Matt and I got to spend some quality time together this afternoon watching The Office, 30 Rock and going on a short walk.
I had the old snack issue again today – at 5:00 I got really hungry, but we didn’t want dinner yet. I didn’t want to spoil my appetite, but I also wanted more than a few nuts! So I settled for half of a Clif bar, which was a good compromise (I was still hungry at 6:30 for dinner!)
I didn’t dislike the apricot flavor, but I didn’t particularly like it either. I’m not a big fan of lemon/fruity flavored bars for some reason. But the best thing about this was that it didn’t have any artificial taste and was quite sweet and pure-tasting of apricots.
I have a TON of bars to eat in my pantry. They keep piling up faster than I can eat them, which is awesome, but I’m starting to feel overwhelmed with the disorganization in our pantry! I like bars that are all natural and thing they are perfectly fine for consumption on the go, but if I have a choice, I normally lean towards fruit, yogurt and nuts for snacks. BUT, since our stock is up, I’m going to try to chose them more frequently than I might if I didn’t have an abundance. (Just wanted to clarify that so I don’t get a lot of questions asking me why I’ve been eating so many bars lately!)
So that box of mac n cheese from last night reappeared tonight!
But we gourmeted it up with a bunch of grilled veggies –
A little extra cheese
And the best spicy sauce ever!
I caught up on some blog reading this afternoon! Fun to see what you guys have been up to (and yes, that means YOU!)
A new wellness center in NYC is hoping you guys might be willing to take their survey to get your opinions on health, wellness and health concerns. So if you don’t mind: Wellness Survey.
And Quaker’s got a coupon for their Pancake Mix up: Quaker Coupon. I tried it this winter and gave it a thumbs up.
I’ve got an early morning tomorrow – I’m going somewhere fun and Matt’s going somewhere else fun!
The Duo Dishes says
We swear by sriracha too. It is some good stuff! Love it in stir fries, and now you’ve shown another good use!
Shelby says
I didn’t like that flavor Clif either, too sweet for me!
Kudret says
ooo that gourmet mac and cheese looks better than any mac and cheese you could get at a fancy schmany restaurant. I have to catchup on the Office too!!!
Ali says
Fun survey! And your dinner looks yummy (as usual, who am I kidding lol).
Lindsey (Mrs. LC) says
Oh yum, I may have to put a grilled veggie mac ‘n cheese dish on my menu next week. Maybe I’ll be veg-inspired if I can find a farmer’s market while I’m in Orlando tomorrow!
thepinkpeppercorn says
Wow!! That mac’n cheese and veggies looks great! Yay for coupons!
Sccop says
In addition to sriracha, you might also like to try the Wasabi oil/dressing from Trader Joe’s. It doesn’t have the strong wasabi flavor you get from the paste, but it’s more like sesame oil.
janetha says
yummm i LOVE cock sauce, especially on mac&cheese actually. it is good on everything but for some reason best on mac&cheese. i thank noodles&co for helping me discover this.
i have a lot of bars hanging around too, i am like you.. if i have the option to have fresh food or a bar, the fresh food always wins. bars are good for backup though.
have a good weekend!
rebecca says
looks good, nice guest post today by the way on savor the thyme
Erica says
Hey Kath! Happy Friday 🙂 Your dinner looks fabulous! We left our grill in MD when we moved and your picture of grilled veggies is making me want to buy another one ASAP! Hope you get some rest- have fun with whatever you’re doing tomorrow am
Foodie (Fab and Delicious Food) says
Mac and cheese with an assortment of roasted vegetables sounds wonderful! Thanks for the idea!
Christina says
I had Annie’s white cheddar shells for dinner too! I just added some spinach, I love your creativity with all your add-ins!
Melissa says
I never eat mac n’ cheese because in my mind I have categorized it as “bad”. Thanks for showing me that I can have it and make it healthy too!!
Ana says
I love shells and white cheddar! I ususally get the conventional brand (read: probably not as healthy). I’m going to have to head to earthfare and get Annie’s brand.
Marisa (trim the fat) says
I just won that mac and cheese in a giveaway; looking forward to trying it!
Sarah (lovINmytummy) says
Thanks for the comment today…it’s fun to know that you are a reader too!
I just dibby dabbed Sirracha on my dinner too. A little goes a LONG way.
meg says
Sounds like a relaxing afternoon! Yummy mac n cheese!
Lisa says
Like Melissa, I always think of mac and cheese as a “bad” food. Thanks for reminding me that there’s a place for everything in a balanced diet.
Katrina (gluten free gidget) says
Those veggies look A-MAZING!!!!!! Veggies mixed into mac n’ cheese are the best comfort food!
emmy says
Mac n’ cheese boxes are having a comeback, we have one planned for dinner tomorrow! My favorite mix in is canned tuna or salmon.
Jessica says
Hey Kath! All of your meals (especially your oats) are always super pretty, they are really just fun to look at! I was wondering if you eat them in layers or if you mix them all up first?
I just started my own blog (so much fun) and I tend to be a mixer with my oats – they are not nearly as pretty to photograph once they are all jumbled : )
Love your blog!
HealthierMe says
Check it out! You were linked in the Daily Spark blog!
Niki says
Dinner looks great! I’m going to have to make mac and cheese with veggies next week!!
Ed says
“yummm i LOVE cock sauce, especially on mac&cheese actually. it is good on everything but for some reason best on mac&cheese. i thank noodles&co for helping me discover this.”
HAHAHAHA! ROTFL!!
Angie says
Beautiful dinner- I love how you take something so simple like a box of mac and cheese and turn it into a gourmet meal. Have a great weekend!
Mara @ What's For Dinner? says
I put sriracha on just about everything… well, everything not sweet!
Shannon (The Daily Balance) says
love the veggie addition to the mac and cheese- yumyumyum!
Becky says
Oh darn, I wish I had that coupon earlier this week when I bought that mix. For my birthday we are going a 5k and making those pancakes. I can’t wait!
Lyn says
That’s gotta be the coolest mac n cheese ever! I need to grill veggies this weekend 🙂
Nate says
So do you agree with me? Good episodes of both The Office and 30 Rock, yes yes?
I think the next Charlotte Eats potluck should have one room reserved for Cafe Disco…I’m just sayin…
Leah @ Simply Fabulous Now says
I have been getting really hungry around the same time. I think it’s because I started 30 Day Shred a couple weeks ago I’ve been building strength. Would that be normal to increase my appetite? I always find it hard not to ruin dinner!!!
Elizabeth says
I tried my first Clif bar a couple of days ago – blueberry crisp one. I thought it was pretty good.
Where do you get your sriracha? I love spicy things (so does the hubs) & I’d love to try that!
Kath says
Jessica ,
Thanks! I usually eat them in layers too – I never stir the oatmeal, and the dinners depend, but usually no.
HealthierMe ,
Cool! But I couldn’t make the link work…
Nate,
Good, but not awesome. I think the earlier seasons were better now that I’ve seen them all! Disco at Touchstone!!
Elizabeth
I think Harris Teeter?
Kath
Beadie @ What I Ate Yesterday says
Rooster sauce is my favorite hot sauce too.
Awesome dinner with the Annies!
Heather says
I love mixing Annie’s mac and cheese with all different combinations. My favorite has to be with thawed frozen peas and sometimes adding tuna or salmon. I love all the veggies in your mixture though!
Andrea of Care to Eat says
yay for grown up mac ‘n’ cheese!
HealthierMe says
Oops! I don’t even know how I managed that.
Here’s the actual link: http://tinyurl.com/qrhgll
Lauren says
That looks fantastic!! Now I’m hungry!! 🙂
Michelle Hisae says
I agree, I usually forego the bars and choose the fresh foods. But I still buy bars just because they sound/look good! It’s an expensive habit!
klm says
I want to eat this right noooowwww!!
Danica says
Aww – I missed posting on this! That is my favorite Annie’s Mac n Cheese flavor of all. Glad you enjoyed it and you made it look fantastic!