Recipe for Success

It is the middle of January. We have all made our annual New Year's resolutions. Some of them, no doubt, are to be healthier, eat better, and exercise. Here are some tips from from chef and cookbook author Beth Ginsberg on how to achieve your goals and stay on track.  (To see all of the tips, menus and recipes previously featured, click here.)

Here are some foods to consider incorporating into your diet:

Whole Grains: quinoa brown rice spelt berries barley millet rye berries oats		Beans and Legumes: lentils black beans spilt peas adzuki
Fish, Poultry, Meats: white meat turkey white meat, skinless chicken wild fish such as wild salmon and wild bass		Spices: oregano turmeric ginger curry
Vegetables: kale spinach mustard greens collard greens swiss chard bok choy broccoli broccoli rabe yams kaboucka pumpkin green cabbage red cabbage parsnips arugula edamame beets		Fruits: pomegranates raspberries blackberries blueberries strawberries cranberries citrus zest cooked tomatoes papayas mango avocado
Seeds: flax chia pepita or pumpkin hemp		Nuts: walnuts almonds brazil
Misc: gogi berries egg whites tofu agave	olive oil, trace amounts seaweeds, like nori acai juice or smoothies unsweetened yogurt	green tea red tea white tea dark chocolate

Some tips:

1. Bake instead of fry.

2. Order pizza without the cheese and add extra vegetables.

3. Switch to turkey burgers on a whole grain bun

4. Thicken soups with oats rather than cream.

5. Order vegetables on the side rather than fries.

6. Order brown rice rather than white.

7. Sneak your own popcorn into the movies and have a water rather than a soda.

8. Use whole grain pastas such as spelt, kamut or whole wheat.

9. Substitute olive oil or yogurt for butter in your favorite baked goods recipes.

10. Order a salad and a side of balsamic vinegar and mustard rather than a fat-laden dressing.

11. Salsa and mustard are great condiments and are low or no fat.

12. Try purchasing items sweetened with agave.