Frosting, of course, will never reach the 'healthy factor' of fresh fruit and vegetables. It can, however, be made more wisely to preserve the sweet flavor and creaminess while excluding all the fat.

My Fat Free Cream Cheese Frosting tastes amazing, spreads on easily and is the perfect substitution for the full-fat stuff. And ... if you're eager to go a bit further with it, substitute the sugar for Splenda and you'll have yourself a sugar-free treat as well.

Find this recipe on page 11 of my online recipe book at Fitzness.com. For more great recipes, pre-order my soon-to-be released book, The Everything Flat Belly Cookbook here.

Today, on the Today Show, they're featuring the Flat Belly Diet, which sounds too good to be true. We know that burning more calories than we consume is the way to lose weight -- however, plenty of people will vouch for this diet and how flat it made their bellies without incorporating any sort of crunches or sit-ups. Don't believe that certain foods can help flatten your belly? Check out AOL Health's slideshow of Flat Belly Diet success stories.

The claims about this diet are pretty major -- it targets unhealthy belly fat first, allowing you to eat foods you love without making you hungry. You can lose up to seven pounds and five inches in 96 hours, and you don't have to exercise. Oh, and there's a 91 percent success rate. Seriously, why am I not doing this?

The Flat Belly Diet is based on a calorie controlled Mediterranean diet, combining monounsaturated (MUFA)-rich foods, veggies, whole grains, lean proteins, and low-fat dairy. That means you get to eat things with olive oil and nuts, and even dark chocolate, but you have to stay away from refined grains, trans fat, and artificial additives.

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Meg Cabot writes books for the teen set -- her one claim to fame is The Princess Diaries series -- and she writes for us grown up people too. The good thing about the message she authors for adults is this: She makes it OK to be big boned.

Size 12 is Not Fat and Size 14 is Not Fat Either are two of Cabot's books. Big Boned is another. All are mysteries, written with easy-to-follow and witty storylines -- size 12 character Heather Wells, an ex-pop star turned assistant dormitory director, finds herself tangled in various student murder mysteries and gives equal time to her detective work and her body image. Wells dwells on her size at times, cracks jokes about her plumpish figure, and shares her struggles with diet and exercise -- she is no stranger to indulgence and finds her commitment to fitness marginal, at best. Wells is real, human. That's what I like about her. She knows she's got room for improvement when it comes to healthy living. She also knows happiness doesn't always come in a size two package.

Looking for a good book, plus some validation for the fact that it's OK to be a size 12, or 14? If so, Cabot may be just the author for you.

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Curious to know how celebrities squeeze fitness into their daily lives? Want to know the secrets of the stars? Bi-weekly our That's Fit fitness expert Fitz sits down with the celebs we want to know more about, and digs out their great and not-so-great methods to staying healthy.

Nutrition expert, Elizabeth Somer, and I recently sat down in New York City at the Prilosec OTC round table event to chat about aging without feeling or looking OLD! She tosses out tons of great advice about living well, living long and looking hot while doing it. The interview was fun and her books are great!

View Elizabeth's books below:

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I'm on the plane flying home from the Prilosec OTC Roundtable Discussion with the gorgeous actress, Cheryl Ladd and nutrition expert, Elizabeth Somer, R.D in New York City. They/we discussed the benefits that both a healthy lifestyle and positive attitude can have on today's Baby Boomers. I was happy to see two bright women, both 57 years old, who were able to close in on 60 without being or looking "old". While preserving their appearances and health, they still embrace and enjoy the gifts that come with aging.

Both Cheryl and Elizabeth personify the woman I hope to be when I am of similar age. Not only because they are gorgeous women who have defied the years physically though. Their healthy eating choices, chronic exercise habits, and joyous perspectives on life offer proof that with decent effort one can earn a long, productive, enjoyable life.

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I'm happy to announce that we have a winner for our Half-Assed giveaway -- congratulations to Heidi Huser, commenter #5. She's about half way to accomplishing what Jennette has accomplished, so she said, "I guess you'd call me 'three-quarters-assed.'"

Thank you to everyone who participated -- it sounds like you're all on the right track, book or no book. But, if you didn't win and still want a copy of your own, click here. You can find out more about how Jennette's blog became a book and find out where to buy Half-Assed: A Weight-Loss Memoir.

Once again, congratulations to Heidi (let us know when you reach your goal!), and thank you to Jennette (aka Pasta Queen) for sharing her story and providing us all with some inspiration!

Trisha Yearwood isn't just a country music star and the wife of country-music performer Garth Brooks. Nope. She's also a cookbook author who shares some of her kitchen secrets with Health.com. Check out what the author of Georgia Cooking in an Oklahoma Kitchen has to say right here. Here's a sneak peek.

• Yearwood calls her kitchen the social center of her home.

• Don't cook a sleepy meal when you're trying to be romantic, says Yearwood. The first meal she cooked for Garth -- fettucine Alfredo -- gave him a glazed appearance -- he looked like he was going to pass out.
  

• Make fruit a priority. About her step-daughters, Yearwood says: "With young girls, it's a challenge (to get them to eat healthy). I keep a stocked fruit bowl on the counter, so they'll choose something from it."

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The body is an amazing piece of equipment. I am in awe every day, really, when I think about how my body -- even after an attack by cancer -- is able to survive, even thrive. Wired for sustaining life, our bodies give and give and give. It's only after a whole bunch of abuse or a whole bunch of disease that it generally gives out. Simply amazing how our bodies last for as long as they do.

Here are some amazing body facts featured in Laura Lewis' book 52 Ways To A Healthy You -- yes, our very own That's Fit blogger, Laura Lewis. She's a wealth of knowledge, a fountain of wisdom, and while I've only just skimmed her book so far, I plan to dive right in very soon. And then I'll be back with more. For now, though, take some time to marvel at these six human body feats.

• The human body has 45 miles of nerves.

• A nerve impulse travels at the speed of light.

• Each square inch of human skin consists of 20 feet of blood vessels.

• Your tongue print is as unique as your fingerprints.

• Twenty-five percent of all the oxygen in your body is constantly being used by your brain.

• The average human heart beats about 100,000 times every 24 hours.

With all of its potential, just think how great our bodies would work if we treated them like they deserve to be treated, if we ate right, exercised right, slept well, minimized stress -- you know the drill. Think about it. And see what you can do to let your amazing machine serve you the best it can.

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We loved Jennette Fulda's book chronicling her incredible weight-loss journey. We found it to be entertaining, inspiring, and real, all at the same time, and now you have a chance to find out why -- Jennette is giving away a signed copy of her book, Half-Assed: A Weight-loss Memoir to one lucky That's Fit reader!

To enter to win, just leave a comment below before 5 PM Eastern on Friday, July 4 telling us all about your inspiration. Has something or someone inspired you to lose weight? Live healthier? Work harder? Tell us all about it! We'll randomly choose one winner amongst the eligible entries and announce the winner on Monday, July 7. Some other important details:

• To enter, leave a confirmed comment below telling us what inspires you.
  
• The comment must be left and confirmed before 5 PM on Friday, July 4.
• You may only enter once.
• One winner will be selected in a random drawing.
• One winner will receive a signed copy of Jennette Fulda's Half-Assed: A Weight-loss Memoir.
  
• Open to legal residents of the 50 United States, the District of Columbia and Canada (excluding Quebec) who are 18 and older.
  
  

Click here for complete official rules.

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Meet Carla Birnberg, a self-described writer, babymama, and wife. Also known as "MizFit," this self-starter once owned a boutique personal training studio where she worked with clients from all walks of life and learned that the key to lifelong fitness is a healthy helping of education, motivation, and humor.

Educational, motivational, and humorous this woman is. Now a health and fitness columnist -- see her column in Austin's The Good Life (click on "Fitness" under "Gusto Departments" on the right) -- this cool gal authors her own blog where daily posts feature recipes, tips and trends, viewer mail, freebies, and for the purpose of this post: Monday Facetime. Yep, every Monday, you get to see MizFit via video as she teaches something related to fitness.

Wondering about flax seeds? See what MizFit had to say on February 18 about the nutty treat that is oh so good for you in an Omega-3 kind of way. Want to perfect your crunch technique? MizFit got down on the floor on February 25 and to show you how. On March 3, this spunky girl talked about weight training in preparation for some specific instruction that will begin next Monday.

I recommend you pay MizFit a visit when you get a free moment. I think you'll love what she has to offer. You just might learn a thing or two. Click here to meet my friend.

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All you need to remember for this diet plan is the number 5, says Harley Pasternak, trainer to the stars and author of The 5 Factor Diet.

Eat five meals per day, advises the most sought-after trainer among celebrities. Besides three main meals, have two substantial snacks so you never get hungry. Also, try to include these five components in every meal.

• A lean protein, such as chicken, fish, or egg whites.

• Filling carbs, like sweet potatoes, beans, brown rice, or oatmeal.

• Healthy fats. Try olive oil or nuts.

• Five grams of fiber, best obtained through fruit, vegetables, or whole grains.

• A sugar-free beverage. Water, tea, coffee, an unsweetened energy drink, or diet soda all count.
  

And finally, exercise five days per week. Strive for 25 minutes on a treadmill, take a Pilates class, or power walk with a friend.

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Curious to know how celebrities squeeze fitness into their daily lives? Want to know the secrets of the stars? Bi-weekly our That's Fit fitness expert Fitz sits down with the celebs we want to know more about, and digs out their great and not-so-great methods to staying healthy.

I'm thrilled to death about my guest this week, Dr. Mehmet Oz., vice chair of surgery and professor of cardiac surgery at Columbia University. I, along with millions of others met Dr. Oz a couple of years ago when he started appearing on the Oprah Winfrey show as her health expert. Kind of like the way she introduced Dr. Phil; except that Dr. Oz is truly brilliant in a non-subjective kind of way, easy on the eyes, and easy to understand.

I've been teaching fitness for almost two decades and have earned a Master's Degree in Exercise and Sports Sciences. I'm always hungry for new and relevant information. Rarely I find it. But, Dr. Oz always teaches me something new. He breaks highly advanced medical concepts down, so that everyone can understand them and how they affect our lives.

Dr. Oz is a major force in the push for real deal, gimmick-free healthy living. Mehmet is one of Oprah's favorite things, and a host of his own talk show on the Oprah and Friends radio network. He has a series on the Discovery Health Channel called You:Staying Young. He also happens to have best selling books out: You:Staying Young and You:On a Diet. I'd like to shrink down small and run around in his brain for a while to absorb all that he has to offer; either that or be his apprentice for a week. Since I probably can't do that, I invited him for an interview. Enjoy it. I did!

Fitz: How did you make the transition from cardiologist to wellness guru?

Dr. Oz: I spent the first few years of my career doing general medicine; you have to learn all other aspects of being a doctor before becoming a cardiologist. I got a great education on how the entire body works. Medicine is somewhat of a narcissistic profession, and I've spent a lot of my life keeping myself healthy. I saw the lifestyle mistakes others were making which led them to me, and I started to feel kind of guilty for not sharing what I knew about health and fitness. The stuff I've been pursuing my whole life! I lettered in eleven sports; everything from water polo to football. I love how you feel after working out; there's a lot to learn in life from pushing your body.

Fitz: How old are you?

Dr. Oz: I'm 47.

Fitz: Do you have children?

Dr. Oz: I have four kids. Ages twenty-one, seventeen, thirteen, and eight.

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Ever heard of the inspirational author Sark? Take a look at her Planet Sark website and you'll quickly learn that this woman has a true passion for living.

"Leaps of faith can put us in a new spot we couldn't see from where we were before," writes Sark as she spreads her message about living creatively, keeping the soul alive, and waking our spirits. "Amaze yourself," Sark recommends in her book, Inspiration Sandwich: Stories to Inspire Our Creative Freedom.

"We all do things that are amazing," says Sark. "I rode a bicycle 3,000 miles and felt amazed the whole way. My brother Andrew talked me into climbing Half Dome in Yosemite -- the back way, by trail. There is a cable stairway pounded into the rocks and very steep. I froze halfway up in a panic attack and amazed myself by continuing to the top! When it was time to write my first book, I heard so many voices in my head that said, No! I amazed these voices by shouting, Yes! and writing my book. Invite your fears in, then tell them to sit down and shut up!"

How might you amaze yourself? Shed those unwanted pounds you can't seem to whittle away? Tackle that exercise program that always gets away? Climb a mountain? Run a race? It's your choice. And the amazement will be all yours.

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Padma Lakshmi is an Indian-American supermodel, actress, chef, cookbook author, ambassador for the United Nations Development Fund for Women, and host of Bravo TVs Top Chef. She can also add "blogger" to her resume because this accomplished one has been recapping snippets from her reality show via her video blog.

Lakshmi, a culinary goddess who features in her cookbooks recipes for a delicious low fat diet, reveals more than critiques of Top Chef contestants on her blog. She also shares tidbits about her own approach to food and drink. Through my own tour of her blog, I learned that she's a big lover of breakfast -- it is the most important meal of the day, you know -- and while she doesn't consider herself a big drinker, she does enjoy white wine, red wine, and single malt Scotch. She also loves green markets and enjoys cooking with items grown by local farmers. Lakshmi likes to take classic recipes, like macaroni and cheese, and add one or two ingredients to add a twist. And she's all for basic cooking. The better the chef, the more simple the cooking gets, she says.

There's quite a lot to learn Lakshmi, whose cookbook Easy Exotic was awarded Best First Book at the 1999 World Cookbook Awards at Versailles. See for yourself what this top chef has to offer by visiting her blog.

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Hard work got you down? Feeling tired? Stressed out? Hmmm. Lots of us are. In response, most folks take a nap, get a massage, or check out a movie. My good friend Art Adkins took a different route for stress relief though. Instead of just chilling out, he wrote and published a book! Ever think of doing that? I thought it was a pretty cool concept.

Art is a Sergeant with the Gainesville Police Department in Florida and a former LAPD Sergeant as well. He's spent 27 long years in law enforcement and to him, creating a murder mystery involving the criminals and cases he's been involved in for decades became his escape. The Oasis Project is a clever and exciting tale of a family's murder and the secrets surrounding it. Art brings the case to life in the way that only a true law enforcement officer can do.

I'm impressed that in efforts to just relax, Art put his mind to work. Where many people choose TV time as the decompressor of choice, Art kind of took on a part time job. Is there something productive you can do when you're frazzled? Maybe you could quilt, scrapbook, write or woodwork. Maybe you can create some extra income for yourself while you're doing it too! The Oasis Project is not only a fun and exciting read, it's a little bit of motivation for the rest of us to do even better.

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