A creamy, delicious, vegan Mac & Cheese recipe that is sure to please all crowds. Instead of a sauce filled with cheese, flour and cream, this one is loaded with beta-carotene rich carrots, protein packed cashews and potassium filled potatoes...and yumminess!

Boil until all veggies are cooked and soft, but not falling apart in the water. Drain veggies and RESERVE water. Not only does that water hold lots of flavour (simular to a weak veggie stock), it is also loaded with nutrients from the cooking veggies.

Boil fresh water and cook desired noodles following the instructions on the package (as cooking instructions vary between size and types of pasta. Be sure to drain pasta as soon as noodles are al dente.

In the blender or food processor add:

• 1 cup raw unsalted cashew nuts
• 2 cloves crushed/minced garlic
• cooked veggies
  
• 1/2 tsp mustard powder
• 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
  
• 1/4 tsp paprika
  
• salt and pepper to taste

Blend on medium/low adding reserved veggie water until you reach desired constancy (approx 2 cups). Once all ingredients are combined, blend on medium/high for 2 minutes until sauce is really smooth and creamy. Pour sauce over drained noodles in pot and heat on low.

Plate and garnish with any of the following:

• nutritional yeast (lends a nice cheesy taste with a powerful nutritional punch)
• dash of paprika
• finely chopped fresh chives

*If you are not a practicing vegan, and are choosing an option like this solely looking for a healthier option than grandma's traditional Mac & Cheese, you could always place the mixed pasta and sauce in an oven proof dish, sprinkle with a little Parmesan cheese and bake at 375 degrees C uncovered until the cheese is lightly browned...no one will ever know it's carrots and cashews instead of cheese on the inside! #sneakymomtrick

Enjoy!

There is something forever sacred about a Sunday morning for me. Perhaps the feeling stems from ritual during childhood. Perhaps because Sunday's always seem more quiet...as if Saturday is an extension of the week, fitting in all the scheduled "weekend activities". Perhaps because they are filled with memories of cozy, campfire mornings with my tent nearby. Whatever the reason, I love them.

In choosing my new home months ago, little did I know how supported this Sunday morning love would be. Every Sunday morning the local church bells sing to me. Now that fall is dawning, the birds sing along too.

As I sat this morning in quiet stillness (however briefly solo before two littles joined me), it felt so peaceful. Perhaps I am not kneeling at an alter. Perhaps I am not seated in full lotus in a cave. However, seated in my old camp chair, on my little deck with the air so fresh from a night of heavy rainfall, savouring my hot coffee and being serenaded by the bells and bird, it was definitely sacred.

Here's to a simple sacredness... And to hot coffee on a crisp Sunday morning!

Namaste <3