Great Northern Bean Salad

Great Northern Bean Salad

• 1 can Great Northern beans
• Vegetable seasoning
• Mustard
• 1 bag of mixed lettuce
• Mrs. Dash tomato, basil, and garlic seasoning
  

1. Cook the beans with the vegetable seasoning and mustard.
2. Drain, let cool, and add 1-2 spoonfuls to a bed of mixed lettuce.
3. Top off with a dash of Mrs. Dash and your favorite all-natural dressing.

Great for a warm sunny day or a summer night's supper. You can use the bean, or grain, of your choice to mix with your lettuce.

Always remember, you can have fun, eat great, and stay healthy all at the same time! :)

Our First Dinner at Home

Simple Pasta

• Ziti pasta noodles
• Ragu original sauce
• Italian seasonings
• Parmesan cheese

1. Cook and drain the noodles.
2. Spoon out equal amounts of noodles in a bowl and top with sauce and Parmesan.

My man and I just moved to the beach. It's been a long week of packing and moving in the rain! Last night was the first in our new apartment. It is nothing special, but we made a nice, cozy bowl of pasta to relax with on our screened in deck. :)

Always remember, you can have fun, eat great, and stay healthy all at the same time! :)

Cheesy Bread Sticks with Marinara

Moving Special

• 2 slices whole wheat bread
• No more than 1/4 c 2% shredded cheese (I mixed mozzarella and cheddar)
• Marinara sauce

1. Preheat oven to 500.
2. Sprinkle cheese on both slices of bread.
3. Bake in the oven until the bread has toasted and the cheese has melted.
4. Place marinara sauce in a condiment bowl for dipping.

This is what I call the "Moving Special" because my man and I are moving to the beach and have no food left in the house. I have been eating peanut butter sandwiches for breakfast, lunch, and dinner and could take no more! LOL So, I was left with two slices of bread, cheese, and a little Ragu to work with. It was actually quite yummy! A great snack or appetizer :)

Always remember, you can have fun, eat great, and stay healthy all at the same time! :)

Open-Face Grilled Cheese and Tomato Sandwich

Open-Face Grilled Cheese and Tomato Sandwich

• 1 slice 100% whole wheat bread
• Mustard
  
• 2-3 tomato rounds, thinly sliced
• 1 small handful of fresh spinach leaves
• A pinch of diced onion
  
• 1/4 c 2% shredded sharp cheddar cheese

1. Preheat oven to 450.
   
2. Spread the mustard on the bread and begin layering the vegetables on top.
3. Bake until the bread is toasted and the cheese has melted.

This is a wonderful summer lunch. If you desire a cold-cut sandwich, simply use 2% cheese slices and raw veggies.

Always remember, you can have fun, eat great, and stay healthy all at the same time! :)

Personalized Bruschetta

Personalized Bruschetta

• 1 small onion, finely diced
• 1 small tomato, finely diced
• 1 handful fresh spinach leaves, finely chopped
• 1 Tbl almond oil (or olive oil)
• Fresh oregano leaves, minced and to taste
• 1 square, all natural Ciabatta roll
• 1 15 oz can tomato sauce, seasoned with Italian seasonings
  

1. Prepare all of your fresh ingredients and combine them in a small mixing bowl. Toss them with the almond oil until well coated.
2. Divide the Ciabatta bread in half. Paint on a very small amount of almond oil on each slice and place in the oven at 400 degrees until warm and crisp.
3. Spoon a small amount of the tomato sauce across the surface of both Ciabatta slices (save the rest for dipping or other recipes) and top with the fresh vegetable mix.

This recipe makes a great vegan personal-size pizza. It is also a wonderfully romantic dinner to enjoy with the one you love by candlelight.

Always remember, you can have fun, eat great, and stay healthy all at the same time! :)

Chicken Parmesan...With A Twist!

Chicken Parmesan with a Twist

• 1 (15 oz) can tomato sauce
• Italian seasoning
• 4 BL/SL chicken tenders or chicken breasts
• Up to 1/4 c 2% shredded mozzarella cheese
• Parmesan cheese, for garnishing
  
• Fresh oregano
• Penne pasta noodles, whole wheat or enriched with fiber
• Up to 1 Tbl olive oil
  

Utensils needed: A meat mallet or small skillet Parchment paper

1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.
2. Combine the tomato sauce and Italian seasonings in a small boiler and let simmer.
3. Meanwhile, lay the chicken out in between two sheets of parchment paper. Using the flat side of the meat mallet, or a small skillet if you do not have a mallet, pound the chicken out until it is fairly thin.
4. Layer a small spoonful of sauce, a sprinkle of cheese, and a small amount of fresh oregano down the middle of each piece of chicken.
5. Carefully roll the chicken like a jelly-roll, started at the smallest end. Secure with toothpicks, if desired.
6. Place in a round baking dish that has been lightly coated with olive oil.
7. Drizzle an additional amount of sauce on top of the chicken rolls and bake for 15 minutes. Remove from the heat and sprinkle a small amount of Parmesan or mozzarella cheese on top. Bake for an additional 5 minutes.
   
8. While the chicken is baking, cook your penne pasta.
9. Drain the pasta and add olive oil and Italian seasoning.
10. Serve and enjoy!

This meal was a blast to make and its presentation on the plate will have everyone talking! This meal makes a great romantic dinner for two, or a nice dinner for the whole family.

Always remember, you can have fun, eat great, and stay healthy all at the same time! :)

Tomato, Basil, and Garlic Chicken with Polenta

Tomato, Basil, and Garlic Chicken with a side of Polenta

For the Chicken

• 2 BL/SL chicken tenders
• Mrs. Dash tomato, basil, and garlic seasoning
• Olive oil
  

For the Polenta

• 1/2 c polenta
• 1 c water

1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.
   
2. Place the chicken tenders in a small baking dish that is coated with a small amount of olive oil. Sprinkle Mrs. Dash on the chicken and bake for 15 minutes, or until cooked through.
3. During the last 5-10 minutes of cooking, place the polenta and water in a small boiler. Bring to a boil, cover, and let simmer.

This is a super quick and super easy meal. Even if the chicken is not completely thawed, baking it in the oven at 400 degrees still gives you a nice, tender chicken. Polenta is a great alternative to fresh or creamed corn.

Always remember, you can have fun, eat great, and stay healthy all at the same time! :)