Recipes From Joanie

Some snack ideas:
Laughing Cow Garlic and Herb Cheese spread onto celery sticks
Yogurt with blueberries, or any fruit
Peanut Butter and apples
Cottage Cheese and Triscuts
Smoothies with yogurt, frozen fruit, fresh fruit and orange juice
Sugar Free Jell-O is great for the sweet tooth
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Quinoa with Dried Cranberries and Toasted Pecans: http://cooksanonymous.blogspot.com/2011/07/quinoa-with-dried-cranberries-and.html
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Black Bean, Corn and Quinoa Salad:
Dressing:
2 T fresh lime juice
3 T white vinegar
2 T minced fresh cilantro
1/4 tsp dried oregano
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp fresh ground pepper
1/2 cup olive oil

1/2 cup quinoa, rinsed
1/4 tsp salt
1 cup black beans, drained and rinsed
2/3 cup thawed frozen corn kernels
1 tomato, seeded and finely diced
1 small red bell pepper, seeded and finely diced

Directions:
Whisk dressing ingredients in small bowl, add olive oil in a thin stream and whisking constantly until smooth and emulsified. Set aside.

In a saucepan over medium-high heat, combine the quinoa and 1 1/2 cups water. Stir in the salt. Cover and bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and simmer until the quinoa is tender and all the water has been absorbed, about 10 minutes. Transfer the quinoa to a colander and rinse under cold running water. Drain thoroughly, then transfer to a large nonreactive bowl.

Add the black beans to the bowl with the quinoa. Pat the corn dry with paper towels and add to the bowl, along with the tomato and bell pepper. Pour in the dressing and stir to coat all the ingredients well. Transfer the salad to a large serving bowl or individual plates and serve immediately. Serves 6.

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Chicken Tortilla Soup
-This is my absolute FAVORITE meal! Only I don't bother with the grilling, I just put it all in a pot.
http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/rachael-ray/tortilla-soup-recipe/index.html
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Black Bean Soup
-Also a favorite!! The sandwiches are delicious too, but not for the challenge.
http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/rachael-ray/black-bean-stoup-and-southwestern-monte-cristo-sandwiches-recipe3/index.html
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Apple Pancakes
-Skip the syrup and just use whipped cream. Or you can use light maple syrup.
http://cooksanonymous.blogspot.com/2011/02/apple-yogurt-pancakes.html
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Blueberry Bran Muffins
http://cooksanonymous.blogspot.com/2011/02/low-fat-blueberry-bran-muffins.html
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Granola Bars
-SOOOO good!
http://cooksanonymous.blogspot.com/2011/06/granola-bars.html
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Easy Steak Kabobs
-We're having these for dinner tonight.
http://cooksanonymous.blogspot.com/2009/07/easy-steak-kabobs.html