Jerry the Blogger

Ever feel a little uninspired in the kitchen? I think everybody does sometimes.

Fortunately, there are so many places to go for healthy inspiration. I often turn to certain blogs, websites and magazines when I get in a nutrition slump.

If you need a nutritional pick-me-up to make things more interesting when you make dinner or pack lunch, check out these resources:

Hungry Girl
The Hungry Girl is a self-proclaimed "foodologist" who tries healthy foods and recipes, and shares her discoveries with anyone who wants healthy food that still tastes great. I like her daily email, which always delivers delicious advice and news. She also has several cookbooks with some great recipes.

Real Simple
The magazine that delivers simple solutions to everyday challenges has some absolutely awesome recipes and nutrition advice. On the Real Simple website, I go straight to the Nutrition and Diet section for my inspiration.

Food Network
No need to sit like a couch potato and wait for the Food Network's health cooking shows to come on. You can just visit the Healthy Eating section of the cable network's website and get what you want on demand. There are videos, articles, recipes and more from your favorite Food Network chefs.

Cooking Light
Cooking Light is the nation¿s largest food and fitness magazine. I like all the innovative recipes, nutrition advice, and food and fitness tips -- in the magazine and on the website. You'll find thousands of recipes to videos, virtual tours, and other interactive content on CookingLight.com.

We all have those favorite recipes that we know are "bad" for us.

I happen to love a chili cheese dip that contains more fat in one serving than I "should" have in a whole day. And then there's my mom's famous pumpkin bars. Oh, and my wife's grandma's goetta, which is a regional German breakfast food that you have to taste to appreciate.

So if you're making an effort to eat more nutritiously, do you give up these beloved recipes? Start Making Choices says you don't have to sacrifice love for health. You can have both!

One of the coolest parts of the program is the monthly Recipe Makeover. More than once, I've checked out the latest madeover recipe and discovered a new tasty, better-for-you way to enjoy "bad-for-you" foods. Take for example this Baked Doughnuts recipe, which trims out 75% of the original doughnut's fat. By using a few substitute ingredients and different way of cooking (baking instead of frying), you can enjoy a doughnut that's actually somewhat good for you. How's that for a makeover?

Other recipes they've transformed include trail mix, potato salad and the all-American burger. It's amazing what a little healthy ingenuity can do in the kitchen! If you have a favorite recipe that could use a little work, submit it for an upcoming Recipe Makeover. Then check your monthly newsletter to see if you got your nutritious wish.

Humans thrive on routine, but when it comes to our diets, routines can easily become ruts. At least, that's been the case for me.

I truly enjoy digging into a healthy, nutritious dish if it tastes good. I'm not one of those people who complain "If it tastes good, it must be bad for you." Fresh selections, interesting spice combinations, flavors from different parts of the world -- any of these can make a typical weekday meal something to look forward to. However, if I start eating the same four or five dishes over and over again (no matter how much I like them), I get bored and start craving less healthy options.

To help get myself out of a food rut, I turn to the web to find new ideas and recipes that sound like something I'd enjoy and don't seem to difficult or expensive to make. In some cases, I might just look for a twist to my favorite chicken dish or a different way to prepare the frozen fish I already have in my freezer. No need to go to chef school or spend hours experimenting in the kitchen -- I can simply make a few tweaks to the weekly menu and instantly get more interested in upcoming meals.

Discovering new recipes is easy. I often begin with Start Making Choices because the recipe database is huge and I've liked a lot of the recipes I found on there. But there are millions of other places to look, from your local TV news website to cooking show websites. Or simply search for the type of recipe you want, such as "chicken and rice recipes," and check out the top results.

Once you shake up your dining routine a bit, I think you'll find it's much easier to stick with a more nutritious lifestyle. And you'll have a lot more fun doing it!