I think the heat may have affected my brain, because I thought it’d be a terrific idea to go running in the 97 degree Saharan desert that has become Iowa after work.

It was pure insanity and I had to walk half of the last mile. I thought I would have to walk the entire last mile, feeling super sorry for myself, but as I rounded the corner with half a mile left, I passed by a guy walking on crutches. On crutches. He was walking in 97 degree weather on crutches!!! He wasn’t just walking from one place to another, either. He straight up had his workout clothes on and was exercising.

My shame meter spiked at that point, so I sucked it up and ran the rest of the way home. I practically kissed my air conditioner as I sprinted in the door!!

Wanna know how I know the heat has really gone to my head?! I used both the stove AND oven for tonight’s dinner! It was totally worth it though, for Roasted Green Beans and Bacon Mac & Cheese!

First the beans. These babies looked too perfect to pass up at the store, so I picked up a bag. Now, I’ve made green beans a million times – steamed, sautéed, boiled…but I was craving something different tonight.

I was craving deep, salty roasted flavor, actually. "Would roasting green beans work??" I wondered to myself. There was only one way to find out!

I tossed the beans with extra virgin olive oil and garlic salt, then roasted them on a cookie sheet @ 425 for 13 minutes, and crossed my fingers.

14 minutes later (I restrained myself for 1 minute before swiping one to try!) I found out that you can roast green beans and THEY ROCK!!!!!!!! The green bean flavor intensifies and you can’t beat that yummy garlic salt. The best!

Now the Bacon Mac muwahahaha!

Last weekend both Ben and I were randomly craving Mac & Cheese at the same time. Making the coincidence extra weird was the fact that I was craving OG Kraft mac, while Ben wanted to make homemade. Huh?!

In the end, we made neither, as we were both too lazy to boil water. I’ve been thinking about it all week though, and finally caved tonight.

Cooking Light’s Bacon Mac & Cheese to the rescue!

Cheesy, creamy, salty and "light" – without sacrificing ANY flavor.

I used the same recipe and made the same modifications as I did last time. What a meal!

Tonight I shall be snacking on some of theeeese…

and hopefully starting Twilight Eclipse. I finished reading New Moon last night and my Mom (who I borrowed the books from, who’s borrowing them from a friend) can’t seem to locate the last two books, Eclipse and Breaking Down, at the moment.

I’m trying not to panic. This is the first day since Saturday that I haven’t been reading one of the Twilight books and I am addicted. ADDICTED I tell you. They are fantastic!!!!!

Cross your fingers for me!

Goodnight!