#flowertherapy might be right up there with #water #flowertherapy might be right up there with #watertherapy.  Love passing the time in secret wildflower patches. As you do. 🌸
I remarked how pretty that tiny sliver of the moon I remarked how pretty that tiny sliver of the moon was on the way home tonight, and my friend pulled over right away so I could grab a photo. That’s when someone really knows you! It was just too beautiful to resist. 🌙
Weekend photos in review, old school style. ✨ C Weekend photos in review, old school style. ✨ 
Context: 1/ picture perfect weekend, 2/ threw together a quick meal w udon noodles, steak and broccoli, so good, 3/ the sun reflections on this painting struck me today, looked like a cross 4/ it takes all afternoon but nothing like Sunday Gravy, 5/ six months old, 6/ when he wants some serious zzzz’s, he covers his eye with his ears, the cutest, 7/ breakfast pastries at @coniglios
I have plenty of reusable shopping bags since New I have plenty of reusable shopping bags since New Jersey banned the plastic ones last year. But when I spied this beauty for a buck, how could I resist? It just is so darn happy, which makes me happy. The little things aren’t so little. 💛
Cheers to the weekend! This may look like a staged Cheers to the weekend! This may look like a staged photo, but Lola just has ZERO boundaries and Clifford is exceptionally patient. 😂
I’ve been on a smoked salmon kick lately (it’s I’ve been on a smoked salmon kick lately (it’s so good for you), so when I saw that a local patisserie has a smoked salmon croissant available (weekends only), I added it to my list of things to seek out. I popped into @chocolatinenj early on Mother’s Day and was rewarded with this deliciousness. Layers of soft flaky croissant dough, tender smoked salmon, light whipped cream, thinly sliced red and green onion slivers and dotted with capers… it was every bit as amazing as you’d imagine it would be. If you’re local, don’t sleep on this one. 😋
Weekend photos in review, the belated edition. 1/ Weekend photos in review, the belated edition.

1/ hit up a few yard sales and snagged this beautiful pasta dish from Italy with my favorite color for a buck, 2/ and one of these printer trays came home with me too, 3/ pre Mother’s Day celebrations with 30 local moms, 4/ finished the weekend supervising furniture assembly
Today would have been my friend Cathy’s 53rd bir Today would have been my friend Cathy’s 53rd birthday. Unfortunately she’s not here to celebrate because she died suddenly at age 49. I think of her often … every Mother’s Day because we spent most of them together since her husband worked weekends … when I discover a new food adventure (we once did a day long donut crawl) … when I’m sharing a special time with my kids knowing that her then-11 year old is growing up without her. Before she passed, I always appreciated every day, but since then, even more so. You never know what the next day can bring, so relish in the sunshine, surprise rainstorms, making wishes over railroad tracks and all the wonderful randomness life can throw your way. Don’t waste a single second, say yes, live on the outskirts of your comfort zone, laugh often, tell people you love them, give eight second hugs, and squeeze every ounce of joy you can out of life. Do it for the people who can’t. ✨
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Sweetnicks

Food and Life

Recipe: Cauliflower Mac and Cheese

September 30, 2013 · Narrative

Untitled

When I was putting away groceries last night, I got a little wistful.

I haven’t had pasta in over six months. And I miss it just a teeny bit.

And sushi. Specifically the most amazing Monkey Roll that ever was.

I used to have them once a week (and, coughcough, sometimes more) and they are amazing.

And man, I seriously miss those.

The other day Madeline asked me how much longer I was going to be doing this “food thing.”

Her adorableness overwhelms me sometimes.

“You lost weight and you look great. I mean, you looked great before too, and now you look even better. You should be done.”

She is very politically correct, and I love that about her.

And I’m almost there. My goal is to release the grip by the end of the year.

Which is pretty much the most perfect way to end the year and usher in a new one. Full of exciting promise, clean slates, and refreshed beginnings.

And until then?

I’m still not eating pasta or my beloved Monkey Rolls.

So in the meantime?

We find other ways to satisfy the occasional craving with new takes on cauliflower.

And this time, that means Cauliflower Mac and Cheese.

It was so simple. And so ridiculously cheesy. That you almost don’t miss the actual real macaroni noodles.

I used frozen cauliflower in those steamer bags, to make it even easier, and when it was done, I drizzled a smidge of hot sauce over the top. And then I promptly inhaled it.

A definite make again.

Whether or not you’ve given up pasta and beloved Monkey Rolls.

Hungry for more ways to get creative with cauliflower?
These Cauliflower Bread Sticks were another great riff, and delish!
This Mock Shrimp Risotto was almost as good as the real deal.
Cauliflower Crust Pizza for fulfilling all your pizza loving dreams.
And lastly, Cauliflower Garlic Mashed Potatoes will satisfy your comfort food craving.

Cauliflower Mac and Cheese
Recipe courtesy of Your Diet Diva

Servings: 1

Ingredients:

1½ cups cauliflower, steamed and chopped
½ cup moderate-fat shredded cheddar
½ cup moderate-fat shredded Colby jack
2 tablespoons half & half
1 tablespoon reduced-fat cream cheese
¼ teaspoon black pepper
¼ teaspoon onion powder

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350° F. In a saucepan over medium-low heat, warm half & half and cream cheese. Add black pepper and onion powder. Whisk until melted and creamy, but do not let boil; keep warm. Mix cheese together in mixing bowl. Pour ¾ of the cheese mixture into the saucepan. Stir until cheese is completely melted. Add cauliflower and gently fold until cauliflower is covered. Place mixture in a baking dish and top with remaining shredded cheese. Bake for 20 minutes or until cheese is browned.

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Posted In: Narrative · Tagged: cauliflower, lean and green, mac and cheese, Medifast, Paleo

Comments

  1. Joanne says

    October 1, 2013 at 6:25 am

    I’m so glad you posted this!! It does look like a pretty good fill-in for pasta during times of serious need.

    And I’m SO proud of you for sticking with this!!
    Joanne recently posted..Chocolate Stout Waffles with Chocolate-Peanut Butter Syrup #DivineInNYC

    Reply
  2. Cheryl says

    October 1, 2013 at 1:07 pm

    YUM, I am trying to cut carbs too, this looks delish!

    Reply
  3. Rosanna says

    April 19, 2014 at 8:29 pm

    I made this and it was AMAZING! Thanks for sharing your recipe. I put a picture of my dinner on FB and everybody asked me for the recipe, so I shared this pin. I’m back to make it again for Easter, and thought I’d drop in to tell you how yummy this is :-)

    Reply
  4. B says

    April 21, 2014 at 12:15 am

    So cute with what Madeline said :).

    Ok, so how do you keep your resolve and not cheat? Are you this way with other “goals” etc you want to achieve. Just great willpower when you set your mind to something — regardless of what that something is.

    Tips?

    Reply
  5. paige says

    May 16, 2014 at 8:16 pm

    Do you know the nutritional information for this? It looks so yummy!

    Reply
  6. Heather Randall says

    November 11, 2014 at 6:14 pm

    This is seriously heaven. I keep sneaking bites. There might not be any left for dinner.

    Reply
  7. Susan says

    November 5, 2017 at 7:52 pm

    Very good. I put my cauliflower in the food processor raw, mixed it into the cheese mixture on the stove then put it in the oven. It worked out good. I’m sure a little crunchier than your version. Will definitely make it again.

    Reply
  8. Chelsea says

    April 1, 2018 at 4:50 pm

    I used my whole head of cauliflower so I multiplied the recipe X4. It was great! I steamed my cauliflower for about 9 minutes and added a bit of salt. Now I want to transform all my mac and cheese recipes with cauliflower!

    Reply
    • Cate O'Malley says

      April 8, 2018 at 7:07 pm

      Glad you liked it! One of these days, I need to replace that awful picture!

      Reply
  9. Johannah Darnell says

    April 27, 2019 at 10:14 am

    Both my Daughter Renee and myself love cauliflower so I was happy to find this web site The problem is for some reason they will not print. At one point the message said “Nothing was sent to my printer”. Do you think I am doing something wrong??

    Reply

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#flowertherapy might be right up there with #water #flowertherapy might be right up there with #watertherapy.  Love passing the time in secret wildflower patches. As you do. 🌸
I remarked how pretty that tiny sliver of the moon I remarked how pretty that tiny sliver of the moon was on the way home tonight, and my friend pulled over right away so I could grab a photo. That’s when someone really knows you! It was just too beautiful to resist. 🌙
Weekend photos in review, old school style. ✨ C Weekend photos in review, old school style. ✨ 
Context: 1/ picture perfect weekend, 2/ threw together a quick meal w udon noodles, steak and broccoli, so good, 3/ the sun reflections on this painting struck me today, looked like a cross 4/ it takes all afternoon but nothing like Sunday Gravy, 5/ six months old, 6/ when he wants some serious zzzz’s, he covers his eye with his ears, the cutest, 7/ breakfast pastries at @coniglios
I have plenty of reusable shopping bags since New I have plenty of reusable shopping bags since New Jersey banned the plastic ones last year. But when I spied this beauty for a buck, how could I resist? It just is so darn happy, which makes me happy. The little things aren’t so little. 💛

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#flowertherapy might be right up there with #water #flowertherapy might be right up there with #watertherapy.  Love passing the time in secret wildflower patches. As you do. 🌸
I remarked how pretty that tiny sliver of the moon I remarked how pretty that tiny sliver of the moon was on the way home tonight, and my friend pulled over right away so I could grab a photo. That’s when someone really knows you! It was just too beautiful to resist. 🌙
Weekend photos in review, old school style. ✨ C Weekend photos in review, old school style. ✨ 
Context: 1/ picture perfect weekend, 2/ threw together a quick meal w udon noodles, steak and broccoli, so good, 3/ the sun reflections on this painting struck me today, looked like a cross 4/ it takes all afternoon but nothing like Sunday Gravy, 5/ six months old, 6/ when he wants some serious zzzz’s, he covers his eye with his ears, the cutest, 7/ breakfast pastries at @coniglios
I have plenty of reusable shopping bags since New I have plenty of reusable shopping bags since New Jersey banned the plastic ones last year. But when I spied this beauty for a buck, how could I resist? It just is so darn happy, which makes me happy. The little things aren’t so little. 💛
Cheers to the weekend! This may look like a staged Cheers to the weekend! This may look like a staged photo, but Lola just has ZERO boundaries and Clifford is exceptionally patient. 😂
I’ve been on a smoked salmon kick lately (it’s I’ve been on a smoked salmon kick lately (it’s so good for you), so when I saw that a local patisserie has a smoked salmon croissant available (weekends only), I added it to my list of things to seek out. I popped into @chocolatinenj early on Mother’s Day and was rewarded with this deliciousness. Layers of soft flaky croissant dough, tender smoked salmon, light whipped cream, thinly sliced red and green onion slivers and dotted with capers… it was every bit as amazing as you’d imagine it would be. If you’re local, don’t sleep on this one. 😋
Weekend photos in review, the belated edition. 1/ Weekend photos in review, the belated edition.

1/ hit up a few yard sales and snagged this beautiful pasta dish from Italy with my favorite color for a buck, 2/ and one of these printer trays came home with me too, 3/ pre Mother’s Day celebrations with 30 local moms, 4/ finished the weekend supervising furniture assembly
Today would have been my friend Cathy’s 53rd bir Today would have been my friend Cathy’s 53rd birthday. Unfortunately she’s not here to celebrate because she died suddenly at age 49. I think of her often … every Mother’s Day because we spent most of them together since her husband worked weekends … when I discover a new food adventure (we once did a day long donut crawl) … when I’m sharing a special time with my kids knowing that her then-11 year old is growing up without her. Before she passed, I always appreciated every day, but since then, even more so. You never know what the next day can bring, so relish in the sunshine, surprise rainstorms, making wishes over railroad tracks and all the wonderful randomness life can throw your way. Don’t waste a single second, say yes, live on the outskirts of your comfort zone, laugh often, tell people you love them, give eight second hugs, and squeeze every ounce of joy you can out of life. Do it for the people who can’t. ✨

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