The Weekend Cook: Pamper Yourself

In the frozen north this time of year it seems that spring will never come. But if you look carefully, you'll see that the best season of all is just around the corner. Buds are swelling, the days are longer, and even snowstorms and strong winds seem to be losing their grip. The sign of spring that I like best is the longer evenings. Dark no longer falls like a curtain. To help the season along, pamper yourself and your family this weekend.

These recipes are all easy to make, very delicious, and are nutrient dense. That means that each serving of the recipes delivers lots of vitamins, minerals, and micronutrients like flavanoids and antioxidants. These meals are also a good opportunity to teach your kids a bit about meal planning; make your plates colorful with lots of fruits and veggies and you will enjoy better health.

Have a wonderful weekend!

Friday Dinner

• Mexican Flank Steak
  This easy and delicious recipe cooks all day in your crockpot. Be sure to slice the steak against the grain (visible stripes in the meat) for the most tender results.
• Super Easy Fruit Salad
  Pick the freshest fruits in the market for this delicious and simple salad.
• heated tortillas (try flavored ones, or blue corn tortillas)
• Fluffy Raspberry Dessert
  Treat your family to this delicious recipe which is a cool, sweet, and delicious end to a healthy meal.

Saturday Breakfast

• Make Ahead Bran Muffins
  I love this recipe; it's delicious and good for you too. And the best part is, make it today and you can have hot muffins for breakfast for the rest of the week!
• Orange Cream Salad
  This make ahead salad recipe will keep in the fridge for 3-4 days - if you have any left! You can substitute 1 cup of frozen low fat or non fat whipped topping for the cream if you'd like.
• fruit juice, coffee, tea, milk

Saturday Lunch

• Chicken Waldorf Sandwiches
  Apples and walnuts are so good for you, and in this recipe they're so delicious too.
• Vegetable Salad with Buttermilk Dressing
  Buttermilk looks and tastes rich, but it is very low in fat. This easy recipe is full of flavor and nutrition.
• milk, tea, sparkling water
• Oatmeal Cookies
  This old family recipe makes the most wonderful chewy and tender cookies. Save some for lunchboxes later in the week.

Saturday Dinner

• Salmon with Fruit Salsa
  This recipe always reminds me of spring. Really excellent strawberries are coming into the market now; use them in this wonderful dish.
• Mini Focaccia Bread
  This chewy and tender bread recipe is delicious with the salmon.
• Breakthrough Salad
  You're going to easily make the five to seven servings of vegetables and fruits in your diet today! Plus, this salad tastes wonderful.
• Sorbet Parfait
  Read the labels of the sorbet containers; often you can find some with a good amount of Vitamin C and A in each serving.

Sunday Brunch

• Spinach Quiche
  This elegant and rich recipe is perfect for a leisurely brunch.
• orange juice, coffee, tea, milk
• Grape and Melon Salad
  Just four ingredients make a wonderful fruit salad that complements the spinach quich beautifully.

Sunday Dinner

• Apricot Roast Pork with Stuffing
  Dried apricots provide flavor and texture to this beautiful and simple recipe.
• Roasted Green Beans
  When you roast green beans you concentrate the flavor and create a wonderful tender crisp texture.
• Heavenly Cheese Mold
  This cool and fluffy salad is a great complement to the rich and savory entree.
• Chocolate Orange Freeze
  This beautiful and super delicious recipe can be made with any flavor of sherbet or sorbet. Enjoy!