The hardest thing to give up for the kiddos and myself is mac and cheese. Weird but we love it and it so super quick!

So I've been testing tons of vegan mac and cheeze recipes and tweaking them all to come up with this one.

It's super creamy and yummy;)

Gooey Mac n' Cheeze

1 cup un-sweatened milk substitute (I use Eden soy rice blend)

1/4 cup raw cashews (I buy the cashew pieces because it's cheaper:)

1/2 cup red star nutritional yeast (less if you don't love it super cheezey)

1 1/2 tbsp. Arrowroot powder ( or 1tbsp. cornstarch)

1 tbsp. Soy free Earth balance buttery spread

3/4 tsp salt

1/4 tsp. onion powder (optional)

1/8 tsp. garlic powder (also optional, my kids like it so..)

1/8 tsp. turmeric (for color you could also use annatto instead)

Place all ingredients in blender, whizz on high for as long as it takes to create a smooth creamy sauce:) I have a crappy blender so it takes a bit longer than say a vitamix or blend tech!

You can make it ahead of time or put a pot of water on for elbow noodles and prepare the cheeze sauce while the noodles are cooking. Drain the noodles (leave in strainer). Pour the sauce from the blender into the hot pot and heat on Med. High whisking until it's nice and thick. It makes enough for a big pot or 1 pound of cooked noodles so you can make the recipe and use half and put the rest in a jar to use later. It refrigerates nicely too. Pour it over broccoli too, yummy!!

Enjoy.

 

Update on our January change: We where able to keep the thermostat on "run program" and not bump up the temp because I'm perpetually freezing. I knit a rad pair of wool socks, and rediscovered my love of a hot water bottle on my lap or in our bed to warm things up! We didn't end up saving any money or using less electricy/gas because Jan. was much colder than Dec. But I felt better about it not turning on as much. I also recaulked around the windows inside and the door frames which helped keep some of those drafts out.

Our February small change has been in the works for a long time. I'm happy to report I feel very knowledgeable and comfortable with converting our family to the vegan lifestyle. My vegan friends have been such an inspiration to me too, helping me along the way on this fabulous and healthy transition. I received the book " The Kind Diet" by Alicia Silverstone for x-mas and love it! I know you immediately think of her movie clueless and think, "what can she possible know about being vegan and all the info. you need to be healthy while eating and living meat free"? Well she's super knowledgeable and straight up with it, the book is laid out into 3 phases so you can ease into a vegan diet or be a superhero and dive right into, whole grains-veggies-fruit....whole and simple eating!

I've been a vegetarian on and off all my life. I hate eating meat and don't like that we kill animals for our consumption. I believe it's not sustainable and really devastating to our planet. With that said there are many ways and with a bit more time and money invested you can eek out organic, free range meat and dairy but it's not mainstream.

So my meat loving hubby and our two little son's have agreed to adopt a plant based diet not only for Feb. but for the rest of our lives.  Vegan info. is readily available at your local library in book form and I bet you know a few vegans that would be willing to help guide you on your way to eating animal free.  Here's to lowering our impact on our Mother Earth!!

After a month long haul on a pair of Jaywalker socks, I needed some "wam bam thankyou mam" kinda knitting .....

The Phydeaux twist cowl, I fell in love with this cool mama's version and immediately had to cast on! Done in 3 hours;)

Love it!!

This week has been busy, therefore I needed another super quick super bulky knit idea, my sista friend knit this up and gave me the inspiration. I love it, it's called Autumn and is a pattern from the talented Jane Richmond.

Warm heads rule!!!

Heads up all,

Head on over to "A Journey to a Simple Happy Life", Imene is hosting a giveaway for a year subscription on Living Crafts magazine, awesome right!

1. Take a 10-30 minute walk every day.
And while you walk, smile. It is the ultimate
anti-depressant.

2. Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes
each day. Buy a lock if you have to.

3. When you wake up in the morning
complete the following statement,
'My purpose is to __________ today.'

4. Eat more foods that grow on trees and
plants and eat less food that is manufactured
in plants.

5. Drink green tea and plenty of water.
Eat blueberries, broccoli, almonds & walnuts.

6. Try to make at least three people smile
each day.

7. Don't waste your precious energy on
gossip, energy vampires, issues of the past,
negative thoughts or things you cannot
control. Instead invest your energy in
the positive present moment.

8. Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a
prince and dinner like a college kid with
a maxed out charge card.

9. Life isn't fair, but it's still good.

10. Life is too short to waste time hating
anyone.

11. Don't take yourself so seriously.
No one else does.

12. You don't have to win every argument.
Agree to disagree.

13. Make peace with your past so
it won't spoil the present.

14. Don't compare your life to others'.
You have  no idea what their journey
is all about.

15. No one is in charge of your happiness
except you.

16. Frame every so-called disaster
with these words: 'In five years,
will this matter?'

17. Forgive everyone for everything.

18. What other people think of you
is none of your business.

19. The Universe heals everything.

20. However good or bad a situation is,
it will change.

21. Your job won't take care of you when you
are sick. Your family and friends will.
Stay in touch!

22. Envy is a waste of time.
You already have all you need.

23. Each night before you go to bed complete the
following statements:
I am thankful for __________.
Today I accomplished _________.

24. Remember that you are too blessed
to be stressed.