Summer Refresher

This season is one the most exciting times for lots of people. School is out! Time for vacation, relaxing, and spending time with others. Don't let the summer pass you by, there are several activities to enjoy.

Summer cookouts are great for bringing friends and family together to eat their favorites foods, consume refreshing drinks, play games, and catch up on lost time. Who can resist grilled food? Meat, vegetables, fish...you name it, and it's great off the grill. Yummy!

Take a look at some of these grilling ideas:
1. Peaches: cut in half and grill. Add cinnamon and sugar to sour cream to taste, then mix and top on peaches
2. Smoked Turkey Legs: use favorite marinade over night, seasoned salt and pepper to taste, then grill
3. Zucchini: slice, toss in italian dressing, then grill
4. Instead of soda or sweet tea try another refreshing drink for the summer. Here's a recipe you can enjoy. Drink up!

Ingredients
2 1/2 cups white sugar
6 cups water
2 (3 ounce) packages strawberry flavored gelatin mix
1 (46 fluid ounce) can pineapple juice
2/3 cup lemon juice1 quart orange juice
2 (2 liter) bottles lemon-lime flavored carbonated beverage

Directions
In a large saucepan, combine sugar, water, and strawberry flavored gelatin. Boil for 3minutes. Stir in pineapple juice, lemon juice, and orange juice. Divide mixture in half, and freeze in 2 separate containers.
When ready to serve, place the frozen contents of one container in a punch bowl, and stir in 1 bottle of lemon-lime soda until slushy.

Heat, Eat, and Go!

Being busy and healthy seems to cause a lot of confusion, especially in the morning. The belief is that you will have time to stop for something healthy as you head out in the morning, but most fast food restaurants are not considered a healthy start to your day.

With so many great options, there is no reason why a hearty breakfast cannot be available for any schedule. For instance, you could have turkey sausage, breakfast casserole, a fruit and veggie smoothie or quiche, just to name a few options. These foods are not only good for you but can be refrigerated and/or frozen for easy retrieval when you are ready to eat and run. It will take some planning and time, but in the end, you will be achieving the goal of taking care of YOU first. Here is a wonderful recipe for quiche that you just have to try. It will give you nutrition along with a quick morning option.

Ingredients
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 onion, sliced
• 2 tomatoes, peeled and sliced
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons fresh basil
• 3 eggs, beaten
• 1/2 cup milk
• salt and pepper to taste
• 1 (9 inch) unbaked deep dish pie crust
• 1 1/2 cups shredded Colby-Monterey Jack cheese, divided
• Optional: Cooked Meat (Diced Turkey, Bacon, Ham, Sausage)

Directions
Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Bake pie shell in preheated oven for 8 minutes.

Meanwhile, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Sauté onion until soft; remove from skillet. Sprinkle tomato slices with flour and basil, then sauté 1 minute on each side. In a small bowl, whisk together eggs and milk. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Spread 1 cup shredded cheese in the bottom of pie crust. Layer onions over cheese, and top with tomatoes, (optional cooked diced meat). Cover with egg mixture. Sprinkle top with remaining 1/2 cup shredded cheese.

Bake in preheated oven for 10 minutes. Reduce heat to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C), and bake for 15 to 20 minutes or until filling is puffed and golden brown. Serve warm.