Sunday: Family

EASY LAYERED SALAD is pretty and simple for a family meal. Serve it with your own cool GAZPACHO and WHOLE-GRAIN ROLLS. BROWNIE SUNDAES are an intense chocolate experience. Top brownie squares with CHOCOLATE ICE CREAM and warm chocolate fudge sauce.

Plan

Save enough brownies and salad and cook enough eggs for Monday. Save enough ice cream for Saturday.

Shopping List

mixed salad greens, tomatoes, shredded cheddar cheese, frozen peas, eggs, cooked ham or turkey, red onion, low-fat mayonnaise, reduced-fat sour cream, fresh dill, ground mustard, gazpacho, whole-grain rolls, brownies, chocolate ice cream, chocolate fudge sauce.

Monday: Heat and Eat

On Labor Day, take it easy with SLOW COOKER WHISKEY-MOLASSES SHREDDED BEEF. Place 1 (2 1/2- to 3-pound) boneless beef bottom round roast or beef chuck center roast, cut into 1-inch pieces, into a 4-quart or larger slow cooker. Combine 1/2 cup whiskey (or non-alcoholic beer), 1/4 cup vinegar, 1 (6-ounce) can no-salt-added tomato paste, 1 tablespoon packed brown sugar, 1/4 cup molasses, 1 teaspoon coarse salt and 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper; pour over roast. Cover and cook on high 4 to 6 hours or on low 8 to 10 hours, or until beef is fork-tender. Remove roast from slow cooker; shred with two forks. Skim fat from sauce as needed. Return beef to slow cooker. Serve beef with sauce on WHOLE-GRAIN SANDWICH BUNS.

Add POTATO SALAD and leftover LAYERED SALAD. Make DEVILED EGGS with leftover eggs from Monday. For dessert, WATERMELON and leftover BROWNIES are labor-free desserts.

NOTE: If cooking with whiskey, bourbon works best.

Shopping List

boneless beef bottom round or beef chuck roast, whiskey or non-alcoholic beer, vinegar, no-salt-added tomato paste, brown sugar, molasses, coarse salt, cayenne pepper, whole-grain sandwich buns, potato salad, watermelon.

Tuesday: Meatless

For a no-meat dinner, RICE-STUFFED POBLANOS pack flavor. Heat oven to 400 degrees. Slit 6 poblano peppers lengthwise to stuff with filling. Remove loose seeds and veins, keeping stem intact. Rub peppers with canola oil and place on baking sheet. In a medium bowl, combine 3 cups cooked rice, 2/3 cup light sour cream, 1 cup shredded smoked Gouda cheese, 1 cup frozen corn (thawed) and 1/3 cup chopped fresh cilantro. Mix well; season with coarse salt and pepper to taste. Divide mixture and fill each pepper; sprinkle with 1/4 cup more cheese. Bake 20 to 25 minutes or until peppers are crisp-tender and filling is hot.

Serve with STEAMED CARROTS tossed with apricot preserves, a RED-TIPPED LETTUCE SALAD and CORN TORTILLAS. Try FRESH PINEAPPLE for dessert.

Shopping List

poblano peppers, canola oil, rice, light sour cream, smoked Gouda cheese, frozen corn, fresh cilantro, coarse salt, pepper, carrots, apricot preserves, red-tipped lettuce, corn tortillas, fresh pineapple.

Wednesday: Budget

Save a little money with GREEK BURGERS WITH CUCUMBER SAUCE on the menu. Add COUSCOUS on the side. STRAWBERRY ICE CREAM is a cool dessert.

Shopping List

fat-free plain yogurt, ranch dressing mix, cucumber, lean ground beef, fat-free pitas, lettuce, tomato, couscous, strawberry ice cream.

Thursday: Express

No need to heat the stove tonight with TURKEY, BACON AND HAVARTI SANDWICHES on the menu. Cut top 2 inches off a 7-inch round sourdough bread loaf and reserve top. Hollow out loaf, leaving 1-inch-thick shell. Drizzle 2 tablespoons light balsamic vinaigrette evenly in bottom of shell; layer with 1/4 pound (of 1/2 pound total) thinly sliced deli turkey, half of 1 (12-ounce) jar roasted red peppers (drained and sliced) and 3 (1-ounce) slices (6 total) Havarti (or Muenster) cheese. Repeat layers and top with 4 slices cooked bacon. Drizzle with 2 more tablespoons vinaigrette and cover with reserved bread top; press down firmly. Wrap loaf in plastic wrap and refrigerate 1 to 8 hours before serving. Cut into 4 wedges.

Serve with BAKED CHIPS and DILL PICKLES. For dessert, how about FRESH TROPICAL FRUITS?

Shopping List

round sourdough bread loaf, light balsamic vinaigrette, deli turkey, jarred roasted red peppers, Havarti (or Muenster) cheese, bacon, baked chips, dill pickles, fresh tropical fruits.

Friday: Kids

Treat the kids to TACO DOGS tonight. Cook 8 lowest-fat, lowest-sodium hot dogs in boiling water; drain. In a microwave-safe bowl, combine 1 cup canned vegetarian refried beans, 1 cup 50 percent light shredded cheddar cheese and 1/2 cup mild salsa; cover and microwave on high (100 percent power) 2 minutes or until heated; stir once. Spread mixture on 1 side of 8 (8-inch) fat-free flour tortillas; place hot dogs on tortillas. Top dogs with shredded lettuce and chopped tomatoes, and roll up.

Serve with OVEN FRIES (frozen) and SLICED AVOCADO. For dessert, sprinkle a little sugar on FRESH BLUEBERRIES.

Shopping List

lowest-fat, lowest-sodium hot dogs, canned vegetarian refried beans, 50 percent light cheddar cheese, mild salsa, fat-free flour tortillas, lettuce, tomatoes, frozen oven fries, avocado, sugar, fresh blueberries.

Saturday: Easy Entertaining

Invite guests for ROAST SALMON WITH WASABI CREAM. Serve with aromatic JASMINE RICE, FRESH YELLOW SQUASH, MIXED GREENS and WHOLE-GRAIN ROLLS. Top leftover ICE CREAM with FRESH STRAWBERRIES.

Shopping List

olive oil, salmon fillets, coarse salt, wasabi powder, light sour cream, jasmine rice, fresh yellow squash, mixed salad greens, whole-grain rolls, fresh strawberries.

Sunday: Family

The family is in for a treat with SPICY SKILLET CHICKEN. Serve with RICE, MIXED GREENS and BISCUITS. Make PEACH SHORTCAKE for dessert. Top angel food cake with sliced fresh peaches and light whipped cream.

Plan

Save 2 chicken breasts and any leftover bean/tomato mixture and enough cake for Monday.

Shopping List

chili powder, coarse salt, pepper, boneless skinless chicken breasts, bacon, reduced-sodium black beans, canned no-salt-added whole kernel corn, canned no-salt-added diced tomatoes with green chilies (such as Rotel) or chunky-style salsa, avocado, cilantro, rice, mixed greens, biscuits, angel food cake, fresh peaches, light whipped cream.

Monday: Heat and Eat

Chop 2 leftover chicken breasts and add leftover tomato mixture; stir into marinara sauce and serve with spaghetti. Now you have a simple meal of SPAGHETTI MARINARA with some extra protein. Garnish with freshly grated parmesan cheese. Add SALAD GREENS and GARLIC BREAD.

For dessert, make a CHOCOLATE PARFAIT. In a tall glass, layer leftover cubed angel food cake with instant chocolate pudding made with 1 percent milk. Top with chopped peanuts.

Shopping List

marinara sauce, spaghetti, parmesan cheese, salad greens, garlic bread, instant chocolate pudding, 1 percent milk, peanuts.

Tuesday: Meatless

Use all those abundant plum tomatoes in a TOMATO PESTO TART for a mouth-watering meal. Serve with a LETTUCE WEDGE with hard-cooked egg slices on the side. Add WHOLE-GRAIN BREAD. NECTARINES are dessert.

Shopping List

refrigerated piecrusts, shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese, plum tomatoes, parmesan cheese, low-fat mayonnaise, basil pesto, pepper, fresh basil, lettuce, eggs, whole-grain bread, nectarines.

Wednesday: Kids

Summer and kids go together like GRILLED HAM AND CHEESE SANDWICHES. Serve with deli VEGETABLE SOUP and CELERY STICKS. Top VANILLA YOGURT with FRESH BLUEBERRIES for dessert.

Shopping List

any bread, ham and cheese (for grilled sandwiches), deli vegetable soup, celery, vanilla yogurt, fresh blueberries.

Thursday: Budget

You won't need to heat the oven tonight for this easy NO-BAKE TUNA NOODLE CASSEROLE. Cook 8 ounces wagon wheel or medium shell macaroni according to directions. Drain and return to pan. To the pasta, add 1/4 cup 1 percent milk and 1 (6 1/2-ounce) container refrigerated light semisoft cheese with garlic and herbs (such as Alouette or another brand). Cook and stir over medium-low heat until cheese is melted and pasta is coated. Add additional milk as needed to make a creamy consistency. Gently fold in 1 (12-ounce) can water-packed, drained albacore tuna, broken into chunks; heat through and serve immediately.

Serve with tiny GREEN PEAS (frozen), a SPINACH SALAD and WHOLE-GRAIN BREAD. Slice CANTALOUPE for dessert.

Shopping List

wagon wheel or medium shell macaroni, 1 percent milk, refrigerated light semisoft cheese with garlic and herbs (such as Alouette or another brand), water-packed albacore tuna, frozen tiny green peas, spinach, whole-grain bread, cantaloupe.

Friday: Express

This PESTO FOCACCIA SANDWICH will be ready to eat in no time. Heat oven to 450 degrees. Cut 1 large focaccia or ciabatta loaf in half horizontally, using a serrated knife. Spread 1 (3.5-ounce) jar prepared pesto evenly over cut sides. Layer 1/2 pound thinly sliced deli ham, 1/2 pound thinly sliced deli turkey breast and 6 light provolone cheese slices over bottom half. Top with remaining bread half. Wrap in foil; bake 10 minutes. Cut into 6 or 8 wedges.

Serve with OVEN FRIES (frozen) and a packaged CAESAR SALAD. Pop a few fresh CHERRIES in your mouth for dessert.

Shopping List

focaccia or ciabatta loaf, prepared pesto, deli ham, deli turkey breast, light provolone cheese slices, frozen oven fries, packaged Caesar salad, fresh cherries.

Saturday: Easy Entertaining

Invite friends for simple but delicious WARM STEAK AND POTATO SALAD. Start the meal with your own GAZPACHO and add CRUSTY BREAD on the side. For dessert, buy a KEY LIME PIE.

Shopping List

red potatoes, bacon, red onion, boneless sirloin steak, coarse salt, honey, cider vinegar, cornstarch, packaged baby spinach, grape tomatoes, ingredients for your gazpacho, crusty bread, Key lime pie.

Sunday: Family

For family day, GINGER-GRILLED PORK TENDERLOIN is a dish the whole family will enjoy. Serve it over SPAGHETTI, along with ASPARAGUS garnished with sesame seeds. Add peeled, seeded and sliced CUCUMBERS in cider vinegar on the side, along with BREAD STICKS.

Make this easy DOUBLE BLUEBERRY PIE for dessert. Microwave 1 (10-ounce) jar blueberry all-fruit spread and 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon on high (100 percent power) for 1 minute or until the spread melts. In a large bowl, combine 4 cups fresh blueberries and fruit-spread mixture; spoon into a 9-inch baked pie shell. Cover loosely with wax paper and refrigerate 1 to 2 hours or until set.

Plan

Save enough pork and pie for Monday.

Shopping List

pork tenderloins, regular chicken broth, fresh gingerroot, soy sauce, sesame oil, garlic, spaghetti, asparagus, sesame seeds, cucumbers, cider vinegar, bread sticks, blueberry all-fruit spread, cinnamon, fresh blueberries, pie crust to bake.

Monday: Heat and Eat

Use some of the leftover pork for PORK HEROES. Layer thin slices of pork on KAISER ROLLS coated with spicy mustard. Top with SLICED TOMATOES, SLICED CUCUMBER, LETTUCE LEAVES and GREEN BELL PEPPER RINGS. Serve with CORN-ON-THE-COB. Slice the leftover PIE for dessert.

Shopping List

kaiser rolls, spicy mustard, tomatoes, cucumber, lettuce, green bell pepper, corn-on-the-cob.

Tuesday: Express

To keep dinner prep quick, make THAI TURKEY WRAPS. Spread 4 (8-inch) fat-free whole-wheat tortillas with peanut sauce (such as San-J or another brand). On each tortilla, layer sliced deli turkey breast, thinly sliced red onion, shredded lettuce and chopped fresh cilantro. Roll, cut diagonally and chill until serving time.

Serve with deli BROCCOLI SALAD and BAKED CHIPS. For dessert, drizzle CARAMEL SAUCE over a small serving of VANILLA ICE CREAM.

Plan

Save enough caramel sauce for Thursday and enough ice cream for Saturday. Cook brown rice for Wednesday.

Shopping List

fat-free whole-wheat tortillas, peanut sauce (such as San-J or another brand), deli turkey breast, red onion, lettuce, fresh cilantro, deli broccoli salad, baked chips, caramel sauce, vanilla ice cream.

Wednesday: Budget

Be frugal and serve BLACK AND BROWN BURRITOS tonight. Heat 1 tablespoon canola oil in a large nonstick skillet on medium-high. Add 1 cup chopped onion, 2 cloves minced garlic, 1 1/2 teaspoons chili powder and 1/2 teaspoon cumin; cook 7 minutes or until onion is softened. Add 3 cups cooked brown rice, 1 (15-ounce) can rinsed reduced-sodium black beans and 1 cup frozen corn; cook and stir 6 minutes or until mixture is hot. Remove from heat.

Spoon about 1/2 cup rice mixture down center of 6 (8-inch) fat-free flour tortillas. Top each with 2 tablespoons 50 percent light shredded jalapeno cheddar cheese, 1 tablespoon sliced green onions and 1 tablespoon plain yogurt; roll and top with 1 tablespoon salsa. Serve with GUACAMOLE. Buy MINI WATERMELONS or WATERMELON SLICES for dessert.

Plan

Make Thursday's sandwiches today.

Shopping List

canola oil, onion, garlic, chili powder, cumin, brown rice, canned reduced-sodium black beans, frozen corn, fat-free flour tortillas, 50 percent light jalapeno cheddar cheese, green onions, plain yogurt, salsa, guacamole, mini watermelons or watermelon slices.

Thursday: Meatless

Keeping with the cool-food-for-hot-weather theme, serve GAZPACHO SANDWICHES tonight. If you want more food, try deli BEAN SOUP. For dessert, top instant BUTTERSCOTCH PUDDING with leftover CARAMEL SAUCE.

Shopping List

baguette, grape tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese, fresh mint, red wine vinegar, olive oil, coarse salt, white pepper, fresh basil, deli bean soup, instant butterscotch pudding.

Friday: Kids

Let the kids have some laughs with FUN SHAPES CHICKEN BREAST NUGGETS (such as Perdue or another brand). The wild-animal shapes go well with OVEN FRIES (frozen) and deli CARROT SALAD. Serve FRESH APRICOTS for dessert.

Shopping List

fun shapes chicken breast nuggets (such as Perdue or another brand), frozen oven fries, deli carrot salad, fresh apricots.

Saturday: Easy Entertaining

Call some friends to join you for GRILLED FRESH TUNA SALAD. Serve with TOMATO WEDGES drizzled with extra-virgin olive oil and chopped fresh basil and BAGUETTES.

For dessert, spoon BANANA SAUCE over leftover ICE CREAM. For the sauce, melt 3 tablespoons butter in a large nonstick skillet on medium-high heat. Add 4 medium sliced bananas, 1/2 cup firmly packed brown sugar and 1/2 cup maple syrup; cook 5 minutes or until sugar melts.

Shopping List

sherry vinegar, coarse salt, Dijon mustard, pepper, fresh or dried oregano, fresh or dried thyme, extra-virgin olive oil, tuna steaks, bagged Mediterranean salad blend, tomatoes, fresh basil, baguettes, butter, bananas, brown sugar, maple syrup.