From the team that brought you SparkPeople.com, America''s #1 weight-loss and fitness site, and the New York Times bestseller The Spark, comes The SparkPeople Cookbook. This practical yet inspirational guide takes the guesswork out of making delicious, healthy meals and losing weight. Award-winning chef Meg Galvin and SparkRecipes editor Stepfanie Romine have paired up to create this collection of more than 160 all-new satisfying, sustaining, and stress-free recipes that streamline your healthy-eating efforts. With a focus on real food, generous portions, and great flavor, these recipes are not part of a fad diet. They aren''t about obscure ingredients, eliminating key components of a balanced diet, or slaving away at the stove. They are about making smart choices and eating food you love. But this is more than a collection of recipes-it''s an education. The SparkPeople philosophy is about encouraging people to achieve personal goals with the support of others. So along with the recipes, you''ll find step-by-step how-tos about the healthiest, most taste-enhancing cooking techniques; lists of kitchen essentials; and simple ingredient swaps that maximize flavor, while cutting fat and calories, plus you''ll read motivational SparkPeople success stories from members who have gone through life-changing transformations. In addition, you''ll find: * Results from the SparkPeople "Ditch the Diet" Taste Test, which proves that you don''t have to eat tasteless food to lose weight. * 150 meal ideas and recipes that take 30 minutes or less to prepare-plus dozens of other meals for days when you have more time. * Two weeks of meal plans that include breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks. So whether you''re a novice taking the first steps to improve your health or a seasoned cook just looking for new, healthy recipes to add to your repertoire, this cookbook is for you. Learn to love your food, lose the weight, and ditch the diet forever! "