Tuna Pasta Salad

I remember my mom making this salad for us; it's a great lunch or light dinner for those hot summer days! Mom always served it with Jane's Krazy Mixed up Salt, a staple on the table growing up, along with the salt and pepper. I recommend using here for the seasonings as well as placing it on the table when serving so each person can suit his or her self. If you do not have this spice blend, I recommend a combination of onion and garlic salt.

8 oz. pasta (I like to use whole wheat; here I used whole wheat penne)
1/2 cup frozen peas (do not thaw prior to adding)
1 can tuna
1/2 tomato, diced
3 oz. cubed cheddar cheese
1/4 cup of your favorite mayonnaise (I used Kraft olive oil mayonnaise, which I know probably contains a whole list of unnatural stuff. At any rate, I at least feel sort of good using it. Use whatever your budget and health conscience condone)
1/2 tsp seasonings
1/2 tsp dill

1. Cook pasta according to directions. Drain and rinse with cold water to cool.
2. Put pasta into a large bowl. Add frozen peas and stir so peas thaw and cool pasta. Stir in remaining ingredients.

Brown Rice Waffles
The upside of having family members with food intolerances is that I get to learn great new recipes. This delicious, light waffle recipe is an adaptation of a recipe from my sister-in-law. To make it dairy free as well as gluten free, substitute water or rice or soy milk for the buttermilk, although this just tastes yummier if you can tolerate buttermilk. For more fiber, substitute 1-4 tbsp ground flax seed for an equal amount of rice flour. If you like really tender waffles, try substituting up to 1/2 cup almond meal for an equal amount of rice flour.

• 1 1/4 cup buttermilk 

• 3 eggs, separated 

• 1 tbsp oil

• 1 1/2 cup brown rice flour

• 2 tbsp brown sugar 

• 3/4 tsp baking powder

• 1/2 tsp salt

1. Measure buttermilk into a liquid measuring cup.
2. Separate eggs, putting whites into a mixing bowl and yolks into buttermilk. Whip egg whites until stiff. Set aside.
3. Add oil to buttermilk and egg yolks.
4.   Mix dry ingredients. Fold buttermilk mixture into dry ingredients. Fold egg whites into mixture. Cook in waffle iron until cooked as desired.