136.8…Chili-Cheese Mac

I saw a recipe in April’s issue of Cooking Light that caught my eye. It looked simple to prepare and I imagined it would taste comforting and delicious. I was right on all fronts.

Chili-Cheese Mac (Serves 6)

Slightly adapted from Cooking Light April 2012

1 tsp. canola oil

3/4 lb. ground beef

1 tsp. garlic powder

1 tsp. ground coriander

1 tsp. ground cumin

2 tsp. chili powder

2 cups fat-free, lower-sodium beef broth

1 cup water

1 (10 oz.) can mild diced tomatoes and green chilies, undrained

8 oz. uncooked elbow macaroni

1/2 cut fat-free milk

4 oz. 1/3-less fat cream cheese

4 1/2 oz. shredded reduced-fat sharp cheddar cheese

1. Heat a Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add oil. Add beef and next 4 ingredients; cook 3 minutes. Add broth, water, and tomatoes; bring to a boil. Stir in macaroni; cover and cook 10 minutes or until macaroni is done.

2. Heat milk and cream cheese in a saucepan over medium heat. Cook 4 minutes or until cheese melts, stirring frequently. Remove from heat. Stir in cheddar. Add cheese sauce to macaroni mixture; toss well to coat.

Serving size: 1 cup (342 calories)

Printable Recipe

I loved it! This reminded me of when I was growing up…..this may not appeal to some but I loved Hamburger Helper back in the day. This tasted like a way better, healthier version of that. It was all I could do to put the leftovers away as quickly as possible so I would eat them all right there. 

I added a salad to it to up my veggie intake and to help fill me up so I wouldn’t eat the entire pan of Chili-Cheese Mac.

This morning I was excited to put my homemade peanut butter on top of a toasted English muffin. On the side, I had a bowl of strawberries and blueberries.

I really enjoyed this peanut butter.I love how I threw in some whole peanuts right at the end of the blending process to make it chunkier.

I took the kids to school and went to Zumba class. I changed and met two of my friends at the movie theater. And not just any movie theater….a fancy schamcy one!

 

Cinepolis in Del Mar recently opened and this was my first time going. The seats are extra nice: all leather and they recline until you are basically laying down.

They have these two seats in the lobby as an example. You have little lamps next to your seat, as well as a tray that moves around. There is also a call button. When you push it, an attendant comes and takes your drink and food order. The menu looked like it had a nice variety of options. They even have sushi!

I ordered a glass of Pinot Noir.

Hard to see because it was getting dark in the theater by that point and I didn’t want to be weird and use a flash. For lunch, I ordered the Ahi Tuna. The menu said: tuna, noodles, vegetables, lettuce and sesame dressing. It definitely was interesting eating a salad in the dark. :) I never tasted any noodles and there was a bit too much dressing on the salad but other than that I enjoyed it.

Now to the best part…the movie I saw. The Hunger Games! I have been SO excited to see it since I read all three books. I really enjoyed the movie. I can see how if you haven’t read the books, you many not enjoy the movie as much. I loved it and thought the cast and set decoration was fabulous.

I just got home from bringing the kids home from school. Tonight we are going with some friends to Phil’s BBQ. Oh my, I cannot wait!

Have you read any of The Hunger Games books or seen the movie? Thoughts?

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