Let's Do It Healthy

October 20, 2004

Struggling to stick to your exercise program? Try working out with a partner. Adding a social aspect to your workout helps keep you both motivated and makes sessions more fun. Training with a friend provides mutual support for keeping a regular schedule and pushes you harder to meet your goals.

The secret to tastier corn: Know exactly how long to cook it. Sweet and tender corn should be cooked in boiling water for no more than 1 or 2 minutes. For best flavor, cook corn the same day it's picked. It's naturally tasty - try it without butter to avoid added fat.There's nothing better than eating corn-on-the-cob on a summer's night. It's good for the soul and the body too. One ear's worth of kernels contains 85 calories and 3 grams fiber. Yellow corn contains lutein, a plant pigment that helps protect your eyes from macular degeneration. Hominy is corn that has been treated with an alkali to remove the hulls. The process boosts the availability of the niacin in corn as a nutrient.

Got a pizza craving but you're worried about calories and fat? To mind your waist and enjoy the taste and texture of melted mozzarella, order a no-cheese slice topped with vegetables to go, then sprinkle a little cheese at home and reheat. If you can, skip the mozzarella altogether; your healthiest choice is a thin-crust slice topped simply with tomato sauce, your favorite vegetables and parmesan cheese.

Trade your best players. Lettuce and tomato on your tuna sandwich -- good. Baby spinach, roasted red peppers and sliced pickled ginger? Utterly inspired. Try switching up your usual salad dressing with a sprinkling of Parmesan cheese, a splash of aged balsamic vinegar or a spritz of fresh lemon juice, too. Top cereal with fresh cherries instead of banana, and mix dried fruit into brown rice.