Cranberry Trifile

You will need a large glass container to arrange the trifle in - I used one on a pedestal.

While you make the 2 liquid ingredients thaw the pound cake, cut it into thirds and then cubes - keeping each third separate since you will make three levels.

Make sugar-free, fat-free vanilla pudding, once made fold in about 1 1/2 cups fat free cool whip. Set aside.

Grate the peel of two oranges and place in boiling pot. Cut all the peel and pith from the oranges then cut the slices from the orange then squeeze the juice out. Toss the skin etc. Add one bag of cranberries and 1 cup Splenda and bring to a boil. The berries will pop as they cook. Add 1/8 teaspoon of ginger, 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon and 1/8 teaspoon allspice. It takes about 15-20 minutes. Cool to about room temp. before the next step.

Once it is all ready it is time to compile. Place 1/3 of the cake in the bottom, pour 1/3 cranberry mixture over that and then 1/3 whipped pudding mixture over that. Continue until last layer is done. I sprinkled a couple of raw cranberries on top to pretty it up.

Healthy Green Beans

lb fresh beans prepped for cooking
chicken broth, as needed
1 T Better than Bullion HAM flavor
2 t Thyme
2 t - 1 T Olive oil
1 bay leaf
l Red Onion, sliced thin
1 clove garlic

Saute sliced onion in a little less than 1 tablespoon of the oil with a clove of crushed garlic. (I also sprayed the pan with nonstick spray). Cook the onion until carmelized and then sprinkle with the thyme and set aside. In a pot place the beans, bay leaf and bullion and enough chicken broth to just cover the beans. Boil until the consistency you desire - I like them soft.

Once beans are done, discard the broth and the leaf and add beans to the onion and toss.

Serve.

Starbucks Style Vanilla Milk

1 cup non-fat milk
1/2 to 1 t vanilla (to taste)
1 packet Splenda

Microwave until very hot. Add 10 mini marshmallows and nuke again for a few seconds or top with 1-2 tablespoons of whipped cream.