I would like to add a vote for the South Beach Diet. I've lost 14 lbs and hubby has lost much more. (of course) This must be an unsettling time for you, I'm sorry your pain. Now you have this major adjustment, not fun at all. The good news is, this board is visited by many helpful and friendly people. I don't post often, but I thought I could help. This blog, www.kalynskitchen.com, is a great resource for low glycemic (won't mess with your blood sugar) recipes! One of my favorites: White Bean and Artichoke Dip with Whole Wheat Tortilla Chips (Makes about 2 cups of dip, recipe from Cooking New American.) 6-8 whole wheat flour tortillas (can also use pita bread) olive oil for brushing on tortillas (I used a mister) salt for sprinkling on tortillas (I used Vege-Sal) 1 can (15 oz.) cannellini beans 1 can (14 oz.) artichoke hearts (I used artichoke bottoms which have hearts only, no leaves) 1 small clove garlic, chopped (about one tsp. chopped garlic) 2 T fresh lemon juice 2 T extra virgin olive oil, plus more for drizzling on top 3 T freshly grated parmesan cheese 1 tsp. finely chopped fresh rosemary (I used frozen rosemary, if you only have dried rosemary be sure it's completely crushed) salt and fresh ground black pepper to taste sweet paprika, for garnish Preheat broiler and get out a large cookie sheet for toasting tortilla chips. Brush or spray each flour tortilla with olive oil, then cut into triangles. Arrange in single layer on cookie sheet and toast under the broiler, about 3-4 minutes per side. Watch them carefully, because they get too dark rather quickly. Chips will seem soft when you take them out of the oven, but they harden and crisp as they cool. Drain beans into colander and rinse well, until no foam remains. Let drain at least 5 minutes. Drain artichokes. In food processor, combine beans, artichokes, garlic, and lemon juice and blend until fairly smooth. Keep food processor motor running and add the olive oil in a stream. Add parmesan, and finely chopped fresh rosemary and pulse about 10 times to blend. Season dip to taste with salt and fresh ground pepper. Place dip in a serving bowl, sprinkle with a small amount of paprika and drizzle over a small amount of olive. Arrange tortilla chips around bowl and serve. This printable recipe from KalynsKitchen.com. Another favorite website is skinnytaste.com. Chicken Piccata Gina's Weight Watcher Recipes 2 (16 oz total) chicken cutlet halves, all fat trimmed freshly ground black pepper 2 large egg whites 2/3 cup seasoned whole wheat dry bread crumbs olive oil spray (about 1 tbsp worth) 1 tbs light butter juice of 1 lemon, lemon halves reserved 1/4 cup dry white wine 1/2 cup fat free chicken broth 1 tbsp capers Sliced lemon, for serving Chopped fresh parsley leaves, for serving Cut chicken into 4 cutlets, then place cutlets between 2 sheets of parchment paper or plastic wrap and pound out to 1/4-inch thick. Sprinkle both sides with salt and pepper. In a shallow plate, beat the egg whites and 1 teaspoon of water together. Place the bread crumbs in another plate. Dip each chicken breast first in the egg, then bread crumbs. Heat a large saute pan over medium to medium-low heat. Spray a generous amount of olive oil spray on one side of the chicken, and lay it in the pan, oil side down. Spray the top of the chicken generously to coat and cook for 2-3 minutes on each side, until cooked through. Set aside until you make the sauce. For the sauce, clean the saute pan. Over medium heat, melt butter, add the lemon juice, wine, chicken broth and the reserved lemon halves, salt, and pepper. Boil over high heat until reduced in half, about 2 minutes. Discard the lemon halves, add the capers and serve one chicken cutlet on each plate. Spoon on the sauce and serve with a slice of lemon and a sprinkling of fresh parsley. I truly hope you are able to turn this around and get your heart healthy. Sissy

There are quite a few members here who are concerned with creating heart healthy meals for either themselves or loved ones. Shambo comes to mind. She has a blog which you will find very informative. I watch the sodium in our meals, too. I used to cook for a heart patient. I focus on adding herbs, vinegars, lemon juice, and wine (not for a diabetic probably) for flavor punches that make you forget there is no salt. The good thing about adopting a low sodium diet is that in a short time the palate adjusts and anything with salt will taste unpleasantly salty. Cooking methods like grilling and broiling add flavor without salt or fat. I use cooking sprays or a tiny bit of olive oil for all my pan cooking. For ease the Mrs. Dash selection of herb mixes are very good. My 16 year old is salt conscious and loves them. We use the tomato/basil/garlic and the table blends all the time. Here is a link that might be useful: Don't pass the salt! Shambo's blog.

i would definitely get an A, but take into consideration I am a dietitian and am currently in treatment for colon cancer.... it would make sense... I agree red meat needs to be eaten in moderation. Memorial Sloan kettering has done the studies and says 18 ounces a week should be the limit otherwise you are putting yourself at high risk for a myriad of cancers particularly colon, not to mention heart disease etc.. It is actually the heme iron in the red meat that is the culprit. Although everyone does need iron, iron can also be bad for us especially if we are fighting cancer. In my case i believe stress caused my disease, and not my diet, but even though i have always eaten pretty healthy, now my whole family is on the bandwagon and we eat super healthy. When i grill we make sure to marinade everything, and eat a vit c source to negate any carcinogens. We don't eat any deli meats or products with nitrites/nitrates in them (carcinogens) We eat red meat no more than twice a week-otherwise it is chicken, turkey, or a meatless meal like whole wheat spaghetti or egg white omelettes. We have 2 veg at very meal and a large fruit bowl out at each meal as well. WE eat ALOT of berries. I have never liked whole wheat bread in the past but i have found sara lee's classic whole wheat to be wonderfully soft and even my kids love it.. We limit dairy to 2 cups of milk a day, and carbs to no more than 3-4 a meal (for insulin control).. We do splurge sometimes... when we go out to eat which is only like every other week we eat whatever we want, and i allow my kids one "good" snack a day like ice cream or a brownie or potato chips or whatever.. You have to have some fat...and some sugar because i feel you have to enjoy life too...

If you are responding to my previous post (Phyllis A.) concerning these recipes. Please send me a e-mail: at PNARE@MSN.COM Do not just post a response on this board. I don't always catch the messages here. Thank You.....Filus..... aka..... Phyllis A.