Best Friend Chats Over Dinner

Just me today...

For dinner while Lesley was visiting I made a Baked Cheesy Chicken Penne.  You can find the original recipe {here}.  This was super easy, I was able to make it ahead of time and put in the refrigerator until we were ready to bake and eat, but I did make a few changes...(I guess I have a little of my mother in me).  First, I used 1/2 of everything that the recipe called for since I was only making it for two people, but this still would have been plenty for four people.  I also used almond milk instead of whole milk.  I never have whole milk, I don't even like it.  Honestly, I do not drink much milk at all.  I keep almond, coconut or soy milk around just to have for my morning cup of tea and smoothies.  Ever since I switched I can tell a difference and I prefer the "milk substitutes" {I guess you can take this as a warning if I ever cook for you}

Ok, we took a little detour from dinner, are you back with me? 

The sauce did not become thick like it was suppose to because of the almond milk, but I figured after mixing the pasta in the sauce and baking it would still taste great.  I didn't tell Lesley about my substitution {secret} until she tasted the dinner.  Right away she says, "this is awesome and I am not just saying that." She did ask what the sweeter taste was though and when I explained I used almond milk, she wasn't turned off but agreed that it still turned out very good.

 We added garlic bread and best friend chats and it equaled a great evening.  In hindsight I should have made a vegetable too, I need to get better at this :) Probably not the best dinner for counting calories but also not the worst.  I am all about eating what you want in moderation.  Don't deprive yourself of something but also don't eat the entire row of cookies in one sitting.  You can be healthy and lose weight while still treating yourself from time to time. Be conscious of what you eat and  be honest to yourself hence the importance of keeping a food journal.  

Life is a journey, enjoy the ride...This is Stephanie see you next time.