Mac ‘n’ Cheese That Makes You Beautiful-Really!

Eating foods packed with antioxidants, minerals and vitamins, especially A, B complex, C, E, and K help to beautify our skin and bodies. Studies show that combinations of fruits or vegetables may have synergistic effects of phytochemicals.Now, what if I said you could enjoy all of the above benefits in a rich, savory bite of creamy mac ‘n’ cheese? It’s true! This recipe has been a pet-project of sorts for me—a cooking challenge that took me years to perfect. I wanted to share my thought process with you (along with the recipe, of course!) so you could take some of these ideas and apply them to your own cooking creations.Start with Foods that GlowA general rule of cooking-thumb is that the more colorful the food, the better it is for you. Bright-orange sweet potatoes and carrots are two skintastic foods that can work wonders on your complexion. Loaded with beta-carotene, they help ward off damaging free radicals and fend off wrinkles while generating new, healthy skin cells.MORE: Recipes for Younger SkinDare to PairThink of beautifying foods that compliment sweet potatoes and carrots. For smooth texture and creaminess we’ll add a generous supply of vitamin E with the addition of almond milk and tofu. Vitamin E, vital to skin health can help keep your skin firm, elastic and hold moisture. Tofu, considered a complete protein source containing all nine essential amino acids, omega-3 fatty acids, magnesium, iron, and calcium will help build collagen—“our skin’s cement” strengthening our skin, bones, teeth, hair, nails and our entire bodies.Let’s cook!  “JP’z Skintastic Mac n Cheese” In a cook pot, cook 6 oz of 100% whole wheat elbow macaroni pasta in boiling water until al dente, remove, strain, rinse and set aside in bowl covered with plastic wrap.Meanwhile, in saucepan combine 10 oz medium diced sweet potato and 4 oz medium diced carrots with 2 cups unsweetened almond milk, bring to a simmer on medium heat and simmer uncovered until sweet potatoes and carrots are tender, about 20 minutes.  Strain sweet potatoes and carrots into bowl reserving almond milk.Measure almond milk and if less then 1 ½ cups add additional new almond milk to equal 1 ½ cups.  Place sweet potatoes and carrots in blender with almond milk, 6 oz silken extra firm tofu, ½ teaspoon kosher salt, ½ teaspoon Dijon mustard, 1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper, ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg, pinch cayenne pepper and blend until smooth.In large bowl combine this pureed sauce with cooked pasta, shredded rice or low fat mozzarella cheese (optional) and mix well.  Place in a 10”x12” two inch deep baking pan and bake uncovered at 350°F for 25 minutes.  Remove and serve.MORE: Get the Complete RecipeMega Bonus!  By being creative you can use the sauce part of this recipe to make nacho sauce, au-gratins and “skintastic cheese less sauce” to serve over broccoli or your favorite beautifying foods.  Enjoy, feel good, smile and glow!Dream, Innovate and Create in Your KitchenThe excitement here is to create combinations of fresh, colorful and nutritious foods that are fun to make, a joy to eat, make us feel good and gives our skin and bodies a healthy and youthful glow.Now that’s the true meaning of comfort food!