Thought of the Day

Never blame others for the road you are on, it’s your own asphalt.
Never blame others for the road you are on, it’s your own asphalt.
Four Cheese Baked Pasta Recipe from Foodnetwork
Prep time: 20 minutes
Cooking time: 1 hour and 15 minutes
Serving size: 6 to 8 servings
Preheat and Roast Garlic:
Preheat the oven to 400°F. Halve the garlic crosswise to expose the cloves. Wrap the bottom half in foil and roast until very soft, about 20 minutes. Meanwhile, remove the skins from the top half and chop the garlic.
Prepare the Sauce:
Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large Dutch oven or pot over medium heat. Add the onion and sliced fennel, cooking and stirring occasionally for about 3 minutes. Add the chopped garlic and red pepper flakes, cooking for another 2 minutes until the garlic softens. Stir in the tomato paste and 1 teaspoon salt, and cook for 3 more minutes until the vegetables are tender. Add the crushed tomatoes and 4 cups water. Stir and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer until the sauce thickens slightly, about 30 minutes.
Cook the Pasta:
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the mezzi rigatoni and cook according to the package instructions. Drain, rinse under cold water, and set aside.
Prepare the Breadcrumbs:
Pulse the toasted rosemary focaccia in a food processor to make coarse crumbs. Squeeze the roasted garlic from its skin and add to the food processor along with 1/4 cup each of parmesan and parsley. Pulse a few times until combined. Set aside.
Assemble the Dish:
Lightly brush a 9-by-13-inch baking dish with olive oil. Combine the cooked pasta, sauce, sun-dried tomatoes, fennel fronds, mozzarella, asiago, and the remaining 1/4 cup each of parmesan and parsley. Toss until well mixed. Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish. Top with spoonfuls of ricotta and sprinkle with the breadcrumbs.
Bake:
Cover the dish loosely with foil and bake for 30 minutes. Uncover and continue baking until golden and bubbling, about 15 more minutes.
Rest and Serve:
Let the baked pasta rest for 10 minutes before serving. Enjoy!
When in doubt, look intelligent.
Concha Bread Recipe from Delish
Prep time: 3 hours and 15 minutes
Cooking time: 22 minutes
Serving size: 12 servings
Dough:
Topping and Assembly:
Dough:
Topping and Assembly:
Bake:
NEW YORK (AP) — Irv Gotti, a music mogul who founded Murder Inc. Records and was behind major hip-hop and R&B artists such as Ashanti and Ja Rule, has died. He was 54.
Def Jam Recordings, which was the parent company of Murder Inc., announced Gotti’s death in a statement late Wednesday night. It did not give a cause of death.
Gotti, whose real name is Irving Lorenzo, founded Murder Inc. with his brother in the late 1990s, with the label gaining worldwide prominence through platinum-selling artists Ashanti and Ja Rule. Gotti had also worked with artists DMX, Fat Joe and Jay-Z, among other huge names in the genre.
“His creative genius and unwavering dedication to the culture birthed countless hits, defining an era of music that continues to resonate with fans worldwide,” the statement from Def Jam read.
The label, which got its name after Gotti watched a documentary on the original Murder, Inc. crew of mob hitmen, once came under investigation for allegedly laundering drug money for a notorious crack kingpin, leading to criminal charges against Gotti. He was eventually acquitted.
The bad press around the investigation led to Gotti dropping the word “Murder” from the title of the label to change its name to The Inc.
“All of these big records, and people would still come back and focus on the negative word ‘murder,’” he said when he announced the change.
Still, Gotti never changed the nickname he shared with the late Gambino family boss John Gotti, which he said was given to him by Jay-Z.
“I ain’t going to change it,” he said of his name.
Lyor Cohen, a former Def Jam executive who is now global head of music at YouTube and Google, said “Def Jam has lost one of it’s most creative soldiers.”
“He was hip hop, and when we were on bended knee he brought the heat and saved our asses. He comes from a very tight, beautiful family from Queens and it’s an honor and a privilege to have known him. Irv you will be missed,” Cohen said in a statement.
Haste is waste.
Summer Rolls Recipe from The Kitchn
Prep time: 45 minutes
Cooking time: N/A
Serving size: 16 rolls
For the filling:
To assemble the rolls:
Cook the Shrimp:
Prepare the Vegetables:
Cook the Noodles:
Prepare the Rice Paper Wrappers:
Assemble the Rolls:
Roll the Spring Rolls:
Serve:
Devils Food Cookies Recipe from Taste of Home
Prep time: 15 minutes
Cooking time: 10 minutes
Serving size: 28 cookies
Prepare the Dough:
Shape and Bake:
Cool and Serve:
Glazed Ranch Carrots Recipe from Taste of Home
Prep time: 10 minutes
Cooking time: 15 minutes
Serving size: 12 servings
Hobbies to Take Up
You may have a full-time job or be in school, so choosing a hobby that fits your current obligations is important. Consider how many days per week you can dedicate to a hobby, how often you’ll participate, and the overall free time you have. You might wonder how your friend manages to attend yoga classes four times a week when your schedule feels completely booked. In that case, consider a hobby that is less time-consuming and tailored to your specific routine.
While you may not have the same amount of free time as your friends or family, you can always dip your toe into their hobbies. That friend who goes to yoga four times a week? Maybe you could join them once a week. Doing hobbies with loved ones makes it more likely you’ll stick with them and enjoy the experience.
Think back to when you were a kid. What hobbies did you enjoy? You might consider picking one of them back up. Did you love to bake but stopped making time for it? Hobbies you already know and enjoy are often the easiest to maintain because they bring you joy and familiarity.
Start small. It’s easy to jump into something with full enthusiasm, but before committing too much time or money to a hobby, make sure it’s sustainable. For example, if you’re interested in scrapbooking, buy a few basic supplies to get started and dedicate just one hour per week to it. Keeping your hobby manageable is essential for sticking with it.
Wreck-It Journals are becoming popular on social media platforms like TikTok. They’re a creative space to jot down your thoughts, plans, and goals while incorporating elements of scrapbooking. Unlike traditional scrapbooks, which often feature polished layouts, Wreck-It Journals are all about imperfection and spontaneity. That sushi takeout receipt you got the other day? Throw it in there. That random raffle ticket you didn’t win with? Add it, too! You can even use a portable thermal printer for quick and easy prints.
Learning to cook is a valuable skill that combines practicality with fun. Are you stuck in a microwave-meal routine? Find simple recipes for meal prep instead! TikTok is an excellent resource for all kinds of recipes, from step-by-step meal prep guides to elaborate dinner party ideas. Choose a creator or website you like and start by cooking two or three meals per week. If you want to go the extra mile, book a cooking class for yourself (and maybe a friend).
Sticker-making can be a fun and relaxing hobby. There are plenty of methods, from using a Cricut machine to DIY tape stickers. A Cricut is versatile, allowing you to create stickers, permanent decals, or even iron-on designs for t-shirts. These stickers can be used as gifts, home organization tools, or just for fun. You can design your own stickers using platforms like Canva or find pre-made templates online.
DIY nail products like Gel X are becoming increasingly popular because they’re relatively quick and easy to learn. I started doing my own nails four years ago, and I haven’t been to a salon since. While it may take a little longer to do them yourself, it’s a great way to relax and disconnect.
You can buy Gel X kits or press-ons from retailers like Amazon, and TikTok has detailed tutorials to get you started. Be sure to follow proper safety precautions, such as fully curing your nails and avoiding contact between the gel and your skin. For an extra step, consider using HEMA-free nail polishes for a safer alternative.
Cake decorating was a hobby I loved as a kid, but as I grew older, I found myself with less free time and not as much of a sweet tooth. For me, it was more about the decorating than the baking. I enjoyed gifting small cakes and cupcakes to friends and family. This hobby is perfect for a slow Sunday and is something you can enjoy with loved ones.
Hobbies provide a way to unwind, whether you’re coming off a 40-hour workweek, a day with the kids, or a long study session. Engaging in enjoyable activities helps release dopamine, the “feel-good” hormone, which can reduce stress and improve your mood.
Hobbies encourage you to think outside the box and try new things. Creative hobbies can improve problem-solving skills and spark innovative ideas that help in all areas of life.
Hobbies are a great way to bond with others. Whether you’re attending classes, joining clubs, or trying something new with friends, hobbies create opportunities to build connections and expand your social circle.
Hobbies are an essential part of a well-rounded life. They provide joy, relaxation, and personal growth opportunities. Whether you’re reconnecting with a childhood passion or exploring something entirely new, the possibilities are endless. So, what’s stopping you? Start your hobby journey today!