Creamy Spinach Mac and Cheese

"You cannot see your reflection in running water, only still water"

-Elizabeth Gilbert

I have returned to yoga, and it is destroying me.

The first yoga class that my wife and I attended was called Yoga Relaxation. It was perfect for us as beginners because it went through the basic steps and didn't throw too many curve balls our way. 

This time, we signed up for a class called Yoga Flow. It is WAY more intense and everytime I come home, I feel a new part of my body starting to ache. This week, my butt and sides hurt. Last week was my legs, and the week before that was my shoulders. This yoga instructor is doing everything in her power to take my body and beat the crap out of it! But I keep going back with a smile on my face, thinking about how healthy and wonderful this is for me... then leaving cursing and moaning. 

I think the part that drives me crazy is watching ladies way older than myself bending in impossible ways, having no issue with extended lunges while my leg muscles jiggles and threatens to topple me over. I sometimes imagine walking up to them and demanding they meet me on a soccer field or in a squash court... Oooh  BOY would I make them work for it then! But then I remember yoga is supposed to be competition free and relaxing. Besides, these ladies have probably been more flexible than myself since I entered Middle School, right? 

I know I'm pretty new at this yoga stuff. I had only been once before, and that was a year ago, but my competitive nature doesn't make me leave all zen-like. Well... not totally zen-like. I do come away from yoga feeling cleansed, even with parts of my body in open rebellion. Perhaps it's more of a mental clearing? 

I am going to argue now, that Macaroni and Cheese is a perfectly zen-like food. Is it the best food to eat before/after a yoga exercise? I'm not sure. But I do know the perfect harmony between the noodles and cheese is enlightening for me! And in this particular recipe, the addition of earthy spinach and spicy jalapeno offer a different counter-balance. Come on... prove me wrong on this one! 

Creamy Spinach Mac and Cheese

Pasta - I used Fusilli

Olive Oil - 1 tbsp

Garlic - 3 cloves, minced

Spinach - a handful, finely sliced

Cheddar Cheese - 1 cup, grated

Almond Milk - 1/4 cup approx.

Flour

Jalapenos - 1, roughly diced

Salt & Pepper

In a large pot, get some water boiling. Heavily salt the water, then add the macaroni noodles and start cooking until al dente. 

In a small pot, heat up some olive oil. Add the garlic and cook until fragrant,about 1 minute. Add the spinach, and cook until wilted. Add the cheddar cheese, almond milk. Stir until well combined and the cheese has melted completely. You may need to add more milk to get it down properly. Start adding a little bit of flour at a time  It should start to look a bit like a light slurry. Add the jalapenos and stir to combine. 

In a large bowl, mix together the macaroni noodles and the cheese mixture. Grind a little salt and pepper over the top and serve.