Celebrate Spring With Good Food

Fresh, healthy food is the best way to celebrate spring, and the fact that it\'s good for you is just an added perk. Many people find it hard to come up with a good spring menu, but that shouldn\'t be the case-after all, spring is all about simple pleasures that don\'t take much time or money. There are lots of ways to introduce fresh food into your menu without giving up all your favorite flavors.

The easiest and probably most obvious way is to load up on fresh produce: vegetables, fruits, herbs and spices. You don\'t have to go vegetarian altogether, but it won\'t hurt to replace one meat dish or two with a vegetable one. Focus on leafy greens that help bring out the light mood and crisp atmosphere of the season. Salads, fruit cups, and fresh sandwiches are some of the most popular spring foods.

If you\'re not much of a veggie fan, try introducing these flavors into your favorite meat dishes. Like a good roast beef? Rub some herbs on top or serve it with a side of steamed vegetables. Are the kids crazy about meatballs or meatloaf? Sneak some nutrition onto their plate by mixing in some shredded vegetables-it doubles as a binder and adds spice to every bite.

Busy homeowners often have little time to cook a full meal. If that\'s the case, try making your meals in the crock pot. Slow cooking is a great time-saver because you can leave it unattended, so you can do other things while your dish cooks itself. And since it cooks for longer hours, the flavors get naturally stronger and you get a richer dish without having to add all that fat.

Of course, no spring meal is complete without a good dessert. And yes, it\'s possible to serve up a sweet treat and still stay with your spring theme, without piling on the fat and calories. If you have a sweet tooth and can\'t imagine giving up this part of the meal, just finish it off with fruit-topped yogurt or fruit salad, or better yet, just grab one and eat it fresh.

Cooking for spring doesn\'t have to be hard or expensive. Here are some spring cooking ideas to help you out.