Information on a helpful site. . .

Just as an FYI, for those who don't already know. . .

Sparkpeople.com is a FREE site that can be used to keep a log of what you eat, log of your exercise.  It can also customize a program of what to eat, based on your settings and also has a great feature for inputting your recipes and therefore getting a breakdown of what exactly you are getting in terms of calories, carbs, fats, etc., based on the recipe.  You can also get great recipes on there.  I LOVE this site and I have put some of my favorite recipes there to share with others (please note, that the recipes I share are not necessarily "mine", though because I am fairly creative in the kitchen, I have taken and tweaked some recipes to suit our dietary needs.  Generally, I look for easy to cook stuff, that freezes well and prepare several at a time, freeze and shop my freezer for meals. . . 

Hey there friend!!  Speaking of recipes........I'm looking for an appetizer or dessert to take to my group at Church on Saturday night.  I need something that I can eat too!!  I made the pumpkin bread last time. 
So, if you have any ideas that you can share, I'd certainly appreciate it.  We meet once a month, so I need several. They all bring cookies, etc that they've bought, ha!  Wonder if Brenda R has some thats been posted in the past?
Big hugs, Laureen.  Oh, and I use myplate.com for all the things that you've mentioned.

Ham roll ups or turkey roll ups with a green onion in the middle cut into bite sized pieces. 
These always go over real big with my friends.

Jani, Sounds good but I've never made any kind of roll ups, ha.  How?  There are only about 12 of us.  Thanks!!
Pat A

I use medium sliced deli ham.  Pat it dry.  Spread a layer (semi thin) of cream cheese on entire piece of meat (or turkey).  Place a green onion on the edge of the meat lengthwise and roll it up.  Cut into bite sized pieces.  They will look like little pinwheels sort of.  Easy, cheap, and protein packed!

Here's a wonderful WLS friendly dessert/salad I have made several times and everyone just loves it.

Carmel Apple Salad

2 apples, peeled and chopped
1 large can crushed pineapple (in it's own juice)
1 -  3 oz. pkg s/f butterscotch instant pudding
1 - small tub of lite cool whip
1/2 cup chopped peanuts

In a bowl put crushed pineapple with it's juice.  Sprinkle dry pudding  over, and mix thoroughly.  Add apples and peanuts and fold in cool whip.   Let stand covered in the refrigerator for 4 hrs before serving.

Pat R.!  Super, I knew you would have a good idea.  I hate always being the one that actually makes something, but that's the only way that I can eat with them.  Thanks!  I'm going to try this one too. 
Hugs!
Pat A

i make a trifle which is just a layered pudding. i vary it but basically i use some
or all of these ingredients

sugar free pudding ( flavor of your choice)

1 sugar free pound cake or angel food cake

lite cool whip

fresh fruit, or they make no sugar added canned cherries (in the baking aisle)

make the pudding according to directions. (dont let it set too much)

then put a layer of cake in a deep bowl (glass is the prettiest)
a layer of pudding
a layer of fruit
a layer of cool whip

then repeat as many layers as the bowl can hold and save a few pieces of fruit
or cherries to decorate the top. ( top layer should be cool whip before you decorate)

its always been a hit, most people have no clue its WLS friendly.

Enjoy, Jacki