Let's Take It Outside

Grilling season is back!  Take the heat, and the mess, out of your kitchen and host a barbecue to celebrate summer.  Get inspired with our advice and recipes in the Food and Nutrition section.

Your Calorie Counter

This is how the pounds can add up. Monitor what you're eating and even drinking:

Drinks

1 glass wine  120

1 bottle of beer 271

1 cup of coffee with cream and sugar  50

1 mixed drink  250

Party Food

5 large olives 92

½ cup mixed nuts 440

1 oz. potato chips 150

10 wheat thins crackers 90

5 Ritz crackers 88

½ cup Chex mix 140

2 crackers with cheese 140

1 mini quiche 60

2 oz. Swedish meatballs 100

Sweets 


1 small piece of fudge 70

1 chocolate covered cherry 75

2 small chocolate chip cookies 150

1 slice cheesecake 372

1 slice apple pie 410

1 slice pecan pie 410

½ cup whipped cream 75

½ cup ice cream 145

Salads

2 cups mixed veggie salad with 2 tblsp. dressing  210

2 cups salad with diet dressing 100

½ cup gelatin with fruit 120

½ cup waldorf salad 110

Dinner

6oz. Ham  300

6oz. Turkey 340

6oz. Prime Rib 330

1 baked potato with cream 150

½ cup green bean casserole  225

1 dinner roll with butter 155

Quick Recipe Idea:  Berry Shortcake

Make the most of the season's berries, with a quick and easy shortcake!  Use any boxed baking mix and follow the directions to make dessert biscuits/shortcakes.  In a large bowl, combine three cups of mixed berries (strawberries, blueberries, raspberries & blackberries) with two tablespoons sugar.  When shortcakes are ready, layer one in a dessert dish, top with some of the berry mixture and a dollop of whipped cream. Repeat the layers one more time and enjoy! 

Quick Dinner Tips

When you're short on time, don't be afraid to cut corners a bit in the kitchen. You can make things easier for yourself and still serve a special meal for your family:

Dress up frozen mashed potatoes with low-fat sour cream, bacon bits, shredded cheddar cheese, a little garlic powder, or chopped fresh chives.

Add a special touch to store-bought stuffing mix by stirring in some chopped onion, celery, mushrooms, and shredded carrots (or any combination) that you saute in a little bit of margarine.

Make fresh asparagus a star on your table by adding fresh or frozen stalks to a pan sprayed with non-stick cooking spray. Top with dollops of margarine and sprinkle with Parmesan cheese. Bake in the oven at 350-degrees for about :30 minutes until tender (maybe a little longer if using fresh asparagus).

Chop up any veggies you have, spray them with non-stick cooking oil, sprinkle them with your favorite herbs and wrap 'em up in some foil. Place on the grill and after about 15 minutes, you'll have a perfectly steamed, grilled side dish!