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There are a couple of Tricks to cutting Fat & Calories in your cooking, without loosing those fantastic flavors, that are both quick and easy!

1) Natural Herbs & Spices:

They are Key to adding great flavors to your healthy meals! Garlic, onions, oregano, summer savory, etc. There are so many choices and great combinations to enjoy! They come in fresh and dried form, and you can even grow them yourself at home!

Natural Herbs & Spices also have many medicinal uses, and promote good health. They help fight and cure sickness, increase memory, & can even help to quicken your senses. All it takes is a tea spoon or two, into any recipe!
Herbs & Spice are also very low in calories, fat and carbs. They are known to sometimes be high in sodium, but are also high in Potassium, Calcium & Fiber.
*When using these herbs and spices you will not need to add ANY extra table salt, but remember some spices have powders & salts. Always go for the powder if you have the choice!

2) Substituting Ingredients:

MAC & CHEESE
*Use whole or multi grain pasta.
*Use Cheese made from Skim milk, or try the lactose free cheese. (I know it sound a bit odd, but trust me, it is delicious. It tastes and melts just like any other cheese, and has half the fat & calories)
*Try using vegetable or chicken broth instead of Butter or margarine.
*Add 1/2 tsp of these spices: Onion Powder, Garlic Powder, Pepper, Celery Salt.

MEATLOAF
*Try switching your ground beef to ground Turkey. It has a lot less fat, and is very good too!
*Top your meatloaf with fresh homemade or Jarred Salsa, instead of using the old faithful, ketchup or BBQ sauce.
*Instead of using traditional bread crumbs, try using crushed melba toast. *The great thing about melba is they come in a variety of flavors. So it wont be hard to find the right one to put that kick into your meatloaf.
* 2 Cloves of fresh garlic chopped, 1 shallot or 2 Green onions chopped, 1/2 tsp of celery salt.
*Add 1Pkg of Dry Onion soup mix, celery salt.

MASHED POTATOES
*Try using Sweet potatoes, instead of the usual red, white or gold.
*Use vegetable or chicken broth, instead of milk, butter & salt. (there goes a whole lot of fat)
*Or Use Fat free Sour cream instead of milk and butter.
* Spices, 1/2 tsp each: Celery salt, Garlic Powder, dried parsley.

And how about our Forever faithful: CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES
*Use whole wheat flower, and adding a little flax powder.
*Switch your usual sugar for Splenda. It tastes better and it's better for you too!
*Mini chocolate chips instead of regular size, or go for a dark chocolate, instead of milk chocolate. (Dark chocolate usually has 75% or higher amount of coco. Coco also promotes good health!

Learn more about this author, Amanda Bennett.
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