black bean and corn salsa

There are a few different variations of this but this is how I like it -- or, LOVE it:

1-2 cans beans (black or black and pinto)
1 can sweet corn
chopped tomatoes
diced avacado
splash of fat free Italian dressing to taste

it's good with tortilla chips, pita chips, over taco salad, on pizza, over fish, navajo tacos etc etc etc.
Truman likes it in a bowl and my other kids would eat it all day.

hot bread and pear spinach salad

this is what I had for lunch: (well, not in this form...)

THIS form, but I didn't eat it ALL.
and this: spinach, fresh pears, slivered almonds and a tiny bit of some divine dressing.

(the day before I had the same salad with strawberries instead and it was delish too)
the picture must be foggy for romantic effect?

Salad Dressing:
1 c sugar
1 t dry mustard
1/4 c red onion, finely chopped
1/2 c red wine vinegar
1 t salt
blend in blender, adding 7/8 c vegetable oil slowly until thick. Then add:
1 t poppy seeds

(I didn't say it was a healthy dressing -- that's why you only need a bit and it does wonders for the greens.)

Shrimp Cocktail

is good. If served icy cold, and with a good cocktail sauce. I found a recipe on line, last minute. It served the purpose and didn't call for horseradish -- because I didn't have any. But I think I went crazy with the chili powder, 'cause it was a little spicier than I like. Anyone have a favorite recipe for a good sauce?

Chef Salad

I really forget about the simple chef salad. It's so good. So here's a reminder -- to myself and others. this one has:
red leaf lettuce
diced red peppers
chopped green onion (makes it!)
hard-boiled egg
2 slices canadian bacon
1 t. evoo
1 t. ff italian dressing
3 points plus WW pts!

Lemon garlic pasta with shrimp

The last few nights taking shots of my food was overridden by hungry people, places to be etc. But it was actually some delightful chicken, black bean and corn fajitas, and a nice salmon/wild rice dinner. Tonight's meal I was not so sure about. I've seen these type of recipes before and thought it sounded nice and light for a summer's evening, but never wanted to really eat them for the lack of sauce. But I will most definately be adding this to my regular meals. It was so easy AND delish! These were the ingredients we were supposed to eat:

whole wheat pasta

shrimp

garlic clove

EVOO - 1/2 T

asparagus

green beans

I sauteed the garlic for just a minute in the oil, added the juice from a lemon, some fresh basil and parsley, lemon pepper and salt. Tossed it all together and I didn't even MISS the parmesan! (or white sauce for that matter.) It really was sooooo good.

Spinach Salad

before your eyes: last night's dinner. Spinach salad with canadian bacon, turkey, chopped red peppers and light BYU ranch dressing with a whole wheat roll (er, bread) on the side. HUGE salad and delish with those sweet peppers. Ry had also added mushrooms and cheese to his. As we were preparing the big salads, Ry said, "what are the kids gonna eat". . . which brings us to the kid-friendly version: a turkey roll up -- with the same ingredients -- only hand-held for dipping in the ranch. They really ate it up well!

Wild Rice

I have turned over a new leaf! (again.) I've gone a whole day and a half on this cleanse period for the new Noni Fit line and I'm feeling great. I have no desire for sugary things that will only give me headaches and extra pounds. (of course, I can say that now that I've had more than my fill over 2 week vacation/Valentine's day.) But for this week, I am doing something I've never done before -- eating a menu that's been lined out for me, exactly. I never thought I would like to do that because of the no freedom thing -- but it's kind of nice not to have to think about what's for dinner. or breakfast, , , or lunch. Anyway last night I discovered something divine. Wild Rice. This is the only kind of rice that is less points (according to WW) and the rice they recommend for the menu since it is a complex carb. It was sooooo tasty even just plain. loved it. a less pretty picture of Ryan: mid-devour, but I think I will report on the main meals we eat this week, just for kicks.