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White Cheddar Mac n' Cheese

Mmmm. Mac n' cheese is such a good comfort food, espcially in the winter. I just want to curl up with a warm bowl of this stuff and snuggle in a blankie. I can't stand that blue box of mac n' cheese cause it tastes like plastic. I do however, completely love this stuff! The sharp white cheddar is so delicious and grown-up tasting. I put a teeny bit of sugar in it for a touch of sweetness and to offset the sharp taste of the cheddar a little. I just can't wait to have a big ol' bowl of this again soon!

to make mac n' cheese:
adapted from Shugary Sweets

1 pound short pasta (any short pasta such as elbows, shells, rotini, etc.)
1/4 cup unsalted butter
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1 cup milk
2 cups heavy cream
1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
1 1/2 teaspoon dry mustard
1/2 teaspoon sugar
2 cups shredded sharp white cheddar

Cook the pasta according to the package's directions. Drain and set aside.

In a large pot on medium-high heat, melt the butter. Once the butter is melted, add the flour and whisk until combined. Let cook for a minute or two. Turn the heat down to medium and add the milk, cream, salt, pepper, mustard, and sugar. Keep whisking until it starts bubbling, about 5 or so minutes. Bring the heat down to low and stir in the cheese until it's melted.

Add the pasta and toss until completely coated. Enjoy it while it's hot!

 

 

Lunch Eats

I thought I'd share some of my lunches that I have on a daily basis. What I do is pack a snack or two and then something that I have for my "main meal". If you're suuuuper interested, my eating schedule is: 8:00am, breakfast; 12:00pm, snack; 2:30pm, lunch; 5:00 or 6:00pm, snack; between 7:00pm and 9:00pm, dinner. Here are some yummy lunches I've had recently!

Leftover brown butter noodles with turkey sausage with two graham crackers for afterward. I also had an apple and peanut butter earlier in the day, but that's not pictured. I like cooking up some turkey or chicken sausage and then slicing it and storing it in the fridge. I either eat it cold with cheese & crackers or eat it warmed to add protein to a quick dinner. It makes life much easier.

Leftover pancakes from brinner (breakfast dinner), chicken sausage, grapes, and applesauce. Oh, and did you know I eat my applesauce warm? People think that's gross, but my grandma used to make the best homemade applesauce once a year and store it in the freezer. Whenever we got any applesauce, we would have to thaw it in the microwave and it was so yummy we wouldn't wait for it to cool down. Now cold applesauce kind of grosses me out.

Leftover leek and pancetta pasta (so good!), grapes, and a protein bar. Yes David, I did take one of your protein bars.

This is Sammy pretty much every time I'm taking my lunch pictures. Actually, seconds before this as I was trying to take the above picture, he practically had his nose in my pasta until I told him to go away. He thinks that is going away...

 

Hope this gives you a little lunch inspiration!

xoxo

Lunch Eats

One thing I really love doing is making lunches. Yep, I'm not even joking a little bit. I love finding something yummy for David and I's lunches. In fact, if I could, I would pack lunches for everyone! That's how much I love it! Is there any profession out there that just packs people their lunches? If not, I may just have to make one because I woud do it! Anyway, I thought I'd share some of my lunches that I have on a daily basis. What I do is pack a snack or two and then something that I have for my "main meal". If you're suuuuper interested, my eating schedule is: 8:00am, breakfast; 12:00pm, snack; 2:30pm, lunch; 5:00 or 6:00pm, snack; between 7:00pm and 9:00pm, dinner. Here are some yummy lunches I've had recently!

Leftover red pepper pasta, grapes, nutrigrain bar, water.

Tuesdays I'm home around lunch time because I have class, so I made myself some fried eggs with half of a buttermilk waffle acting as toast. I had popcorn and grapes as my snacks.

An awesome chicken burger David made with a brioche burger bun, kettle popcorn, and applesauce.

Spaghetti with marinara sauce, two hard-boiled eggs, and some applesauce.

 

I hope this helps inspire you for some lunch ideas!

xoxo