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Cheese with a side of macaroni
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Mac and Cheese creates 4-6 delicious servings. Add a salad and you've got dinner. - photo by Shannon M. Smurthwaite
As fall approaches and flip flops, beach towels and picnic baskets are stored for months, it's time to dust off comfort food recipes as lazy days are replaced with demanding schedules to juggle.

At the top of my favorites is my mother's 52-year-old recipe for macaroni and cheese. Her recipe is best described as cheese with a side of elbow pasta. Requiring one pot and one baking dish, the ease of preparation is complemented by the bread crumb topping with sweet paprika to finish.

If it's been a full day of errands with no dinner menu in mind, a last-minute meal request for a friend or a tailgate party, cheese with macaroni is an undeniable comfort food favorite.

As you transition into a new season, serve a vintage recipe that might rekindle your favorite childhood combination. Main dish or side, if you like your macaroni cheesy, this is made to order.

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Cheese and Macaroni

Serves: 4-6

2 cups large, dry elbow pasta/macaroni

1 (12 oz.) can evaporated milk, shake well before opening

Salt and pepper to taste

1 block (1 pounds) or 6 cups sharp cheddar cheese, grated

paprika to taste

cup seasoned bread crumbs

Preheat oven to 325.

Cook macaroni in salted water according to directions on package, then drain well and let pasta cool for 2-3 minutes. Turn stove top off.

Return macaroni back into the pot and stir in evaporated milk, and shredded cheese, adding cheese a cup at a time to incorporate well. Add salt and pepper to taste preference and blend thoroughly.

In small prep bowl, mix bread crumbs and paprika with fork, set aside.

Butter or spray a medium casserole or deep baking dish. Add in cheese and macaroni, spread evenly.

Carefully and evenly shake the bread crumb and paprika mixture to top.

Bake for 45 to 55 minutes, uncovered. The top should be bubbling on the edges and will be crispy and light brown. If you want less crunch, cover the baking dish with lid or foil.
Its toxic: New study says blue light from tech devices can speed up blindness
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A new study from the University of Toledo found that blue light from digital devices can transform molecules in your eyes retina into cell killers. - photo by Herb Scribner
It turns out checking Twitter or Facebook before bed is bad for your health.

A new study from the University of Toledo found that blue light from digital devices can transform molecules in your eyes retina into cell killers.

That process can lead to age-related macular degeneration, which is a leading cause of blindness in the United States, according to the researchs extract.

Blue light is a common issue for many modern Americans. Blue light is emitted from screens, most notably at night, causing sleep loss, eye strain and a number of other issues.

Dr. Ajith Karunarathne, assistant professor in the UT Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, said our constant exposure to blue light cant be blocked by the lens or cornea.

"It's no secret that blue light harms our vision by damaging the eye's retina. Our experiments explain how this happens, and we hope this leads to therapies that slow macular degeneration, such as a new kind of eye drop, he said.

Macular degeneration is an incurable eye disease that often affects those in their 50s or 60s. It occurs after the death of photoreceptor cells in the retina. Those cells need retinal to sense light and help signal the brain.

The research team found blue light exposure created poisonous chemical molecules that killed photoreceptor cells

"It's toxic. If you shine blue light on retinal, the retinal kills photoreceptor cells as the signaling molecule on the membrane dissolves," said Kasun Ratnayake, a Ph.D. student researcher working in Karunarathne's cellular photo chemistry group. "Photoreceptor cells do not regenerate in the eye. When they're dead, they're dead for good."

However, the researchers found a molecule called alpha-tocopherol, which comes from Vitamin E, can help prevent cell death, according to Futurism.

The researchers plan to review how light from TVs, cellphones and tablet screens affect the eyes as well.

"If you look at the amount of light coming out of your cellphone, it's not great but it seems tolerable," said Dr. John Payton, visiting assistant professor in the UT Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry. "Some cellphone companies are adding blue-light filters to the screens, and I think that is a good idea."

Indeed, Apple released a Night Shift mode two years ago to help quell blue lights strain on the eyes, according to The Verge. The screen will dim into a warmer, orange light that will cause less stress on the eyes.