Guiltless "Bacon" Mac

So, I purchased a big box of Miracle Noodles through Groupon a few months ago.  They've been sitting in a box, on a cart, in my kitchen since I received them.  Unfortunately, I also tend to throw a package or 2 of Shirataki noodles in my cart whenever I go to Sprouts.  So, needless to say, I have a surplus of these bad boys- and I need to start experimenting with them.

Shirataki noodles are Japanese noodles made from yam root.  They are very low calorie/carb and are actually quite filling.  The traditional kind have a slightly strange texture- they won't hold up in, say, a red sauce pasta dish.  But they are a really great substitute in any Asian style dish.  House Foods brand mixes a bit of tofu with the yam root- which makes for a more traditional pasta-like texture.

Now, I am a cheese lover.  Probably one of the main reasons I will never be able to convert to vegan-ism.  That, and I can not give up my Greek yogurt.  Can't do it.  I found this recipe for "Guilt-Free Mac and Cheese."  I made a few adjustments for flavoring, and it actually turned out really good.

Recipe adapted from original, posted by Electra at VanillaBeanLean

Ingredients:
2 packages of Shirataki Noodles (I like House Foods brand, mixed with tofu- I prefer their consistency)
4 oz. reduced-fat cheese of choice (I used Lifetime Fat Free Cheddar Cheese)
1 Tbsp Dijon mustard
Non-stick cooking spray
2 pieces of bacon- regular or fake (I use Morning Star- LOVE these!)
Nutritional Yeast* (optional)
Sea salt
Black pepper

1. Dump your Shirataki Noodles in a strainer and rinse well with cold water- at least a couple min.  These might smell a little bit fishy from sitting in liquid.  They don't taste fishy- I promise!  Spray a microwave-safe bowl with non-stick spray.  After rinsing, put all the noodles in the bowl, and spray them with non-stick spray.  Stir the noodles to coat.

2. Microwave your noodles for 1-2 minutes

3. Meanwhile, grate 4 oz of your cheese.  Once the noodles are finished in the microwave, mix the noodles with the cheese, mustard, salt, and pepper. (couldn't find my grater, so I just chopped it thinly)

4. Microwave for 2 minutes, stirring every 30 seconds, or so.

5. Once finished melting, top with extra black pepper, sea salt, and nutritional yeast to taste

6. Finally, crumble up some of your favorite bacon and enjoy!

Recipe Stats (per serving):
Serves: 2
Calories- 196
Carbs- 9
Fat- 5
Protein- 22
Sodium- 657
Sugar- 2

*Nutritional yeast is completely optional.  This might not be a product you can easily find, depending on where you live.  I get mine at Sprouts- most health food stores carry it, but I haven't had much luck finding it in a regular grocery store.  Despite the name, nutritional yeast is not like baking yeast at all.  It is deactivated yeast.  "Nooch" is a complete protein and a great source of B12.  I love it because it adds a cheesy, creamy, nutty flavor to dishes.  I love to sprinkle it on popcorn or on pizza if I don't have an Parmesan on hand!*

Herding Cats, Brad Paisley, and the Boys in Blue

So, though I may try to hide it, I am pretty resolved to the fact that when I'm 60 I will probably be a cat lady :(  I can't help it.  I have 2 kitties and they annoy the hell out of me sometimes, but I love them.  Saturday was check-up day at the vet.  I've never taken both of them in the car at the same time.  I will never take them both in the car at the same time again.  Ever.  We made it out alive, they got good reports, and we don't have to go back until February for teeth cleaning.  Thank God.

They look sweet- they actually hate each other!

I made them sit close for a picture 

But... who can hate on a face like that?!

Now... On to more important things...

San Manuel Amphitheater- one of my favorite So Cal venues for an outdoor summer concert! 

I force my friends to take selfies with me :) 

Sisters!  This is my sister's last weekend in So Cal before her big move to North Carolina! 

One of my very dear friends from high school- love ya Reni! 

Oh yea- and this happened.  He was actually that close!  #nozoom

#ConcertJunky #CountryMusicFanatic

I totally am.  I love music in general, but a live concert at an outdoor venue is something so wholly inclusive of all my senses that I struggle to explain why I love them so much.  I love the experience of getting hundreds or thousands of people together in one place, with a common appreciation for a certain artist.

1. Taste- Its the cold beer.  I'm not a huge beer drinker in general, but I feel it's absolutely appropriate to enjoy 1 or 2 at baseball games and concerts.  I'm a Coors Light girl (sue me!) and every time that light watered down beer passes over my lips I have flashbacks to some of my favorite times at various concerts.
2. Sight- Cowboys.  Need I say more?  This girl goes WEAK in the knees for a tall, handsome dude in boots and flannel!  Of course, the main goal of any concert is to actually see the artist- but let's be real.  If you're seats consist of a blanket on the ground in the lawn section- you can barely see the stage, let alone the artist preforming on it.
3. Hearing-  This is the highlight for me.  I get to spend time soaking in the lyrics and rhythms I've spent weeks, months, or years listening to.  I get to listen and soak in the personality the artists portray on the stage.  I get to hear the awesomeness that is "the band" that comes with the artist.
4. Touch- I tend to frequent concerts as a single gal- but I'm sure during those sickeningly sweet make-out songs where it is fully appropriate to be hanging all over your man touch has a place.
5. Smell- Outdoor venues are, by far, my favorite.  I absolutely love a small venue like House of Blues Anaheim but an outdoor venue that holds, say, 10,000+ people is an entirely different experience.  The smells include grass from the lawn section, foods from the concession stands, beer from nearly everyone's cups, and typically at some point the smells also include some weed.  Not actually sure what area that comes from.
6. Dancing- while dance is, of course, not one of our primary 5 senses- it is something that is a huge part of any concert I attend.  Brad Paisley's song Alcohol has a line that says "I've been making the bars lots of big money, and helping white people dance."  Tis true.  I know I have no rythem.  Like, at all.  But when I'm at a concert, sippin' on a beer, surrounded by the masses- I totally rock.  Well, maybe not- but you'll never know ;)

Sunday was a Dodger/Red Sox game with my friend Jorge.  My favorite team is the Red Sox.  My local team is the Angels.  Jorge is a Dodger fan.  Needless to say, we don't agree on anything baseball related :)

Being an Angels fan, I am partial to Angel's Stadium over Dodger's Stadium for location and fan demographics.  BUT, I do love the energy-level that Dodger fans exude.  They are, by far, the more passionate of the 2 sets of fans.  And... regardless of team loyalty- is there anything nicer than an all-American baseball game on a warm summer evening??

Introduction

I'd life to first start by saying that I, in no way, claim to be perfect.  I am, however, extremely persistent when I want to be.  My goal for the near future is to work on attaining that perfect balance of persistence while also taking time to enjoy life.  I'm about 5 months away from completing my Master's degree, I just started anew job that is stretching me in all kinds of ways I didn't imagine it would, and all the while I'm trying to maintain some semblance of a social life.

This blog is for me.  It could peak someone's interest somewhere.  Maybe.  Or not.  I have no idea.  I may attract a follower or 2.  Or none.  And honestly, I'm OK with that.  I need somewhere to unload my thoughts, somewhere to make resolutions to the massive expanse that is the internet, somewhere to share my struggles, and somewhere to celebrate my wins.  If anyone would like to join me on that journey- I welcome you.

Over the next few months I have some goals:
1. Reduce the amount of unhealthy things I consume
2. Start and continue to practice yoga
3. Run
4. Cook/Eat more meals at home
5. Invest in someone else's life
6. Finish my degree

Each of these will get touched on in the coming weeks.  For now, just know, they are all things I've been wanting to do for some time, but I've never really truly committed to them.  So this is it.  This is me committing.  No excuses.

Any advice for staying to committed to goals like these?