What’s the best way to control snacking on Superbowl Sunday? Throw your own party. That way you’ll be in control of the snacks and can substitute some healthier choices for some of the usual junk food that abounds. Here are easy substitutions that are so good that no one will even notice that they are healthier…

Roasted vegetables aren’t just for the grill. You can roast vegetables in the oven and then mix with pasta for a very flavorful sauce. In this recipe I roast the vegetables rather than sautéing them.  Roasting brings out a richer, deeper flavor, and is especially great for getting the most out of canned black olives. If you love olives, you’ll love this dish. The oil-cured olives that are tossed in at the end add a salty zing to this dish. Serve this with a green salad and bread. Either red or white wine will work with this - pick your favorite.

This soup was adapted from a Rachael Ray recipe. People seem to be very divided about how they feel about Rachael. They love her or hate her… but nothing much in between. I think she’s great -- fun to watch, down to earth, charming -- but I find that her recipes include WAY too many fattening ingredients. This soup sounded great, but originally included 1/2 cup of olive oil. I increased the liquid ingredients, decreased the oil, and omitted the cheese (you can add a sprinkle on top if you’d like). The end result was a thick, rich and flavorful soup -- hearty and satisfying. Serve it with a green salad and a piece of bread and you’ve got an easy meal. Plus, you get plenty of lycopene. read more...

Remember corn nuts? Sure you do. Who could forget those salty, crunchy, and strangely addictive snacks. Well, here is a grown-up, healthy version that you don't have to feel guilty eating. One warning - these are so good that you may eat them all in one sitting.