One of the joke gifts you find in any ‘Olde Yankee Country Store’ is a round piece of wood the size of a silver dollar. On it are printed the words, “A Round Tuit.”  And the product description touts, “Think of all the things you’ve put off doing until you got around to it. Now they’ll get done!”  Have you been putting off starting on a new, healthier eating plan?  Now is the time! Today’s foods are round, so you can finally get around to it.

Rounds:   273 calories    4.4 g fat     1.7 g fiber     12 g protein      39.4 g carbs       210 mg Calcium  GF – if using GF bread     HINT: If you prepare the ham patty** the day [or more] before, you save time in the morning.

1 ham patty  **                                                                                                                                                                1 two-oz egg, poached OR fried                                                                                                                                           2 oz sliced apple, such as Granny Smith                                                                                                 blackish coffee or blackish tea or lemon in hot water                                                                                      5-6 oz green smoothie or fruit smoothie or unpasturized apple cider

** Ham patty:      1.5 oz lean ham, minced                       ¼ cup low-fat cottage cheese, drained    1 egg white [1.5 Tbsp]              ¾ oz whole-grain 70-calorie bread      sage, salt, pepper

Combine and let sit for about 30 minutes to moisten all ingredients. Portion out using a 2 Tbsp coffee measure. Makes 5 patties.   Cook in a medium-hot pan spritzed with oil until firm. Freeze or store in ‘fridge, if using soon.

Poach or fry the egg and warm the ham patty in the microwave.  Slice the apple into rounds, rather than wedges. Arrange everything on the plate, heat your hot beverage, shake your smoothie. Shazam – breakfast in no time.

Lamb Patty with Swedish Cucumber Salad:     299 calories      17 g fat       0.5 g fiber      20.8 g protein     12.6 g carbs      68 mg Calcium    GF         The inspiration for this meal is from Craig Claibourne’s International Cookbook, long a family favorite.

one 4-oz lamb patty, available at markets or make your own using 90% lean lamb                                                                                                                                                                                   1.5 tsp sugar                                                                                                                                                                1 oz white wine vinegar                                                                                                                                       1/2 tsp cold water                                                                                                                                                 salt + freshly ground pepper  +   1/4 tsp dill                                                                                                            1 cup sliced cucumbers

Combine the sugar, vinegar, water, salt, pepper and dill  in a 3-cup container. Slice the cucumbers, spread them out on towels and pat dry. Stir the cukes into the liquid, wetting all the slices. Chill for at least one hour.  Cook the lamb patty by grilling or baking or pan-frying in a non-stick pan. Season to taste.  Plate the lamb with the cucumber salad for an all-around treat.

Ingredients for next week’s menus:                                                                                                 breakfast for one portion-

dinner for one portion: