Low-Cal Green Apple and Jicama Slaw

1 large red bell pepper, roasted, seeded and peeled.
3 green apples
2 med or 1 large jicama
1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped (optional)
3 tablespoons tarragon vinegar or balsamic vinegar of the tarragon vinegar is unavailable.
6 tablespoons rice vinegar
3 tablespoons honey
Salt and Freshly ground white pepper to taste

Roast, peel and seed red pepper and cut into julienne strips. Peel, core and cut apples into matchstick-size pieces Peel and cut jicama into matchsticks. (I use mandolin for last two items on finest matchstick setting)

Combine red pepper, apple, jicama, parsley, vinegars, honey, salt and white pepper. Toss until well mixed. Serve cold and crispy.

Cloud Nine Fondue

1 14oz can sweetened condensed milk
1 10oz jar Marshmallow Creme
1/2 cup milk
1 teaspoon vanilla or almond extract
1 12 oz package semisweet chocolate chips

Combine all ingredients in a heavy saucepan. Cook slowly until well blended and creamy.

Makes 4 cups

Serve in a chafing dish over hot water.

Suggested dippers: Pineapple chunks, orange slices, banana slices, apple slices, marshmallows, chunks of angel food cake.

Sloppy Joes with Corn

Total Time: 45 minutes

1 teaspoon canola oil
1 cup finely chopped green bell pepper
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 1/2 lbs lean ground beef
1 6oz can no salt added tomato paste
2 teaspoons chili powder
1 teaspoon cumin
1/2 teaspoon sea salt
1 14oz can fat free less sodium chicken broth
1 15 oz can no salt added corn, rinsed and drained OR substitute frozen corn
6 whole wheat hamburger buns, toasted

Heat oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add onion, bell pepper and garlic; saute 3 minutes. Add meat to pan; cook 5 minutes or until browned, stirring to crumble. Stir in tomato paste, cook 2 minutes. Add chili powder, cumin, salt and broth. Reduce heat and simmer 12 minutes or until thickened, stirring occasionally. Stir in corn; cook for 2 minutes or until thoroughly heated.

Spoon about 1 cup meat mixture on bottom half of each hamburger bun; cover with top half of each bun.

Yield: 6 servings

Calories 338; Fat 7.5g; protein 31.7g Carb 40g; Fiber 6.2g; Chol 61mg; Iron 4.1mg; Sodium 638mg; Calc 72mg

Chris Cornell

I am listening to "Seasons" today and feeling melancholy. Maybe it is the pounding rain...

Summer nights and long warm days
Are stolen as the old moon falls
My mirror shows another face
Another place to hide it all
Another place to hide it all
And I'm lost, behind
The words I'll never find
And I'm left behind
As seasons roll on by

Sleeping with a full moon blanket
Sand and feathers for my head
Dreams have never been the answer
And dreams have never made my bed
Dreams have never made my bed

And I'm lost, behind
The words I'll never find
And I'm left behind
As seasons roll on by

Well I wanna fly above the storm
But you can't grow feathers in the rain
And the naked floor is cold as hell
The naked floor reminds me
Oh the naked floor reminds me

That I'm lost, behind
Words I'll never find
And I'm left behind
As seasons roll on by

If I should be short on words
And long on things to say
Could you crawl into my world
And take me worlds away
Should I be beside myself
And not even stay

Well I'm lost, behind
Words I'll never find
And I'm left behind
As seasons roll on by

Ruminating about past loves

My first love was the sweetest man. He was really into poetry and was very innocent and sweet. We kissed the first time late at night by the light of a television at a friends house after picking on each other all day.

Sometimes I long to hold him again. I know he isn't the same person, and neither am I, but I still love him with my entire heart. If you are out there reading this, my first love, I want you to know how special you are, and how I wish we had been able to work out a relationship between the two of us.

Tragic lovers, torn apart by pride and prejudice. I wish I could feel your touch again.. to know you love me, to recall that feeling when you came back from the service. To know your lips on mine again...

Your voice haunts me. I see you when I close my eyes, still at 17 years old. Still longing for me. Still welcoming me into your bed in the middle of the night.

Thoughts of you make my skin tingle. Thoughts of you make me long for yesterday. Thoughts of you make me remember how sensual and sexy you and I were together.

I miss you, first love.

Why does my mind wander?

Today I couldn't stop thinking 'what if' again. I love my husband dearly, but there are men that I have been friends with for years that I wonder 'what if?'. What if we had dated, what if I had been interested, what if what if what if. Usually this means I am feeling weird about my own relationship, because if things are weird I think about others more often (great clue when things aren't going well btw) but I do love my husband dearly. Still, this one particular man always makes me laugh, stares me in the eye with a devilish grin, always makes innuendo but nothing too far...

I am happy I am married, but sometimes I wonder what would happen if I was free for one night, free again to do whatever it is I feel. I know that many bad things went along with my past, and I know that I can't relive it, but just one night. One kiss. One tender touch. One time to really hear how he feels about me and I would be happy.

Might be time for a heart to heart with the husband..

Anyone else have these thoughts? Anyone else feel like one kiss would be enough to satisfy the hunger, no matter how illicit?

Haiku on pain

heart hurts in my chest
how could you leave me this way
no recovery