Making the most of 'me root veggies

I'm loaded up with all sorts of root veggies and squashes, courtesy of Boston Organics. While I'm looking forward to summer and, with it, the bounty of rich leafy green veggies that I'll be getting, I'm doing my best not to waste any of the produce that I'm currently getting.

Last night I made a simple potato bake: chopped white potatoes, yams, carrots, squash and a yellow onion - tossed together with some olive oil and sea salt and baked. Delicious.

And this morning I mashed up the remainder and made these yummy potato pancakes. So filling and delicious on this windy, rainy and cold morning.

Cambridge's Upstairs on the Square cooks up a vegan Thanksgiving

I've already made plans to hang with great pals on Thanksgiving so, alas, I won't be attending. But for anyone looking for a scrumptious vegan option, Upstairs on the Square, a fun and funky little restaurant in Harvard Square, is doin' up a pretty fab all vegan non-turkey day.

Check out the yummified menu courtesy of chef Steve Brand:

• Roasted pumpkin soup with maple sugar swirl
• Fried sage
• Baked butternut squash with traditional pecan, apple, raisin chestnut stuffing
• Apple bourbon cranberry relish
• Chocolate fudge cookies with pumpkin mousse

Sounds fantastic!

Be thankful you're not a turkey on Thanksgiving

Love this new advocacy ad by PETA (which was just rejected by NBC). I think PETA will actually get more exposure for the ad; they're brilliantly skilled at publicizing the ads that get rejected by the major networks. So I'd expect to see more of it as we march toward Thanksgiving.

'Grace': PETA's Thanksgiving ad

Eating Animals: Caring Is Not A Zero-Sum Game

I couldn't agree more with this critique of The New York Times' recent review of Eating Animals. I'm really tired of hearing that it's impossible to care about more than one issue at the same time.

To make the argument that Safran Foer somehow undermines his own credibility by not emphasizing enough the many diseases and conditions that bedevil humans (Malaria, hunger, etc.) is to miss two very obvious points.

First, the book is principally about animal rights and the plight of the billions of animals around the world raised and killed for food each year. The fact that humans suffer and die everyday is a tragedy. We should work to reduce human suffering. But that doesn't mean the suffering of animals raised and killed for food is any less real, or any less important.

Second, animal agriculture has a direct impact on human health: from degredation of water quality in population centers located near animal agriculture to high rates of cancer and heart disease associated with consumption of too much animal protein. And the processed meats that make their way into millions of kids' lunch boxes every day are at best nutritionally bereft and, at worst, downright deadly.

It's fine to slam the book - I myself am struggling to get through the rambling narrative - but to suggest the author lacks credibility because he believes you can care passionately about the welfare of all animals (human and non-human) is, to me, ridiculous and small-minded.
Read the Article at HuffingtonPost

Boston Organics is on the way!

After much consideration I've signed up for Boston Organic's weekly delivery service. I'm really psyched about it. Given the amount of produce I consume each week - and the desire to buy organic stuff that's grown as close to Boston as possible - this seems like a really good fit.

It's $29 per week but I'd spend WAY more than that if I were to stock up on produce of equal quantity (and quality) at the dreaded Whole Foods. Signing up is simple. Just select the size of the box you want, complete your "no" list (the list of fruits/veggies that you never want to receive), add your credit card number and delivery address and - presto - fresh, organic produce delivered every week right to your door.

And you can preview what's coming by checking out the This Week's Box section. My delivery day is Tuesday (Nov. 17) and I'll post a photo when the box arrives at work. I'm already thinking about the stir-fries, scrambles and other yummies I'm gonna make this week:

$29 2/3 vegetable
2 Bosc Pears (CA)
1.5 lbs Fair Trade Bananas (Ecuador)
1 lbs Fuji Apples (VT)
2 Hamlin Oranges (FL)
1 bunch Broccoli (PA)
1 lbs Carrots (MA)
1.5 lbs Delicata Squash (MA)
0.75 lbs Mixed Summer Squash (FL)
1 bunch Red Leaf Lettuce (MA)
1 bunch Spinach (MA)
1.5 lbs Sweet Potatoes (MA)
1 lbs Yellow Onions (MA)

Dinner at The Friendly Toast

Last night I grabbed dinner and a movie with my friend Ron. We went to The Friendly Toast in Kendall Square, Cambridge. As soon as I walked in I thought, "This place is totally cool": lots of 50's era furniture, movie posters, advertisements and funky clientele and staff.

Was a bit disappointed when the waitress said they couldn't veganize the tofu scramble (what?) so I went with the Vegan Valhalla: a flour tortilla stuffed with Asian-sesame baked tofu (YUM), portobello 'shrooms, brown rice, scallions, baby spinach and tahini dressing. It was fab, really delicious and HUGE. I also got a side of home fries.

But the best part was this totally funky cocktail! I can't even remember now what's in it but it was as delicious as it was jazzy to look at.

After dinner, we saw Michael Moore's latest, Capitalism: a Love Story. Ugh. Makes me want adopt the freegan way of life (well, maybe after my new longboard skate board is delivered!).

The best salad I've had all year - bar none

I'm constantly looking for fun/healthy/inexpensive lunch options because, frankly, there's not much near my office that I really want to eat. Fortunately, the burgers I made earlier this week have been the gift that keeps on giving.

I used a couple extra burgers to make this kick-ass salad. Over a bed of organic spinach I added a chopped portobello mushroom, avocado, crumbled burger, sunflower seeds and a simple vinaigrette dressing.

Fun? Check. Healthy? Check! Inexpensive? Check!! Best of all, though, was the taste. The salad was terrific and kept me sated well into the afternoon.

Need to make another soup very, very soon ;-)

Boston Organics to the rescue?

I'm having a produce acquisition challenge.

Since I decided to swear off Whole Foods - a decision I've remained steadfastly committed to - securing high quality, locally grown (for the most part) organic produce has been a big challenge.

My switch to Trader Joe's for my weekly shopping trips has been great. I like the vibe at their stores, the variety is great and it's really inexpensive. The rub, though, is that the produce absolutely, totally sucks. Seeing broccoli wrapped in plastic just doesn't light my vegan fire.

Like, WTF? Broccoli wrapped in plastic? Gross.

A colleague recently told me about Boston Organics. Seems like a really cool service! Basically you choose the size of the delivery box that you want - the cheapest is $29 - and every week they'll deliver to your door a box full of fresh, certified organic produce. You can have an all-fruit, all-veggie or half-and-half box. Very, very cool. And it's locally grown produce whenever they can get it.

Because of the Northeast's shorter growing season, some of the produce comes from California, Mexico and South America. But my philosophy on buying local centers on pragmatism. As with all things veganism/environmentalism, you do what you can and hope you're making a difference.

What I like best about Boston Organics, however, is the company's mission and values. They're committed to composting and recycling, efficient use of fuel and responsible distribution of food. At the end of each week they distribute any remaining produce to employees and make a donation to Food for Free.

What an excellent company to support!

I haven't signed up yet - only because I need to determine if I want the box sent to my apartment or my office. It's likely going to be the office, despite the inconvenience associated with that. But I'm going to do it. It should solve the produce challenge once and for all and I love the idea of supporting this great company.

New martini glasses!

My friend John just upgraded his martini set and I've inherited 7 funky and fun martini glasses.

These look great in my cabinet. Now, of course, I need to gather the boys together for a big dinner - with a hearty cocktail hour preceding it. Thanks, John!

My sad farewell to Whole Foods

I'm furious after reading this week's Wall Street Journal op ed, authored by Whole Foods CEO John Mackay, who claims that the health care reform proposal currently underway will lead us toward socialism.

I've called my local Whole Foods to explain why I will no longer be a customer.  And I've emailed WF's corporate offices to voice my displeasure.  And I sent the following to my Facebook friends. If you feel the way I feel about health care reform then I encourage you to vote with your dollars and boycott Whole Foods!

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Friends, I'm writing to you because I believe your core values are similar to my own, and that this is information you'd want to have (if you haven't already come across it).  

Earlier this week, Whole Foods' CEO John Mackey wrote an op ed for The Wall Street Journal in which he cast the current efforts to reform our broken health care system as "...a massive new health care entitlement that will create hundreds of billions of dollars of new unfunded deficits...and move us that much closer to a complete governmental takeover of our health care system." You can read Mackey's entire op ed, along with his attempt at backpedaling, by visiting his blog: http://www2.wholefoodsmarket.com/blogs/jmackey/  

Mackey goes on to write that the promoters of reform "believe that people have an intrinsic ethical right to health care-to universal and equal access to doctors, medicines, and hospitals. While all of us can empathize with those who are sick, how can we say that all people have any more of an intrinsic right to health care than they have an intrinsic right to food, clothing, owning their own homes, a car or a personal computer?"  

I happen to believe that every single person in this country - old and young, rich and poor, urban and rural - DOES have an intrinsic ethical right to health care. My mother died last year after a long illness, saddling my father with over $1 million in medical expenses. And they HAD insurance. My father is now faced with bankruptcy as the only option for digging out of his predicament. This happens to tens of thousands of people every year. And among first world countries, this problem is wholly unique to the US.  

Mackay and others like him, who claim that a government sponsored and managed option - designed to keep private insurers in line - will push us toward socialism. Make no mistake: they are doing so only to protect their own corporate interests.  

Our system is undeniably broken. Republicans admit this - and they cry out for reform - but every single time they've had the ball (Reagan, Bush I, Bush II) they've done *nothing* to change how and which Americans are covered. The current debate - dominated by well-funded corporate lobbyists and Washington PR operatives encouraging stupid people to (once again) vote against their own self interests - is shameful. And it's beneath us.  

Medicare is a socialized health care program. Social Security is a social safety net that millions rely on; and it's concept we copied from Germany. The government runs our schools, our police and fire protection and countless other functions. Adding healthcare coverage for every American will not make us a socialist country. If you feel - as I do - that every single American should have access to health care, I urge you to contact Whole Foods and voice your feelings.  

It's time for change and it's time we start voting with our dollars to effect that change. I called the Boston Whole Foods store tonight and explained to the manager that most of her customers in Boston are liberal and that we strongly support health care reform WITH a public option for anyone who cannot afford private insurance. I told her I would no longer shop at Whole Foods for the duration of Mackay's tenure. She was very understanding. I've also written to the company's corporate headquarters. You can find corporate and store contact info by clicking here: http://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/company/service.php 

If this is an issue that you care about strongly, please follow up accordingly with your local Whole Foods store and email their corporate headquarters to ensure your voice is heard.

 

Eat like an Iron Man!

Ever wonder how an elite amateur triathlete fuels up for the Iron Man Triathlon, arguably one of the most grueling endurance events on the planet?

Rich Roll, vegan triathlete extraordinaire, posted his typical daily food intake on his blog, so I opted to include it here. I've been talking for months about getting a Vita Mix and now I think it's finally time to invest. They're pricey but it's clear that juicing tons of fresh organic vegetables - thereby rendering the full bioavailability of all of the foods - is a key strategy that keeps Rich Roll rolling.

I'll post some Vita Mix recipes of my own once I get a machine and take it for a test spin! Meantime, here's Rich Roll on how to eat like a triathlon:

BREAKFAST:

I usually have some variation or combination of the below ingredients in a Vita-Mix blended drink, which I vary day to day. All produce is organic.

Carrot, beet, kale, spinach, orange, apple, blueberry, banana, lemon, avocado, coconut oil, coconut milk, flax seed, chia seed, macca, VEGA EFA Oil, VEGA Whole Food Optimizer, blueberries.

Gluten free toast with peanut or almond butterGluten free cereal (corn flakes or corn or rice based cereals); Almond milk or coconut milk; Hemp protein powder; Coconut water.

SNACK:

Organic energy bars, Almonds, Raisins, Kombucha, Gluten free crackers, blueberries, walnuts, coconut water, kale chips (baked until crunchy with small amount of olive oil and sea salt).

LUNCH:

Brown rice & beans (green, black or kidney), Veggie Burritos (preferably with a gluten free tortilla, but this can be a tall order); various veggie broth based soups, Veggie Sushi, Salads of all kinds (just no dairy based dressing); I use Bragg’s AminosAvocados, Juice (carrot / beet / kale / wheatgrass / orange / berry) – preferably organic, Kombucha.

DINNER:

Rice, Beans (all types of green, red & black),Lentils (black & red), big salads with assortment of veggies, Vegan nachos (see Real Food Daily Cookbook — cashew cheese), Veggie Burgers (prefer homemade but if store bought, I make sure gluten free — most of them are not — its the gluten that makes them stick together), Gluten free pasta (with tomato or vegan pesto sauce), Veggie chili, Soups (non-dairy), Cauliflower (with cashew cheese), Greens of all kinds — broccoli, spinach, green beans, brussel sprouts, etc. The more the better. Organic greens are always the focus.

More juicing!Potatos — salad, baked, broiled; potato salad made with vegenaise & sea saltWater — lots of water!

CONDIMENTS:

Bragg’s Aminos

Vegan Ceaser dressing

Sea saltOlive oil

Coconut oil

Flax seed oil

Mustards

Veganaise

Peanut / almond butter

Jellies

Earth’s Balance buttery spread

Washington Post tackles the "Meat of the Problem"

Great editorial in the Washington Post examining the environmental consequences of the first world's addiction to meat.

The conclusion? Eating meat is a huge (huge) contributor to global warming. The story cites research from the United Nations showing that livestock accounts for 18 percent of the world's carbon emissions.

And I nearly fell off my chair upon seeing the "V" word appear. The piece cites a study from the University of Chicago estimating that switching to a vegan diet would have a bigger impact than trading in a gas guzzler for a Prius. WooHoo! (says the driver of a Prius who happens to be a vegan).

While I'm always glad to see this kind of thoughtful analysis - backed up with research and statistics from reputable, bipartisan bodies such as The UN - I'm even happier to see it appear in mainstream, widely read press. Even a year ago you wouldn't see this kind of editorial outside of the leftiest media (e.g., The Huffington Post).

Could it be we're finally drawing the line between the destruction of the environment and our diet? Here's hoping!

Food, Inc. has left me very, very angry!

I finally got off my duff to go see Food, Inc. at the fantastic Landmark Cinema in Cambridge.

Man, am I PISSED!

I read constantly about the evil that is agribusiness but this film crystalizes a number of issues that no one book, article or research paper can. Through exploitation of workers and human health - to unspeakable abuse of animals and complete disregard for the environment - agribusiness rules our lives and controls our government. And who pays the price? Farmers. Animals. The environment. And us.

The behavior of several "Big Ag" companies - most notably Monsanto - is featured in the film and it will leave your jaw dropping.

Not surprisingly these companies declined to be interviewed for the movie, and but for the brave action of one Smithfield-contracted farmer, the camera crews would not have been led inside a chicken-rearing shed, filled with thousands of disease-ridden, genetically modified chickens (her contract with Smithfield was not renewed after she refused to switch to windowless sheds).

We must take down big agriculture for the benefit of farmers, animals and ourselves. What can we do? We can vote with our DOLLARS. My pledge is to forever ban from my home all genetically modified and processed foods that contain high fructose corn syrup. With no end in sight for government subsidies of corn - which Big Ag needs in order to survive - we must take our health and the well-being of our planet in our own hands. It's the only way to stop these hateful companies.

The film also reaffirms that veganism is the most compassionate and ethical choice one can make and motivates me to do more in the fight to return to a sustainable food future.

What can you do to fight back? The first step is to have a command of the macro issues driving agribusiness in the U.S. I highly recommend these two books, both of which have taught me so much about how our food system works and why it's essential that we find more sustainable alternatives before it's too late:

• The Omnivore's Dilemma, by Michael Pollan
  
• Diet for a New American, by John Robbins

Provincetown MUST do's...

This is the second year I've gotten a share in Provincetown, Mass. with friends and every time I visit I'm struck by how beautiful it is.  The town, the dunes, the harbor and beaches.. Provincetown has got it all. 

While my absolute favorite thing to do is hang with pals - many of whom I see frequently and some I see only on occasion - there's also a ton to do whether you're hyper-active (like me!) or uber-sedentary.  The connection to nature in P-town is unbelievable and it's one of the things I enjoy most about my visits.

Here's a quick list of must-do's (well, at least they're must-do's for moi...):

• Kayaking to Long Point.  This ranks way up there on my list of the exceptional P-town experiences.  Kayaking out to Long Point - a narrow peninsula at the very edge of P-town harbor - takes about 45 minutes.  And while you'll move much faster if you're fit, anyone can enjoy this because it's not terribly strenuous; and the views of the town and the Long Point light house are not to be missed.  I like to cut right through the yachts and sailboats anchored off-shore as many of them are beautiful and so large that they're best appreciated up close.  Be sure to pack a lunch, plenty of sunscreen and a beach towel because lying on the sand at Long Point feels so good after making the trip.  Visit Venture Athletics Kayak Kayak Shop on Commercial Street to rent a kayak for $25.  As you paddle out and encounter various wildlife - from birds of all kinds to harbor seals and turtles - you'll know it was $25 well spent!

• Walking down Commercial Street.  As the primary commercial "drag" in town, Commercial Street buzzes with activity day and night.  At high season - from late June through Labor Day - thousands of pedestrians swarm up and down Commercial Street everyday to shop, browse the galleries, people-watch and eat.  Expect to see plenty of strapping, shirtless guys, circuit boys, boys that look like girls, girls that look like boys... You get the idea  You'll also compete for street-space with dogs of every size and breed, fancy new cars, old cars, mopeds and bicycles.  In short, it's very busy and very fabulous). I love to get up early, grab a large iced soy latte at Joe's Coffee and Espresso Bar and stroll until my heart's content.  Click here for a great directory of P-town businesses, many of which are located on Commercial Street.  My favorite haunts:

Caribbean Corner Cafe (amazing vegan options!)

Marine Specialties (a warehouse army/navy store with the coolest/cheapest stuff)

Tim's Used Bookstore (perfect for beach reads plus some vintage first editions!)

Shui Spa at Crowne Point (okay, I've never been, but I really want to!)

• Climbing the Pilgrim Monument.  The Pilgrim Monument was founded in 1892 as the Cape Cod Pilgrim Memorial Association and the giant granite monument commemorates the Mayflower Pilgrim's first landing in the New World in Provincetown in 1620.  They stayed for about five weeks exploring the tip of Cape Cod and then famously (allegedly?) decamped, as the legend goes, in Plymouth.  Climbing the 116 steps of the narrow 252-foot monument takes about ten minutes at a leisurely pace and affords truly striking views of the town, the harbor and ocean.  My friend Jer and I used to climb up on Sundays because it was free.  But alas, as nothing is free anymore, you've gotta pony up some cash (it's just a few bucks but I couldn't find the exact price on the Web site).

• Yoga!  Yes, as everyone knows, I'm a yoga freak.  I practice nearly every morning and nothing gets me going like a brisk Vinyasa flow.  It's a very important part of my life and I treasure that quiet time in the morning before my day begins.  P-town offers a wealth of yoga options for both experienced and novice yogis.  While most of the time I practice on the floor of our rented hovel (the house has a certain charm that we love but, alas, it's more than a little Dickensian...) I sometimes take classes at Mussel Beach Fitness Club. This past Saturday my friend Ron joined me for a vigorous and very challenging class with Iyengar superstar Greg Anton at the Provincetown Community Center.  With several other studios located throughout P-town and Truro, there are a number of options available.  I find that an hour of yoga leaves me refreshed, open and ready for anything the day might bring.  And that's a great mindset to be in when staying in such a beautiful place. 

• Biking through the dunes.  P-town boasts miles and miles of paved bike trails that twist through the town, the dunes and protected marshes and coastline.  Biking these trails is an excellent way to see all of P-town's natural beauty and character. Check out P-town Bikes if you need to rent a bike for the day.  Bring plenty of sunscreen and water as it gets VERY hot (seriously - it's desert-like), but the experience is not to be missed.

• The Beaches.  I've saved the best for last.  I absolutely love laying on the beach - under my umbrella and slathered in SPF-35 of course!  Racepoint and Herring Cove beaches are both beautiful and if you're staying the weekend I'd suggest spending a day at each.  While the water is famously cold, by July/August it's absolutely swimmable (albeit brisk) and given how how it gets even the biggest cold-water-phobes will want to take a dip. Parking can be a pain so do like the locals and bike or walk instead!

ADA says veganism is a-okay!

Rockin' news for both veggie activists and those of us that just don't want to hear unwarranted (and untrue) criticism of a vegan diet.

The American Dietetic Association is set to release its updated findings on vegetarian diets. The paper is written by experts and peer-reviewed so it's (in my mind) a definitive source for info on the health benefits of vegan diets.

Here's the most important thing to take away from the report:

It is the position of the American Dietetic Association that appropriately planned vegetarian diets, including total vegetarian or vegan diets, are healthful, nutritionally adequate and may provide health benefits in the prevention and treatment of certain diseases. Well-planned vegetarian diets are appropriate for individuals during all stages of the life-cycle including pregnancy, lactation, infancy, childhood and adolescence and for athletes.

So there you have it!

Coming soon to a theater near you: Food Inc.

Most people don't know just how centralized our food system has become. The manufacturing of food is controlled by just a handful of large "agribusiness" giants, with the full blessing and an easy regulatory environment courtesy of our own FDA and USDA.

Food Inc. promises to lift the veil on the unimaginable environmental, human and animal welfare abuses perpetrated by agribusiness. I'm so glad these bastards will be exposed.

Click here to find out where the movie is playing near you.

Michael Pollan on Bill Maher

While I have issues with Pollan for not strongly endorsing veganism (even though his writings often argue that it's the healthiest and most ecologically sustainable option) he still causes a lot of people to question what they're eating, where their food comes from and why the connection between the food on their plate, and how it got there, matters so much.

Here he is on Real Time with Bill Maher plugging his new book "In Defense of Food."

Bill is so freakin' funny.  I love him.

Food for thought on foods that heal

So I was recently diagnosed with a hernia and while it's a total drag I've decided to have the simple, minimally invasive surgery that will correct it.  The procedure is short and the recovery should be swift.  And because I'm obsessed with all things food-related, my first thought was: how can I hasten recovery with food?

I did some Internet searching and found that - surprise, surprise - the best foods to eat after surgery are whole, plant-based foods.  

This link provides good insight into foods that help fight infection, restore muscle tissue and otherwise provide excellent immune support after a surgery.   There are some animal-derived foods included in the list but the primary emphasis is on fruits, veggies, whole grains and fiber-rich foods.  Me thinks I'll be sticking with those!

Caribbean Corner Cafe in Provincetown

Just got back from a long weekend in Provincetown, Mass. and, as usual, had a terrific time filled with great friends, excellent food, yoga and a run out to Racepoint Beach.  

Was so excited to see that the Caribbean Corner Cafe - a haven for vegans/vegetarians looking for excellent food at cheap prices - moved into larger and jazzier space at 269 Commercial Street. The menu features quite a few tasty vegan options and the vegan arepa sandwich is a total winner. 

And the new digs offer a commanding view of the harbor.  Check it out!

Lasagna!

Last night I had four good friends over for dinner, all of whom are (open-minded) omnivores who, like the rest of us, expect a hearty, satisfying and delicious experience when someone invites them to dinner.

I've come to the conclusion that lasagna is the best dinner party meal because it's usually a cinch to make, everything goes in one pan and you can mingle with your guests and drink wine while it's cooking - with nothing atop the stove that needs attention.  It's especially delightful when the wind is howling and spring seems hard to come by.  This is exactly the weather we've been experiencing in Boston as of late. 

I set about finding the perfect recipe and came across this one from Fat Free Vegan.  I modified it slightly and noted my changes below.  This was super easy to prepare, very hearty and - most important - totally delicious.  I started us off with a simple spinach and walnut salad and served a terrific vegan chocolate cake from Whole Foods for dessert.  

Easy Spinach and Mushroom Lasagna (fills an entire 9x12 baking pan and serves up to 10)

* 3/4 lb fresh mushrooms 

* 2 tsp chopped garlic 

* 2 26 oz jars of vegan tomato sauce (or use your own favorite homemade sauce)

* 2 tblsp water (I substituted olive oil for water)

* 2 boxes lasagna noodles (regular whole week lasagna noodles, uncooked)

Filling

* 20 oz frozen chopped spinach, thawed 

* 1 lb tofu (firm)

* 1 tsp salt 

* 4 tsp nutritional yeast (adds a cheesy taste)

* 3 tsp oregano 

* 1 tsp garlic powder 

* 2 tsp basil 

* 1/2 tsp rosemary, crushed 

* 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper

* 2 tsp parsley (I added this because I think any pasta dish needs a little parsley)

Saute the mushrooms and garlic over medium heat in the olive oil until tender.  Add the sauce and set aside.

Combine the spinach and tofu in a large bowl.  You can do this in a food processor but I found it easier and more effective to just use use my hands to squeeze everything together.  You want the tofu to crumble and combine completely with the spinach.  Add the remaining filling ingredients and combine thoroughly.

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.

Spread half of the sauce in the bottom of a 9x12 inch pan.  Place a layer of noodles over the sauce and add a layer of filling.  Keep going until you run out of noodles and then poor the remaining sauce right over the top.

Cover the pan tightly in foil and bake for 30 minutes.  Then, uncover the pan and bake for another 30 minutes.  When finished, remove from the oven and let it cool/settle for 15 minutes before serving.

This lasagna smells terrific while baking and cuts beautifully.  I would have taken pics but I was too busy talking, drinking wine and eating!