Bikini-Friendly Indulgences

Tag : zinc strip

By Erika Lenkert
Provided by
It's the time of year we love and hate swimsuit season! But beforeyou go thinking that you have to forgo delicious indulgences forbland, healthy bathing suit-friendly fare, check out this menu.
The following recipes may be light on the waistline (and thighs),but they're heavy in flavor and satisfaction.
The Cocktail
To look your leanest, avoid rich, creamy drinks and bloat-inducingbeer and go straight for a Grapefruit Strip Tea . A slimming sipper of grapefruit-infused vodka, triple sec, andfreshly brewed ices tea, it packs seriously refreshing punch.
The Appetizer
Easy to prepare, full of healthy ingredients, and a fantasticallyfresh way to fill up without slowing down, salads may be underratedfor most of the year, but they star in summertime.
As the season heats up we're betting you can stay svelte andsatisfied with our lifestyle editorial director's recipe for Chopped Summer Vegetable Salad , which is essentially a mouthwatering mixture of fava beans,avocado, corn, and tomatoes dressed in a tangy vinaigrette.
Another favorite that make the most of the season's bounty is prochef and pal David Gingrass's amazingly delicious and unusual Peach and Tomato Salad with Arugula and Pecan Pesto .
The Main Course
Chicken is packed with protein and flavor, but not a lot of fat.Avocado boasts heart-healthy "good fat," high levels of potassium,and more body-friendly benefits. Mango offers an antioxidant-richkiss of sweetness. Pecans add crunchy punch and a zip of zinc toyour diet. And of course leafy greens are always good.
So you can easily live it up without blowing up by feasting on thefollowing favorite: Chicken, Mango, and Avocado Salad with Spiced Candied Pecans andChampagne Vinaigrette Dressing . An added bonus: It's a one-dish meal so you can skip the hardwork and get to the fun faster.
The Dessert
No need to skip dessert while there are fresh in-seasonstrawberries in stores. Sweet and delicious, they need littleembellishment. But to take it over the top, try Grand Marnier-Marinated Strawberries topped with a hearty dollop of whipped cream (hey, we all have tolive a little!).