I heard something recently on the radio (KLTY) that makes a lot of sense for eating healthy foods & not gaining weight. When eating out, try to stay away from the 4 “C’s” which are:

1. Crispy
2. Crunchy (fried food crunchy)
3. Creamy
4. Cheesy

With these types of foods, a red flag goes up for added saturated fat (depending on the type of fat used) plus calories!

I have not tried this recipe, but it sounds fun for Easter dinner:

• 2 cups cooked, mashed sweet potatoes - warm
• 1/4 cup pineapple juice
• crushed corn flakes
• shredded lettuce
  

Mix potatoes and juice with a mixer until smooth. Shape into small eggs and roll in corn flakes. Place on a greased shallow baking dish and bake @ 325 degrees for 25 minutes. Serve on a bed of shredded lettuce so it will look like eggs in the grass.

This delicious, low-fat banana bread is now a favorite of mine:

• 1 cup flour
• 1/2 cup Spelt flour (or whole-wheat flour)
  
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
• 2 eggs (or 1 egg & 2 egg whites)
• 1/4 cup canola oil
• 1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
• 1 cup mashed bananas
• 1/2 cup dried cherries
• 1 tablespoon flour to mix with cherries

Mix first seven dry ingredients in a bowl. In a larger bowl, mix the eggs, oil, and applesauce. Add bananas and stir until mixed well. Add the flour mixture until all ingredients are moistened. Mix cherries with 1 tablespoon flour and add to mixture. Pour into greased 9″x 5″ loaf pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour or until toothpick inserted in the middle of the bread comes out clean. Let cool.

After the bread has completely cooled, wrap tightly in plastic wrap for freshness. Store at room temperature for up to a week. Flavor is best at room temperature.

This delicious recipe is from Michelle:

• 1/2 cup margarine
• 6 sweet potatoes, cooked
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 3 eggs
• 3/4 cup sugar
  
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon

Topping:

• 1 cup chopped pecans
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 1 cup flour
• 1/2 cup melted margarine
  

Add margarine to hot potatoes. Combine with vanilla, eggs, sugar, and cinnamon with mixer. Pour into baking dish.

For the topping, blend the pecans, brown sugar, flour, and margarine together. Add topping to top of potatoes. Bake at 350 degrees for approximately one hour.

Here are some time-saving recipes for pie crusts:

• Never Fail Pie Crust (can make ahead of time)
• In a Hurry?….”Mix in the Plate” Pie Crust
• Graham Cracker Pie Crust
  

Most people are so busy and some find it hard to find the time to roll out a pie crust while they are making all the other dishes for their Easter dinner. Here are some helpful recipes!

FIRST LAYER:

• 3 ounce package of lime Jello
• 1 cup boiling water
• 1 cup cold water

Dissolve Jello in boiling water. Add cold water and pour into loaf pan. Let it sit until firm.

SECOND LAYER:

• 3 ounce package of lemon Jello
• 1 cup boiling water
• 3 ounces of cream cheese, softened
• 1 small can crushed pineapple with the juice
• 1 teaspoon vinegar

Dissolve Jello in boiling water. Add cream cheese and beat until smooth. Cool. Add pineapple with the juice and the vinegar. Pour on top of the first layer. Let sit until firm.

THIRD LAYER:

• 3 ounce package of cherry or raspberry Jello
• 1 cup boiling water
• 1 cup cold water
• Whipped cream

Dissolve Jello in boiling water, then add cold water. Let cool. Pour over the second layer. Let sit in fridge until firm. Top with whipped cream.

If you’re needing an easy but special dessert to take to a pot luck or maybe a luncheon at work, then try this easy one. It is surprisingly good, and when a friend of mine made it, she had several requests for the recipe. I had no idea it had Ritz crackers in it until she gave me the recipe.

Put both cans of pineapple with juice in a long Pyrex dish:

• 1 large can (20 ounces) pineapple chunks with juice

• 1 can crushed pineapple with juice
  

Mix and pour over pineapple:

• 1 cup flour
• 5 tablespoons flour

Then sprinkle over the top:

• 8 ounces of grated Colby & Cheddar cheese

Then:

• 1/2 stick butter, melted
• one “column” of Town House or Ritz Crackers (or similar)
  

Dip crackers in melted butter and place on top of cheese. Bake at 350 for 45 minutes.

My mother passed away in 2000. But I can remember while I was growing up and while she was still able to cook, she would fix this salad at Thanksgiving and Christmas. Mix the following for a refreshing salad:

• 1 cup pineapple chunks (if you use canned, be sure and drain)
• 1 cup mandarin oranges, drained
• 1 cup miniature marshmallows
• 1 cup sour cream (if you don’t like sour cream, you can use Cool Whip)
• 1/3 cup coconut (if you don’t like coconut, leave it out)
  

At Christmas time, it looks pretty to add some maraschino cherries on top.