This my absolute favorite summer meal.  There's so much in it that it truly is a meal.  Even non-salad eaters dive into this one. 

Sometimes I toss it and sometimes I layer it.  I coursely chop everything so it's nice and chunky.  I prepare it in a large roasting pan (turkey size).   

• fresh greens
• chopped or sliced boiled eggs
• chopped chicken
• crumbled bacon
• sometimes cubed ham (from leftovers)
• grated cheeses
• celery
• grape tomatoes
• cubed papayas
• cubed pineapples
• sliced peaches
• dried cranberries
• walnuts
• lowfat raspberry vinegret dressing
• paired with a wonderfully hearty toasted bread -  YUM!!!

I rarely eat it in the winter, but as soon as the weather gets warm it becomes a staple at our house.

Salmon with wild rice and corn

Meatloaf with mashed potatoes and green beans

Three Bean Chilli

Add your own special touches!

A lady at our church gave me this recipe several years ago for this wonderful holiday punch served very warm or chilled.  I think it tastes best very warm.  It's the perfect addition to your holiday party.  Hot apple cider is great, but why not spice it up a bit with something different... warmed Christmas Punch!

Christmas Punch
8 oz. Red Hots candy
1/2 gallon cranberry juice cocktail
1/2 gallon apple juice (or whatever your favorite)
4 sticks (short sticks) cinnamon
1 small sliced orange (optional)

Using some of the apple juice, boil the Red Hots until melted.  Continue to boil and add remainder of juices, and cinnamon sticks.   Reduce heat , top with orange slices for garnish, and let simmer for 15 minutes.  Serve VERY warm.

By the way, your house will smell great, too!

Here's another simple and YUMMY dish that eats like a meal.  I got a version of this from a friend and decided to put my own spin on it.

My friend's potato soup tasted so good, but left me wanting something a bit more hearty.  You can use just about any basic recipe for potato soup - goodness knows there are a million of them, and add something out of the ordinary.  I tossed in 2 pounds of browned, cooked, drained, crumbled turkey sausage and some frozen corn.

Simplify and make it a bit more healthy or fast by using low fat turkey sausage, frozen potatoes, frozen corn, low sodium chicken both, and fat free cream cheese (or fat free sour cream) rather than can items.  Fresh veggies are best.

For a side dish that's light and healthy, try steaming some sliced bell peppers and shrimp, tossed with a  light drizzle of olive oil, and seasoned to taste.

Try these little changes/additions and you'll be licking your lips too!

If you have an original meal idea, send me a post so we can share it with all our readers. 

Today's dinner was sooooo good!!!  I pulled from several recipes and came up with my own version.  This one is a definite keeper!  Perfect for chilly, rainy days.

    2 lbs. ground turkey  (browned and crumbled)
    1 family size can of condensed tomoato soup     
        (approx. 20+ ounce can)
    1 cup water
    1 14-15 oz. can diced tomatoes (do not drain)
    1 15 oz. can black beans (rinsed and drained well)
    1 15 oz. can red beans (rinsed and drained well)
    1 15 oz. can white beans (rinsed and drained well)
    1 cup chopped onions
    1 cup chopped green peppers
    1/2 cup chopped celery

I've put in the approximate amounts.  You can adjust the quantities according to YOUR tastes.  I like mine meaty so it eats like a meal.  If you have seasoned the meat well, or used turkey sausage, you should not need to add any more seasoning.

Once my meat is browned, I add my can of soup, cup of water, stir, and then toss everything else into the pot.  Mix well.  Stirring frequently, bring to a boil and then let simmer until veggies are tender, but not overcooked.  Serve hot (very warm) with crackers, corn bread, tortilla chips, a baked potato, or by itself.