| Abs diet recipes have something of a reputation | | | | Indian Curried Red Lentil Soup |
| for being dull. Ever gone to a restaurant and | | | | (Taken from Vegetarian Times, March 2004) |
| ordered the "diet plate", only to have your waiter | | | | 1 cup red lentils (rinsed) |
| bring you a plate of Jello and cottage cheese? | | | | 4 1/2 cups nonfat vegetable stock |
| The hardest part of defining abs is finding them. | | | | 2 Tbs. nonfat plain yogurt |
| In order to see your abs, you must lose the body | | | | 1 tsp. curry powder |
| fat. After your fat is gone, you still have to build | | | | 1 tsp. grated fresh ginger (or powdered) |
| up muscle tissue, and that requires protein. | | | | 1/2 tsp. ground cumin |
| A low fat, high protein diet doesn't need to be | | | | 1/2 tsp. cayenne |
| boring, though. | | | | 1/2 tsp. onion powder |
| Here are a few fun, easy recipes to help you get | | | | Possible garnishes may be: |
| started. | | | | * Shredded coconut |
| Tofu | | | | * Dried peanuts |
| Tofu is very high in protein and is great for | | | | * Cilantro |
| building lean muscle. It is very common in Asian | | | | * Diced red pepper |
| cuisine and is becoming popular in Western | | | | * Chutney |
| cooking because it can be a versatile, low-fat | | | | * Raisins |
| replacement for meat or dairy in many dishes. It | | | | 1. Put lentils and vegetable stock in a |
| can be found in the produce section of most | | | | largesaucepan, and bring to a boil over |
| grocery stores. | | | | medium-highheat. |
| Tofu Strawberry Banana Shake | | | | 2. Reduce heat to medium, andcook for about 20 |
| INGREDIENTS: | | | | minutes, or until lentilsare tender. |
| 1 block silken or soft tofu | | | | 3. Reduce heat to very low. |
| 1 frozen banana | | | | 4. Put 2 cups lentils and yogurt intoblender, and |
| 1 cup crushed pineapple (with juice) | | | | puree until smooth. |
| 1/2 cup skim milk or soy milk | | | | 5. Recombine with soup in pan, and stir in |
| 4 strawberries | | | | seasonings. |
| PREPARATION: | | | | 6. Heat and serve, garnishing each portion as |
| 1. Drain the tofu and cut it into chunks. | | | | desired. |
| 2. Chop the banana and remove the strawberry | | | | Time to Prepare: 30 minutes |
| stems. | | | | Makes 6 servings |
| 3. Mix all ingredients in blender or food processor. | | | | There are many places on the Web where you |
| Time to Prepare: 5 minutes | | | | can find free, simple recipes to lower your fat and |
| Makes 1 serving | | | | build your muscle. |
| Tip: Add protein powder for an extra boost. | | | | If you're bored of the same old thing, try |
| Lentils | | | | Japanese cooking - it is typically low in fat and |
| Lentils (both red and brown) are also a protein | | | | high in vitamins and protein. Also, even if you're |
| powerhouse. The following recipe looks so | | | | not a vegetarian, check out some vegetarian |
| complicated, you'll impress your dinner date. But | | | | recipes. Vegetarian cuisine has virtually no fat and |
| don't let the long ingredients list fool you - it's so | | | | a lot of health benefits. |
| simple that you can make it even if you have no | | | | Remember, abs diet recipes don't have to be dull |
| cooking experience. Add the spices to your taste | | | | and bland. Get creative with your cooking. Your |
| to make it mild or spicy. | | | | abs and your taste buds will both thank you. |