INGREDIENTS

1 lb lean ground beef, chicken or turkey

1 onion (sliced)

1 green pepper (sliced)

2 carrots (sliced)

2 large zucchini (1 diced, 1 sliced)

2 cloves garlic (minced)

1 can diced

16oz V8 juice

2 tablespoons Italian Seasoning or to taste

16oz nonfat/lowfat cottage cheese

2 cups mozzarella cheese

Directions:

In a large skillet, brown meat.  Drain fat, add onion, green pepper, carrots, black olives, diced zucchini and garlic.  Saute until onions are transparent.  Add tomatoes, V-8 juice and italian seasoning, simmering until thickened.  While the sauce is simmering, slicked the other zucchini and set aside.  When sauce is done, preheat overn to 350.  In a casserole dish, pour in enough sauce to just cover the bottom of the pan.  Layer in half each of the sliced zucchini, sauce, cottage cheese and mozzarella cheese.  Repeat the layers.  Place in oven and cook until the cheese is bubbly and lightly browned.  Aprox. 45 mins. Let cool 5 minutes and serve

INGREDIENTS:
1 Package (8 ounces) fat-free cream cheese, softened.
2 cups powdered sugar substitute (nature sweet).
1 can (15 ounce) solid pack pumpkin (not the pie mix).
3 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice.
1 teaspoon vanilla extract.
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger.
Apple and pear slices or your favorite fruits.
DIRECTIONS:

In a large mixing bowl, beat the cream cheese and confectioners’ sugar. Gradually add the pumpkin, pie spice, vanilla, and ginger.  Beat until smooth.  Serve with fruits.  Refrigerate any leftovers
COMMENTS:

You can use any types of your favorite fruits.

YIELDS:

3-1/2 cups approx.

INGREDIENTS:
1 sheet refrigerated pie pastry (optional).
1 can (6 ounces) crab meat, drained, flaked and cartilage removed.
1 can (4 1/4 ounces) tiny shrimp, rinsed and drained.
1/2 cup chopped celery.
1/2 cup mayonnaise or light sour cream.
1/4 cup chopped green pepper.
2 tablespoons diced pimientos.
1 tablespoons lemon juice.
1 1/2 teaspoons chopped onion.
1/4 teaspoon seafood seasoning.
1/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese or low fat cheese.

DIRECTIONS:
If you don’t want a crust, lightely grease the custard cups and preheat oven to 375 degrees.
If you want a crust, on a lightly floured surface, roll out pastry to 1/8in. Cut out 2 - 7″ circles and discard scraps. Press pastry circles onto the bottom and up the sides of the 2 ungreased 10 oz. custard cups. Place on a baking sheet. Bake at 425 degree for 7-10 minutes or until golden brown. Reduce heat to 375 degrees. In a small bowl, combine the crab, shrimp, celery, mayo, green pepper, pimientos, lemon juice, onion and seafood seasoning. Spoon into the hot sheets or custard cups. Sprinkle with cheese. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until bubbly and cheese is melted.

SERVES: 2

INGREDIENTS:
Small package of favorite S/F Jello.
Small package of favorite S/F Pudding.
Small container whipped topping (cool whip etc).

DIRECTIONS:
Mix Jello per instructions on package. Add pudding dry and mix with Jello. hand held mixer works the best. Wait 5 minutes to cool, then add whipped topping. Blend well using a wire wisk. Put in fridge and let set for 2-3 hours.

COMMENTS:
If you are using this for a special dinner, you can pour into individual dishes before it sets. Before serving add 1 tbl of whipped cream and some lemon, orange or line zest. Let your imagination work for you on flavors. If you combine S/F Orange Jello along with S/F White Chocolate Pudding, it tastes just like the old time CreamCycles.

SERVING SIZE
1/2 cup approx. 65 calories

IN ORDER TO HAVE SUCCESS FOR LIFE AND CONTINUE ON A JOURNEY THAT MOST ONLY DREAM ABOUT YOU HAVE TO REMEMBER THE THREE (3).

EAT: THE EAT 3 MEALS PER DAY, OR IN SOME CASES YOU CAN HAVE 5 SMALL MEALS DURING THE DAY. DON’T GRAZE. GRAZING IS WHY YOU HAD GASTRIC BYPASS SURGERY. PLAN YOUR MEALS. PLANNING IS THE BEST WAY NOT TO OVER EAT. READ THE INGREDIANTS ON THE CONTAINERS. LOW FAT, LOW CARBS, LOW OR NO SUGARS.

DRINK: YOU MUST DRINK AT LEAST 64OZ OF LIQUIDS PER DAY. WHY? HAVING GASTRIC BYPASS SURGERY, WE HAVE THE TENDENCY OF DEHYDRATING OURSELVES. LIQUIDS CAN CONSIST OF THE FOLLOWING: WATER, FLAVORED WATERS, BROTHS, DECAF COFFEE AND TEAS, 1 CUP OF SKIM OR 1% MILK AND 2 S/F POP CYCLES.

EXERCISE: THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT ON CONTINUING LOOSING WEIGHT. YES, YOU WILL LOSE WEIGHT JUST BECAUSE YOU HAD SURGERY, HOWEVER TO TONE YOURSELF AND TO FIRM UP THOSE AREAS THAT HAVE LOOSE SKIN YOU NEED TO EXERCISE. WALKING IS THE EASIEST, AS YOU CAN WALK ANY WHERE ANY TIME. IN NICE WEATHER YOU CAN WALK OUTSIDE, AND DURING BAD WEATHER YOU CAN WALK AT THE MALL. GYMS ARE FANTASTIC. GET THE INSTRUCTOR AT THE GYM TO COME UP WITH A WORKOUT PLAN FOR YOU. LET THEM KNOW THAT YOU HAD GASTRIC BYPASS SURGERY. MOST QUALITY GYMS ARE ALREADY WORKING WITH GASTRIC PEOPLE.

SO REMEMBER THE THREE (3). USE COMMON SENSE WHEN EATING AND EXERCISING. FOLLOW WHAT YOUR SURGERY AND DIETITIAN HAVE PRESCRIBED FOR YOU