Sweet Summertime

Its June and as school and graduation parties come to an end, the reality that summer is finally here should hit us all! Summer is a fabulous time to be more active and take advantage of all the fresh food the community and grocery stores offer. This is the time of year no matter where you live you can enjoy the great outdoors! We have come up with some ideas of how to stay fit without hitting the gym, so grab your sunscreen and head outside! Also, take a look at some of our delicious summertime recipes.

Fun outdoor activities:

• Beach or outdoor volleyball 
• Swim
• Hike, walk or run outside 
• Bike wherever you need to go instead of asking for a ride or driving
• Take your workout routine outdoors
• Get some friends together and just be young...play hide & seek, soccer or tag

This is also a great time of year to enjoy all the fresh produce so here are a few recipes that will help you incorporate some fruit & veggies into your dinners and/or lunches

Yummy Summer Recipes:

Fresh Veggie & Creamy Pasta

Ingredients

• Zucchini
• Onion
• Red & Yellow Bell Peppers
• Asparagus
• Mushrooms
• Chicken Broth
• Fat Free Half & Half
• 1 wedge Laughing Cow Cheese
• Cream Cheese
• Fresh Parmesan Cheese
• Whole wheat pasta
• Garlic Powder
• Salt & Pepper

Directions
1. Cut up all the veggies and put in a pan over medium heat, add a small amount of olive oil so they don't burn. Once they begin to cook, add 1 tsp of garlic powder and salt & pepper to taste. While veggies are cooking, in a separate pan, boil pasta until cooked through.
2. When the veggies begin to soften but are still somewhat crunchy. Add 1 wedge of Laughing cow cheese, 1 tbsp. of cream cheese, 1/4 cup of F.F Half & Half, 1/2 cup of chicken broth and 1/4 cup of Parmesan cheese. You want there to be extra sauce so that it will coat the pasta as well.
3. Add cooked pasta to the veggies & make sure everything is incorporated. Let sit over low heat for a few minutes so everything is warm and yummy & of course Enjoy!!

Individual Fruit Pizza's

Ingredients

• Strawberries
• Orange slices (clementine's work best)
• Blueberries
• Raspberries                         
• Kiwi's
• Blackberries
• Sugar cookie dough
• Sugar free cool whip
• 1 8 oz. container of vanilla fat-free or low-fat yogurt
• 1 small box of Jell-o cheesecake sugar-free, fat-free instant pudding

Directions
1. Slice sugar cookie dough into small individual cookies. Preheat oven to 350 & bake cookies for 8-12 min. You want them to be somewhat crispy
2. Cut up fruit and separate
3. In a bowl; mix cool whip, yogurt and pudding. Once thoroughly mixed, cover and put in the refrigerator.
4. When cookies are cooled, you can start making your fruit pizza! Works best if you do them individually so that the cookies don't get soggy. Spread a little bit of the cool whip mixture (this is your 'sauce') and then add the fruit that you want!