Italian Weaknesses

I expected myself to gain a tremendous amount of weight while I was here in Europe. Suprisingly, I don't believe that will happen due to walking as much as I do as well as practicing yoga and running regularly. All this was true until now. I have found myself hooked on these simple shortbread like cookies.





Inexpensive, not too sweet, little o's that tantelize anyone who tries to resist. Approach this bag of goodies with caution because there is truly no turning back. One thing I have been able to resist, but not well, is Nutella. Why is it that when one comes to Europe it's as if they have never seen it before? It's readily available in the states! Due to my new found love of these chocolate hazelnut spread, I will come back with a cute pink panther souvenir Nutella jar. Not a bad deal. Another thing... Soda, I went without it for weeks. I had stopped drinking it even before I left the states. But sometimes sometimes, unfortunately, one just gets a craving for that tangy, bubbly, not so great for you chemical concoction. I settled for an inexpensive orange soda. In comparison to sodas in the US, these are no where near as sweet. It's rather refreshing not to be overcome by some sugar rush after you take a swig.


Just the other night, Nicole and I went out to dinner before hitting the town to celebrate St. Patrick's Day. We settled on a restaurant that we had been to before for a free joint dinner with the University of Arkansas students. The food the first time was excellent. But the second was unbelievable. Nicole and I decided we had to have the plate of fried vegetables again. After splitting that, our main dishes were both pasta. Mine was incedible. I was definitely in the mood for something a little different than say spaghetti or rotini noodles, so I ordered Risotto agli Spinaci, which I'm sure all of you can figure out is spinach risotto. It was unbelievable. Something I will definitely attempt to repeat (I doubt I can even come close). But tonight will consist of the usual, pasta tossed in sauteed garlic and basil with some red pepper flakes and a little salt. I may mix it up a little bit and saute down some onions. Haven't had those beauties in a while.


A presto