Notes:
I call this the compromise burger because it is not completely meatless, but not a greasy patty of beef, either. Equal portions of tofu and lean ground beef are used to create satisfying volume for half the caloric cost. I recommend eating this burger without the traditional bun–it’s very soft and fluffy, prone to fall apart easily, but is also chock full of flavor on its own. Great for when you want the satisfaction of a hamburger without giving in to your diet! It does require some Asian ingredients, but they can all be obtained at Wegmans (in the Asian aisle).

Servings: 4-5 patties

Ingredients:
300 grams lean ground beef
1 pack (about 300 grams) of soft tofu (you know, those big tubs of tofu you see?)
200 mL of Panko (bread crumbs, usually available in the Asian section)
1/2 a medium sized onion, finely chopped
1 egg
1/2 a bouillon cube (preferable vegetable, but any is fine)
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg

Directions:
1. Place the tofu in a large mixing bowl and begin mashing it up with a whisk. Continue until it's as close to a paste as you can get it.

2. Add the panko (bread crumbs) to the tofu and mix it up. Let the panko soak up the tofu's moisture. To give the panko time, start crushing the bouillon cube to a powdery state.

3. Add the ground beef, egg, salt, pepper, nutmeg, and bouillon powder to the tofu mix, and begin mixing it with your hand until well blended.

4. Finally, throw the onions in and mix it around lightly.

5. Split the mixture into about 4 or 5 patties. Rather than creating the traditional flat-squashed burger, make them more round and voluminous, so they don't break apart as easily.

6. Spread a small amount of your favorite oil (salad, olive) in a frypan and cook the burgers on high until both sides have a nice brown color. Don't worry about cooking them all the way through yet.

7. Once both sides are browned, add enough water to cover the bottom of the frypan (about 100mL for my pan), cover the pan and turn the heat down to medium.

8. After letting it steam for a couple minutes, take the cover off and check by breaking a small piece off of one of the hamburgers. If the whitish-pinkish color is consistent all the way through, then it is done. If not, then steam it longer.

9. Turn the heat back on high one last time and evaporate most of the water. You can put the hamburgers on a plate now~!

Submitted by:
Aisha

Notes:

This quick and simple recipe is one of my faves and is perfect to make and freeze for later.

Servings: 6

Ingredients:
1/2 - 1 teaspoon vegetable oil
1/2 onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 cups canned kidney beans, drained
1 cup water
1 tablespoon and 1-1/2 teaspoons chili powder
1 teaspoon ground cumin
2 teaspoons prepared mustard
1/2 pinch cayenne pepper, or to taste
1 tablespoon and 1-1/2 teaspoons soy sauce
2 cups cooked and mashed sweet potatoes
6 (10 inch) flour tortillas, warmed
2 cups shredded Cheddar cheese

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).

Heat oil in a medium skillet, and saute onion and garlic until soft. Stir in beans, and mash. Gradually stir in water, and heat until warm. Remove from heat, and stir in the chili powder, cumin, mustard, cayenne pepper and soy sauce.

Divide bean mixture and mashed sweet potatoes evenly between the warm flour tortillas. Top with cheese. Fold up tortillas burrito style, and place on a baking sheet.
Bake for 8-12 minutes in the preheated oven.
(Can be wrapped individually and frozen, then heated in the microwave.)

Top with diced tomato, green onion and sour cream or salsa.

Submitted by:
rochell

Notes:
Preparation time : 5 minutes + chilling time

Makes 2 x 250 ml glasses

NUTRITION PER SERVING

Protein 17g

Fat 6g

Carbohydrate 47.5g

Dietart Fibre 2g

Cholesterol 188mg

300 cal

Servings: 1 person

Ingredients:
2 cups (500ml) skim milk, chilled
2 tablespoons honey
2 eggs
1/2 teaspoon vanilla essence
1 tablespoon wheat germ
1 medium banana, sliced

Directions:
Blend the milk, honey, eggs, vanilla, wheat germ and banana untill smooth. Chill well and serve.

Submitted by:
danielle

Notes:
This 7-day eating plan can be used as often as you like. If correctly followed, it will clean out your system of impurities and give you a feeling of well-being. After only 7 days of this process, you will begin to feel lighter by at least 10 pounds and possibly 17 pounds, and experience an abundance of energy.

Servings: 1-7

Ingredients:
SOUP:

* 1 or 2 cans of stewed tomatoes
* 3 plus large green onions
* 1 large can of beef broth (no fat)
* 1 pkg. Lipton Soup mix (chicken noodle)
* 1 bunch of celery
* 2 cans green beans
* 2 lbs. Carrots
* 2 Green Peppers

Season with salt, pepper curry, parsley, if desired, or bouillon, hot or Worcestershire sauce. Cut veggies in small to medium pieces. Cover with water. Boil fast for 10 minutes. Reduce to simmer and continue to cook until veggies are tender.

This soup can be eaten anytime you are hungry during the week. Eat as much as you want, whenever you want. This soup will not add calories. The more you eat, the more you will lose. You may want to fill a thermos in the morning if you will be away during the day.

DRINKS:

* Unsweetened juices
* Tea (also herbal)
* Coffee
* Cranberry juice
* Skim milk
* Water, water, water

Directions:
DAY ONE
Any fruit (except bananas). Cantaloupes and watermelon are lower in calories than most other fruits. Eat only soup and fruit today.

DAY TWO
All vegetables. Eat until you are stuffed with fresh raw, cooked or canned veggies. Try to eat green leafy veggies and stay away from dry beans, peas or corn. Eat veggies along with the soup. At dinnertime tonight reward yourself with a big baked potato and butter. Don't eat any fruits through today.

DAY THREE
Eat all the soup, fruit and veggies you want. Do not have a baked potato. If you have eaten as above for three days and not cheated, you should find that you have lost 5-7 pounds.

DAY FOUR
Bananas and skim milk: Eat at least 3 bananas and drink as much milk as you can today, along with the soup. Bananas are high in calories and carbohydrates, as is the milk but on this particular day, your body will need the potassium and carbs. Proteins and calcium to lessen the cravings for sweets.

DAY FIVE
Beef and tomatoes: you may have 10 to 20 ounces of beef and a can of tomatoes, or as many as 6 tomatoes on this day. Eat the soup at least once today.

DAY SIX
Beef and veggies, eat to your heart's content of the beef and veggies today. You can even have 2-3 steaks if you like with green leafy veggies but no baked potato. Be sure to eat the soup at least once today.

DAY SEVEN
Brown rice, unsweetened fruit juice and veggies, again, be sure to stuff yourself and eat the soup. You can add cooked veggies to your rice if you wish.

By the end of the 7th day, if you have not cheated on this diet, you should have lost 10 to 17 pounds. If you have lost more than 17 pounds, stay off the diet for two days before resuming the diet again.

This diet is fast. The secret lies within the principle that you will burn more calories than you take in. It will flush your system of impurities and give you a feeling of well-being. This diet does not lend itself to drinking any alcoholic beverages at any time. Because of the fat build-up in your system. Go off the diet at least 14 hours before any intake of alcohol.

Due to the variety of digestive systems in individuals, this diet will affect everyone differently. After day three, you will have more energy than when you began, if you do not cheat. After being on the diet for several days, you will find that your bowel movements have changed. Eat a cup of bran or fiber. Although you can have black coffee with this diet, you may find that you don't need caffeine after the third day.

The basic fat burning soup can be eaten anytime you feel hungry during the seven days. Eat as much as you wish. Remember the more you eat, the more you will lose. You can eat broiled, boiled or baked chicken instead of the beef. Absolutely no skin on the chicken. If you prefer, you can substitute broiled fish for the beef on only one of the beef days. You need the high protein in the beef for the other days.

Continue on the diet as long as you wish and feel the difference both mentally and physically.

DO NOT - DO NOT
No bread, alcohol, carbonated drinks (including diet drinks). Remember, absolutely no fried foods.

DO - DO - DO - DO
Drink plenty - at least 6 to 8 glasses - of water a day, as well as any combination of the following beverages: black coffee, unsweetened fruit drinks, cranberry juice and skim milk.

This diet comes from the Sacred Heart Memorial Hospital that is used for overweight heart patients in order to lose weight rapidly, usually prior to surgery.

Submitted by:
Roxi

Notes:
Yummy BLT wrap - very satisfying

Cal 206, Protein 17 g, Carbs 26 g, Fat 7 g, Saturated Fat 2 g, Sodium 1270 g, Fiber 3 g

Servings: 1

Ingredients:
3/4 tbsp fat free mayonnaise
1 whole wheat tortilla
2 slices turkey bacon - cooked
2 oz roasted turkey breast, diced (I used sliced deli turkey)
2 slices tomato
2 leaves lettuce

Directions:
Smear mayo on tortilla
Line middle of tortilla with bacon, turkey, tomao and lettuce
Roll tightly into a tube
Enjoy

Submitted by:
Kelly

Notes:
An Abs Diet Smoothie  - GREAT for breakfast - makes 2 servings - share with a friend or save one for a snack later

1 8oz serving (1/2 recipe) 171 cal, 8 g protein, 33 g carbs, 2 g fat, 1 g saturated fat, 94 g sodium, 2 g fiber

Servings: 2

Ingredients:
1 banana
1/2 cup low-fat vanilla yogurt
1/8 cup (or 2 tbsp) frozen orange juice concentrate
1/2 cup 1% milk
2 teaspoons whey powder - I use vanilla
6 ice cubes

Directions:
Blend all ingredients in a blender until smooth

Submitted by:
Kelly