This is one of my favorite salads-I also like to stuff a tomatoe with it also. "Sharon's Shrimp Salad" ************************ *4 cups cooked pasta (the tiny "O" ring pasta..al dente) * 1/2 lb cooked shrimp-sliced in half lengthways 1 cup thinly sliced celery 1 cup frozen green peas-cooked till just done! 1/2 cup sun dried tomatoes-diced 1/2 cup diced sweet onion 1 small jar of marinated artichoke hearts, cut in chunks salt & pepper to taste grated rind & juice of 1 lemon DRESSING: ********* Equal parts of MARIE'S Blue Cheese Vinagrette (in produce case at the grocery) and Catalina dressing.Blend together & mix into the pasta salad. Mighty Tasty!!

This is a favorite I got from my SIL. It was adapted from the recipe on the label of the key ingredient to this pasta salad - McCormick Salad Supreme Seasoning. PASTA SALAD 12-oz. spaghetti (cook, rinse, cut-up) 8 oz. Italian Dressing (bottled) 1 t. sugar 3 green onions, chopped 1 cucumber, seeded and chopped 1-2 tomatoes, seeded and chopped 1 sweet pepper (color of choice) 1/2 bottle (McCormick) SALAD SUPREME SEASONING (I use much less than this, so try 1 t., or to taste) Mix all ingredients together. Chill overnight. Keeps well in the refrigerator for several days. ------------------ I've altered it over the years to be LOTS of veggies, and only a small amount of pasta, which makes it less heavy and more refreshing. I add Italian dressing to taste (I use MUCH less than the recipe calls for). Once you've made it, it quickly becomes a what's-in-the-refrigerator dish, like it is with most pasta salads. A good recipe when you have a dab of cooked macaroni or spaghetti and some veggies that need to be used up. Although the recipe calls for spaghetti, any kind of pasta will work, and as much or as little as you'd like to use. It's all about the dressing and seasonings. -Grainlady

I am on day 13 of my jaw being wired shut. Ensure and Boost are a good way to get the calories and protein you need, but all that milky sweetness gets old fast. A good way to balance that is with drinking a couple of V8's throughout the day as well. I have found that putting pretty much any kind of soup in the good ole food processor works well. Chicken corn chowder has become one of my favorites. I also tried processing up some beef and bean chili that tasted great and was also loaded with protein. To everyone in my situation, try to stay positive out there and keep your eye on the prize!

Veggie tacos are great. Slice a zuccini in half and cut into bite-sized pieces. Saute it in olive oil and season it with Tony Chechere (or something like it). Heat up a can of black beans in the microwave at the same time. Put it all in a tortilla with a little cheese, if you like. Veggie Frito pie: Heat up a can of veggie chili. Put some in a bowl. Crumble Fritos on top. Add a little cheese. Peanut butter and jelly sandwiches are tastey. Crackers and cheese with carrots and cinamon apple sauce for dessert is good (I call it my C-lunch, since everything begins with C).