Sunday: Family

Take the family's taste buds on a special trip with MOROCCAN-SPICED LAMB WITH COUSCOUS.

On the side, try BAKED ONIONS. Peel 4 medium Vidalia onions (or other sweet onions), leaving root end intact. Trim top third of each onion and reserve for another use. Arrange onions in an 8-by-8-inch baking dish. Cover and microwave on high (100 percent power) 1 1/2 minutes to 2 1/2 minutes per onion or until softened. Let stand 3 minutes, covered. Heat broiler.

Meanwhile, combine 1/2 cup reduced-fat crumbled feta cheese, 1/4 cup dry bread crumbs, 1/2 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves or 1/8 teaspoon dried thyme, and black pepper to taste; blend. Gently pat mixture evenly onto onions. Broil about 1 minute or until cheese mixture begins to brown; serve.

Add a ROMAINE SALAD and FLATBREAD. For dessert, buy a BLUEBERRY PIE.

Plan

Save enough lamb and vegetables, couscous and pie for Monday.

Shopping List

canola oil, lamb shoulder, onions, garlic, cumin, ginger, cinnamon, turmeric, cayenne pepper, carrots, zucchini, canned reduced-sodium chickpeas, prunes, couscous, Vidalia onions or other sweet onions, reduced-fat crumbled feta cheese, dry bread crumbs, fresh or dried thyme, black pepper, romaine, flatbread, blueberry pie.

Monday: Heat and Eat

Make STUFFED PITAS from Sunday's leftovers. Chop the lamb and vegetables, drain the broth, and heat along with the leftover couscous. Stuff whole-grain pitas with the mixture.

Serve with CUCUMBER SPEARS and TOMATO WEDGES. Slice the leftover PIE for dessert.

Shopping List

whole-grain pitas, cucumbers, tomatoes.

Tuesday: Meatless

There will be no complaints with no-meat VEGETABLE QUINOA for dinner tonight. Add a MIXED GREENS SALAD and WHOLE-GRAIN ROLLS. Serve FRESH STRAWBERRIES over fat-free VANILLA ICE CREAM for dessert.

Plan

Save enough ice cream for Thursday.

Shopping List

packaged quinoa, extra-virgin olive oil, sweet onions, fresh banana chili peppers (or other yellow peppers), red bell pepper, carrot, zucchini, yellow squash, garlic, coarse salt, black pepper, mixed greens, whole-grain rolls, fresh strawberries, fat-free vanilla ice cream.

Wednesday: Kids

Teach the kids the alphabet with A-B-C SOUP. In a large pot, heat 1 tablespoon canola oil on medium-high. Add 2 cups mixed fresh vegetables, such as sliced zucchini, carrots, green peas and celery. Cook uncovered about 10 minutes; stir occasionally. Remove half the vegetables; set aside. Add 2 (14-ounce) cans fat-free chicken broth to remaining vegetables in pot. Bring to boil. Stir in 1 (15-ounce) can rinsed reduced-sodium white beans and 1/2 cup alphabet-shaped pasta. Return to boiling; reduce heat to low. Simmer, covered, 10 minutes or until pasta is tender. Stir in 2 tablespoons fresh oregano leaves. Ladle into 4 bowls; add reserved vegetables.

Serve with one of the kids' all-time favorites, PEANUT BUTTER SANDWICHES on whole-grain bread. Add a CHOPPED LETTUCE SALAD. A bowl of fresh BLUEBERRIES with a dollop of light whipped cream is dessert.

Shopping List

canola oil, fresh vegetables such as zucchini, carrots, green peas and celery, fat-free chicken broth, canned reduced-sodium white beans, alphabet-shaped pasta, fresh oregano, peanut butter, whole-grain bread, lettuce, fresh blueberries, light whipped cream.

Thursday: Express

CHICKEN SALAD from the deli, with added grape halves and sliced almonds, makes a good entree. Pretty it up and place it on a bed of salad greens. Pick up some DEVILED EGGS to boost the protein and add BREAD STICKS. For dessert, leftover ICE CREAM sure looks good.

Shopping List

deli chicken salad, grapes, sliced almonds, salad greens, deviled eggs, bread sticks.

Friday: Budget

We sure didn't mind saving money with SALAD NICOISE WITH ROASTED MUSHROOMS, a new version of the standard. Serve with FRENCH ONION SOUP and BAGUETTES. Enjoy FRESH PEACHES for dessert.

Shopping List

fresh white mushrooms, cooking spray, olive oil, frozen whole green beans, salad greens, kalamata olives or other black olives, tomatoes, eggs, canned water-packed albacore tuna, red potatoes, coarse salt, pepper, light vinaigrette dressing, French onion soup, baguettes, fresh peaches.

Saturday: Easy Entertaining

Serve your guests ITALIAN BAKED COD WITH POTATOES AND TOMATOES. Heat oven to 350 degrees. Thinly slice some potatoes and onions and place in a baking dish coated with cooking spray. Top with cod fillets and canned diced Italian tomatoes. Cover with foil and bake 20 to 30 minutes, until potatoes are tender and fish is opaque.

Serve with ITALIAN GREEN BEANS and GARLIC BREAD.

Wow your guests with CHOCOLATE-DIPPED STRAWBERRIES. Wash and chill 12 large strawberries with caps. Melt 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips. Stir in 1 tablespoon butter. Dip berries into chocolate halfway up sides. Place on foil until set. Serve the strawberries with ALMOND COOKIES.

Shopping List

potatoes, onions, cooking spray, cod fillets, canned diced Italian tomatoes, Italian green beans, garlic bread, strawberries, semisweet chocolate chips, butter, almond cookies.

Sunday: Family

Surprise the family with BALSAMIC MARINATED FLANK STEAK. In a resealable plastic bag, combine 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar, 2 tablespoons olive oil, 1 teaspoon dried basil, 1 1/2 teaspoons Dijon mustard, 1 clove minced garlic and 1/2 teaspoon sugar. Add 1 (1 1/2-pound) flank steak; turn to coat. Refrigerate 6 hours to overnight. Remove steak; discard marinade. Grill 11 to 21 minutes for medium-rare to medium, turning several times.

Add CORN-ON-THE-COB, TOMATO WEDGES drizzled with olive oil and chopped fresh basil and WHOLE-GRAIN BREAD. For dessert, make a BROWNIE SUNDAE with brownies topped with fat-free vanilla ice cream. Drizzle chocolate syrup over all.

Plan

Save enough brownies for Monday.

Shopping List

balsamic vinegar, olive oil, dried basil, Dijon mustard, garlic, sugar, flank steak, corn-on-the-cob, tomatoes, fresh basil, whole-grain bread, brownies, fat-free vanilla ice cream, chocolate syrup.

Monday: Meatless

You'll receive plenty of compliments on your no-meat meal with AVOCADO TORTILLA SOUP. In a large pan, combine 3 (14-ounce) cans vegetable broth, 2 (10.75-ounce) cans condensed tomato soup, 1/2 bunch finely chopped cilantro leaves, 3 cloves finely chopped garlic and 1/2 teaspoon pepper. Bring to boil; decrease heat to low and simmer 10 minutes. Cool slightly and puree in batches in a blender. Return to pan; add 1 cubed ripe avocado, reserving 8 cubes for garnish. Ladle into soup bowls and garnish with reserved avocado and crumbled baked tortilla chips.

Serve the soup with GRILLED CHEESE SANDWICHES and a LETTUCE WEDGE. Leftover BROWNIES are dessert.

Shopping List

vegetable broth, canned condensed tomato soup, cilantro, garlic, pepper, avocado, baked tortilla chips, cheese and bread for grilled cheese sandwiches, lettuce.

Tuesday: Budget

No one will suspect what you've done to make EAT-YOUR-VEGETABLES MEATLOAF super-healthful, but pat yourself on the back for making the meatloaf more nutritious. Serve the vegetable-packed loaf with BAKED POTATOES and GREEN BEANS. Add CRUSTY BREAD. For dessert, ORANGE SHERBET is cool and light.

Plan

Save enough meatloaf and bake extra potatoes for Wednesday. Save enough sherbet for Thursday.

Shopping List

carrots, onion, celery, green bell pepper, garlic, lean ground beef, ground turkey breast, eggs, bread (for crumbs), skim milk, Worcestershire sauce, coarse salt, black pepper, dried thyme, ketchup, potatoes to bake, green beans, crusty bread, orange sherbet.

Wednesday: Heat and Eat

Yesterday's meatloaf is today's MEATLOAF SANDWICHES. Make them on whole-grain bread spread with low-fat mayonnaise and topped with LETTUCE. Cut the leftover potatoes into wedges, coat with cooking spray and bake in a 425-degree oven until hot. Top them with some low-fat sour cream and crumbled bacon, if you like.

Add a SPINACH SALAD. FRESH PEACHES are a good summertime dessert.

Shopping List

whole-grain bread, low-fat mayonnaise, lettuce, cooking spray, low-fat sour cream, bacon if desired, fresh spinach, fresh peaches.

Thursday: Express

Dinner will be quick with COUSCOUS WITH GRILLED CHICKEN. Prepare any packaged plain couscous mix. Stir in chopped fresh tomatoes, sliced green onions and a light vinaigrette dressing. Spoon onto a platter. Top with refrigerated grilled chicken. Garnish with chopped pistachios or fresh mint leaves.

Serve with sliced CUCUMBERS in plain yogurt. Add FLATBREAD. Leftover SHERBET is dessert.

Shopping List

packaged plain couscous mix, fresh tomatoes, green onions, light vinaigrette, refrigerated grilled chicken, pistachios or fresh mint, cucumbers, plain yogurt, flatbread.

Friday: Kids

Kids of all ages will like MEATBALL STROGANOFF. Serve it over no-yolk NOODLES. Munch on CARROT STICKS on the side. Add SOFT ROLLS. Have some fun and introduce the kids to UNIQ fruit. (It looks like a withered grapefruit and tastes like an orange; peel it, divide into sections and eat.)

Tip

Kids of all ages will like MEATBALL STROGANOFF. Serve it over no-yolk NOODLES. Munch on CARROT STICKS on the side. Add SOFT ROLLS. Have some fun and introduce the kids to UNIQ fruit. (It looks like a withered grapefruit and tastes like an orange; peel it, divide into sections and eat.)

Shopping List

lean ground beef, bran flakes, lower-sodium beef broth, egg, green onions, garlic powder, black pepper, fresh sliced mushrooms, tomato paste or ketchup, flour, reduced-fat sour cream, no-yolk noodles, carrot sticks, soft rolls, uniq fruit.

Saturday: Easy Entertaining

Treat your guests to CHICKEN WITH OLIVES AND CAPERS. Serve with MASHED POTATOES to catch the juices, along with YELLOW SQUASH. Add SOURDOUGH ROLLS. For dessert, dust purchased MADELEINES with powdered sugar and serve them with sliced FRESH STRAWBERRIES.

Shopping List

bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs, lemons, mixed pitted olives, capers, olive oil, coarse salt, pepper, potatoes to mash, yellow squash, sourdough rolls, purchased madeleines, powdered sugar, fresh strawberries.

Sunday: Family

Make family day special with your GRILLED CHICKEN. Take a trip down memory lane with me and sample RICHMOND POTATO SALAD. It's from a restaurant in a former downtown Richmond, Virginia, department store, where many mothers once shopped.

Serve the combo with COLESLAW and WHOLE-GRAIN ROLLS. Splurge on CHOCOLATE LAYER CAKE and fat-free VANILLA ICE CREAM for dessert.

Plan

Prepare extra chicken and save enough cake for Monday. Save enough potato salad and coleslaw for Tuesday and enough ice cream for Saturday.

Shopping List

chicken to grill, small new potatoes, onion, cucumber, celery, green bell pepper, fresh parsley, French dressing, lemon, low-fat mayonnaise, coarse salt, pepper, coleslaw, whole-grain rolls, chocolate layer cake, fat-free vanilla ice cream.

Monday: Heat and Eat

Make CHICKEN CAESAR SALAD with Sunday's leftover chicken and a packaged Caesar salad. Top the salad with thin strips of the leftover chicken. Serve with BREAD STICKS. For dessert, slice the leftover CAKE and top with fresh STRAWBERRIES.

Shopping List

packaged Caesar salad, bread sticks, fresh strawberries.

Tuesday: Express

Stop off for your favorite BARBECUE (beef, pork or chicken) for a quick meal tonight. Spoon it on WHOLE-GRAIN SANDWICH ROLLS. Serve it with leftover POTATO SALAD and COLESLAW. A couple of fresh PLUMS make good dessert.

Shopping List

any barbecue, whole-grain sandwich rolls, fresh plums.

Wednesday: Budget

Save some money by serving an economical BLT SANDWICH for dinner. Toast whole-grain bread, spread with low-fat mayonnaise and top with slices of bacon, lettuce and tomatoes. Add a DILL PICKLE on the side. Serve with OVEN FRIES (frozen). For dessert, make BANANA PUDDING complete with vanilla wafers and light whipped cream.

Shopping List

whole-grain bread, low-fat mayonnaise, bacon, lettuce, tomatoes, dill pickles, frozen oven fries, banana pudding, vanilla wafers, light whipped cream.

Thursday: Meatless

Keep dinner simple with SUMMER PASTA. On the side, add a LETTUCE WEDGE and top with sliced eggs and crumbled blue cheese. Add GARLIC BREAD.

For dessert, BERRY PARFAITS are pretty and delicious. Layer fresh strawberries, raspberries and blueberries in tall glasses and top with light whipped cream.

Shopping List

angel hair pasta, cornstarch, vegetable broth, dried oregano, garlic, broccoli florets, carrots, onion, tomato, parmesan cheese, lettuce, eggs, crumbled blue cheese, garlic bread, fresh strawberries, raspberries and blueberries, light whipped cream.

Friday: Kids

Celebrate the Fourth of July like kids! Pile (any) BURGERS on the grill and serve them on WHOLE-GRAIN BUNS with all the trimmings such as TOMATOES, LETTUCE, MUSTARD, (low-fat) MAYONNAISE, KETCHUP, ONION and PICKLES. Add BAKED BEANS and deli MACARONI SALAD to the picnic. Let the kids help make the grand finale, PEACH MINI PIES.

Plan

Save enough pies for Saturday.

Shopping List

(any) burgers, whole-grain hamburger buns, tomatoes, lettuce, mustard, low-fat mayonnaise, ketchup, onion, pickles, baked beans, deli macaroni salad, peaches, sugar, cornstarch, ground ginger, lemon, package refrigerated piecrusts, egg.

Saturday: Easy Entertaining

Invite guests for SNAPPER WITH PINEAPPLE SALSA. For the salsa, combine 1 1/2 cups coarsely chopped fresh pineapple, 1 1/2 tablespoons fresh lime juice, 1 tablespoon minced red onion, 1 tablespoon chopped fresh cilantro, 1 tablespoon tequila (if desired) and 1 teaspoon seeded and minced jalapeno pepper. Mix well. Heat oven to 450 degrees. Brush 4 (4- to 6-ounce) snapper fillets with canola oil. Add coarse salt and pepper to taste. Bake about 10 minutes (according to thickness) or until opaque throughout, turning halfway through cooking time. Serve with salsa.

Add packaged YELLOW RICE, steamed FRESH ZUCCHINI, a RED-TIP LETTUCE SALAD and BAGUETTES. For dessert, top leftover PEACH PIES with leftover ICE CREAM.

Shopping List

fresh pineapple, limes, red onion, fresh cilantro, tequila (if desired), jalapeno pepper, snapper fillets, canola oil, coarse salt, pepper, packaged yellow rice, fresh zucchini, red-tip lettuce, baguettes.