Smoked Cheddar Macaroni & Cheese

I think the beginning-of-the-semester craziness is finally starting to ebb and life is settling back into a comfortable rhythm. I hope I'm not jinxing myself by saying this, but I think I managed to figure out logistics this semester rarely quickly. In fact, it's Tuesday night and I have three of the four books assigned this week completed. The secret to my efficiency? Reading in the library: the uncomfortable chairs, the drafts, and the potential embarrassment of falling asleep and drooling all over myself keep my plowing through military history texts. And meals that can be eaten over and over throughout the week as leftovers. Thanks to my genius planning for leftovers menu scheduling it's also Tuesday night and I've completed cooking for the week!

Here's a recipe for a tried and true favorite macaroni and cheese with a slight twist from some smoked cheddar. Enjoy!

Smoked Cheddar Macaroni & Cheese

 You'll need:

• one package GF pasta (I like Tinkyada)
• 2 cups milk or half & half (I'm trying to use up the big container leftover from last week's chowder, otherwise I would use milk)
• 2 cups shredded smoked cheddar cheese 
• 1 1/2 - 2 tablespoons cornstarch
• Cayenne pepper, one good pinch
• GF breadcrumbs
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cook pasta according to package directions. Meanwhile, preheat oven to 350 degrees and start heating the milk over medium heat. Add the cornstarch, starting with 1 1/2 tablespoons.* Add the other 1/2 tablespoon, if needed. Once thickened, add cheese and season to taste with salt, pepper and cayenne. Combine with pasta and pour into a baking dish. Top with breadcrumbs and more cheese. Bake 20-25 minutes.

I've been serving this with a big salad on the side since it has, after all, a lot of calories and we need to balance things out somehow. This salad combines two of my current obsessions: grapefruit and the yummy garlic marinated olives I found at Hannaford. Yes, I eat them together and yes, Joe is concerned what kind of weird cravings pregnancy will bring out in me (one day, not anytime soon). 

*I have mixed feelings about using cornstarch as a thickener. On one hand, it produces great results and is naturally gluten-free. On the other hand, it takes forever and I've never had luck making a roux from GF flour. Here's a tip I learned from my Mom: to make a cornstarch slurry combined the cornstarch and a splash of milk in an old cornstarch container (I buy the Argo brand just for the container. It's low mess and works perfectly for making a slurry. Plus, it's recycling and since I go through cornstarch regularly, I'm constantly cycling out the old containers and don't worry about yuckiness from the plastic). Shake vigorously. Pour into mixture while whisking. Keep the mixture moving! This is very important, you don't want the cornstarch to thicken on the bottom of the pan because then you will have to start over and that is a bummer. I like to alternate between whisking and scrapping the bottom of the pan with spoon.

Better Late than Never

Now that we're 19 days into the new year and it's beginning to feel not so new, but pretty same old, same old, I thought I would finally share my New Year's Resolutions. I know, I know. Please try to contain your excitement. They're last for two reasons. First, it took me a little while to decide on a list of resolutions (actually, I've decided to think of them as goal) I felt committed to and second, it's the start of a new semester and I haven't yet figured out when blogging will fit into my schedule. So, without further explanation or ado, here are my goals for 2011:

 Harvard Pilgrim Maine Coast Half Marathon 11/2010 Recap here

Run a marathon. This one get's first billing because I consider it my biggest goal for the year and also my most challenging. the 26.2 miles doesn't concern me too much now (I'm planning to run the race in October, I'm sure I'll feel differently in September or even August), but fitting training for a marathon into my already packed schedule will be a challenge. Luckily, my sweet sister has agreed to take this goal on with me and we'll be training together and running races together all year.

 (Source)

Read more outside of class. I'm a history graduate student, therefore, I spend a lot of time reading. A lot of time with dry, history texts or squinting at primary sources. I don't spend a lot of time reading for pleasure. So my second goal for 2011 is to read more outside of history. My parents gave me a Kindle for Christmas (I love it!) and I hope it will facilitate my goal. According to my Kindle, I'm 73% finished with Eat, Pray, Love. I have to say I'm not loving it, but I rarely love books that top the Bestseller's List. Guess I'm just picky.

Number three: be a better blogger. I did meet part of this goal my revamping the blog's look on the train to the AHA conference. What do you think? Do you like it? Too much pink? I tried to use restraint, but I really love pink. In 2011, I want to post more (including a new feature I'm working on), but especially more recipes (living gluten-free is the main theme of the blog, after all), more about running (especially marathon training!), and more outfits (because I spend a lot of time getting dressed and I want to share my outfits with a more appreciate group than my HTY 103 recitation), and maybe some posts about planning a gluten-free wedding. That is, of course, if I miraculously become comfortable with spending that amount of money on one day. I'm still working on that. Sometimes just running down to the courthouse and getting it all over with at lunch sounds pretty good. But, other times I'm really into the white dress, the flowers, the vows, the first dance, all the diy opportunities. We'll see which side of my personality wins out.

And finally, devote more time to my hobbies. I love knitting and I've recently taken up sewing. This year, I want to devote more time to my hobbies (and reducing my yarn stash). I already have half a scarf and the beginnings of a hat to account for my labors!

Of course, this list doesn't include my long-term goals that I view as much, much bigger than New Year's Resolutions. Resolutions are a chance to make small changes that could lead to bigger things. Well, a marathon is pretty big, but it stems from a resolution several years ago to get back into running. Check.

Well, it's been awhile . . .

Top: Banana Republic, Sweater: TJ Maxx, Jeans: Gap, Shoes: Ninewest, Necklace: Xmas gift from Joe

I'm sorry to report I didn't have the happiest Christmas since Bing Crosby tap danced with Danny Kaye (do you know the movie reference? it's a family favorite). The Monday before Christmas I developed this awful allergic reaction (hives, swollen face, hands, feet, the works) and it lingered all week. I wasn't exactly picture material. Before I was diagnosed with Celiac's disease I used to get a similar rash fairly often. In fact, the fall semester 2004 I had this rash every few weeks. Then it usually lasted 24-48 hours and disappeared as quickly and mysteriously as it came. Now, however, it just seems to gain strength and nothing can help it until we go the ER and get some IV steroids pumped into me. I'm not sure if the rash is related to my Celiac's. It was a MAJOR factor in my original diagnosis - you might not think a rash could be debilitating, but this one sure is. Once I stopped eating gluten, the rash disappeared entirely. Five wonderful rash-free years. Then, suddenly, last May I developed it again and now once again in December. I'm extremely careful about my diet, so I'm wondering if I'm allergic to something else? I'm seeing an allergist at the end of the month and will report back.

So, it wasn't a happy Christmas with all the itchiness and the extremely foul mood the steroids put me in. I am feeling much better now and I'm just taking an over-the-counter antihistamine as a precaution. Too bad, because all the elements of a wonderful Christmas were in place. Family, good food, lovely presents. My parents gave me the Kindle I've been wanting (it's going to save my back, no more lugging books everywhere I go!) and Joe got me a fabulous Nikon DSLR digital camera I'm still learning to use. I did manage this cute picture of Darby:

So, between sickness and a much needed break from technology, I've been neglecting the blog lately. But, one of my goals for 2011 (complete list coming soon!) is to be more dedicated to my blog. Right now, we're on the train heading to Boston for the AHA (American Historical Association) conference. This is my first big history conference and I'm excited!

(New Year's Eve outfit above. And, just in case someone was dying to see my final eight 30 for 30 outfits, I'm not planning to finish the challenge. Between Christmas and my upcoming birthday I have too many fun new clothes to suffer through the final few outfits I need and I'm really ready to move on to something new. So, I'm a 30 for 30 drop-out. Maybe next time around things will go better.)

Variations on a Theme: Skinny Jeans

 Left: Striped shirt: Banana Republic, Wrap shirt: Banana Republic, Jeans: Gap, Belt: Anthropologie, Scarf: Target, Socks: F21, Boots: Ciao Bella Right: Striped shirt: Banana Republic, Cardigan: J. Crew, Belt: Anthropologie, Jeans: Gap, Socks: F21, Boots: Ciao Bella

Left: Striped Shirt: Banana Republic, Cardigan: Anthropologie, Jeans: Gap, Socks: F21, Boots: Ciao Bella Right: Striped Shirt: Banana Republic, Sweater: Old Navy, Jeans: Gap, Socks: F21, Boots: Ciao Bella

Finally, got the skinny jeans figured out. It only took a month and a half. The first pair I ordered, intending to include in my 30, were all wrong. Wrong. Wrong. Wrong. It was bad. After a lot more research than I ever thought I would put into skinny jeans, I ended up ordering these from Gap. They are, in fact, jeggings. Never thought I would own leggings, let alone jeggings (isn't jeggings an ugly word? they just sound unappealing). But I'm really loving them. Obviously, four outfits worth of love.They're stretchy and comfy, don't ride up on my knees and the stir-ups keep them in place. I think the last time I wore stir-up pants was third or fourth grade. Back when my Mom still had control of my wardrobe. Not that I'm bringing the stir-up pant back, these won't be appearing without tall boots. One small flaw I will warn you about: the zipper has a tendency to, let's say, leave the barn door open. I think because the fabric is so stretchy. I was able to McGyver them into place with a safety pin and I like them enough to let it go.

The Light at the End of the Tunnel

Dress: H&M, Cardigan: Old Navy, Belt: Anthropologie, Tights: Target, Socks: F21, Boots: Ciao Bella, No J, Crew or Banana Republic: Amazing

The snow in these pictures testifies to how long this outfit has been waiting for a post, it started raining Sunday evening and hasn't really stopped since. Meaning all our lovely snow is gone. Sadness. But there is snow in Wednesday's forecast. Here's hoping for a white Christmas! I just can't stand a so-called "green" Christmas, it looks so gross and leftover.

In other news, my final papers are in and my stress level has returned to normal. The weekend consisted of the annual Christmas shopping trip with my Mom (where we literally shop til we drop), a long walk with Darby to enjoy the last of this snowfall, the department holiday party and a super lazy Sunday. In fact, before bed I suggested to Joe we not set an alarm and just sleep until we wake naturally (or, more likely, Darby wakes us up). It felt so luxurious. Now it's time to get busy with Christmas presents (wrapping and a bunch of sewing projects), Christmas baking (check out my cookie recipe here) and finishing my grading. I'm planning some recipe posts for later this week!

Jumping through Hoops

Turtleneck: J. Crew, Belt: F21, Skirt: Banana Republic, Tights: Target, Socks: F21, Boots: Ciao Bella

 

In my experience there are two kinds of classes: the kind that engage and the kind you just want to get finish. For me, Methods has been the latter. It's a hoop I need to jump through successfully to move on to the next thing. I haven't enjoyed it and writing this final paper has been torture. To write well, I need to be engaged with the material. I have to care and I just don't care about Methods. I've gone through all my weekly papers which are mostly +'s and I received A's on the two longer assignments. Therefore, I figure if I can write 12-15 coherent pages that demonstrate I did the reading, paid attention, and maybe learned something I should at least get the B I need to be in good standing with the Graduate School and, hopefully, a little better than that.

 

This is a huge step forward for me. I never used to be able to accept "good enough," I always wanted to be the best, perfect even. Yesterday, I got my Canadian Historiography paper back, 98%. I was pleased, but a former version of Rachel would have agonized over those two lost percentage points. 

I've scheduled this post for 8:30 tonight, I hope by then my Methods paper will be complete, the house will be clean, and I'll have been to the gym. Let's see how this goes!

Styled by Joe

 

Cardigan: J. Crew, Shirt: J. Crew, Belt: Anthropologie, Skirt: Banana Republic, Tights: Target, Socks: F21, Boots: Ciao Bella

Do you read The Daybook? Well, you should. Sydney's blog is one of the most adorable things I've seen. Seriously, puppies, kittens, baby shoes, this blog. Check it out. Last week, Sydney, who is also doing the 30 for 30, posted an outfit picked out by her husband. I thought to myself, "that's brilliant! Final papers and remixing is making my brain hurt and here's a chance to pawn that off on someone else!" So, when I got home I laid all my 30 for 30 pieces out on the bed and broached the subject with Joe. At first, he expressed some skepticism that Sydney's husband put together a good outfit (actually, he was extremely incredulous), but I showed him the evidence and he reluctantly agreed to style an outfit for me. He did a good job! Compliments were collected. The funny thing is, this outfit is similar to what I was planning to wear anyway. I will admit that I switched out the lace tights he selected for solid and socks, but, since he was very concerned with warmth while creating his ensemble, I think I stayed true to his vision.

He's right to worry about keeping me warm. I have no body heat. None. Zero. Zip. This was proven again yesterday when my co-teacher brought in special pencils for the students to use with their evaluations, the sort that change color when you hold them. Well, my pencil didn't change color. Not even a little bit.

In the background of these pictures (taken during our snow day photo shoot) you can see what a good Mainer Joe is becoming. Wipers up? I'm so proud.