Photo: moreno0101, Flickr

What's cheap, easily available and delicious? Melon! It's in season, which makes it affordable and readily available. And, forget about relinquishing it to a bowl of fruit salad -- melon has a lot more to bring to the table!

First, think about pairings, and go beyond the typical fruit salad combos. Think about prosciutto, avocado, honey and syrups, herbs like tarragon or basil, regular salads or whatever else comes to mind. Could some honeydew add a new flavor to your favorite smoothie? Can you see yourself chilling out with a watermelon-flavored popsicle?

As is often the case, Martha Stewart has the answer. Over at wholeliving.com, you'll find recipes for everything from Watermelon Gazpacho (a soup that combines delicious veggies with juicy watermelon) to Easy Melon Sorbet (a delicious frozen dessert that doesn't require any special tools beyond a food processor).

Got a favorite melon recipe? Or are you a melon purist, believing that melon should only be eaten fresh and on its own?

Source

Sometimes, it's not just what you eat, it's how you prepare it. If you want a french fry, a baked version is undeniably healthier than a deep-fried version.

The queen of all things domestic, Martha Stewart, has recipes for every healthy cooking method:

• Baking. When you bake foods rather than fry or other fat-adding cooking methods, you can reduce your overall calorie intake. (Now if only cakes and cookies could be considered healthful just because they're baked.) Some of the healthy baking recipes on Martha Stewart Living include Walnut Crusted Chicken Breasts and Parmesan Coated Sweet Potato Fries.
• Steaming. When vegetables are just lightly steamed, you can retain many of the nutrients. Some recipes to try are Steamed Broccoli With Miso-Sesame Sauce and Green Beans With Golden Raisins.
• Stir-Frying. Stir-fries are such a quick and easy go-to meal. And you have complete control over how much fat you add to the dish. Try out Brown Rice Stir Fry.
• Sauteing. When you use healthy fats like olive oil, sauteing can be a light and healthy way to cook. Give Cinnamon-Spiced Moroccan Chicken and Saute-Steamed Swiss Chard a try.

Source