"These are a few of my favorite things..."

It's been slow going this week - still trying to get in the "groove" with classes and workouts, but I'm getting there. On to more important things! Having clicked around, I've noticed that many people are, like me, getting back into or starting the healthy eating, so I feel I'd be doing you all a disservice if I didn't share my new favorite finds!

First, Hungry Girl! I love her! I look forward to her e-mails everyday! So when I received her new cookbook for Christmas, I was beyond excited! She is amazing at giving substitute recipes for some of the most unhealthy foods out there. For example, her idea for fettuccine 'girlfredo' is life changing!! I mean it's only 81 calories! 81! That's crazy!! You use Laughing Cow Light Cheese - these are good as a snack too! Anyway, through her, I've found the rest of my favorite finds!
Next, Tofu Shirataki noodles. Now don't let the name scare you - it did me at first - but these are great! I'm a huge fan of pasta, but had given up on eating it because it was so bad for you, but not anymore!! You can have the entire bag, plenty for one person, for only 40 calories. I'll admit not everyone will like them - they are more chewy than normal noodles - but for the calories it saves, it not that bad. I would recommend these three recipes - one, two, three. They are hard to find - I get mine at Whole Foods, but you can also look at any health food store!

Third, Butternut Squash :) I am, or I guess, was a picky eater. The thought of eating squash made me a little sick, but I thought I'll give it a try because Hungry Girl promised it tasted like sweet potatoes, and she was right! She warns that her recipe for Fries will become addictive and that you'll want to eat them everyday, and there again she was right. They taste so much like french fries, minus the oil and grease :) It also makes wonderful mashed "potatoes" and "Sweet Potato" Casserole!
Fourth, Silk Soy milk. I typically don't like milk. Growing up we kept either skim or 1% milk in the refrigerator. However, I always thought it was too thin. Soy milk (vanilla flavor) is thicker and taste similar to a vanilla milkshake. Yum!

Finally, Fiber One Cereal! This is great as, well cereal, but it is also great for "frying" chicken, shrimp, or fish, or for use in pies, etc. Trust me - try this!

Anyway, that's my two cents! Seriously pick up this book! It also has whole chapters devoted to cocktails, chocolate, soups, salads, and more - so it's definitely worth the money!