Great tasting recipes for a healthier you...

Creamy Layered Fruit Sensation

• 1 pkg. (9 oz.) angel food cake, cut into cubes
• 3 Tbsp. orange juice
• 1/4 tsp. almond extract
• 2-1/2 cups cold fat-free milk
• 2 pkg. (4-serving size each) JELL-O Vanilla Flavor Fat Free Sugar Free Instant Pudding
• 1-1/2 cups thawed COOL WHIP Sugar Free Whipped Topping, divided
• 2 pkg. (12 oz. each) frozen mixed berries, thawed, well drained

PLACE cake cubes in large bowl. Mix orange juice and extract. Drizzle over cake; toss to coat. POUR milk into another large bowl. Add dry pudding mixes. Beat with wire whisk 2 min. or until well blended. Gently stir in 1 cup of the whipped topping. RESERVE a few berries for garnish; set aside. Place half of the cake cubes in 2-qt. glass serving bowl or round casserole dish; top with layers of half each of the remaining berries and pudding mixture. Repeat layers. Cover with plastic wrap. Refrigerate at least 2 hours. Top with remaining 1/2 cup whipped topping and reserved berries just before serving. Store leftovers in refrigerator.

Nutritional Information:
Calories 100 Total fat 1 g Saturated fat 1 g Cholesterol 0 mg Sodium 290 mg Carbohydrate 21 g Dietary fiber 1 g Sugars 13 g Protein 2 g Vitamin A 2 %DV Vitamin C 25 %DV Calcium 8 %DV Iron 4 %DV Diet Exchange 1-1/2 Starch (www.kraftfoods.com).

Yummy Snacks For Smoldering Summer Days

Summer time in Texas is always the same, hot, hot , hot! I hate to cook anything in the afternoon for fear it will heat up the house, defeating the purpose of air conditioning. But to cool off I always treat myself to a snack, it has almost become essential in the afternoon. Here are some of my favorite easy-to-do snacks for you to try with the family, that don’t go overboard on sugar and calories.

Quick and Easy Zesty Veggie Dip

• 8 oz container Light/FF Sour Cream
• 1/4 cup Cilantro, finely chopped
• 1/3 cup Salsa (any type, avoid exotic flavors)
• Various Fresh Veggies: Cleaned and chopped to bite size portions (carrots, cucumbers, celery, broccoli)

To prepare, combine the sour cream, salsa and cilantro into a serving bowl and mix. Vary the amount of cilantro and salsa you mix in to taste. Dip and savor! Store leftover dip in the refrigerator. This is also great on top of other items as a tasty condiment such as baked potatoes and pita sandwiches.

Simply Kewl Ice Cream Sandwich

• Frozen SF/Light Whip Topping (if available, try various flavors)
• Mini Flavored Rice Cakes (Try Chocolate for starters)

This is one of the easiest and healthiest ice cream sandwich! Take the frozen whip topping, scoop out a spoonful, and place it on top of a rice cake. Then top with another rice cake to make a sandwich, eat and enjoy!

Mock Strawberry Shortcake

• Sugar-Free Angel Food Cake (home made or store bought)
• Sugar-Free Strawberry Jell-O Salad (SF Strawberry Jell-O mixed with chopped strawberries)
• Sugar-Free/Light Whip Topping
• Sliced Strawberries

To prepare, make the SF Jell-O salad and let it set over night. The next day, take one serving of the angel food cake (about an 1/8 of the cake) and break it apart or chop it up within a small serving bowl. Lightly stir in 1/2 cup SF Jell-O salad and 2 Tbsp. whip topping. Finish it off with a serving of SF whip topping and fresh sliced strawberries on top. Serve immediately.
Note:Because of the absorbency of the cake, make this treat one serving at a time. It is best not to mix it all together at once and leave it in the fridge, as the cake will become soggy.

Cool Cucumber Crunch

• 1-2 Whole Cucumbers, sliced
• Reduced-Fat Whole Wheat Crackers
• Turkey Pepperoni slices
• Low-fat/Fat-Free Dressing

To prepare, assemble the ingredients as follows: take a cracker, top it with a slice of cucumber and turkey pepperoni. Then dip into a light dressing, ranch being the preferred, and enjoy!

All Yummy Snacks listed above are brought to you by our nutritional expert Amberle Arroyo