Notes:
A delicious way to preserve a bountiful harvest of tomatoes.

Servings: up to 4 per

Ingredients:
-Tomatoes- any kind and any amount but the key is to dry the same variety together, cut in similar wedges so they dry evenly. Varieties that have worked well are Garden Peaches, Pusta Kolox, Cherokee Purple, Zapotecs and Black Krim. The Romas dry quicker but don't have as much flavor.
-Container of olive oil
-sea salt in a grinder
-one tomato can make up to 4 servings depending on the size.

Directions:
Heat oven at lowest setting, usually 200 degrees. Take some olive oil and generously grease a large cookie sheet that has sides at least half an inch to catch any juices that may form.
Cut out stem of tomato and slice tomatoes in wedges about 1/2 inch wide. Arrange in tight rows on the tray, edges touching. They will shrink considerably and can handle it. Sprinkle lightly with sea salt then put in the oven. Varieties such as Romas will dry quicker, taking about 3-4 hours. Juicier varieties (and tastier) can take as long as 6 to 12 hours.

Some varieties will produce a lot of juice. To speed drying pour off juice in bowl or glass container. I like to save the juice for reductions in stir fry's or pasta.

Remove from oven and with spatula place in medium sized bowl and press gently down. Add enough olive oil to cover. Allow to cool completely then place in sandwich size ziplock bags. Flatten and remove air from bags. If using within a week put them in the fridge. If saving longer place in the freezer. Great as an alternative to sausage or pepperoni on pizza. Also good in pasta dishes and salads.

Submitted by:
Theresa

Notes:
This is dish of braised chicken breast and vegetables that can be made in any sized portions, so you can make it for yourself or for the whole family.  It’s really is so tasty that the rest of the family won’t care that it is healthy and low in fat if you do make it for everyone.

Servings: 1 +

Ingredients:
Small to medium lean chicken breast (one per person)
Carrots, sliced (I use lots of carrots and onions to fill up on)
Onions, sliced
Celery, sliced (don't go too overboard if you're not fond of celery, as the favour can overpower the dish)
potatoes, sliced (optional, and don't use too many, I suggest about 1 x small to medium potato, per person)
Salt and freshly ground black pepper to season
Fresh or dried rosemary
A little sprinkling of mixed herbs (oregano, parsley, thyme)
Stock made with 1 x chicken/vegetable stock cube mixed with 1/2 pint of hot water per person/portion

Directions:
1]Preheat the oven to 180C/350F, reduce this to 150C/300F if you're using a fan-assisted oven.
2]Trimmed all of the fat off the chicken breast/s.
3]Chop and slice all the vegatables (holding back a handful of onions) and put into a large ovenproof casserole/braising dish.
4]Heat a fying pan on a medium/high heat and seal off the chicken and the remaining onions. Do not add any oil to the pan unless the pan is not non-stick. If this is the case, use only a teaspoon (5mls) of olive oil to prevent sticking.
5]When the chicken is a nice golden brown on each side, add it to the oven dish along with the onions in the pan.
6]Mix the stock cube with hot water and pour over the contents of the dish.
7]Add mixed herbs, salt and pepper and rosemary and stir to evenly distribute throughout the dish.
8]Cook for 1 & 1/2 hours in the oven or until chicken and vegetables tender.
9]Serve with SMALL crusty bread roll.

Submitted by:
Jeannie

Notes:
Tart crunchy salad- very refreshing

Servings: 4 +

Ingredients:
2 cucumbers
2 roma tomatoes
1/4 cup olives- any kind that you like will do (kind of optional- you decide how many if any to add)
apple cider or balsamic vinegar - however much is enough to cover the salad when its chilling in a bowl (probably 1 to 2 cups depending on your bowl)
1 tblsp honey
1/2 cup pickled mushrooms (optional)
Dill weed
Salt (Kosher salt works best)
Pepper
a pinch of oregano (optional)
1/4 tsp minced garlic

Directions:
Slice the cucumbers thin and cube the tomatos, place both ingredients in a bowl. Add the spices- honey, garlic - olives and mushrooms. Pour vinegar over the whole thing until the vinegar is just slightly over the top of all the ingredients. Chill at least 4 hours- its best after 24 hours. Because of the vinegar this salad will stay quite a while in your refrigerator. (it even stays crispy)

Submitted by:
Jessica

Notes:

This quick and simple recipe is one of my faves and is perfect to make and freeze for later.

Servings: 6

Ingredients:
1/2 - 1 teaspoon vegetable oil
1/2 onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 cups canned kidney beans, drained
1 cup water
1 tablespoon and 1-1/2 teaspoons chili powder
1 teaspoon ground cumin
2 teaspoons prepared mustard
1/2 pinch cayenne pepper, or to taste
1 tablespoon and 1-1/2 teaspoons soy sauce
2 cups cooked and mashed sweet potatoes
6 (10 inch) flour tortillas, warmed
2 cups shredded Cheddar cheese

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).

Heat oil in a medium skillet, and saute onion and garlic until soft. Stir in beans, and mash. Gradually stir in water, and heat until warm. Remove from heat, and stir in the chili powder, cumin, mustard, cayenne pepper and soy sauce.

Divide bean mixture and mashed sweet potatoes evenly between the warm flour tortillas. Top with cheese. Fold up tortillas burrito style, and place on a baking sheet.
Bake for 8-12 minutes in the preheated oven.
(Can be wrapped individually and frozen, then heated in the microwave.)

Top with diced tomato, green onion and sour cream or salsa.

Submitted by:
rochell

Notes:
Note: Garbanzo Beans are also known as Chickpeas.

This is a meatless meal, but also perfect for non-vegetarians. Like many Moroccan dishes, it is somewhat spicy, but not hot. I usually serve this on its own after a big green salad as a starter, but you could also serve it with couscous. 4 servings - each serving 220 calories.

Servings: 4

Ingredients:
• ½ teaspoon paprika
• ½ teaspoon ground ginger
• ½ teaspoon ground cumin
• A couple of squirts of 1 calorie olive oil, or a teaspoon of olive oil
• 1 large onion, roughly chopped
• 1 red pepper/capsicum
• 250 gm / 9 oz (approx 2 US cups) raw and peeled cubed pumpkin or butternut or buttercup squash
• Saffron a pinch, optional as this is quite expensive
• Approx 5 fresh chopped tomatoes or 400gm/14oz can chopped tomatoes in juice
• 400gm/14oz can garbanzo beans/chickpeas
• Salt and pepper to taste

Directions:
1. Cut the peppers and pumpkin into cubes and roughly chop the onion.
2. Heat a little oil in a large deep skillet/frying pan, saucepan or casserole and add the cumin, paprika and ginger and stir through
3. Add the vegetables and fry for 5 minutes, stirring so they brown evenly.
4. Add 200ml (about 1 US cup) of water, the saffron, tomatoes and a few grinds of black pepper, and bring to a simmer.
5. Cover and cook for 10 minutes. If possible, check occasionally to make sure it isn't sticking.
6. Stir in the chickpeas and cook uncovered for a further 10 minutes or until the vegetables are tender.
7. Check seasonings before serving

Submitted by:
Juliette

Notes:
This 7-day eating plan can be used as often as you like. If correctly followed, it will clean out your system of impurities and give you a feeling of well-being. After only 7 days of this process, you will begin to feel lighter by at least 10 pounds and possibly 17 pounds, and experience an abundance of energy.

Servings: 1-7

Ingredients:
SOUP:

* 1 or 2 cans of stewed tomatoes
* 3 plus large green onions
* 1 large can of beef broth (no fat)
* 1 pkg. Lipton Soup mix (chicken noodle)
* 1 bunch of celery
* 2 cans green beans
* 2 lbs. Carrots
* 2 Green Peppers

Season with salt, pepper curry, parsley, if desired, or bouillon, hot or Worcestershire sauce. Cut veggies in small to medium pieces. Cover with water. Boil fast for 10 minutes. Reduce to simmer and continue to cook until veggies are tender.

This soup can be eaten anytime you are hungry during the week. Eat as much as you want, whenever you want. This soup will not add calories. The more you eat, the more you will lose. You may want to fill a thermos in the morning if you will be away during the day.

DRINKS:

* Unsweetened juices
* Tea (also herbal)
* Coffee
* Cranberry juice
* Skim milk
* Water, water, water

Directions:
DAY ONE
Any fruit (except bananas). Cantaloupes and watermelon are lower in calories than most other fruits. Eat only soup and fruit today.

DAY TWO
All vegetables. Eat until you are stuffed with fresh raw, cooked or canned veggies. Try to eat green leafy veggies and stay away from dry beans, peas or corn. Eat veggies along with the soup. At dinnertime tonight reward yourself with a big baked potato and butter. Don't eat any fruits through today.

DAY THREE
Eat all the soup, fruit and veggies you want. Do not have a baked potato. If you have eaten as above for three days and not cheated, you should find that you have lost 5-7 pounds.

DAY FOUR
Bananas and skim milk: Eat at least 3 bananas and drink as much milk as you can today, along with the soup. Bananas are high in calories and carbohydrates, as is the milk but on this particular day, your body will need the potassium and carbs. Proteins and calcium to lessen the cravings for sweets.

DAY FIVE
Beef and tomatoes: you may have 10 to 20 ounces of beef and a can of tomatoes, or as many as 6 tomatoes on this day. Eat the soup at least once today.

DAY SIX
Beef and veggies, eat to your heart's content of the beef and veggies today. You can even have 2-3 steaks if you like with green leafy veggies but no baked potato. Be sure to eat the soup at least once today.

DAY SEVEN
Brown rice, unsweetened fruit juice and veggies, again, be sure to stuff yourself and eat the soup. You can add cooked veggies to your rice if you wish.

By the end of the 7th day, if you have not cheated on this diet, you should have lost 10 to 17 pounds. If you have lost more than 17 pounds, stay off the diet for two days before resuming the diet again.

This diet is fast. The secret lies within the principle that you will burn more calories than you take in. It will flush your system of impurities and give you a feeling of well-being. This diet does not lend itself to drinking any alcoholic beverages at any time. Because of the fat build-up in your system. Go off the diet at least 14 hours before any intake of alcohol.

Due to the variety of digestive systems in individuals, this diet will affect everyone differently. After day three, you will have more energy than when you began, if you do not cheat. After being on the diet for several days, you will find that your bowel movements have changed. Eat a cup of bran or fiber. Although you can have black coffee with this diet, you may find that you don't need caffeine after the third day.

The basic fat burning soup can be eaten anytime you feel hungry during the seven days. Eat as much as you wish. Remember the more you eat, the more you will lose. You can eat broiled, boiled or baked chicken instead of the beef. Absolutely no skin on the chicken. If you prefer, you can substitute broiled fish for the beef on only one of the beef days. You need the high protein in the beef for the other days.

Continue on the diet as long as you wish and feel the difference both mentally and physically.

DO NOT - DO NOT
No bread, alcohol, carbonated drinks (including diet drinks). Remember, absolutely no fried foods.

DO - DO - DO - DO
Drink plenty - at least 6 to 8 glasses - of water a day, as well as any combination of the following beverages: black coffee, unsweetened fruit drinks, cranberry juice and skim milk.

This diet comes from the Sacred Heart Memorial Hospital that is used for overweight heart patients in order to lose weight rapidly, usually prior to surgery.

Submitted by:
Roxi

Notes:
A turkey sandwich with an exotic touch.  Tasty, original & fast! Finally a sandwich with some personality =P   A delicacy of the mediterranean cusine, has strong italian influences… brought to you by me!  A delicious pesto recipe included… oh mama mia!   Translated from my language to english, for buddyslim only!  Enjoy

Servings: 2

Ingredients:
480 g (1 lb) sliced turkey (cooked as you wish)
4 wholemeal bread (hamburger style)
1 sliced white onion
3 spoons dark sugar
1 cup light cream cheese or ricotta cheese
Lettuce and tomato

For the pesto:

1 cup fresh basil leaves
half cup grated parmesan cheese
1/4 cup of olive oil
salt and pepper
Toasted & crushed pine nuts (optional)

Directions:
In a blender add the basil, parmesan cheese and olive oil, until you get a smooth paste (cream like) Add the salt, pine nuts and pepper. Set aside. Next, in a frying pan melt the sugar then add the onion. Cook it for 10 minutes until it's caramelized. In a bowl mix the cream cheese with the pesto (the blender mix I asked you to set aside previously) Now spread this mix on the bread, add in this order: some lettuce leaves, tomato, some more of the pesto if you like, the turkey slices & the caramelized onion. Bon apetit!

Submitted by:
FullaDoll

Notes:
This is from the You On A Diet website and is so good!

Servings: 2

Ingredients:
Chicken ingredients:
2 bone-in chicken thighs without skin
1 tomato, chopped
1/2 onion, chopped
8 pitted calamata olives, halved
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 teaspoon wine vinegar or balsamic vinegar
1 small bunch fresh basil, chopped

Bean
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 can (15 or 16 ounces) white beans, rinsed and drained
1 tomato, chopped
1/4 cup chopped fresh mixed herbs, your choice
1 teaspoon red wine vinegar or balsamic vinegar
Salt and pepper (optional)

Directions:
For chicken, heat oven to 375F. Place each chicken thigh on a large square of aluminum foil. Combine remaining chicken ingredients; spoon over chicken. Fold foil up and over chicken sealing edges forming a packet. Bake 25 minutes or until chicken is cooked through. Meanwhile, for beans, heat oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add garlic; cook 2 minutes. Add remaining ingredients; cook 5 minutes or until heated through. Carefully open chicken packets and transfer mixture to two serving plates; serve beans alongside chicken.

Submitted by:
Maureen