Tips and Tricks - Week Nine

Tip:Some vegetables, such as carrots, are actually more points after you cook them. Heat causes chemical changes within many fresh foods and often leads to caloric differences. With some veggies the change is definitely noticeable, so don't assume that uncooked and cooked are the same... always check the book first.

Trick:When drinking anything other than water, "earn" your drink by first drinking a serving of water, then consume your other beverage. Drinks are one of the biggest wasters of calories and points, so be very careful about how much you drink. By balancing the amount of water and other stuff that you drink, you ensure that you are getting enough good, plain 'ol H2O and you'll drink less of the other because you won't be as empty.

Recipe:For "Lemon and Dill Potatoes", you'll need 1 lb potatoes, 1 tsp olive oil, 2 Tbsp fresh lemon juice, and 1 Tbsp dill. First, slice the potatoes in half. Fill a saucepan with water so that it covers about one inch of entire pan, and bring water to a boil. Place potatoes in a steamer basket; set steamer basket in saucepan, making sure it sits above water. Cover saucepan and steam potatoes until completely cooked and tender, about 15 minutes. Of course, you could boil them instead (which is what I do) but they turn out just a little heavier. Meanwhile, mix together oil, lemon juice and dill. Finally, place cooked potatoes in a serving bowl and pour lemon juice mixture over potatoes; toss gently to coat evenly. 2 points for a 1 cup serving!