Good morning everyone!!!

Wow…great temps yesterday, huh???? Yesterday it was almost 50* and it looks like the same for today!!! Add in longer day light hours thanks to the time change and you’d almost think SPRING is here!!! Of course you’ll have to close your eyes so that you don’t see the mounds of snow that still completely cover the ground and whatever you do, don’t even look at the forecast for tonight or tomorrow…..because it’s not looking good for us!!

Oh well, even if we get the 3-6 inches of snow predicted tonight through tomorrow, these two days have given of a taste of spring and the reminder that yes, it will in deed arrive at some point! There is a light at the end of the winter tunnel, so hang in there with me!!

In celebration of the short lived heat wave, I’m posting Julie’s recipes for two unique salsas that have all the fresh sweetness and vibrant colors of summer!!! We talked about them in one of the meetings last week and Julie was nice enough to email them to me to share with you. If you’re not in the mood to make you’re own or you’re short on time, the fresh melon salsa from Caputo’s received rave reviews during my “foods to share” part of our Weight Watchers meetings last week. One idea was to mix the melon salsa into tuna or chicken salad for a light, sweet twist. Any of the fruit salsas are always delicious on top of fish, pork or chicken too.

Enjoy the recipes. I know it’s been a long winter and eating and exercise challenges abound, but getting together to give each other new and fun, healthy ideas and to share the high energy of our groups will not only make you feel better….it will help you to do better.

See you soon!

Ps.
I have to throw in this personal shout out……GO KANELAND KNIGHT BOYS BASKETBALL!!! Play hard TONIGHT!!!! We won our Regionals on Friday night against Marmion. Yahoo! Tonight we play Rockford Lutheran in Hampshire at 7pm in the first game of Sectionals.

As many of you know, my son Cole Carlson, is a senior and one of the starters on the team. I’m a totally PROUD Momma Bear!!! Go get ’em Knights!!!!!!!!!!! You’ll always be my “little” boy, #44!!!

Hi Terra,

Here are the two recipes for the salsa’s we talked about at the meeting. Have a great weekend. Julie

See below!!

Mango Salsa

2 ripe mangos, peeled, pitted and diced
1 shallot, minced
1 jalapeno pepper, seeded, deveined and minced
1 clove garlic, minced
2 Tbs. minced cilantro
1Tbs. rice vinegar
! tsp fresh lime juice

Mix all ingred in bowl. Cover and refrigerate a couple hrs before serving. Great on pork tenderloin, chicken, fish and anything that is spicy.

Pineapple Salsa

1 pineapple diced
1 container strawberries chopped
1 mango diced
2 or 3 kiwi diced
1/2 red onion chopped
1 jalapeno pepper minced
cilantro chopped (about 1/4 cup or to taste)

Combine everything and serve with Tortilla Chips. It’s also good on anything spicy as a condiment.