Summer is officially here.

Lots of  hot days in the sun, more time for outdoor fun, and less time to spend in the kitchen.

This is a very refreshing fruit salad, great for any occasion, and very easy to prepare.

This is my son-in-laws favorite salad, so my daughter is becoming an expert on preparing it for her family.

Ingredients:
•    8 oz can pineapple chunks, drained
•    16 oz can sliced peaches, drained
•    16 oz can mandarin oranges, drained
•    3 medium bananas, sliced
•    2 medium apples, peeled and chopped
•    3.75 ox instant vanilla pudding mix
•    1 ½ cups milk
•    1/3 cup thawed frozen orange juice concentrate
•    ¾ cups sour cream

Directions:
1.    Combine dry pudding mix, milk, and orange juice.
2.    Beat until blended –  1 to2 minutes
3.    Beat in sour cream
4.    Fold in fruit mixture
5.    Cover, and chill at least a couple of hours, or over night.

If you are looking for a nutritious, refreshing, simple, and filling snack (or breakfast on the go), nothing beats this Berry Smoothie.   It takes only 5 minutes to prepare, and it is packed with multiple high-nutrient foods, which fill you up, and taste great.  This recipe makes two 8 oz servings and only 144 calories per serving.

Ingredients:

• ¾ cup instant oatmeal (prepared with water or skim milk)
• ¾ cup organic skim milk
• ¾ cup mixed fresh or frozen berries
• 2 tsp. whey powder
• 3 ice cubes, crushed

Directions:
Place all ingredients in a blender, and beat, or frappe, for 5 minutes, and your smoothie is ready to enjoy.

Tip. For variation I use 2 tsp. of ground flax seeds instead of the whey powder (which I also like to add to my cereal, or oatmeal).  I also like to use 5.3 oz of Oikos Organic Fat Free Plain Yogurt in my smoothie, and use other fruit like banana, strawberry, peaches, or whatever fruit I have available on hand.