Perfect Leftover Meal: Meatless Mexican Lasagna

I am thrilled when I throw together a meal that tastes good, looks good and makes even better leftovers!! See folks-- leftovers are very important in our house. I married a man that loves leftovers. In fact, he gets pretty bent out of shape when the fridge is bare and he has to sacrifice and take PB&J. Yep, you might say I've spoiled him.

What's one of you favorite "leftover" meals? One that you make specifically for the leftovers? We use leftovers for lunches more than for other dinners. And now that our oldest has her own thermos, she enjoys them too.

This is a meal that if you make a large amount like I did, you are guaranteed for leftovers. Enjoy!

Meatless Mexican Lasagna

1 can diced tomatoes (or you can omit the tomatoes and chiles and use a jar of your favorite salsa)
1 small can green chilies (or you could use a fresh poblano pepper as they are mild)
1 can fat free refried beans (or use pintos and mash them yourself)
8 whole wheat flour tortillas
4 cups fresh spinach, torn in small pieces
1 can sliced black olives
2 cups shredded Monterrey jack cheese
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1 cup fresh cilantro, minced


Directions:

Heat oven to 350 degrees. Add 1 cup of salsa/tomato chile mixture to the bottom of a 9x13 casserole dish. Take tortillas and slice into small lasagna style strips. Spread one layer of tortillas strips then add a layer of beans evenly on top of tortillas and sprinkle with half of the can of black olives. Next, add another layer of tortillas, tomatoes,beans, olives and 1 cup of cheese combination. Continue until you run out of ingredients. Sprinkle fresh cilantro on top. Use rest of cheese for the top of the lasagna.

End of Summer Tribute: Corn and Lima Bean Succotash

The days are getting shorter and the weather is getting cooler but my palate is still programmed for summer! Anyone else in this place? I love the flavors of fall, but it's just not the same as the freshness of summer!

Want to play a game to help keep those "fresh" memories fresh in your mind? Then join me in a game of creative tastebud play.

Complete the sentences with me. Close your eyes after you read the note and tell us what your mouth is saying.

- A tomato pulled from the vine, sliced within minutes, tastes like...


- Corn shucked and grilled, drizzled with butter reminds you of...


- Red peppers with their squeaky hard shell invite you to...


- Candy sweet onions skins tanned so carefully by the warm summer sun are best...


Ah...I'm curious to know what you all are thinking. Thanks for playing along!

Now, to mix in all of the flavors listed above, give this sweet and sour salad a try. A perfect end of summer tribute!

Do you notice the missing ingredient? Just to show that we all mess up sometimes.

Corn and Lima Bean Succotash

1 cup red pepper, seeded and diced
1/2 cup sweet onion, minced
1 garlic clove, minced
3 cups Lima beans (frozen work fine if you don't have fresh)
3 cups fresh corn kernels
1 cup cherry tomatoes, cut in half
1/3 cup fresh parsley, chopped
2 tbsp fresh basil, chopped

Dressing
1/4 cup honey
1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
2 tbsp lemon juice
2 tbsp Dijon mustard
1 tbsp olive oil
salt and pepper to taste

In a large sauce pan bring 4 cups of water to boil. Add Lima beans and cook for 5-10 minutes or until slightly tender. Then add corn and cover to steam for 3-5 minutes. Drain water and let cool. Mix onions, garlic and remainder of the ingredients together in a large bowl. Prepare the dressing in a small bowl and whisk mixing ingredients together. Toss the dressing over the salad and let chill for 30 minutes then serve.

National Childhood Obesity Month: Help in the Fight!

Did YOU know that September is National Childhood Obesity Month?


Did YOU know that close to 12.5 MILLON children are either overweight or obese?


Did YOU know that this is the first generation of children that may NOT live as long as their parents?



Did YOU know that this is one of THE most preventable problems in the United States?


There are many ways you can help but...I have a very different way for you help. ---


In honor of National Childhood Obesity Month, please consider supporting my friend and collegue Amy File and Team Healthier Generation as they run 26.2 miles in the ING NYC Marathon to end childhood obesity. By making a donation, YOU become a part of the solution.
Donate online at www.crowdrise.com/amyfile

Team Healthier Generation includes five first-time marathoners all from separate communities who share a passion for healthy kids. Each of the runners is training individually, but will share training tips, personal stories and playlist suggestions in the months leading up to the race on http://www.healthiergeneration.org/marathon/..  And--- the Team Captain for Team Healthier Generation is Celebrity chef Richard Blais, Top Chef All Stars


You can also check out The Alliance for a Healthier Generation's Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/#!/HealthierGeneration for other ways you join in the fight!