One thing you might want to do that's easy fast and fun is get a good blender. Healthy fruit/ice/yogurt & or milk smoothies are easy and kind of fun. You can always experiment with your ingredients. Drinks come out delicious and its good for you!

Good luck!

Emily :)

I did this recipe on Sunday and I LOVE LOVE LOVE it. YUM!

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ellie-krieger/garden-risotto-recipe/index.html

The calorie count is right on the site too. Great as a side with chicken or beef I just tossed on the grill. YUM YUM YUM 5 Star.

Ingredients

* 2 pounds fresh cranberries * 1 cup sugar * 1/4 cup Grand Marnier liqueur * 1 orange, zested and juiced

Directions

Place all the ingredients in the bowl of a food processor, pulse several times to breakdown the cranberries and incorporate the ingredients; it should still be a bit chunky. Allow the cranberry relish to sit at room temperature for at least 30 minutes, so the flavors can marry.

I actually plan to half this recipe because we just aren't gonna eat that much. I also will add the sugar to taste. Often cranberry recipes add too much sugar because they assume the berries are tart. Usually I only end up using 75-80% of the sugar requested because we are tarty people. :-)

For the half of the recipe I am making it would be 750 calories (with the full sugar) if someone sat and ate the whole bowl. Since we obviously won't be eating a whole bowl i figure it will be 50 calories for a serving if I go overboard (which I am not going to do.) :-)

Also I figure once the kids have has fondue they will be more then happy to sit down to a healthier Thanksgiving meal with less grease and fat in it. :-) Ahh the tricks we can play. :-)

I found a whole grain pear stuffing that is 170 calories per serving. I also am planning for a couple dessert choices. Some for those skinny folk and a nice apple crisp for use looking for a lighter option.

I was perusing the Eatwell.com and cookinglight.com for some healthier versions of the foods I plan to make. It has been fun for me to look for new things to try. I would love to hear any recipes others have.

-granola with milk or mixed with yogurt -cornflakes (not sweetend) with a bit of maple syrup and milk -whole wheat bread with any kind of toping (cheese, sausage, jam) - oatmeal with hot milk and sometimes 1 tablespoon of cocoa for the taste -fresh fruits with jogurt

Well, those are my usual types :)

.5 cup salsa .25 cup shredded reduced fat cheddar cheese 3 t paprika 1 t dried oregano 1 t ground cumin .75 t garlic powder or 1 minced clove .5 t dried thyme .25 t salt .25 t cayenne pepper or chipoltle chilli powder 1 pound extra lean ground turkey

mix ingredients and then add ground turkey and form into 4 burgers. Grill over med, 5- 7 min. per side. Serve with whole grain buns a a little yochees mixed with salsa and lettuce. Each burger is about 312 calories with the bun (make sure you watch the ingredients and the calories on the buns. Patty

Another salad I like too, is to add craisins with a light white wine dressing.

Greens sliced strawberries almonds gorgonzola sprinkles maple grove farm strawberry-balsamic dressing

Fabulous!

The Balsamic is the perfect mix of spice and vinegar that the vinegar doesn't overwhelm it but compliments it. The sundried tomato one is Bill's fav. :-)

Combine first seven ingredients. Mix the other ingredients in a small bowl and then pour over salad - toss and serve immediately!

Yummy! You could add a rainbow of peppers if you like or anything else that is in season. Add a little taco seasoning and/or hot sauce to the dressing or some cumin if you like. .75 cup of salad has about 100 calories Serve with warm tortillas if you like - Yummo!!! Patty

6 c baby spinach 1 head of raddichio, torn 2 c raspberries .5 c raisins or craisins .25 c pine nuts, toasted .25 c finely chopped red onion .25 c minced fresh mint 3 T lime juice 2 T olove oil 2 t honey or agave syrup 1.5 - 3 t chopped chipotle pepper in adobe sauce or a little of the ground chipotle chili pepper a little salt .5 c crumbled feta cheese

Mix salad ingredients in a bowl. In a saucepan combine the lime juice, oil, honey, chipotle and salt. Cook and stir until blended and heated through. Immediately pour on salad and toss ot coat. Sprinkle on the feta and serve immediately. It really is lovely and not very difficult. Patty