Indulge your temptations this Valentine's Day

Want to set the mood this Valentine's Day without over indulging? Try these great recipes from the L A Lite Cookbook for you and your Valentine to enjoy.

Chocolate Truffles

3 Tbsp fat-free cream cheese
2 packets sugar substitute
1 tsp rum extract
2 Tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder, divided

Combine cream cheese, sugar substitute, rum extract, and 1 Tbsp cocoa powder.

Mix well until all ingredients are blended.

Refrigerate 15 minutes.

Roll mixture into small balls (approximately 6).

Roll balls in remaining 1 Tbsp of cocoa powder.

This tasty treat will count as one diary on the L A Weight Loss plan.

Indulge: pair truffles with a glass of Cabernet (129 calories/5 fl. oz)

Chocolate Covered Cherries

1 packet L A Lite Chocolate Shake Mix
1/2 cup water
9 medium cherries, pitted

Mix L A Lite Chocolate Shake Mix with 1/2 cup water.

Dip cherries into chocolate mixture and place on waxed paper.

Chill for one hour before serving.

This will count as one fruit and one L A Lite on the L A Weight Loss plan.

Indulge: pair this dessert with a glass of Chablis (120 calories/ 5 fl. oz)

If chocolate doesn't satisfy your sweet tooth, try this:

Baked Custard

1 egg
1 cup skim milk
1 Tbsp sugar substitute
1 tsp vanilla
1/4 tsp low-sodium salt
1-2 Tbsp orange or lemon zest
nutmeg for garnish, optional.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Break egg into small mixing bowl and beat slightly.

Add milk, sugar substitute, vanilla, zest, and salt; beat well.

Pour into damp custard cups and sprinkle with nutmeg.

Place cups in a shallow pan of water and bake for 40-50 minutes, or until a knife inserted in the center comes out clean.

A serving size of 1/2 cup will count as 1/2 dairy and one fat.

Indulge: pair this with a glass of Medium/Rose style wine (82 calories/4.1 fl. oz)

Sweet Valentine's Day recipes for your sweetie

Looking for something sweet to make for your sweetie this Valentine's Day, but want to avoid the heavy cheesecakes, chocolate mousse, and crème bruele? We've got just the ticket!

Below are two delicious desserts from the L A Lite cookbook that you can serve to make this Valentine's Day a memorable one, without packing on the pounds.

Chocolate Covered Strawberries

1 packet LA Lite Chocolate Shake mix
1/2 cup water
9 medium strawberries

Mix L A Lite Chocolate Shake Mix with 1/2 cup water. Dip strawberries into chocolate mixture and place on waxed paper. Chill for one hour before serving.



Sugarless Heart Cookies

3/4 cup margarine, softened
1 package mixed fruit sugar-free gelatin
1/4 cup egg substitute
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1 3/4 cups all purpose flour
1/2 tsp. baking powder

In a mixing bowl, cream together the margarine and gelatin. Beat in the egg substitute and vanilla. Mix together the flour and baking powder and add to the egg mixture, mixing well. Chill for one hour.

Preheat oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Roll the dough mixture out on a lightly floured surface to 1/4-inch thickness.

Cut out cookies with heart-shaped cookie cutter (or any shape you desire). Place the cookies on an ungreased baking sheet and bake for 6-7 minutes or until the bottoms are lightly browned and the cookies are set. Cool on wire racks.

For some more low-fat, low-calorie desserts, be sure to check out our sweets section of the L A Lite cookbook, available at your local center.

Valentine's Day story: Rediscovering love after loss

In honor of Valentine's Day, here's the story of Steve and Lori Conger, who've been married for 25 years, and are raising seven children.

The Congers planned and saved for a once-in-a-lifetime Hawaiian vacation to mark their silver anniversary. But they spent most of the time crying in their hotel room, because their weight got in the way of their fun.

Steve, at 285 pounds, was mortified when he was charged for two seats on a helicopter ride. Lori, at 178 pounds, was depressed after struggling to fit into a sundress she wanted to buy.

Things got worse back home when they started flipping through their vacation photos. As Lori puts it in a letter she sent me, when she saw how heavy they were, she decided it was time for a change.

Lori heard about L A Weight Loss through a friend. Determined to get their bodies and their lives back, Lori and Steve went to the Nampa L A Weight Loss Center in Homedale, Idaho, last January.

There they found what Lori calls their "support team" of L A Weight Loss employees: Diane Maggard, Terry Harvey, and Irene Bassler. And with their help, the Congers saw immediate results.

In the first two days, Steve lost 7 pounds, and Lori lost close to 4! Over time, the Congers recouped the energy and fun they had as thinner newlyweds. On weekends, they now jet-ski, sail, and take their kids to water parks -- without running out of breath.

Today the happy couple are more in love than ever with each other, and their new bodies. Together they've lost 130 pounds: Steve 92, and Lori 38!!

Here's Lori at 178 pounds, and Steve at 285 pounds:



And here they are one year later, Lori at 140 pounds, Steve at 193 pounds:



FAST FACTS

Name: Lori Conger
Hometown: Homedale, Idaho
Age: 42
Height: 5’7"

Starting weight: 178 pounds
Goal weight: 140 pounds
Current weight: 140 pounds

Program start date: Jan. 16, 2006

Biggest motivator: Losing weight for her daughter’s wedding on Oct. 16, 2006.

Biggest obstacle: Watching her diet while vacationing.

Old eating philosophy: Super-sized sandwiches, hot cakes, brownies, and Coke.

New eating philosophy: A healthier combination of fish, grilled chicken, veggies, and fruits.

Best thing about losing weight: All of the compliments she received at her daughter’s wedding.

Best weight loss secret learned: It is possible to incorporate your favorite foods into your diet and still lose weight.

Name: Steve Conger
Hometown: Homedale, Idaho
Age: 44
Height: 6’0"

Starting weight: 285 pounds
Goal weight: 190 pounds
Current weight: 193 pounds

Program start date: Jan. 16, 2006

Biggest motivator: Getting back the self-esteem and self-confidence he had before he gained weight.

Biggest obstacle: Regaining his zeal for life.

Old eating philosophy: Chocolate milk, burgers, tacos, and mashed potatoes.

New eating philosophy: A balanced diet of proteins, carbs, and vitamin-rich foods (although he does treat himself to a burger every now and then).

Best thing about losing weight: His energy level is through the roof.

Best weight loss secret learned: You don't have to sacrifice office lunches during the week. Just make smarter choices.

A Valentine's Day menu your waistline will love

This Valentine's Day, skip the expensive restaurants with extra-large, extra-rich portions. Opt instead for this guilt-free, yet delicious, meal with your true love that satisfies the heart and soul.

The best part: The entire menu clocks in at under 600 calories per person. What's not to love about that?!?!



Course 1: Raspberry Mixed Green Salad

Ingredients

2 tbsp. raspberry vinegar
2 tbsp. light, sugar-free raspberry jam
4 tsp. olive oil
8 cups mixed greens
½ cup slivered almonds
1 cup fresh raspberries
3 kiwis, peeled and sliced

To make the dressing, combine vinegar and jam in a small bowl. Add oil slowly, blend well. Set aside.

In a large bowl, combine greens with half the almonds, raspberries, and kiwis. Pour dressing over the mixture and toss. Top with remaining almonds.

Servings: 4
Serving size: 2 cups
Calories: 190
Total fat: 12 grams
Protein: 6 grams
Fiber: 8 grams



Course 2: London Broil

Ingredients

1 (1 lb.) London broil, select cut
12 oz. can stewed tomatoes
1 garlic clove, pressed

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

Place the London broil in a roasting pan. Pour the stewed tomatoes over meat, and season with garlic.

Roast for 2½ to 3 hours, until fork-tender. Let stand for about 10 minutes at room temperature before carving and serving.

Serve London broil with ½ cup steamed cauliflower on each plate for an additional 25 calories.

Servings: 4
Serving size: 4 oz.
Calories: 230
Protein: 32 grams
Total fat: 8 grams



Course 3: Chocolate Covered Strawberries

Ingredients

6 oz. dark chocolate, chopped
20 large strawberries

Line a sheet pan with parchment or wax paper. Set aside.

Place chocolate into a heat proof medium bowl. To make a double boiler, fill one medium saucepan with a few inches of water and bring to a simmer over medium heat. Turn off heat and place bowl of chocolate on top of saucepan to melt. Stir chocolate until smooth and remove from heat.

Holding the strawberry by the stem, dip each strawberry into the chocolate, allowing any excess to drip back into the bowl. Set the coated strawberry on the parchment paper. Repeat process with rest of strawberries.

Chill strawberries until chocolate is set, about 20 minutes.

Servings: 10
Serving size: 2 strawberries
Calories: 130
Total fat: 8 grams