Veggie Mac N Cheese

Howdy friends! So a friend of mine sent me the very best thing ever today...http://blockyourex.com/

Yes you read that right. It's a website that BLOCKS you from stalking your ex. Is this not the greatest thing ever? I of course did not actually use it because let's face it, I could never give up my stalking ways, but the person who invented this is so obviously a genius. With all this talk of stalking lately, I'm sure y'all are going to think I'm crazy. I'm not crazy, just honest. I know a lot of you do it too. Own it!

Lunch today was a salad with romaine, radishes, tomatoes, and avocado with an olive oil lemon juice dressing. On the side I had a piece of toasted rye bread with some cheddar cheese. And yes, that is soda you see in the picture. 2/3 of a glass. I'm making progress, really I am.

The run today was fantastic. There really is nothing better than running in the fall weather. It's perfectly cool, there is a fresh smell in the air, it's fantastic. I ran with Jimmy again today with the goal of finishing the 4 miles in 50 minutes (I know you speed demons are cringing right now). He wanted to be a tough guy and finish in 47 but he's not a runner and is not in good cardiovascular shape so he's being a little ridiculous with the timing thing. I finished in exactly 43 minutes, Jimmy finished in 48:40. I was really feeling the run today.

For dinner I made a cauliflower and broccoli mac n cheese. A good way to get your veggies in is to smother them with cheese!

Ingredients:

12 oz whole wheat elbow pasta
1 1/2 cups of grated cheddar cheese
1 1/2 cups of sour cream (low fat version can be used)
1 tbsp of dijon mustard
1 head of cauliflower, chopped
1 head of broccoli, chopped
salt and pepper to taste
1/2 cup of milk
1/4 cup of panko bread crumbs

Turn the oven to 400. Cook the pasta according to the package directions, adding the cauliflower and broccoli during the last 3 minutes of cooking time; drain. Mix in the pasta, cauliflower, cheese, sour cream, milk, and mustard. Breadcrumbs on the top are optional, but either way, bake for 12 to 15 minutes until the breadcrumbs are golden brown or if you don't use breadcrumbs, bake until the top begins to bubble (about 10 minutes).

Dessert was a slice of pumpkin cheesecake. I actually altered the recipe that I posted last week due to an apparent pumpkin shortage, and I have to say it came out better than my original version. I will be posting the new recipe soon.

What's your favorite post-workout fuel?

I Love Gossip

It's official. The TV premier season is upon us! First up we have my personal fav (besides True Blood of course) Gossip Girl! I was disappointed by the mere glance of Ed Westwick, who is 50% of the reason I watch the show...but I have a feeling he will not disappoint me next week. Swoon. I happen to love "teenager" shows and would most certainly act like a tween with a celebrity crush if I ever ran into any of the stars of the shows on the street. Or I would stalk them for six blocks like I did with Kelly Washington. Bottom line is, I'm a little obsessive. And Gossip Girl is right up my alley because well, I love me some gossip. I LOVE hearing about other people's lives. Which is also probably why I tend to be a facebook stalker. Hm. I'm sensing a pattern here. Anyway, I'm hopeful that this season of GG will be great because frankly, if it's not, the ratings are down and it will be on the chopping block.



Breakfast today was the same as yesterday, a cantaloupe bowl with greek yogurt and granola. I actually like it so much that I went to the supermarket to get two more cantaloupes. Yes, whenever I find something I like I eat it until I'm sick of it, so it looks like that's what I'm going to do with this cantaloupe bowl too.

I didn't stay true to my word today :( Instead of having just a half a cup of coffee, it actually ended up 2/3 of a cup. Oh well. At least it was a little less. Lunch at home today will be a big salad and a piece of the rye bread on the side. I don't know what it is, but the Hannaford in Waltham makes the softest loaves of bread and I really can't get enough. I thought the sourdough was my favorite, but the rye is catching up fast.

Speaking of bread, I walked through the organic/natural aisles last night and saw ezekiel bread. I have never seen it in a supermarket before, just at Trader Joe's. This supermarket actually sells a variety of things I have not seen outside of TJ's or Whole Foods so I'm quite happy about that. I have tried Ezekiel bread before, and I know Jillian Michaels is a huge fan...but I have to say, it tastes like dog shit and it's like chewing on rubber. When I eat bread I want to be flavorful, soft, and delicious. I really don't know what the hulabaloo (that's right, I used hulabaloo in a sentence) is all about with the ezekiel bread. I know it's healthy for you, but much like low fat cheese, why do it? It's just not the same.

I'm going for a 4 mile run tonight on the Charles River Bike Path that I have been raving to you guys about. I've decided I'm finally going to try upping my mileage this weekend and either go for 5 or 6. I'm slowly but surely getting there! When I burned out last fall on running, I actually became so disillusioned with running that I ebayed my Garmin. I am regretting that decision now. I have been considering the 405, does anyone have any experience with the 405? I really loved the 305, but hated it's bulk. Something to consider.

What "healthy" foods does everyone rave about that you can't stand?