Macaroni and Cheese!

Noodles.
I love me a noodle. Angel Hair, spaghetti, fettucini, penne, farfalle... doesn't matter. The newest adventure was elbow macaroni.
Ronzoni smart taste to be exact. If I am going to eat pasta, I'd like to try to justify the choice by picking a healthy pasta!
I decided to try a new spin on protein packed Macaroni and cheese.
I keep reading about how soft tofu is great for sauces, therefore, cheese sauce to the rescue! Being a vegetarian, it is odd that I never think to do anything with tofu other than stir-fry, so I am really happy with how this turned out.

Lisa's Macaroni and Cheese with Tofu Sauce


Ingredients:
12oz Pasta Ronzoni Smart Taste Elbow
1 12oz block Tofu, soft
1/2 cup FF Milk
2 tbsp Butter, unsalted
1 1/2 cup shredded Cheddar Cheese
1/4 cup Bread crumbs, seasoned
1 generous spray Pam Olive Oil spray
1 tsp Ground Mustard Powder
1/2 tsp Nutmeg
1/2 tsp Paprika
1/2 cup onion, diced (optional)
Nutritional Info

	Fat: 12.8g Carbohydrates: 37.9g Calories:306.5 Protein: 14.8g

Directions:
Cook your pasta until al dente. Meanwhile, puree your tofu in a blender or food processor with the milk.
Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
Drain your pasta.
Melt the 2 tbsp of butter in a large saucepan. Add the tofu and milk mixture and stir. Then add your cheese slowly, stirring. Add your spices and onion.
Add your macaroni, stir until well combined with cheese sauce.
Transfer to 9x13 baking dish. Top with bread crumbs and spray the top with the olive oil spray to help crisp the breadcrumbs.

Bake uncovered for 20-30 minutes
Serving Size: Makes 8 servings

The best part about this, was that I DID NOT tell Darling husband what was in it. He loved it, we both had 2 helpings.. Don't judge.
So, one could totally get away with making this for an anti tofu friend and they would be none the wiser, provided of course you are comfortable with taking advantage like that, like I am.

OMG Onion Quiche!

Dinner. There was an issue to tackle.
What do I make for dinner! My handsome bastard of a husband is NOT a vegetarian! So I had to cook up something that would satisfy us both, since he is a little sick of beans and I didn't buy him any chicken this week!
So, alas.. Caramelized Onion Quiche.

Caramelized Onion Quiche Recipe

Ingredients

• 1 frozen recipe pie dough
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2-3 large red onions (about one pound total) thin sliced.
• Salt and freshly ground pepper
• 1 teaspoon balsamic vinegar
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1/2 cup heavy cream or half and half
• 2 large eggs
• 1 egg yolk
• Pinch nutmeg
• 1 cup shredded swiss

Prebake your crust according to directions, or usually about 10 minutes @ 350 degrees.
Note: Caramelizing the onions takes about an hour. So remember that before you bake up your crust!

1: Heat olive oil in a large, heavy-bottomed sauté pan on medium heat. Add the onions and sprinkle a little salt over them. Cook, stirring occasionally for 10 minutes, until the onions have softened and are translucent. Reduce the heat to medium low and cook for an additional 40 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the onions are well browned. Add balsamic vinegar and cook for 10 minutes more, until onions are completely caramelized. Remove from heat.
2: Place pie/tart pan on a baking sheet to catch any run-off there might be. Sprinkle half the cheese evenly over the bottom of the crust. Spread onions over the cheese and then top with remaining cheese. In a medium bowl, whisk together milk, cream, and eggs. Season with nutmeg, salt, and pepper. Pour over cheese. Transfer to oven, and bake until just set in the center, 30 to 35 minutes.

Cool on a wire rack for about 10-15 minutes before slicing.

This was a surprising hit with the hubs. Although he did suggest some bacon for him for next time. Of course, bacon is his favorite food, so naturally this is an expected response for anything short of a birthday cake, although, given the idea, I am sure he'd ask for it then as well!

The Chicken or The Egg

The Chicken or the Egg.

This is a pms post. Be Warned.

What came first...
My urge to eat everything is sight because I KNOW my monthly is coming or the urge to eat everything in sight because I genuinely feel starved out on my monthly?

I know it's coming because I get crazy emotional.
Case in point, last night I wanted pasta. I never eat pasta, because it just isn't worth it, nutritionally. However, I just was really feeling it last night. I have had a headache for 2 days, felt run down and wanted some friggin carbs. With olive oil. And sun-dried tomatoes. Stat.

Here is where things got strange!
I couldn't open the tomato jar. I REALLY wanted that jar to open. On the verge of tears, I decided to hell with it. I will break it open.
This sounded totally logical to me at this point, so I walked outside, and...
promptly threw the bottle on the ground.

Needless to say, It opened!!

I calmly took the wreckage inside, put it in a bowl and picked out the glass. Then I went outside and swept up.

As I was eating my rage infused delicious pasta, it occurred to me that perhaps something wasn't quite right here. I'm feeling needy, hopeless and HUNGRY. What's the date...
Oh. Beginning of the month. In approx. 5 days, AF arrives.
That explains that!

But I am not entirely sure there isn't some shift that occurs when I realize it's time for Aunt Flow. After my pasta cravings were handled, I still grazed. Strawberries. M&M's. Lemonade/Tea concoction.

Did I need to? Or did I do it because that's what I am "supposed" to do while PMS'ing? I know the emotional distress I go through at this time is legit and have learned ways to deal with it. Exercise, long hot baths, journaling, reading, lying in silence, meditation when I can muster up the resolve that takes!
However, I have never, not once, tried to understand or conquer my food issues during this time.

Maybe now is a good time.
I have already given in to sugar cravings at breakfast with a piece of coffee cake, which made me really think about all of this. Wouldn't toast with some strawberries have done the same for me? Am I eating the things I choose because I want it, because I am tired and want the boost or am I using PMS as a subconscious excuse to gorge?
It's a nasty cycle. I lose a few pounds, and gain them back at PMS time. I never really get ahead. It's not helping the hopelessness feelings!!
So.. For the next week, whether it's here or in a journal or even in a note on my phone, I will write/type down what I am feeling at my meals, why I want what I want and if there is an alternative and most of all.. Avoid salt!! And perhaps start putting my tomatoes into tupperware after I buy them.

Couch to 5K and Leonardo DiCaprio

Couch to 5k program. Oh week 1. How I hate you. I think I have too much couch and not enough 5k.

My ankles hurt, my heart feels like it's going to explode and my hips are protesting afterwords and I don't feel good about myself, but I know, I just KNOW if I stick with and finally frigging complete this thing, I will feel like the king of the world, a la Leonardo in Titanic. Screaming in Joy with my arms flung, jogging through a field of flowers with my dog.

Now, is that so much to ask! lol