Blog is on the fritz

Not sure what is going on with my blog these days, but some folks including myself are unable to either read it or if you can read it, the words all blend in together.

Could you let me know what you see? It needs some work! It will be up soon.

Thanks for your patience!

Robin

Take Time To Eat Less.....

The one-hour lunch is a thing of the past. In fact, more than half of Americans take 30 minutes or less for lunch. But just as it takes time to do anything successfully, when trying to eat healthy food in reasonable portions, you have to make the time. If you take lunch as a separate time away from the world, then you may find that you eat less. Walk Away from Your Desk Even more disturbing than the shrinking lunch break is the number of people eating at their desks. According to a survey by Right Management and LinkedIn, twenty percent of workers who take a lunch break eat at their desks. This is a big no-no. Not only is your desk a major germ incubator, but eating at your desk can make you hungrier later in the day. Researchers from the University of Bristol found that those who ate lunch while sitting at a computer screen ate twice as many snacks later on than those who didn’t. Enjoy a 'Siesta' While Spain’s three-hour break may be out of the question, taking a break from work and technology to focus on eating will prevent you from over-eating. Referred to as intuitive eating or eating mindfully, this method asks you to focus entirely on your meal and the eating process as opposed to enjoying other stimulation. The result is experiencing your food: how it tastes and feels in your body. Like taking a nap, intuitive eating helps rejuvenate your mind and body by experiencing the joys of food. Is Your Brain Full? "It takes the brain anywhere from 10 to 45 minutes to send satisfaction signals," says Kathleen J. Melanson, PhD, RD, associate professor of nutrition and food sciences at the University of Rhode Island, who confirmed the need for slow eating in her lab. In this age of drive thru windows and eating in the car, an entire meal may be down the hatch only to feel overly stuffed ten minutes later. To avoid this, chew your food. Yes your mother told you to do so, but now your mouth has to listen. By chewing your food longer, you allow your body to get full on less. Don’t Eat Alone Many people eat slower and less when they eat with a companion. A girls’ lunch may lead to more talking than eating, resulting in food left on the plate. But select your dining companions carefully! Choose those that don’t speed-eat because the fast eater will set the pace for the table. Likewise, avoid junk-eaters because they make sharing an entrée impossible. Manipulate the ambiance, including the people, and you will lower your stress levels as well as the amount you eat. calorie count.com, By Carolyn Richardson

Hate to Exercise? Try These Ideas!

Fresh Fitness Ideas from SparkPeople Members Are you the type of person who hates to exercise? You're not alone! If your motivation (or creativity) is lacking, try some of these workout ideas from SparkPeople members like you. They're simple, accessible and fun—you'll never dread another workout again! • "I used to hate exercise, because I associated it with things that are boring to me, like sports and bike rides and walks. But now I have a stationary bicycle, which is great for me, because I can read while I'm on it. Reading is one of my favorite things to do, and definitely not boring. Now I actually look forward to exercise." —ALETHEIA • "I find it's easier to exercise if there's a purpose to it. I don't run on a treadmill, but I run to the grocery store to buy one small item. I ride my bike if I need to go to a bookstore. I walk to the grocery store if I need to buy something I can't carry while running." —ANARIE • "I have always thought of my exercise time as ME time, and I try to treat each session like any other appointment in my day. I don't do it for anyone else's benefit, only my own." —DMJAKES • "Buy something that makes you feel good about yourself when you workout (a cute top, cool sneakers, etc) and that helps too." —EADAVENP • "Try coming up with something you really want to do, like a triathlon or road race, and figure out what you need to do to accomplish it. It is a great motivator, and more importantly (I think), your motivation changes. It's no longer about losing a few pounds, but rather accomplishing something much larger." —GEORGINAA • "I used to not like working out—I'm not athletic at all. For me, it was as simple as signing up for exercise classes at my local community college. Once signed up, I felt like I needed to attend. My first class was Zumba, and it was such a blast I signed up for it again this quarter. I also signed up for weight training and water aerobics. It certainly seems to be helping not only my weight but also my disposition." —GETTASCHOMMER • "You don't have to 'exercise.' Just find an activity that you enjoy—maybe dancing? The more you start to move the more you're going to want to move. It may sound silly but it's true. Start small and just add a little more movement each week. Also, weight lifting can be very empowering. You just may like it." —HEVER79 • "I hate exercising to, so I have to be very creative in what I do. I always do my stair step machine because I can watch television while I am doing that. I usually pick something to watch that really entertains me because it takes my mind off of what the exercise is. Other times I walk my booty off outside. I take different routes each time I walk. That way I have something new to look at while I'm walking." —KIMMERZ67 • "I thought I hated exercise, but what I really hated was going to the gym, so I don't go. Now I have a couple DVDs that I do in my living room and I do power walks that include these really steep stairs in my neighborhood. On weekends I hike or ride my bike." —LILBLUFISH • "You need aerobics and you need strength training. This can be exercise or it can be play. Since you hate exercising, then you need to play. For aerobics, try dancing, skating, sports, playing with the kids, or walking with your best friend while chit-chatting—find something FUN. For strength training, volunteer somewhere you have to lift things, find toddlers you can use as free-weights while playing, or wrestle your spouse for the remote control. You can choose to strength train or you can choose to have osteoporosis. Which do you think is more fun? Consider it insurance for your future." —LITE99 • "Working out is the hardest thing that I have to do all day. Try distracting yourself while you workout. I received an iPod shuffle for Christmas and use it every time I work out. If you figure that one song is roughly 4-5 minutes, then in a 30-minute workout, you will have listened to 6-7 songs. Not bad, right? I find music to be a great distraction when I'm working out. Each song takes me to a different place! It's great!!" —MICHELE1010 • "I often find it hard to get motivation to go to the gym, but not to go on walks. What I did when I started was only walk outside. I lost 30 lbs in about 3 months, just by walking everyday and eating less." —MICHELLE8182 • "When I go to the gym, I dread doing cardio machines. So I do 10-15 minutes on three different machines. This way I get my 30 minutes in, but I have small breaks and I feel good. I am not thinking after 5 minutes, '25 more minutes?' I am thinking, 'half way there!'" —NIKKI1982 • "Start small and build. I started by getting off the subway train a stop early and walking 10 minutes to get to work. Now I get off three stops early, coming and going for a total of 50 minutes a day." —OHHHCHELLE • "I used to hate exercise and only did it because I had to in order to lose weight. Then I started trying new things. I discovered that I love yoga. And the most surprising thing is that I like to run! I think once you find something you enjoy, the more you do it, the more you want to do it. I also used to hate exercise because it was hard for me. The more I do, the easier it gets, and the more I like it." —OUTOFCONTROL • "We have to stop thinking about exercise as a nuisance. Our bodies were designed to move! Don't even call it 'exercise.' Just get out and live! I'm at a point now that I can't end the day without doing some sort of meaningful movement, whether it's taking the dogs outside or just 10 minutes on the recumbent bike. It seems like I usually end up doing more than I intend to do and I feel so good afterwards." —PENSKE40 • "I hate exercises too! I use Coach Nicole's video workouts." —SOGOOD_7 • "I do 'activity' exercises like tennis or rollerblading. Put me on a bike and I'm lucky if I can do 20 minutes, but when it's sport-like I don't even notice that I'm exercising!" —TALLAROO • "Different things work for different people, so try a bunch of different things. Go to your library and see what they have in the way of fitness DVDs. There are also a bunch of places you can download audio files of workouts to use while walking or doing stuff at home. If you think you might enjoy group exercise classes, check out your local gym. See if they'll let you try it out for a week, or pay as a guest to see if you like it. There are more and more video games that involve activity. If you have a PlayStation 2, there are a bunch of dancing games, fitness programs like Yourself Fitness, and even games that use a little camera (EyeToy Kinetic)." —TERRIMEIER • "I started running at age 44 (I could only run for 30 seconds before I had to start walking). Fast-forward 18 months and I now run 5 miles (average) 3-4 times per week. What keeps me going are the constant challenges I take on.—signing up for a 5K run weeks ahead of time, keeps me totally inspired to keep on training. If you need to find a race in your neck of the woods just check out Active.com. Keep in mind that the majority of these events are run/walks. I have over 25 T-shirts and 8 medals and trophies and I wear and display each one. And the best thing is that I am getting healthier while donating money to many great charities." —5KMOM911

11 Ways to Spring into Shape......

In a workout slump? These tips from Motherboard Moms and fitness pros will rev up your exercise motivation.

Peel Back the Layers

"Springtime makes it easy to work out. When you know that you aren't going to be wearing bulky and concealing clothes much longer, it gives you plenty of inspiration to get going!" —Kelli W., West Virginia

Do it: Goodbye, sweatpants; hello, jogging shorts! You can run but you can't hide from (or in) revealing warm weather workout gear—and that's a good thing, says celebrity personal trainer and food coach Kathy Kaehler (she works with Julia Roberts and Kim Basinger). "As warmer weather approaches, breaking out your summer lineup can motivate you to commit to exercise on a daily basis."

Boost it: If the tank top that fit you in the fall is feeling a little snug, Kaehler encourages you to squeeze in and bear it: It's all too easy to revert to stretchy pants or a loose top. "Get used to that too-tight feeling and use it as motivation to hit the gym and watch what you eat," Kaehler says. Once you're back in spring shape, reward yourself with some new figure-flattering pieces, like tanks with supportive panels along the torso or molded bra cups, or pants with rear-shaping technology.

Just Show Up!

"I've lost 120 pounds in the last two years, but it's still hard for me to get myself on the treadmill or to go to the park to run. I give myself permission to walk or run only a mile, but once I start, I always go longer—and I'm always so glad I did.' —Debbie C., Tennessee

Do it: Woody Allen once said, "Half of life is showing up." Motherboard Mom Debbie C. has figured out that getting herself on the treadmill or to the gym is half the battle. Once there, she's more likely to work out than waste her time, energy, and money by doing nothing. And once she does start exercising, it kicks up her endorphins as well as her competitive edge, paving the way to fabulous results.

Boost it: Arm yourself with an amped-up playlist. Songs with between 120 and 140 beats-per-minute, or BPM, can get you working harder and longer, while distracting you from any discomfort. Try Push It by Salt-N-Pepa, Drop It Like It's Hot by Snoop Dogg, the dance remix of Umbrella by Rihanna, or (flashback!) The Heat Is On by Glenn Frey. "Tell yourself, 'I'm going to do two songs,'" trainer Kaehler suggests. "With your favorite songs, you'll be doing two miles in no time."

Take a Good, Hard Look

"When I start slacking on exercise I stand in my underwear and look at myself in a full-length mirror, front and back. That's all it takes to get me motivated very quickly!" —Christyal A., Texas

Do it: "Mirror, mirror, on the wall, am I delusional, feeling thin and tall?" There's nothing more honest than your own reflection to show you where you are on the path to fitness. "Many times, we keep thinking our bodies are who we used to be—more athletic, slimmer, our high-school bodies," says NBC 5 fitness expert Andrea Metcalf, author of Naked Fitness. "But when we look in the mirror, we reconnect to the reality of the body staring back at us, begging us to do something."

Boost it: Rather than dwell on the negative, jot down a happy thought about your body and soul, like, "You are woman, inside and out" or "You're strong and capable," and post it to your mirror. "Positive affirmations halt and remove the common need to feel 'perfect,'" says Caitlin Boyle, founder of OperationBeautiful.com and author of Operation Beautiful: Transforming the Way You See Yourself One Post-it Note at a Time. Overly negative thinking about your body will just crush your spirits and make you feel as if you're not worth the time or effort required for healthy living.

Rise...and Shine

"Work out early in the day. The later the day gets, the less likely I am to go to the gym. Live an active life—get out and walk the dog every day, take the stairs instead of the elevator." —Diane P., New York

Do it: Early birds are more likely to stick to their workout routines than people who wait until the evenings, Metcalf says. More a.m. benefits: You'll jump-start your metabolism and start the day with a sense of accomplishment, and you'll sleep better. In fact, a study published in the journal Sleep showed that overweight or obese women who exercised in the morning slept better than those who worked out at night.

Boost it: Adopt a dog! You'll be forced to wake up early and take a walk, and you can vary your tempo or tackle hills to challenge both of you. Dog owners who regularly walk their four-legged friends are less likely to have high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, or depression than non-dog owners. High-energy dogs will do the best on long walks: Consider adopting a border collie, Labrador retriever, Jack Russell terrier, or dalmatian.

Walk This Way

"My trick is simple: I walk wherever and whenever possible. Walking doesn't feel like exercise but it does the trick. I take pride in wearing fitted dresses to the spring weddings I get invited to. I have to say, turning a few heads at age 41 feels great!" —Lisa F., New Jersey

Do it: Not many things in life are easy, free, and effective. But walking is! As the American Heart Association's preferred method of exercise, walking a mile "not only challenges the cardiovascular system, but is as effective as running a mile but with less impact on the body," says fitness pro Metcalf. Besides burning calories as you make your way from home to work to lunch, regular walking helps lower cholesterol, strengthen bones, and lessen the risk of type 2 diabetes. So that's why 61 percent of Motherboard Moms say that walking is their favorite spring activity!

Boost it: Try adding an upper-body move, like waist rotations (raise your elbows to shoulder height to engage abs and strengthen delts), or alternate between walking forward, sideways, and backwards—just not in traffic! Or listen to your favorite podcast or a book on tape.

Monkey See, Monkey Do

"My daughter inspires me to exercise. I got her a kids' yoga DVD and she begs me to put it on for her. She even pulls out the yoga mat. I let her do her yoga and then I am motivated to work out to my own yoga tape." —Diana B., Nebraska

Do it: Considering our nation's dismal childhood obesity statistics—about one in three American kids and teens is overweight or obese—any chance to do something active with a little one is beneficial. And when you work out, you're modeling a smart lifelong habit for the next generation while ensuring you'll be around to watch them grow up.

Boost it: Take the mother-daughter bonding out of the house: Mixing up the settings and trying something different will prevent boredom. You can have wheelbarrow races in the backyard or play hopscotch. Volunteer to coach her softball or soccer team. If you're the daughter in this scenario, convince your mom to try something new: Theresa Hill, 27, of Chicago, kept gushing about how much she was enjoying her triathlon training and how "anyone can do it" until her mom—who is 55—eventually said, "Hey, maybe I should try." The two now swim, run, and bike together when possible in preparation for their sprint triathlon in the fall.

Book It

"I set a specific time to work out as if I have an appointment. I also attend classes at the gym so that each day is something different, whether it's kickboxing or yoga. That keeps me from getting bored. I enjoy the classes so much that I don't even realize that I'm working out. And the weight is just falling off!" —Yvette C., Florida

Do it: You wouldn't blow off dinner with your BFF to watch The Bachelor, would you? Of course not, because you two made a date weeks ago and wrote it down in your calendars. Doing the same for your workouts is effective because it holds you accountable, explains Nikki Kimbrough, a Gold's Gym fitness expert and personal trainer based in New York City. And variety keeps you motivated to continue booking appointments. "Once you start to get bored, even subconsciously, you'll start to make excuses to not exercise."

Boost it: Keep mixing things up with cardio, weight lifting, stretching, and classes. Maybe try Zumba on Monday, a yogalates class Tuesday, circuit training Wednesday, running with a girlfriend Thursday, and lap swimming Friday. Not only will your motivation remain high, but your body will show faster results.

You've Got a Friend

"The best motivator for me is to sign up for a class or a gym membership. If I've paid for it, I will hit the gym at least three days a week. Having a workout buddy also helps. The two of you can keep each other accountable." —Heidi B., California

Do it: When it comes to working out, you'll get by with a little help from your friends. According to Metcalf, people who have strong social support for their weight-loss goals have an 80 percent chance of success, versus just 10 percent for those on their own. "Buddy systems and putting your money where your mouth is will give you a better success opportunity than going it alone," she says.

Boost it: Up the fun factor and plan an "exercise date" to the park. Play tag, monkey around the jungle gym, or race each other around the baseball diamond. You can even challenge more friends to join you for a group workout, then head out for a healthful brunch afterwards as your reward.

Dress for Success

"My best tip for those days when you just don't have the motivation is to put on your workout clothes and shoes anyway. I do this and sooner or later I get the urge to go out and run. It's amazing how it works." —Kristin D., Hawaii

Do it: "I completely agree!" says trainer Kaehler. "I live in my exercise clothes and, yes, it makes you more likely to take a class or head out the door and take a walk, or get on the floor and do some exercises during a commercial." When you've completed one step of the process—getting dressed—it makes the second step—doing it!—that much easier.

Boost it: Stash a pair of running shoes or cross-trainers and a fresh workout outfit in your car and by your bed. They'll serve as a constant reminder of your goals and will eliminate the ever-so-common "But I don't have my stuff!" excuse.

Just Kidding Around

"Since my dear little boy hit 18 months old, my exercise routine includes the following: Deep-knee bends (picking up toys and tossed food off of the floor), weight lifting (into and out of the bouncer, the high chair, the tub), aerobics (attempting to get a diaper on, dancing to Sesame Street songs), and running (in the yard, through stores, across the park). If you pay attention to how you move, you can exercise all day long when you have a young one." —Alicia M., Michigan

Do it: As a mom of three, Metcalf loves this tip. "When you're time-starved, you have to be creative," she says. "Making your life work with your exercise is crucial." But you don't need a toddler to buff up (although Julie Bowen attributes her ripped arms to lugging around her 22-month-old twin sons, John and Gus). New research published in the Journal of the American Medical Association found that women who cobble together 150 minutes of weekly activity—including basketball, running, brisk walking, or, yes, housework—tend to be six pounds lighter than their less-active counterparts over a 20-year span.

Boost it: Incinerate more calories by setting a timer and doing traditional chores like making the bed or picking up clothes at a timed pace. Metcalf says that at a quick clip, you can burn 100 calories by sweeping for 22 minutes, raking leaves for 20 minutes, playing vigorously with your kids (think tag or dancing) for 22 minutes, or doing general housecleaning for 30 minutes.

Get Competitive

"We had a contest at my work between about 20 women, kind of Biggest Loser style. It really got me motivated. I was getting on the elliptical every night, watching what I ate, etc. When it was all over, I didn't win the contest...but [after] about six months, I'd lost about 30 pounds." —Heather L., Nebraska

Do it: Attention, mouse potatoes: A new study in Preventive Medicine suggests that sitting at your desk all day adds extra pounds around your waist—the worst place for them to accumulate, healthwise. Staging a contest taps into your innate competitive spirit, keeping you motivated and focused on the end goal. Because nobody wants to finish last, you're more likely to hit the gym regularly and watch your nutrition, Kimbrough says. And like Motherboard reader Heather L., even if you don't lose the most pounds, you'll still win!

Boost it: Bring a healthful meal and snacks from home to avoid getting derailed by the coffee cake and donuts that seem to magically appear within 10 feet of your cubicle every day. Pack a lunch that combines lean protein, carbs, and a little fat, like a salad with 4 to 5 ounces of grilled chicken or tuna and as many green veggies (spinach, broccoli, cucumbers, peppers) as you like, or a whole-wheat tortilla filled with a few tablespoons of hummus, spinach, sliced tomatoes, feta cheese, and black olives. For a snack, try low-fat Greek yogurt, a handful of almonds and dried cranberries, or two hard-boiled eggs.

www.fitnessmag.com

7 Foods to NEVER Eat

There will always be those fattening foods that are easy to make, easy to get and easy to crave. You think “OK, I know this is bad, but it can’t be that bad!” Think again. These seven foods should be avoided at all costs. Not only will they widen your waistline, but they’ll also ruin your health in more ways than one. 1. Doughnuts: It’s hard to resist the smell of a Krispy Kreme doughnut, which is why I never set foot in the store. Doughnuts are fried and full of sugar, white flour and loads of trans fat. According to the Krispy Kreme Web site, an original glazed doughnut weighs in at 200 calories and contains few other nutrients besides fat (12 grams). The glazed, “kreme-filled” doughnut is even worse: 340 calories and 20 grams of fat. These sweet treats may satisfy your craving, but they won’t satisfy your hunger as most of the calories come from fat. “Eating a lot of refined sugar contributes to blood sugar ‘swings’ or extreme fluctuations,” Nutritionist Susan Burke says. 2. Cheeseburger: The age-old classic may be delicious, but think twice before sinking your teeth into that Whopper. The saturated fat found in cheeseburgers has been linked to heart attacks, strokes and some types of cancer. Let’s break down this meal. First, take the white-flour bun (refined carbohydrates), then add some processed cheese (saturated fat and trans fat, plus lots of additives and preservatives) and then top off with fried red meat (cholesterol and saturated fats). And let’s not forget about the condiments, such as the always fattening mayonnaise. Not sounding so appetizing anymore, huh? Oh, let’s not forget about the infamous side dish. Your cheeseburger will most likely come with a side of fries, which is sadly the most popular vegetable dish in the U.S. Don’t kid yourself: French fries are not vegetables — they’re extremely high in fat and contain a tiny amount of nutrients. “This fast-food meal of cheeseburger and fries has way too many calories and fat grams, not to mention grams of saturated fat, trans fat and cholesterol and sodium,” says Burke 3. Fried Chicken: Foods cooked in highly heated oils (most notably, partially hydrogenated oil) have been known to cause cancer, weight gain and other serious health risks if consumed regularly. Fried chicken (and their nugget counterparts) are some unhealthy examples. A 10-piece chicken nuggets order from McDonald’s has 460 calories, 29 grams of fat and 1000 milligrams of sodium. One chicken breast (extra crispy) from Kentucky Fried Chicken has around 490 calories, 31 grams of fat and 7 grams of saturated fat. So unless you want to super size yourself, it’s best to make a clean break with fried foods. 4. Oscar Mayer’s Lunchables: Sure, they’re convenient and easy , but they’re also unhealthy! These kid-marketed lunches are loaded with saturated fat and sodium. They usually contain highly processed meats and cheeses, white flour crackers and sugary treats. Lunchables get around two-thirds of their calories from fat and sugar, and they provide lopsided nutrition since they contain no fruits or vegetables. “They insidiously promote obesity by making kids think that lunch normally comes in a cellophane-wrapped box,” Burke says. “Parents are promoting their children’s obesity by buying these items. They’re expensive, too. Pack a sandwich and save dollars and health.” 5. Sugary Cereals: Not all cereals are created equal. And while your kids might beg for the latest cookie or chocolate cereals, it’s a safe bet they’re about as healthy as a dessert. Key words to look out for are “puffed,” “dyed” and “sweetened.” Most kids’ cereals are so highly processed, they no longer look like the grains they were originally made from. A healthy alternative is oatmeal. Just remember that if you’re buying pre-packaged oatmeal, check the label and see how much sugar it contains — you might be surprised. “A little sugar isn’t a problem but when the first ingredient on the box is sugar, watch out,” she said. “There is no fruit in Froot Loops, but the unsweetened original Cheerios or Rice Krispies are fine. You can sweeten them naturally with blueberries and strawberries.” 6. Processed Meats: What falls under the category of processed meats? Hot dogs, sausage, jerky, bacon, certain lunch meats and meats used in canned soup products. Almost all processed meats have sodium nitrite added as a preservative. A study conducted at the University of Hawaii found that sodium nitrite can act as “a precursor to highly carcinogenic nitrosamines — potent cancer-causing chemicals that accelerate the formation and growth of cancer cells throughout the body.” The next time you’re shopping for groceries, check food labels before sticking anything into your cart. Eliminate these meats from your diet before they eliminate you! 7. Canned Soups: Sometimes regarded as a healthy food, soups can be very deceiving. You must stay on your guard because many canned soups have high levels of trans fats, sodium and artificial preservatives such as MSG. Just one serving (which is roughly one cup) can have almost 1,000 milligrams of salt! Also, steer clear of soups that are cream-based; they can be high in calories and fat. “Read labels from back to front,” says Burke. “Ignore the health claims, and instead focus on the ingredients and serving size. Watch out for hydrogenated fat (trans fat) and sodium. If you’re buying bread to go with you soup, the first ingredient should be whole grain — either whole wheat, rye or other grain. If it just says ‘wheat bread,’ that doesn’t mean whole wheat.” livestrong.com

The Vegetarian Way, Adapting Your Recipes

The 2005 USDA Food Guide Pyramid favors plant-based proteins (like legumes and nuts), and even recommends fewer servings of meat than before. Research has shown that eating a few meatless meals per week can lower risk of heart disease and may even prolong life. Why? Well, vegetarian meals are usually rich in complex carbohydrates, vegetables, and fiber, while low in cholesterol and saturated fat. The majority of people aren’t vegetarian. But you probably eat like a vegetarian now and again without even thinking about it—your morning toast or oatmeal, a garden salad, pasta, or vegetable stir-frys—even cheese pizza. Whether you’d like to increase the number of vegetarian meals you eat, or you need to adapt a meat recipe for a vegetarian guest, you can turn your favorite recipes into a vegetarian meal with a few simple changes. Here are a few recipe tips to get you started: In casseroles, stews, soups, and chili, substitute cooked legumes (like beans and lentils) for the meat. Try kidney beans in chili or stew, red lentils in spaghetti sauce or stuffed cabbage rolls, or refried beans in burritos, tacos, and enchiladas. In stir-fry dishes, use firm tofu, tempeh, cooked beans, nuts, and sesame seeds in place of meat, poultry, or seafood. Firm tofu and tempeh can even be cubed and skewered as kebobs for grilling. Try scrambled tofu for breakfast. Marinated tofu, sliced thin, makes a delicious sandwich. Prepare pasta sauces, pizza toppings, soups, stews, and other mixed dishes as you always do. However skip the meat and add more chopped vegetables. If you eat dairy products, sprinkle cheese on top for more protein and calcium. Meat "analogs" are soy protein products that mimic different types of meat. Try vegetarian patties, bacon, and sausages at breakfast, pepperoni on pizza, burgers, "chicken" nuggets and patties—even barbecue ribs! Textured soy protein is often sold in a granular form. This works perfect in casseroles, soups, stews, lasagna, chili, enchiladas, and other mixed dishes. Vegans take vegetarianism to the next level. They omit all animal products—including eggs, milk, and dairy products. Vegan dishes can make a healthy addition to your diet as well. Here’s how to adapt: Eggs have many functions in a recipe. They can be used to thicken a recipe, bind ingredients together, coat breaded food items, or produce a baked product with a light tender texture. Without eggs, the quality of the food product often changes. Experiment with one of the following substitutions, but know that the results may differ. • 1 mashed banana in breads, muffins, or pancakes • 2 tablespoons of cornstarch or arrowroot to thicken a product • 1/4 cup silken tofu (blend tofu with the liquid ingredients until smooth, then add it to the dry ingredients) • Vegan egg replacement products Try tofu, soymilk, soy cheese, and soy yogurt in recipes that call for dairy products. Crumbled tofu can take the place of ricotta cheese in lasagna. To make buttermilk, mix 1 cup soy milk with 1 tablespoon of vinegar. Use soymilk when making puddings and mashed potatoes. Enjoy a thick, creamy fruit smoothie for breakfast or a snack. You can also blend the fruit with soft tofu, soymilk or juice. When cooking for a vegan, read labels carefully. Not all soy-based products are devoid of milk derivatives (like casein, whey, etc). Some companies save you time by printing the word "Vegan" at the very beginning or end of the ingredients list. The same goes for vegetarians. Don’t assume the can of vegetable soup is vegetarian—many dishes like this have beef, chicken, or fish-based broths. -- By Becky Hand, Licensed & Registered Dietician, SparkPeople