Spinach & Artichoke Tuna Salad w/ Lemon Cream Dressing

This tuna salad is SO easy to make and delicious to enjoy in a variety of ways! For instance, tucked into romaine leaves, a hollowed out tomato, atop a salad or within bread of your choice for a sandwich, etc., this unique tuna salad packs a delicious, waist-trimming punch with great protein, good for you belly fat burning fats* (olives & olive oil) and lots of gourmet flair and flavor for your palette.  I LOVE mine tucked within a couple of romaine leaves with freshly shredded Parmesan cheese on top - like "tuna salad tacos" - or wrapped in a low carb what wrap/tortilla (The Mission brand is yummy!) or filled within hollowed out red pepper halves or big tomatoes or even simply atop a thick toasted piece of crusty whole grain bread... melted in the oven with Mozzarella and sliced tomatoes on top is like a slice of Heaven on your plate!!

Ingredients 
{Makes 4 servings with 36g protein, 5 net carbs per serving}
4 (5 oz) cans albacore tuna in water, drained and flaked
(I use 3 cans of the Costco 7oz Kirkland albacore tuna - my FAV!)
1 clove garlic, minced into a paste
3/4 Cup low fat cottage cheese, processed until smooth
2 Tbsp Neufchatel creamy cheese
Juice of 1 lemon (or 1/8 cup)
1 Tbsp chopped chives (dried or fresh)
1 C frozen spinach, defrosted, wrung dry and chopped
(OR 1 1/2 C fresh spinach, chopped fine)
1 (14 oz) can artichoke hearts in water, chopped
1/2 small red onion, finely diced
1/2 C minced black olives
1 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil 
Salt and pepper to taste

Directions
Add the processed cottage cheese to a medium-size mixing bowl along with the garlic, lemon juice, chives, olive oil, Neufchatel cheese, salt and pepper to create the Lemon Cream Dressing. Blend well until smooth and creamy. Add spinach, artichoke hearts, red onion, and flaked tuna. Lightly fold together until mixed thoroughly. ENJOY!

{NOTE:  Click HERE to read about delicious belly fat burning fats (Monounsaturated Fatty Acids called MUFA's) to include in your daily eating regime!}

handmade art portfolio

I have a sweet, artistic and incredibly creative daughter, who LOVES to draw, write poetry and stories and create with paper. LOTS of paper. {I seriously should have taken stock in the paper industry as she can take down a ream of paper like the wind blows!} But, what she creates upon that paper is amazing, thoughtful, beautiful and sweet - images and words from her imagination, keepsake memoirs of her youth. Originals of her mind and hand colliding, creating tangible masterpieces of childhood thoughts.

And, as there are a LOT of them, I want to preserve them! I will be creating a hardbound photo book of images of her art, etc, but to keep the originals safe and easily labeled by year, etc, I found a FABULOUS idea and I am so excited to create it for her artwork - and mine too!

 {you can already tell it will be such fun to create, can't you?!}

Go here for the complete instructions and to find many more super fun and creative ideas! http://www.lilblueboo.com/2012/02/make-a-portfolio-easy-diy-artwork-or-photo-storage-a-tutorial.html

 {the finished portfolio - I intend to create them with a stamped year beneath as well}