Having trouble selecting your New Year’s Resolutions for 2007? The "Godfather of Fitness," Jack LaLanne, (www.jacklalanne.com) says that getting into the juicing habit is one of the best resolutions you could make for good health in the New Year!

"Cooking kills" states the exuberant LaLanne, now 92 years young, explaining his preference for nutritious fresh foods. He premiered the first modern health spa in America in 1936 and brought the fitness movement to television in 1951 with a daily exercise program. "No wonder people are sick and fat when you read the labels and all the artificial additives in the processed foods they are eating. I just bought a new Corvette, but do you think it would run without the right fuel? Putting the right fuel in your body works just the same. And raw FRUITS and VEGETABLES that are juiced for 30 seconds will help your body feel great!"

LaLanne and wife Elaine created their own Power Juicer and juicing cookbook "Secrets of Power Juicing" and enjoy staying active and vital enjoying juice cocktails that include everything from CARROTS, BEETS and WATERCRESS to PINEAPPLE, GRAPEFRUIT, APPLES, STRAWBERRIES and PASSION FRUIT. LaLanne recommends including peels and seeds "because that’s where a lot of the nutrients are". Save the expelled pulp to add nutrition to other recipes including meatloaf, vegan cookies, soups and sauces.

"The great thing about getting into the juicing habit is that it benefits the most important person in the world" laughs LaLanne – "YOU!"

"If you’re trying to lose weight, you can juice three tines a day or use freshly squeezed juice as a complete meal substitute for at least one meal daily", adds LaLanne.

Among the fitness guru’s own favorite power foods are egg whites ("great source of protein"), CARROTS ("very high in antioxidants") and APPLES ("good for fiber").

"Women especially spend so much money on hairdos and facials, nips and tucks, when what they really need is to realize that the food you eat today is walking and talking tomorrow," says LaLanne.

Kick off the New Year with a zesty "South of the Border" combining RED PEPPER, CELERY, LIME, CILANTRO and APPLE; an "Energy Boost" of CARROT, CELERY, BEET, PARSLEY, LETTUCE, WATERCRESS, SPINACH and TOMATO: a "RASPBERRY Rush" of RASPBERRIES, ORANGES and LIME; a "Rainbow Surprise" blending CELERY, CARROTS, CUCUMBER, SQUASH, ZUCCHINI and APPLE; or a "Love Potion" combining PEACH, GRAPES, STRAWBERRIES and APPLE.

Fresh PINEAPPLE is an excellent value this week. Try it diced over rice pudding for dessert or grill slices as a side dish to chicken, pork or ham.

Sweet-tart GRANNY SMITH APPLES, the perfect variety for making tarts and pies, are in plentiful supply at very reasonable prices.

Summer FRUITS have begun production in Chile and BING CHERRIES have arrived at the market, with prices in the premium range until volume improves.

PEACHES and NECTARINES are also coming from off-shore sources, with prices gradually decreasing as volume improves.

BOSC PEARS, also called "winter" variety, are in plentiful supply at economical prices.

NAVEL ORANGES are gradually decreasing in price. Easy to peel, they make the perfect any time of day snack.

Other CITRUS FRUIT offerings in steady supply include RUBY RED GRAPEFRUIT, KUMQUATS, LEMONS, LIMES and TANGERINES.

Just because holiday baking season is over, don’t eliminate NUTS from your shopping list. MACADEMIAS, COQUITO NUTS, WALNUTS and PECANS are just a few of the varieties great for snacking, using in granola recipes or dicing finely as a coating for sautéed fish such as mahi-mahi.

SUNRISE PAPAYAS are a great way to start your morning. Serve slices slightly chilled at breakfast drizzled with LIME juice or COCONUT cream.

Last call for CHESTNUTS and CRANBERRIES as the holiday season closes.

Large sizes of HASS AVOCADOS are the best value this week. Slice atop grilled hamburgers or puree with sour cream and HERBS to create a salad dressing.

TOMATOES continue to be a very economical value. Slice thickly, dredge in beaten eggs and cornmeal and pan fry as a delicious side dish.

MANGOS continue to be plentiful at economical prices.

MEDJOOL DATES from California’s Coachella Valley are a great on-the-go naturally sweet snack. Blend with ripe BANANA, tofu and yogurt for a quick mid-morning snack.

BROCCOLI is one of this week’s most economical VEGETABLE values, high in fiber and among the best anti-cancer fighting foods to include in your diet.

CAULIFLOWER is another side dish choice now in abundant supply. Or steam and puree with AVOCADO, ONIONS, GARLIC and curry into a delicious cream of CAULIFLOWER soup.

GREEN BELL PEPPERS continue to be plentiful at economical prices. Stuffed BELLS make an easy winter supper or roast and dice them into omelettes.

GREEN CABBAGE prices are decreasing; enjoy this cruciferous VEGETABLE raw in salads or steamed as a side dish.

SPINACH is an excellent salad offering this week. Or try it blended into omelettes with grated GINGER and garnished with TOMATO salsa.

Salad toppings in steady supply include RADISHES, SPROUTS, GREEN ONIONS, JICAMA, CELERY, CARROTS and fresh HERBS.

MUSHROOM caps make a quick side dish – remove the caps and stuff with a mixture of couscous, GARLIC, ONIONS and WALNUTS and bake until tender.

Best values in the POTATO bin include RUSSETS, WHITE ROSE and YAMS.

Stir-fry ingredients that are good values this week include BOK CHOY, GINGER, DAIKON RADISH and GARLIC.

PASILLA and JALAPENO CHILI PEPPERS are both in plentiful supply at moderate prices.

GREEN BEANS are an excellent side dish choice this week, served steamed with brown butter or blended with cream of MUSHROOM soup and chopped ONIONS and baked casserole style.

Both green and white ASPARAGUS is available, although prices are premium.

After-holiday blahs are sure to brighten with the addition of cut FLORAL arrangements, including ROSES, CARNATIONS, ASTERS, MUMS, LILIES and IRIS. In potted plants, MINIATURE ROSES, MUMS and CACTUS are among the best values.

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