Strive to eat sensibly -- for life

As I plan my weekly menus counting calories, fat grams and fiber, I am replacing my old eating habits with nutritious, good-tasting recipes.

I don't treat healthy eating as a diet because I'm not dieting. I look at it as a sensible way of eating ... for life.

It sure is a fun way to achieve my goal of a trimmer, healthier body.

Garlic Mashed Potatoes

6 large potatoes, peeled and quartered

3 cloves fresh garlic, whole

1 can chicken broth

8 ounces fat-free sour cream

Pour chicken broth over potatoes in a kettle. I added just enough water to cover the potatoes. Add the whole cloves of garlic to the potatoes. Cover, and lightly boil until potatoes are tender. Remove from heat and mash the potatoes and garlic with low-fat milk until potatoes are fluffy. Gently fold in the sour cream. Sprinkle potatoes with paprika for color, if desired.

Homestyle Swiss Steak

2 cups onion, sliced

2 teaspoons concentrated beef base

1/2 teaspoon pepper

2 14 1/2-ounce cans diced tomatoes, undrained

2 tablespoons flour

2 cloves garlic, pressed

Vegetable spray

1 1/2 pounds beef top round steak (1/2 inch thick), trimmed of fat

Spray an unheated large skillet with nonstick cooking spray. Trim fat from meat. Cut meat into four serving size pieces. Combine flour and pepper. Using the notched side of a meat mallet, pound the flour mixture into the meat on both sides. Preheat the skillet over medium heat and brown meat on both sides. Transfer meat to a 1-quart square baking dish. Combine diced tomatoes with juice and garlic. Put onions over the top of the beef. Pour the tomatoes and garlic over the meat. Cover the dish with foil. Bake in a 350-degree oven for 1 1/2 hours or until meat is tender. Makes 6 servings. One serving is about 4 Weight Watchers points.

Steamed Sesame

Green Beans

1 pound fresh green beans

1 cup water

1 tablespoon reduced fat butter or margarine

1 tablespoon Lite Soy Sauce

2 teaspoons Sesame Seeds

In a saucepan bring beans and water to a boil; reduce heat to medium. Cover and cook for 10-15 minutes or until the beans are crisp tender; drain. Instead of boiling the beans, I steam them in the steamer. After steaming the beans, I added them drained to a skillet along with the margarine, soy sauce and sesame seeds. Toss to coat over medium low heat until heated through. Serve immediately. One serving is 1/2 cup and 1 Weight Watchers point.

GARY'S TIP: To keep softer cheese such as Velveeta from sticking to the cheese slicer, spritz the roller bar with a little bit of nonstick cooking spray. It really works.

FOOD FOR THOUGHT: Ice cream doesn't make you put on weight right away. It can take a month of sundaes.