Avocado. Kale. What to do? What to do?

I was frustrated at school the other day when the line was super long to heat up my

lunch in the microwave. So I decided that I would no longer bring something that needed to be heated. I'm the queen of looking the fridge and cupboard and came up with a kale avocado sandwich. Not new. Not original per se. But it reminds us to be creative with what we have in the kitchen.

Chop the kale (or cut up with scissors like I did). About 2 handfuls.  Put in a bowl.  Add 1 avocado and about a teaspoon of lime juice. Mix and mash it up. Add a few dashes of turmeric, smoked paprika and if you want some heat, a little chipotle pepper. Mix some more. Now it is ready as a dip or spread. I put it on some fresh ciabatta and sprinkled some chia seeds on it. Quick and easy lunch or snack.

How to Make Boxed Mac & Cheese a Little Better

I know it is not healthy. I know there are chemicals in that "cheese". But sometimes you gotta do what you gotta do. So, I sort of make it according to the directions on the box.  BUT to help with the protein, I add a 1/4 cup dried red lentils along with the noodles during the boiling process. Both the noodles and lentils are done within 7 minutes. Meanwhile, either drain a can of diced tomatoes or chop up about 4 plum tomatoes. Five minutes into the boiling process, add a couple of handfuls of chopped kale. Feel free to use spinach too.  At 7 minutes, drain in all saving about 1/4 cup of the cooking water.  Returning the noodles to the pot, add the "cheese" to the noodles/kale/lentil mixture, a tsp of butter and the 2Tbsp milk and 2Tbsp reserved liquid (or all milk or all liquid) and stir. Once it's as well blended as it'll get, add the tomatoes. Put on low heat and cook through until the tomatoes are warm. Top with some fresh cheese. You've added protein and vitamins to an otherwise not very nutritious meal. Bon appetite!