Skinny Shake

This beverage is a great substitute for a real milkshake when you are watching your waistline.  It's thick,creamy, and very satisfying!

Image source: Wikipedia

Skinny Shake

2 servings

3/4 cup vanilla almond milk, unsweetened

1/3 peeled ripe banana

15 ice cubes

1 tsp. vanilla extract

1 1/2 tsp. unsweetened cocoa powder

Combine all ingredients in a blender; process until smooth. Pour into a glass, add a straw, and enjoy!

WW points/serving: 2

Campfire Fruit

This idea is good for a campfire...or your backyard grill...it makes for an easy side dish any day of the week! You can change up the fruits as you like...many combinations are possible.

Image source: askmen.com

Campfire Fruit

serves 4-6

4 peaches

2 bananas

butter (or margarine)

sugar

cinnamon

Prepare the grill or start the campfire. While you are waiting, get out a piece of aluminum foil and lay it shiny side down on a counter top or table.

Clean the peaches; cut them in half, remove the pit, then cut each peach into 8 wedges.

Clean, peel, and cut the bananas into chunks.  

Lay the mixed cut fruit in the middle of the foil, leaving enough room around the edges for folding into a packet. Dot the fruit with butter and sprinkle with cinnamon and sugar. Place another piece of foil on top the the fruit and seal the edges tightly to prevent leaking.

Place the foil packet on the preheated grill and cook for about 10-12 minutes. To ensure even cooking, flip the packet after 5 minutes or so.  Remove the packet from the grill, slice open the top, and enjoy!

If you don't like peaches, don't worry.  Other possibilities include berries, apples, pears, figs, and pineapple but feel free to experiment!

Greek style spinach pie (Spanakopita)

I printed this recipe from Recipezaar site back in 2007.  I still like to make it now and again.  I used to make a tray for my husband to share at work; he usually would bring home an empty pan and tell me that it was gone before lunch!  One of his friends at that job was especially fond of this recipe; once his significant other asked for the recipe so she could make it as a birthday surprise.  I hope you try it--and like it-- as much as we do!

Image Source: Wikipedia

Here are a couple of notes based on my experience:

1) I prefer using a standard metal cake pan instead of glass; if it's rectangular it's easier to cut into diamonds or wedges. The metal pan allows for the pastry to become more golden, flakier and crispier than a glass pan does.

2) I have tried baking this recipe at 325 ℉ but I feel that I get better results by baking 350 ℉. It might be my personal preference or just how my oven works...do what you think best.

Without further ado, here is the recipe...