Too Busy to Make a Great Meal? (Guiltless Alfredo)

How many times have you come to the end of you day feeling exhausted and even disoriented yet you wonder, "What did I do today?" or worse, "Did I accomplish anything today?". When we are in a hurry our brains are in high gear and extremely focused on speed, as result we cannot focus on an individual task.

I get up and start to make the bed, when I remember that the sheets need changed today. I might as well pull the current sheets off the bed and wash them, and as result the bed is now not only unmade, but the blankets are everywhere dotted with naked pillows. Once in the laundry area I see that a load of towels need removed from the dryer. The sheets go into the washer and the towels go into a basket. While moving the basket to an area where I can fold the towels I pass the kitchen counter and sink. The dishwasher needs emptied before I can put the dishes on the counter and sink in. So I sit down the basket on the table and start unloading the dishwasher. Halfway through unloading the dishwasher, I see a dish that I usually bake chicken in, reminding me that I need to get some chicken breasts out of the freezer and into the fridge to thaw for dinner. I want to bake it in Italian dressing, so I'd better make sure I have some. I do, but not much and the mayo is low, too. I'm also out of mustard, peanut butter, and wheat thins. I better make a grocery list. I like lists on the computer, so I sit down at the keyboard. I can check my email while I'm here, too! Google, Facebook, and ebay later...the phone rings. While chatting for a few with a friend I notice that the cats have strewn thread bits on the living room carpet. Vacuum time! Might as well do the dining room while I'm at it...the mantle needs dusted, too. And the mirror needs cleaned...so does the one in the bathroom...the sink needs wiped down...what about the toilet...yup! The bathroom rug should go in the wash...the sheets aren't done yet, just lay it on top the washer...grab the towels to fold on the couch...while sitting here folding the dishwasher could be running...I have to finish unloading...time to reload...better add dish washing liquid to the grocery list...who email me now?...faster, faster! Hurry, run! Fold, wash, spray, sweep, dust, sneeze! Straighten rugs, fluff pillows, wipe counters.

Why am I so tired? Why are there dirty dishes in a quiet dish washer, a vacuum sitting in my dining room, and a Windex bottle on the bathroom sink? I want a quick rest, but my bed is a mess and there are towels on my couch.

Exodus 20:11 - For in six days the LORD made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, but he rested on the seventh day. Therefore the LORD blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy.

Even God took a break! Everyday looked like the day above for me, and the days blended together after a while, until I realized that I was actually making more work for myself. My house looked cluttered because I found it difficult to finish anything working like this. The better way it make a list of what needs done and only work in one room at a time. If you go from the kitchen to the living room spotting 5 things that need done along the way, add them to the list and do them when you are working in the rooms where they are. You may only get to 1 or 2 rooms a day, but those rooms look good! Have you ever noticed that when your environment is cluttered your mind feels cluttered? A tidy area = a peaceful mind.

Oh, and what about that 7th day of rest. I know it's not a reality to expect everyone to drop everything on Sunday and rest, but one day of the week should be devoted to resting. A mind at rest is like resetting a computer. It organizes thoughts, thus the saying "I'll sleep on it." One day a week do something for yourself that you don't normally do. A book, a bath, a movie, a manicure...something!

That said...ever feel that you have no time to cook a healthy meal at home? Too many ingredients in healthier foods, not to mention the time to locate obscure ingredients in expensive specialty stores? Even though bigger supermarkets may have what I'm looking for, I live in the country, a good 20 from the small stores, and 45 minutes from the nearest big town.

Well no more! Healthy is easy, affordable, and best of all delicious!!

Imagine, strands of perfectly cooked pasta coated in a creamy, cheesy sauce, bits of bacony goodness and children (and husbands) eating green vegetables! This is no dream!

It's Spaghetti Carbonara in 20!

Low Fat Alfredo Sauce

Makes 4 very reasonable size portions. Serve with a salad on the side.

1. Mix:

• 2/3 c. dry nonfat milk (3.5)
• 1 c. skim milk (.5)
• 3 t flour (.0)

2. Put ingredients in sealed container and shake like mad!!! Until no lumps remain.
(I like to use a blender!)

3. Pour into sauce pan and heat over medium heat. (Not too high or bottom will burn)
Option: add ¼ t. garlic powder, ½ parsley
and/or ½ t. basil (to add more flavor)

4. When hot and beginning to thicken, turn off heat.

5. Add 2 T of heated sauce mix to:

• 4 TB Neufchatel cheese or low fat cream cheese (not fat free)

6. Mix until smooth and pour into sauce in pan.

7. Add:

• 1 - 1½ c grated Parmesan cheese
  

8. Stir until melted.

9. Toss with 12 oz. cooked spaghetti and 1 cup cooked broccoli florets.

(SmartTaste pasta is a Godsend! Purple box full of heavenly pasta full of fiber and protien that tastes like the very, very bad for you white flour variety. Cook according to "al dente" direction on the package and don't forget to stir it a few times while it's cooking.)

To cook the broccoli, simple add it to the boiling pasta for the final 3 minutes of the pasta cook time. Alternatively you can buy "Steamfreash", or store knock off, broccoli in a microwaveable steam bag and do it that way.

10. Toss just a few real bacon bits over the top of the pasta, veggies and sauce. Add salt and pepper to taste.

So very, very amazing! Enjoy and let know you reactions. Mine is "Hallelujah!" via Handel's Messiah. "For the Lord God omnipotent reignith...and He gave us pasta!"