Sweet Potato Mac n Cheese and Yummy Smoothies

This is so easy and so yummy.  I didn't make this vegan, but all you would have to change would be the type of cheese.  My husband said it was the best mac n cheese he's every had.  You might even like it if you don't like sweet potato.  It's worth a try.  My toddler doesn't normally like sweet potato, but she dug into this!  Normally, I don't like baked mac, cause i think it is dry.  However, this recipe is not, it's pretty much perfect.  I think I'm going to try this with broccoli and spinach too!

I made this almost the same way as this link I found, but I did change a few things.

Ingredients:

1 medium sized sweet potato; peeled, cubed, and mashed.  (I just hand mashed it)
Most of a box of whole wheat rotini pasta
3 tablespoon of Earth balance butter
3 tablespoons of flour
1 1/2 cups of non dairy milk; I think I used rice milk
about 1 cup of mild cheddar shredded cheese
1/4 tsp of paprika
salt and pepper to taste

Optional:
small handful of cheddar
2 tsp parmesan cheese
dash of paprika
I topped the pasta with this before I baked it.


Preheat oven to 350

Get your sweet potato mash done, and it will be a little over a cup most likely.  However much you get is great!  Set that aside.  Make your pasta according to directions, then drain, rinse and set aside.  While that is boiling, melt the butter in a saucepan on low until it bubbles a little.  Then, add your flour and whisk for 3 minutes.  Slowly add the milk and whisk for another 5 minutes.  Then let it cook for a few minutes until it starts to thicken.  Now, add your spices.  Then add cheese and sweet potato and stir until smooth.  Remove from heat and add the pasta, and stir until combined.  Place in a 8x8 baking dish and top with optional toppings.  Bake for 15-25 minutes.  I took it out after 15 cause I was worried about the texture, but it could have gone a little longer.  Anyway you choose to do it, it will be super yummy!!

I couldn't believe how cheesy it tasted, and with out much cheese!

Gooey Yumminess!!!!


Here are some more smoothie combos I did recently.  There are endless options, I just thought these were really good!!  Again, I always have frozen sliced bananas on hand for a smoothie base.  Frozen whole fat coconut milk works great also!!

The Ugliest Yummiest Greenish Smoothie

1-2 frozen bananas
2 large kale leaves; washed and leaves removed and discard stems
1 orange peeled
1/2 peeled lemon
5 or so strawberries
water to blend

Could barely get a picture of this one before I drank it all...

Chocolate Banana Butter Smoothie

1-2 frozen bananas
1 fresh banana
2 heavy tsp of tahini (ground sesame seeds, or use any nut butter you have)
2 or so Tbl of cocoa powder
almond milk or other non dairy milk to get the consistency you want

Scrape down the sides of the blender so you get all the yumminess.  It tastes like a chocolate peanut butter shake!!

Cauliflower and Cumin Soup with Chili Butter

Very tasty soup I copied from Here  Mine looked different because I added a large chopped carrot when you add the cauliflower and some kale when you add the water.  Then topped it with lime juice a ton of cilantro and pine nuts.  It was really good, and filling, and healthy!

Husband love it also!

So, my "diet" did not last long.  I eat really good usually, I just over do it.  Portion control is a foreign idea to me and I can't seem to implement it.  Oh well, except we are going on a family vacay and my brother, sis in-law, and husband and I are having a beach body contest.  So, we'll see how that goes.  I've got until June and I would like to lose 20 pounds.  I have been exercising a lot more since we started though.

I'm trying to have more veggie smoothies, and I might cut out some caffeine and try to replace it with a green smoothie or tea or something.  Ugh, it's so much effort I wish I had the motivation for all the time.

If you are trying to be healthier, give this soup a try!  Great time of year to eat cauliflower cause it boosts your immune system!!