I stared this blog with the intention of exposing the limited and mostly disgusting midtown lunchtime offerings. However, with less and less available spending money and an increased desire to feel like a grown up and learn to cook, it seems I have taken this blog in a new direction: chronicling the development of my cooking skills.

Last night I was feeling pretty good. I went to the gym and got some quality groceries after braving the long lines at Trader Joe’s (ps they finally have dried mango again).  I took some advice from good old Mr. Food Guide Pyramid and decided to make a pasta dish that included both a vegetable and protein. I will say this is one of the best meals I have made to date and it tasted almost as good heated up for lunch today.

WHAT: Whole wheat pasta with sautéed shrimp and zucchini (sautéed with red pepper flakes, fresh garlic, salt, pepper) and delicious marinara sauce from Pittsburgh.

ENJOYMENT SCALE: Today’s lunch gets a 9.5. I had to force myself to wait until noon to eat it.

On a non Lunchtime Living related note, I Heart Design was featured in Daily Candy this morning. Go Ashley! Maybe one day you will be my boss. Wouldn’t be anything new though, you’ve been pushing me around for 25 years.