Did you know linguine means "little tongues"? What about the fact that linguine, one of America's favorite pasta shapes, has a whole day devoted to it - this Saturday, September 15^th! From linguine with clam sauce to linguine with marinara and meatballs, everyone loves the versatility and taste of a pasta meal made with linguine.

If you're looking for another reason to celebrate your love for linguine, The National Pasta Association (NPA) has a few new recipes which are unique, taste great, and fit into your lifestyle! Below, please find the recipes for Linguine with Exotic Mushrooms, Linguine With Bloody Mary Sauce, and Linguine and Spinach Pesto recipes. Hi-res images are available upon request.

For more about pasta including nutritional information, recipes, and fun activities to do with pasta visit www.pastafits.org or check out our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/pastafits.

Thank you,

Alana Sorrentino (For the National Pasta Association)

212.297.2146

asorrentino@kellencompany.com

Linguine with Exotic Mushrooms

The National Pasta Association - www.ilovepasta.org

Serves 2

Ingredients

6 oz. Linguine, uncooked

4 oz. button mushrooms

4 oz. wild mushrooms (shiitake, cremini or oyster)

1 tbsp. butter

2 tbsp. chopped fresh parsley

1/4 cup low-fat sour cream

1/4 cup skim milk

Salt and freshly ground pepper to taste

Directions: Prepare pasta according to package directions. While pasta is cooking, wipe all the mushrooms clean with a paper towel. Trim the stem end from the mushrooms. (Remove all of the stems if you are using shiitakes.) Slice mushrooms 1/4-inch thick.

Melt the butter over low heat in a large skillet with a tight-fitting lid. Add mushrooms and parsley, cover skillet and let mushrooms cook until they are completely tender and have released their liquid, about 15 minutes. Check the mushrooms once or twice during cooking to make sure they are not browning.

Whisk the sour cream and milk in a small bowl until smooth. Just before draining the pasta, mix 1/4 cup of the pasta cooking water into the sour cream mixture.

Drain the pasta and transfer it to the skillet. Add the sour cream mixture and heat to boiling. Add salt and pepper to taste. Boil together one minute, tossing pasta to coat with sauce and to evenly distribute mushrooms. Divide pasta between two plates, spooning extra sauce on top. Serve immediately.

Linguine with Bloody Mary Sauce

The National Pasta Association  - www.ilovepasta.org

Serves 4

Ingredients:

1 pound Spaghetti, Linguine or any other long pasta shape,

1 tbsp. vegetable oil

1 clove garlic, minced

2 tbsp. chopped parsley

6-oz. tomato juice

2 tbsp. vodka

1/2 tsp. prepared horseradish

1/2 tsp. Worcestershire sauce

Freshly ground black pepper to taste

Directions: Prepare pasta according to package directions; drain. Heat oil in large skillet over medium heat. Add garlic and parsley, cook until garlic is fragrant, about 30 seconds. Stir in tomato juice, vodka, horseradish, Worcestershire sauce and black pepper. Heat to boiling and boil 30 seconds. Stir pasta into sauce until coated. Serve hot.

Linguine and Spinach Pesto

The National Pasta Association - www.pastafits.org

Serves 8

Ingredients
1 lb. Spaghetti, Linguine (or your favorite pasta shape), uncooked*
1 (10 oz.) package frozen spinach, thawed, well drained
2 tbsp. vegetable oil
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
2 tbsp. chopped parsley
2 cloves garlic
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. dried basil
2 tbsp. margarine (or butter)
1/3 cup water
4 oz. crumbled feta cheese

Directions: In a blender (or food processor), combine spinach, oil, Parmesan cheese, parsley, garlic, salt and basil. Mix at medium speed until finely chopped. Melt margarine in water. With blender or processor running, gradually pour in melted margarine mixture until blended. Prepare pasta according to package directions; drain and set aside. Toss pesto with pasta. Sprinkle feta on top and serve.

*Whole-grain, multi-grain or whole-wheat pasta varieties may be substituted.

Makes 8 servings. Per serving: 325 calories, 11g total fat, 3 g saturated fat, 45 g carbohydrate, 12 g protein, 1 g dietary fiber, 420 mg sodium

A generation ago, reconstructive procedures were reserved for the aging and the rich and famous.

Now, teenagers are routinely undergoing plastic surgery - roughly 90,000 procedures a year, according to ABC News. Fourteen-year-old Nadia Ilse made headlines recently for having surgery on her ears because her classmates bullied and teased her, calling her "Dumbo." The $40,000 specialty operation was paid for by the charity Little Baby Face Foundation.

"Not every one of the 90,000 surgeries is the result of teasing or bullying, but it's clear more teens are undergoing invasive, sometimes dangerous, procedures simply to feel they fit in," says international social advocate Traci S. Campbell, author of The C.H.A.M.P. Within (www.traciscampbell.com). "Enough is enough! A far healthier alternative is to develop the character and confidence necessary to navigate adolescence with a respect for yourself - and others."

Campbell, whose nonprofit C.H.A.M.P. Community Project supports at-risk teens and single-parent families, discusses tough "personal love" steps teens can take to foster the healthy self-image that will benefit them throughout their lives.

• Forget Hollywood - be your own personal celebrity: Young women are starving themselves to be grossly thin or they idolize celebrities, including the Kim Kardashians of the world. Ironically, the truth of the matter is that many in Hollywood have more personal issues and hang-ups than those of us in the real world. Why not create your own style and make your own mark? Style includes your attitude, and what you do!

• Go in before you go out: While it is great to look like a million bucks, if you feel like two cents, then the fashionable clothes and expensive makeup serve no purpose. Take time to talk to yourself (seriously, out loud!) to find out what you want to do, want to be, and WHY. Write it down and review it often. Then line up your daily activities and associations around your list. Not only will you feel like you are accomplishing something, you will begin to feel good about YOU and to see your own value. Then, take a trip to the mall to get that latest pair of leopard skin boots, or whatever is trendy at the moment. I am sure they will look a whole lot better on you.

• Get old-fashioned: In an age when fast-paced social media rule interactions, old-fashioned values are needed more than ever! Why? Because they benefit us. They protect us from the consequences of impulsive actions and bad decisions; cause us to place higher expectations on ourselves and our associations (especially those involving men); and they foster the strong core values, like honesty and integrity, that never go out of fashion.

• Embrace your higher power ... a LOT!: You can't do it all by yourself! There is a sense of peace and confidence that comes when you take the time to pray/affirm, meditate and visualize your life. The focus and concentration, as well as repetitiveness of these actions, will energize you mentally and emotionally. It will also help you prevent future emotional "chains" by dealing with hurts and not sweeping them under the rug! Practice forgiveness to get rid of that old mental garbage; this is critical. And spend time daily to "exercise" your mind and spirit as well as your physical body to cultivate the image of yourself that you really want.

• Put other people first: To be the best woman you can be starts with being the best friend, parent, student and support for others. Real sexiness and attractiveness comes from the confidence of those who are willing to stand strong for a cause - one that benefits others. Spend time volunteering in your community. Seek opportunities to use your talents (and we ALL have a talent) to help or mentor another person, or a community.

About Traci S. Campbell

Traci S. Campbell has been an IT consultant for more than 15 years, working for high-profile corporate clients such as Sears, IBM and McDonald's Corp. As an international social advocate and life coach, she focuses on helping clients overcome personal obstacles so they can achieve their goals. She is the creator of The C.H.A.M.P. Within program and founder of the national Beauty In/Beauty Out Tour. She provides services through her 501 (c) (3) organization, C.H.A.M.P. Community Project, which supports schools, rehab centers, shelters and other local and international programs for at-risk children and single-parent families.

Speaks on the House Floor; joins 50 Farm Groups at rally; Continues to lead bipartisan coalition

Washington, DC - Rep. Bruce Braley (IA-01) is continuing his push for passage of the 2012 Farm Bill in the U.S. House. On Monday, Braley spoke on the House Floor to address the issue, highlighting the need for passage of a Farm Bill. Today, he joined 50 Agriculture Groups at a rally to pass the Farm Bill, and he continues to lead a bipartisan coalition that is calling for a vote before the September 30th deadline.

"Iowa farmers need stability from the farm bill to ensure the economic impact of the drought will not devastate them. Speaker Boehner is playing unprecedented games by denying and delaying this much needed bill. I am fighting tooth and nail to get the Farm Bill up for a vote and am doing everything possible to get this done for Iowa farmers."

A video of Rep. Braley speaking on the U.S. House floor can be viewed here: http://youtu.be/ASVQzc2_9bs

The video file can be downloaded here: http://dl.dropbox.com/u/21501138/Braley-Farm-Bill-Floor-Speech-9-10-12.mp4