), I’ll leave you with a quote, and one of the easiest weekday dinners–ever.

First, the quote… Right before my last swimming lesson, I opened up a magazine and read this, “Set your pace. To succeed at any challenge in your life, you’ve got to tune out the noise around you–the footsteps of others (ahead and behind), distracting “advice,” doubters who tell you it can’t be done. Instead, focus on your inner voice. Setting your own goal, charting your course and trusting your instincts. Take courage, but they are the surest route to crossing your personal finish line a winner.”

This piece of advice, seeming simple, is quite profound I think. a) it only works if your inner voice is a positive, encouraging, loving voice–something I personally forget sometimes. During the grind, I can become my worst critic. Instead, I should be compassionate. b) This advice also says that when you have become your biggest cheerleader, you should trust your inner voice, rather than all of the competing messages around you. Anyhow :), I just thought I’d share, it may also speak to one of you, too!

And now, the pasta… the good life. I think pasta is the good life :D. Especially pasta that is so easy you can make it on a weekday after a long, overstimulating day of work and commuting. It’s super quick, especially if you already have roasted the peas. By the way, my original intention was to puree the peas and the cream sauce together to make a delicate, pale green sauce. But, I made this the same day as my butternut squash soup and was too lazy to wash my blender :). Hence… leaving the peas whole–which was juuuuuuuussssst fine by my tastebuds! Happy Thursday folks… just one day until the weekend!

Pasta with Roasted Peas Cream Sauce (Printable Recipe)

Ingredients:

1 tablespoon Earth Balance (or butter/margarine)

1 teaspoon olive oil

1/4 small red onion–finely diced

1 clove garlic–minced

1 tablespoon flour

2/3 cup half and half

1/3 cup Parmesan cheese

1 tablespoon gorgonzola cheese

1/2 cup roasted peas

salt

pepper

cooked pasta

Method:

*Heat oil and Earth Balance over medium low heat in a medium saucepan. Add onion and garlic. Add a pinch of salt and pepper. Cook until onion and garlic are soft. Add flour. Cook 1-2 minutes. Whisk in half and half and Parmesan cheese. When cheese is melted, remove from heat. Mix in peas and gorgonzola. Adjust seasoning. Add cooked to sauce. Voila!