Probiotics: Look for yogurts that “contains live and active cultures” to gaurentee that your yogurt contains gut-friendly probiotics. While probiotics may help improve gut health they are not a cure for digestive problems. Not all frozen yogurts contain probiotics. Read the label to see if your favorite brand contains these healthful bacteria.

Vitamin D: Not all yogurts are fortified with Vitamin D. It is important to read labels carefully

Greek-Style Yogurt: Greek-style yogurt, such as the Chobani brand , is becoming increasingly popular, not only because of its thickness and creaminess, but also because it contains more protein and calcium than regular yogurt

Fruit-Flavored Yogurt: Many fruit-flavored yogurts contain no actual fruit at all. My suggestion? Start with plain yogurt and add your own fruit, honey, dried fruit, or granola and sweeten to your liking.

When scoping out yogurts, look for one that contains no more than 180 calories, 1.5 grams of saturated fat, and 30 grams of sugar per 6 oz cup—enjoy!

Cherries can be kept in the refrigerator or freezer. Cherries in the refrigerator should last up to a week. You can also freeze cherries by spreading them out in a single layer on a cookie sheet and then placing them in the freezer overnight.

When preparing cherries to eat, they can be eaten raw, alone or accompanied by other fruits. Simply wash the fruit and serve with the stems. Poaching is the most common form of cooking cherries.

Here are a few tips to make cherries part of your day

• Add cherries to a fruit salad
• Poached cherries make an excellent topping for low fat ice cream or low fat frozen yogurt
• Dried cherries add sweetness to oatmeal or trail mix

Depending on a piece of machinery that does not take salty meals or hot humid days that can result in dehydration into consideration could cause problems if you are someone who takes a specific number very seriously. Our bodies naturally fluctuate in weight throughout the day—we eat, drink, exercise and are exposed to different temperatures: however, we do not get “thinner or fatter” within a 24 hour period.

Some people can benefit from weighing themselves daily—they are the type of people that can handle minor fluctuations from day to day and are able to use the number in a productive rather than destructive way.

It may be that the less often you weigh yourself the more reliable the number is. Think about your yearly doctor’s appointment; if you only took your weight then you would have a good idea of its general trend. Do we really need anything more than this?

Throwing your scale in the garbage can be a liberating experience—if you find yourself getting on one with any degree of frequency or obsession think about whether it might be better off out of your home.

Although they are fruits, avocados have a high fat content of between 71 to 88% of their total calories – about 20 times the average for other fruits. A typical avocado contains 30 grams of fat, but 20 of these fat grams are health-promoting monounsaturated fats, especially oleic acid. So don’t be afraid to dig in!

The rich, buttery taste of an avocado goes with everything from salsas to soups and salads to steak. Avocados discolor rapidly once cut, so add it to your dish at the last minute with a touch of lemon or lime juice to prevent discoloration.

Here are a few quick serving ideas:

• Use chopped avocados as a garnish for black bean soup.
• Add avocado to your favorite creamy tofu-based dressing recipe to give it an extra richness and beautiful green color.
• Mix chopped avocados, onions, tomatoes, cilantro, lime juice and seasonings for a rich-tasting twist on traditional guacamole.
• Spread ripe avocados on bread as a healthy replacement for mayonnaise when making a sandwich.
• For an exceptional salad, combine sliced avocado with fennel, oranges and fresh mint.
• For a beautiful accompaniment to your favorite Mexican dish, top quartered avocado slices with corn relish and serve with a wedge of lime.

Quinoa is a corn based grain and therefore those with celiac disease who have to adhere to a gluten free diet can enjoy it. Quinoa has a mild, nutty flavor, a fluffy texture similar to couscous and it can be used in place of rice, pasta or other grains. Serve quinoa for breakfast in place of hot cereal, as a salad or a side dish. One cup provides five grams of fiber and contains over 200 calories.

Bon Appetit!

Quinoa Stir Fry

2 cups quinoa cooked in 4 cups water

2-3 stalks broccoli chopped

1 cup snow peas

3 spring onions, chopped

3 garlic cloves, chopped

1 Tablespoon grated ginger

2-3 Tablespoons sesame oil

20-24 steamed shrimp

Stir fry veggies in 2-3 Tablespoons sesame oil til tender. Add 1 Tablespoon maple syrup after veggies are done. Add 20-24 steamed shrimp and stir in, if desired. Add soy sauce to taste.