Lighter Tastes like Lasagna Soup (Paula Deen)

2 tsp. olive oil
1 lb. Italian turkey sausage, casings removed
1 onion, chopped
1 green pepper, chopped
3 cloves garlic, chopped
1 (32 oz.) container chicken broth
1 (15 oz.) can tomato sauce
1 (14.5 oz) can petite diced tomatoes
1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. crushed red pepper
4 oz. broken whole-wheat lasagna noodles (about 4 noodles)
1/2 cup chopped fresh basil
3 TBS. grated parmesan cheese
1/2 cup reduced fat shredded mozzarella cheese
8 whole wheat breadsticks or grissini (optional)

Heat the oil over medium heat in a large nonstick sauce pan.  Add the sausage, onion, bell pepper and garlic.  Cook over medium hight heat, stirring occasionally, until the sausage is crumbled and browned.  8-10 mins.

Add the broth, tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, salt and crushed red pepper.  Bring to boil.  Reduce the heat and simmer, stirring occasionally, until the flavors are blended, about 20 mins.  Add the noodles, bring to a boil.  Reduce the heat and simmer, uncovered, stirring occasionally, until the soup thickens slightly and the noodles are tender 10-12 mins.  Remove from the heat, stir in mozzarella, basil, and the parmesan.
*whole wheat noodles take a little longer to cook

Christy's Carmel Popcorn

7 bags microwave popcorn
2 cubes butter
2 cups brown sugar
1 cup karo syrup
1 can eagle brand milk

Melt butter.  Add brown sugar and karo syrup and bring to a boil.  Stir continuously and add eagle brand milk.  Bring to a boil.  Let sauce cool for 5-10 minutes and then poor over the top of popcorn and mix.  Spread on cookie sheet and continue to mix.

Calzones (Pizza Crust)

1 package quick rise yeast

1 cup warm water (110-115 degrees)

1/2 spoonful of sugar

2 1/2-3 cups flour

1/2 tsp. salt

2 TBS. oil

Mix yeast with water water and sugar. Let sit for a few minutes then pour into mixing bowl. Add salt. Mix and slowly add flour and oil. Depending on the temperature of your house etc you may not need a full 3 cups of flour. You don't want dry dough but not too moist. Roll on flour surface and shape into a circle. Place on baking sheet. On half of the circle add pizza sauce, cheese and toppings of your choice. Fold dough over toppings and press shut. Bake at 375 degree for 15-20 minutes. Cut and serve.

For pizza just roll onto pizza stone top with sauce and toppings and bake.

CANDACE: I tried this recipe out and it was easy peezy and delicious. I was able to put "kid" toppings on 1/2 of the crust and my kind of toppings on the other.

Ginger Snaps

3/4 canola or vegetable oil
1 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup molasses
1 egg
2 1/4 cups whole wheat flour
2 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
1 tsp. cinnamon
1 tsp. ginger
1/2 tsp. cloves

The dough may seem "greasy" but remember that this is good oil. Mix as usual. Bake as usual. Bake at 375 degrees for 10-12 minutes.