Well the kids are back in school. Time for PTA potlucks and transporting the children to various after-school activities. And when the kids do get home, they are hungry, NOW! Do you have time to prepare that special tasty treat for your famiy or an "out of this world" dish to pass at the potluck? And even if you do have the time....do you want to spend that time in the kitchen away from the family? Probably not. Don't panic. Keep the ingredients for these simple "no-cook" or minimal cooking recipes in your pantry and freezer and your "What can I give the kids?", "What do I take to this meeting?" questions are easily answered.

All of these recipes may be made the day or evening before and need to be kept chilled. Pop them in the cooler to transport and after all have been served, PLEASE.....return them to the cooler for the safety of all.

These two chilled cakes are yummy, taste rich but may be made lower in fat and calories by using lite or fat-free whipped topping, sugar-free pudding mix, and low-fat milk without affecting their quality or taste.

Ingredients:

• 1 box Jiffy Cake Mix
  
• 8 oz. cream cheese
  
• 1 1/2 cups milk
  
• 1 box instant vanilla pudding
  
• 1 large can crushed pineapple
  
• 1 large container Cool Whip
  
• 1/2 cup finely chopped walnuts

Directions:
Bake Jiffy Cake in 9" x 13" pan, at 350 degrees for approximately 15 minutes. (This will be a thin layer of cake and does not take as long to bake as a normal cake) Allow to cool.

Mix softened cream cheese with 1/4 cup milk until smooth and spread evenly on cake.

Next, mix vanilla pudding packet with 1 1/4 cup milk until stiff and spread it over the cream cheese.

Drain crushed pineapple,very well, and drop evenly on top of the pudding layer.

Top with a thawed-out container of Cool Whip (for easy spreadability).

Finally, top with finely-chopped walnuts. Store in refrigerator.

Makes a refreshing dessert, especially on a hot summer day!

Ingredients:
Cake:

• 1 package yellow or white cake mix
  
• 1 package instant pistachio pudding
  
• 3 eggs
  
• 1 cup oil
  
• 1 cup 7-Up
  
• 1 cup chopped nuts

Frosting:

• 1 (9 ounce) carton Cool Whip
  
• 1 package pistachio pudding
  
• 1 1/2 cups cold milk

Blend milk and pudding until stiff. Fold in whipped topping. Spread on cake.

METHOD:

Blend all cake ingredients together in a large bowl, and beat for 3 minutes.

Pour into a greased and floured 9 by 12 inch pan. Bake at 350°F for 40 minutes.

Cool completely and add the frosting.

Here are two cool, colorful, and very easy "take-along" salads. Both may be made the night before. Then simply pop them in your cooler and off to the picnic you go.

Please for your safety and the safety of your loved ones, return to the cooler immediately after you have eaten... if there is any left, that is.

Ingredients:

• 1 (3.4 ounce) package instant pistachio pudding mix
  
• 1 (20 ounce) can crushed pineapple, drained
  
• 1 1/2 cups miniature marshmallows
  
• 1 (12 ounce) container frozen whipped topping, thawed
  
• 1/2 cup flaked coconut
  
• 1/2 cup maraschino cherries, well drained

Directions:

In a large bowl, combine pudding mix and pineapple; mix well.

Add marshmallows and 3/4 of the container of dessert topping (add more to get a creamier consistency). Toss in the coconut; mix well.

Transfer to a serving dish and top with halved cherries and any extra coconut.

Chill for at least an hour before serving. Will be good the next day.

Ingredients:

• 24 ounces cottage cheese
  
• 1 (12 ounce) container frozen whipped topping, thawed
  
• 1 (6 ounce) package orange flavored gelatin mix
  
• 2 (11 ounce) cans mandarin oranges, drained
  
• 1 (20 ounce) can crushed pineapple, drained

Directions:

In a large bowl, combine the cottage cheese, whipped topping and gelatin mix.

Stir in the oranges and pineapple.

Chill in refrigerator at least an hour.

Part 1: Choosing Your ingredients

I love recipes. I enjoy collecting them, and deciding which recipes fit my family's taste and lifestyle.

I find that the most satisfying recipes, the ones I tend to use over and over again have simple ingredients. Ingredients that are normally available in my pantry and refrigerator. If a recipe has a very long or unusual list of ingredients I may try it once, but it usually doesn't stay in my normal cooking "line up".

I'd also like to add that usually I don't follow a recipe down to the last dotted "i" and crossed "t". (The exception to this is in baked goods. Recipes for bread, cookies, cakes, and pastries are very exact... akin to a chemical formula and should be followed precisely.)

I often don't have everything on hand that a recipe calls for so some imagination and creativeness is sometimes called into action. For example: No buttermilk? Add 1 tblspn. lemon juice or vinegar to one cup of regular milk. If your family doesn't like a particular vegetable in a casserole or stew simply substitute one that they will eat. And if you cannot get your kids to eat vegetables at all shred them or grate them and include them in cooked foods that they like....even hamburgers...the "dreaded vegetables" will literally disappear but the vitamins and nutrition remain.

How does this apply to the great adventure of living your life?

You will find advice on living a full, productive, happy and fulfilling life around every corner. Personal growth books are one of the largest growing categories in publishing, as are books on spirituality and relationships. Thousands of people are taking seminars to get in touch with themselves, or ease their stress. Oprah and and her guests fill innumerable hours listing the thing you can do to make yourself and your life better. What these books and seminars and talk shows are basically giving you are different recipes for life.

Just as cooking a meal that you will enjoy and that will nourish your body takes practice and adaptation to fit your taste and lifestyle. So too, all the "recipes for life" that are out there beckoning to you with promises of better relationships, less stress, and unparalleled happiness must be examined carefully and adapted to fit your personal taste, lifestyle, and individual needs.

Don't be afraid to take individual ingredients from various "life recipes". Mix them well, spoon them into your daily life liberally and enjoy a bountiful feast of:

Peace.....Love....Gratitude....Contentment....and Joy.

"Sterling Moon is my favorite specialty coffee!" David E. Brown,
[Billy Joel's former lead guitarist for 11 years] Gloucester, MA

Jan has created some wonderful new sites for your enjoyment.
Please also visit: My Inspiration
My Inspiration 2
Seasons

Visit the gURLz Gazette Archives to read previous articles by this author.

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