With summer fading fast into memory, do you have a game plan in place to keep your swimsuit figure this fall? Although being thin is an admirable goal, thin is not necessarily synonymous with healthy, cautions Dr. Jana Klauer, a prestigious New York City physician specializing in weight reduction issues and author of "How the Rich Get Thin" (www.janaklauermd.com).

The biggest mistakes both men and women make in their quest to be thin "is constant on and off dieting that slows down the metabolism. Also, not paying attention to simple little things, like eating too much bread at the start of a meal or starting your day with sugary cereal and a bagel" notes Dr. Klauer.

Klauer says that American over-consumption of processed foods has changed our palates toward a drive for sweetness that leads to weight gain. "I recommend eliminating all processed food from your menus and then instead of denying yourself, start to choose real foods like APPLES, cheese, fresh FRUIT to readjust your taste buds. Add calcium-rich foods to your menus, like cheeses, yogurt, salmon and sardines with the bones, and SPINACH. You really can make yourself look and feel healthier using the right foods."

Klauer’s own hobby of relaxing through cooking helped her incorporate recipes and menu ideas into her New York Times bestseller: "Eating is a pleasure that can improve your health! It just depends upon what you consume."

Salad suggestions include "Caprese" made with fresh BASIL, TOMATOES, RED ONION, mozzarella and Balsamic vinegar, a TOMATO EDAMAME Salad, and a crunchy LENTIL Salad with WALNUT and ORANGE Balsamic Dressing.

For the main course, Broiled Salmon seasoned with LIME juice; Pan-grilled Halibut topped with chopped MANGO, CILANTRO, RED ONION, LIME and JALAPENO PEPPER; SPAGHETTI SQUASH served Parmesan style with VEGETABLES; and a VEGETARIAN CILANTRO Chili all get the thumbs-up from Klauer.

"How the Rich Get Thin" even includes a few sinful-tasting desserts that won’t prove fatal to your fitness efforts. PUMPKIN GINGER Souffle, Baked Hot APPLE with Cinnamon; Baked PEARS with WALNUTS and FIGS; Roman Poached PEARS with Peppercorns; and Candied PUMPKIN seeds are just a few of Klauer’s recipes that will help in your quest to drop a size or two in your wardrobe without feeling deprived.

BANANAS are among this week’s most economical FRUIT value and a good daily source of potassium. Cut into gelatin salads or use slices to top morning oatmeal.

HAWAIIAN PINEAPPLE continues to be plentiful at moderate prices. This FRUIT grills up beautifully as a side dish for ham, chicken or pork.

Best CITRUS FRUIT value this week is RUBY RED GRAPEFRUIT, delicious enjoyed as a breakfast appetizer or squeezed into juice. MINNEOLA TANGELOS, NAVEL ORANGES and LIMES are also in plentiful supply at reasonable prices.

Good volume and moderate prices continue on STRAWBERRIES, RASPBERRIES and BLUEBERRIES. Enjoy a medley atop a waffle hot from the griddle.

GREEN and RED SEEDLESS GRAPES continue in plentiful supply at very reasonable prices. Toss into chicken or shrimp salads.

New crop DELICIOUS APPLES make great after-school snacks. GRANNY SMITH and GALA varieties are other APPLE varieties also in plentiful supply.

Both BARTLETT and BOSC PEARS are increasing in volume as prices decrease. Enjoy them sliced with a selection of soft cheeses and shelled NUTS as a dessert offering.

Fresh COCONUT milk is among the most healthful beverages available, and young white COCONUTS are in plentiful supply at moderate prices.

Both red and black PLUMS continue to be abundant, along with PEACHES, NECTARINES and PLUOTS. Try a combination in cobblers or warm compotes.

Bite-sized COCKTAIL TOMATOES are in plentiful supply and perfect for using on the appetizer tray for party menus.

PAPAYA is in steady supply at moderate prices. Serve pieces with grilled shrimp on a skewer over saffron rice.

HASS AVOCADOS continue in plentiful supply at moderate prices. Puree with mayonnaise and fresh HERBS to create your own salad dressing.

NUTS such as PISTACHIOS, WALNUTS and MACADEMIAS are great to keep on hand for healthy snacking as well as tossing into salads.

Excellent values continue on SEEDLESS WATERMELON, HONEYDEW MELON and CANTALOUPE.

ICEBERG LETTUCE is among the most economical VEGETABLE offerings this week and an easy favorite for salads and plate garnish.

ROMAINE LETTUCE, SPINACH and GREEN CABBAGE are also economical salad choices.

Salad toppings in plentiful supply include CUCUMBERS, RADISHES, GREEN ONIONS, SPROUTS, MUSHROOMS, CELERY, JICAMA and CARROTS.

RUSSET POTATOES are in plentiful supply at economical prices. Baked POTATOES topped with AVOCADO slices or chili con carne make quick and nutritious one-dish meals.

EGGPLANT is in plentiful supply, with prices decreasing. Slice, dip in egg wash and cornmeal and fry as a side dish for dipping into salsa or TOMATO sauce.

SWEET RED ITALIAN ONIONS are an excellent value this week. Chop into salads or peel apart into rings that are battered with tempura and fried.

Both GREEN and RED BELL PEPPERS are in plentiful supply to enjoy raw with dip, chopped into salads, or sautéed in fajita mix with lean beef or chicken.

BROCCOLI, SUGAR SNAP PEAS and DAIKON RADISH are among the many stir-fry VEGETABLES in good supply.

HARD SHELL SQUASH season is right around the corner, but ZUCCHINI, YELLOW CROOKNECK and CHAYOTE are three soft-shell varieties still in plentiful supply for baking, frying or cooking.

GARLIC is plentiful at economical prices. Mince and blend with chopped PARSLEY and extra virgin olive oil for a delicious veggie or bread stick dip.

CHILI PEPPERS are in steady supply. Use gloves when slicing to avoid burning your hands. Remove the seeds which are the hottest part of the PEPPER prior to using in recipes.

ROSES lead the list of best values in cut FLORAL offerings this week, with spicy-scented CARNATIONS and colorful DAISIES and MUMS also in plentiful supply. In potted blooming plants, MUMS in a variety of fall colors are excellent values.

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