You devoured the chocolate-covered cherries and melt-in-your-mouth fudge, the smooth turkey gravy over potatoes whipped with cream and dotted with real butter. Now 2002 is here and you may be feeling a bit nauseous at thoughts of eating one more 'fattening' thing. As the Christmas decorations come down, your resolve to eat healthy and to exercise goes up.

Did you know that heart disease is still the number one killer of both men AND women in the United States? Perhaps with all the media attention on cancer, AIDS, or even anthrax, it's easy to forget that this dangerous killer is ever lurking about, subtracting years from your life by adding grease to your arteries.

Within your resolve to get healthy in 2002 lies the investigative power to track down this killer and put an end to its criminal statistics. One death (or even injury) from heart disease is one too many.

Making little, feasible changes will often bring success faster than setting one far-off goal (i.e. instead of "I'll lose 20 pounds" perhaps "I'll cut my fat intake by switching from 2% milk to 1% milk"). Once you've mastered the first baby step, choose another. By the end of 2002, you'll be amazed at how many healthy contributions you made to your lifestyle by working on one resolve at a time.

If you need ideas of where to begin, check out Much to do about Fat. Cutting back fat, especially saturated fat, is one effective offense to run against heart disease.

The recipes featured in this month's issue can become another "small-step." Fish oils are a heart detective's self-defense. Try the Crispy Baked Fillets served with Baked Potato Wedges for a lean makeover on 'fish-n-chips.' Then dish it up alongside a green salad drizzled with the Calorie Free Dressing. To satisfy sweet cravings, end a meal with a light version of strawberries-n-cream, Swedish Cream.

Wishing you much success as you seek to live healthier,

Desi @ DVO

For additional tasty and lean recipes, check out Cook'n Lite & Healthy and Cook'n Vegetarian software.

Do you have any fabulous recipes to share with other Cook'n readers? Email your recipes to us. Include any preparation or serving hints, tell us about you and your family, and send us a picture. We'd love to hear from you...and who knows...perhaps you will be the star of the next newsletter!