Okay, if you haven't figured it out, I love shrimp.  In fact, due to my pescetarian lifestyle, seafood is the only meet I consume.  So what is one to do when you want sphaghetti, but you're tired of tofu, ground soy, or going meatless?  Tah da! I figured, hell, if shrimp and cocktail sauce go hand in hand (and cocktail sauce is tomato based), then shrimp must marry well with the tomato sauce I use in my spaghetti.  So my dear readers, I have another quick, easy, and affordable recipe for you.  Here's what you'll need:

Ingredients:

• 31-40 ct peeled and deveined shrimp (thawed)
• 1 jar Ragu Tomato Sauce (I prefer Sundried Tomato & Sweet Basil Pasta Sauce)
• Spinach Spaghetti
• Vegetarian Pepperoni
• Shredded Mozzarella Cheese
• Bird's Eye Pepper Stir-Fry (Use according to taste)
• Paprika
• Pepper
• Chili Sauce
• Italian Seasoning
• Minced Garlic
• 1 teaspoon Smart Balance
• Canola Oil

Directions:

1.  In a medium frying pan, heat canola oil (enough to coat the bottom of the pan.
2. Add Minced garlic and butter, and stir to distribute across the pan.
3. Add thawed shrimp to mixture, and sprinkle lightly (paprika, pepper, chili sauce, and Italian seasoning).
4. Cover shrimp (allow shrimp to cook for 5-7 minutes max.  While shrimp are cooking add tomato sauce to a medium sauce pan, and heat on low. Cover.  
5. Remove shrimp from frying pan, and place in a small bowl.  Set aside.  Allow shrimp to sit in garlic/butter mixture.
6. Add canola oil to frying pan once shrimp is removed (enough to coat bottom of pan).  Fry veggies, until slightly browned (or to your taste).  Allow veggies to cook for 7-9 minutes.
7. Place veggies in tomato sauce.  Then, using a slotted spoon, remove shrimp from bowl and add to tomato sauce.
8. Add vegetarian pepperoni to tomato sauce, and stir contents into tomato sauce.
9. In another medium sauce pan, boil hot water, and add spinach spaghetti.
10. Once spaghetti is cooked al dente, remove from boiling water and place in strainer.  Run cool water over pasta for 15 seconds and add to serving bowl.

Time to EAT!!

I tend to put the pasta on my plate first, then the tomato sauce (with shrimp, veggies, and pepperoni), and sprinkle with cheese to taste.  The fun thing with this recipe is its versatility.  You can add shrimp, beef, or whatever horrific meat you meat-eaters choose.  Enjoy with red wine and yummy garlic bread.

The last pride event I officially attended and participated in was Atlanta's Black Pride in September of 2007.  The very first time I attended a pride event (in Atlanta in 2002), I was overwhelmed with excitement.  Coming from a small town, I felt so isolated; like I was the only gay man in town.  To be surrounded amongst other gay men gave me a feeling of empowerment; finally I realized I'm not the only one.  I was amazed at how the mayor of the city acknowledged and welcomed all visitors that traveled to Atlanta to be a part of the Gay Pride Event.  After 2002, I attended Atlanta's Pride Event each year, and the event began to lose its luster.  The very positive and uplifting workshops (Couple's Therapy, Film Festivals, HIV Support Groups, etc) were shadowed by the "shade" that I encountered.  I found most of the gay men that came to pride to either be sexually opportunistic (taking advantage of the large group of gay men) or very outwardly shady.  I thought to myself at a time we should embrace each other due to the hardships that I'm sure everyone attending has encountered at some point in some manner should take this moment to reflect and bond.  I became quite disappointed when I saw it to be quite the opposite. The "Meet & Greets" have become "Read & Greets".   At the malls, and other public places, some gay men felt a sense of "entitlement", acting obnoxious simply because there were large numbers of gay men present.  At a time of AIDs awareness, there are numerous "sex parties" being held in the late hours of night (some of them being "raw" parties).  Are you kidding?!  Come on, let's get it together.  Moreover, instead of saying welcome brother (or sister; the lesbians unfortunately are pushed to the back burner which will bring me to my next point), energy is wasted in being "catty" by turning the cheek, and making snide comments about each other.  Haven't gay men and women been persecuted enough!?  This atmosphere which is all too common has made me resent Pride Marches all together.  I understand, and totally support the message since the first official pride march on July 4, 1969 in New York City.  Gay men needed to establish a voice in the community.  Through breaking social norms in a very ostentatious manner (deconstruction of gender roles, bright and flamboyant clothing, etc), gay men were able to gain grounds in the name of liberation and equality.  Gay Pride today is overshadowed by the negative aspects I mentioned, however.

What's more is the segregation.  In an age where we must support and back one another, we have a "regular" pride (for caucasians) and a "black" pride (obvious).  Here's an idea.  In an act of solidarity, let's combine the two.  Now I'm not crazy.  I understand the premise of having two is due to the fact that blacks were overshadowed during the first pride marches.  So, in order for black gay men to have a voice, and to announce our community's special interests, we had to establish our own pride.  But is it necessary any more?  I think not.  Instead, let's destroy the inter-segregation that has occurred in the gay community (the unnecessary segregation) and show the world that "'WE' are here, we're queer, so let's get used to it".

What do ya say?  Shall we begin to spread a message of solidarity, and embrace each other, or continue on a track of segregation and shade that reflects the painful abandonment and ostracizing we have faced from our family, friends, and society.  I assure you that we will achieve more as a whole.  Let's give it a try!

About 12 years ago I was grotesquely over weight.  At 215 and 5'3" I was no looker.  Fashion, being my first love, prompted me to do something about my obesity, as none of the ensembles I would put together looked even remotely close to the visions I saw in my head.  By taking a good look at myself (physically and mentally) I began a journey that would change my life! The key was that I had to be ready and willing and DETERMINED to make these changes.

1. Eat breakfast! Time is not an excuse, neither is not being hungry.  You HAVE to have breakfast to get you going.  Without it, your metabolism gets off on a slow start.  If time is a factor, Kashi makes some wonderful granola bars that you can just grab and eat while on the go.  If you're not very hungry, two eggs and toast, or a granola bar will suffice.  
2. No matter what, you need to incorporate exercise in your life!  A simple walk here and there just won't do it.  Devote at least 30 minutes of your time (at least 3 days a week) to a great cardio workout (treadmill, elliptical, etc), and 15 minutes to abs and weight training.  Talk to a trainer at your gym, and they can develop a great workout plan for your busy schedule.  Trainers will develop a plan that is effective without being time consuming.  (Side note: Trainers can also refer you to a dietician to help you with a great meal plan).
3. Take it easy!  Fad diets are always a bust.  Diets that promise weight loss but cut out many of the nutrients you need are unrealistic, and your weight will come back, usually two fold.  Moderation, and cutting a lot of saturated fats, sodium, and processed foods from your diet are key.  At the same time, get some fruits and veggies, and remember carbs aren't the enemy as long as you derive them from healthy unprocessed foods.  Refined sugars and sweets are packed with the carbs you don't need, while fruits and veggies have the carbs your body needs for energy.  And FIBER UP!  Your body will thank you.
4. Get Vitamin savvy.  A great multi-vitamin from places like GNC will help you along the way to living better.  
5. Get rid of the stress.  Face it, we all deal with some levels of stress.  Stress at very low levels is okay, but high doses will actually cause weight gain.  Find methods to relieving your stress, and channeling the negative energy into positive energy.  An evening stroll, exercise, listening to music, reading a good book, yoga, or writing poetry are all great ideas.  Find what works for you, and kiss that stress good by.

These are a few steps that will not only help you live better, but they will make you feel great!  Your health will improve, and make you "feel" more alive and will sharpen your mind.  For more tips subscribe and follow to my blog today!