Shopping list:

appetizer in jar or can), lettuce, whole-wheat pita bread, fresh vegetable sticks, deli minestrone soup, Parmesan cheese, tropical fruit.

THURSDAY

| MEATLESS Basil and Garlic Tortellini (see recipe) is an alternative to meat tonight. Serve with a romaine salad and garlic bread. For a light dessert, pineapple chunks with toasted coconut is good.

Packaged frozen cheese tortellini, canola oil, packaged sliced mushrooms, canned no-saltadded diced tomatoes, basil, garlic salt, pepper, Parmesan cheese, romaine, garlic bread, pineapple chunks, coconut.

FRIDAY

| KIDS Kids always welcome burger night when they can choose their favorite kind. Whatever the choice, serve them on whole-grain buns along with lettuce and tomato. Add oven-fried potato wedges (frozen).

Make them “eggs” on toast for dessert. Toast 4 slices frozen cinnamon French toast according to package directions. When cool, place on serving plates. Using an ice cream spade (not a scoop), top each slice with fat-free vanilla ice cream. Make two shallow depressions in ice cream with back of a spoon. Place 2 apricot halves (from a 15-ounce can of apricots in light syrup), round side up, in depressions. Spoon apricot syrup over “eggs” and serve.

Any burgers, whole-grain buns, lettuce, tomato, frozen potato wedges, frozen cinnamon French toast, fat-free vanilla ice cream, canned apricots in light syrup.

SATURDAY

| EASY ENTERTAINING

Invite friends for Fettuccine and Spinach with Gorgonzola Sauce (see recipe), a company-friendly pasta. Serve with an arugula salad and baguettes. Buy fruit tarts for dessert.

1 package (8 ounces) frozen

cheese tortellini 1 tablespoon canola oil 1 package (8 ounces) sliced mushrooms 2 teaspoons dried basil ¼ teaspoon garlic salt

¼ teaspoon pepper 1 can (14 ½ ounces) no-salt-added diced tomatoes (undrained) 2 tablespoons grated

Parmesan cheese

Prep time: 5 minutes. Cooking time: less than 15 minutes, plus tortellini. Cook tortellini as directed on package. Drain well. Meanwhile, heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add mushrooms; cook and stir 5 minutes. Stir in basil, garlic salt, pepper and tomatoes. Bring to a boil, stirring occasionally. Reduce heat to low; simmer 5 minutes. Add tortellini and cheese; toss to coat well. Sprinkle with additional cheese, if desired.

Per serving: 253 calories, 32g carbohydrate, 11g protein, 9g fat (3.2g saturated), 27mg cholesterol, 323mg sodium, 3g fiber. Calories from fat: 32%.

Fettuccine and Spinach with Gorgonzola Sauce (Saturday)