Yield: Makes about 8-10 roll-ups.

Ingredients

3 small zucchini
Olive oil
Kosher salt
3 ounces goat cheese, at room temperature
1 tablespoon finely chopped oil-packed, sun-dried tomatoes, well drained
Heaping ½ teaspoon fresh thyme, chopped
2 tablespoons freshly grated Parmigiano Reggiano

Directions

1. Trim off both ends of the zucchini, and heat a grill to high. Trim just a little off the two long sides to even their shape; discard the trimmings.

2. Cut the remaining zucchini into lengthwise strips, each about ¼ inch thick. Brush both sides of the strips with plenty of olive oil and season with a touch of salt. Put the slices on the hot grill at a 45 degree angle to the grates and grill, covered, until well-browned and limp, 3-4 minutes per side.

3. Check the zucchini as they cook and gently move the slices around with tongs for even browning; be careful not to overcook.

4. When done, drape them over a cooling rack to keep them from steaming as they cool.

5. In a bowl, combine the goat cheese with the sun-dried tomatoes, thyme, 1 teaspoon of olive oil, and a 1/8 teaspoon of salt. Spread one heaping teaspoon of the filling over one side of each zucchini strip (use a mini spatula or your fingers to spread). Roll up the zucchini, but not too tightly. Put the rolls on a baking sheet lined with parchment or foil.

6. Heat the broiler. Sprinkle with a little of the grated Parmigiano and brown under the broiler, for about one minute.

Servings: Makes about 3 dozen hors d’oeuvres. Serves about 10-12 as an appetizer.

Ingredients

1/2 pound of fresh mozzarella, cut into tiny shavings (yields about 1 ¼ cups)
3 tablespoons of extra-virgin olive oil
1/3 cup coarsely chopped fresh basil leaves
1/2 teaspoon of freshly grated lemon zest (from about a quarter of a lemon)
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 pint (about 18) cherry tomatoes, rinsed with the stems removed

Directions

1. In a medium bowl, stir the mozzarella cheese, oil, basil, zest, ½ teaspoon of salt, and a ¼ teaspoon of pepper.

2. Refrigerate for at least 2-4 hours before assembling and serving.

3. When ready to assemble, slice each cherry tomato in half, and scoop out the insides with a melon baller or a teaspoon. Sprinkle lightly with salt.

4. Invert on to a paper towel, and let the tomatoes drain for at least 15 minutes.

5. Fill each tomato half with one scant teaspoon of the cheese mixture. Arrange on a serving tray. Serve immediately or wrap and refrigerate for up to 2 hours.

by Elizabeth M. Ward, MS, RD

Here are few easy tips to prevent food waste and ultimately, save you money.

Maybe you don't think twice about throwing out a few limp lettuce leaves, a piece of stale bread, or leftovers that have lost their appeal, but tossing small amounts of unwanted food adds up to big losses. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, every year we waste about 30 percent of our food supply. In addition to squandering money on uneaten food, tossing it is bad for the environment. As food rots in landfills, it creates methane, a greenhouse gas that contributes to global warming.

The good news is there's plenty that you and your family can do to help preserve more food. Children love a challenge, so get them involved in your efforts to conserve. The lessons they learn at a young age can prompt a lifetime of smart habits. Plus, kids have a way of keeping you on your toes! Here's how to get the entire family to save money and food, and protect the planet.

"Shop" Your Kitchen First

Plan your meals and snacks for the next few days or weeks based on the food you have before buying more.

Know exactly what you need before heading out to the store for food. Let children help by making a running list of what's on hand and what food you should buy. Smaller children can count food items.

Consider the foods you buy and may often waste, such as fresh produce. Frozen and canned fruits and vegetables also help prevent waste because you can take what you need and leave the rest for another time.

Buying too much food can lead to waste because it may spoil before you get a chance to eat it. Take stock of what's in your cabinets, refrigerator and freezer on a regular basis.

Keep Food Fresh

The fresher the food, the more likely you are to eat it. It's important to handle food correctly, from when you buy it at the store or restaurant, to when you eat it at home.

Maintain your refrigerator between 35˚F and 40˚F and your freezer at 0˚F or below to best maintain food freshness and prevent spoilage. Purchase thermometers for your refrigerator and freezer and check the temperature on a regular basis.

Purchase items, such as meat, dairy and frozen foods at the end of your trip to the grocery store.

Go straight home with your food purchases. If that's not possible, bring a cooler stocked with ice packs to store more perishable items, such as meat and dairy.

Live by the "first in, first out" rule. Put new food purchases behind older ones in cabinets, refrigerator and freezer. Children can help you arrange your purchases.

Store fresh produce in the vegetable drawer, and keep the types that spoil faster, such as greens and berries, on top so that you see them, and think about eating them first.

Consume more perishable animal foods, such as fresh meat and seafood earlier in the week.

Refrigerate leftovers from home-cooked or restaurant meals within 2 hours (1 hour if the air temperature is 90˚F or above). Eat leftovers within 3 to 4 days and reheat them to 165˚F.

Kitchen Tips and Tricks

Trying to use what food you have is challenging. These tricks can help:

Take smaller portions to reduce the risk of food remaining on the plate and going into the garbage. Kids and adults can always serve themselves more if they're still hungry.

Plan meals based on who is eating so that you don't prepare too much food. If you have leftovers, enjoy them for lunch, or freeze immediately so that you have a meal for later. Allow children to label food for the freezer with the name and the date.

Get creative with extra food and ingredients, and encourage kids get in on the act. For example, leftover carrots, potatoes and rotisserie chicken combine to make a delicious soup. Puree overripe fruits for a pancake topping instead of syrup, or use as part of a fruit and vegetable smoothie.

About The Author:

by Amelia Rhodes

"It feels like we've been here a lot lately," I said as my husband dropped me off at the airport. "Oh wait. Maybe that's because we have."

He chuckled as he helped unload my suitcase from the back of the car. He hefted the suitcase over the curb and leaned over to kiss me goodbye. "Have a great trip. I'll hold down the fort and see you in a couple days," he said.

Between his work travel, my work travel, two tween children, and a fixer-upper house, sometimes it feels as though we are more like teammates than husband and wife. In fact, we often will fist bump each other as we pass in the hallway with a "go team," chant.

Keeping a marriage strong in the midst of shuffling schedules and rigorous responsibilities takes intentional effort and a whole lot of prayer.

We can be cruising along for years, even decades, and suddenly realize we've created separate lives and a distance in our relationship that we never intended.

Here are five things to pray for our marriages in the midst of busy and stressful seasons of life.

1. To love each other as Christ loved us.

"A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." (John 13:35)

Father, your greatest command was to love You and love each other (Matthew 22:36-40). You've given marriage as a holy relationship that reflects our relationship with You. Show us how to follow your example and set aside our selfishness and pride and humbly serve each other. Help us to be of one spirit and of one mind and value each other above ourselves, looking out for each other's interests (Philippians 2:2-4). In the midst of our busy lives, help us take time to love each other deeply from the heart, as you have loved us (Ephesians 5:1-2). May the love we have for each other be an example to the world of how You love them and gave Your life for them.

2. To grow together in Christ.

"As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace." (Ephesians 4:1-3)

Father, help us not to just go to church on Sunday, but to recognize that your presence goes with us wherever we go. May we know a deep communion with you every day. May our marriage be a place where we grow together and lean on You in every situation. Help us to grow to be more like You every day, having a unity in Spirit, being patient, humble and gentle with each other, and bearing each other's burdens with Your love and strength. Fill our marriage with Your peace. When a struggle or strife arises, may our first response be to come to You together for help. Help us make talking about You and Your Word a priority. We ask your Spirit to help us understand Your Word and grow together in our love and service to You.

3. To recognize things causing distance.

"Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken." (Ecclesiastes 4:12)

Father, life gets so busy and things can creep into our marriage and cause distance. Help us be intentional in spending time together and reveal things that are creating a chasm in our relationship. Protect us from things that will divide us, whether it be time spent online or a recreational activity or a friendship that is taking away from our marriage. Help us know how to remedy the situation and bring a closeness back into our marriage with You at the center.

4. To forgive each other quickly.

"Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you." (Colossians 3:13)

Father, enable us to forgive each other as You have forgiven us. Help us not to hold onto bitterness, keep records of wrong, or allow the enemy any foothold in our relationship. Keep our hearts sensitive to You and each other, and move us to the work of reconciliation quickly. When we are wounded, help us be honest with each other and not fear retaliation. Help us to work through our differences in a way that honors You and strengthens our relationship. Help us grow in humility and recognize when we have wounded each other. Give us Your strength to ask for and give forgiveness.

5. To know when to seek outside help.

"Listen to advice and accept discipline, and at the end you will be counted among the wise." (Proverbs 19:20)

Father, grant us the humility and wisdom to know when our marriage needs outside help. Provide wise counsel in the form of friends, pastors, and professionals who will guide us back to You and show us how to rebuild trust and unity in a way that honors You. Help us not be afraid of the work of rebuilding our marriage or making it stronger, but instead help us each be humble and gentle and willing to grow and accept counsel.

Whether you pray individually or together as a couple, or with a group of friends who support each other by praying for your marriages, may you know the power and peace that comes from laying your burdens at the Father's feet.

About The Author:

Amelia Rhodes lives in Michigan with her husband and two children. As a recovering perfectionist who has been freed, by God's grace, from the grip of perpetual anxiety, Amelia encourages women to discover who they are in Christ and to deepen their relationships with each other. Her latest book is Pray A to Z: A Practical Guide to Pray for Your Community. Learn more about Amelia and her writing at www.ameliarhodes.com.

by Pete Briscoe

I never met a Christian who sat down and planned to live a mediocre life.
 -- Howard Hendricks

Close your eyes for a moment, and imagine into the future. Seriously, close your eyes and imagine. Think ahead to the moment when you will live out 2 Corinthians 5:10:

For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each of us may receive what is due us for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.

That last little word "bad" probably sends shivers up your spine, and it probably should, at least at first thought. I mean, think about everything bad you've done and now you are about to "receive what is due" ... yikes.

But remember, we aren't talking about the "great white throne judgment" where those who don't know Jesus are separated and punished. This judgment seat of Christ is where those whose sins are already covered by the blood of Jesus meet Him face to face, and this is what will happen:

If anyone builds on this foundation [Jesus Christ] using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, their work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each person's work.
--1 Corinthians 3:12-13

Think this through, okay? At the judgment seat of Christ, He is going to put everything under the torch and the good stuff will survive (good news) and the bad, worthless stuff will go up in flames (equally good news, I think!). Again, I ask you to imagine it. You are standing there, meeting Jesus face to face and right then He takes a blowtorch to your life. And anything that is worthless (that is what the word translated "bad" in 2 Corinthians 5:10 actually means), anything that was in the flesh, any impure motives, any momentary lapses, any bad choices – even the sin that is already covered by His blood so He can't see it – all will be burned beyond recognition for all of eternity. No memory, no shame, no guilt, no blame, it will all be gone!

Wow, the day we stand before the judgment seat of Christ ... that is going to be a great day, isn't it?

Jesus, I need You to rewire my brain on this one! Renew my mind about the day I will stand before You in judgment. I thank You ahead of time, and I praise You from the bottom of my heart, that all the worthless things go up in smoke and You greet me with nothing but good. Glory to Your name. Amen.