Health in a pill. It's the old miracle cure that so many people wish for. The newest cure-in-a-pill is the tomato pill, which is said to help beat heart disease. More testing and trials are needed to determine the efficacy of this pill, but the main ingredient -- lycopene -- is a naturally-occurring antioxidant with many health benefits.

Lycopene is thought to help reduce LDL cholesterol (the bad kind), and it might also be beneficial for diabetes, osteoporosis, eye health and even male infertility. In addition, lycopene may help reduce the risk of certain cancers.

Rather than popping a pill, why not include plenty of lycopene-rich foods in your diet? When looking for lycopene, just see red; lycopene is the natural pigment that gives many red fruits and vegetables their color. Tomatoes are a great source of lycopene, but guava, red bell peppers, watermelon and pink grapefruit are too.

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Tomatoes lower harmful cholesterol, says one study of folks who ate tomato products for three weeks and saw a 13 percent drop in total and LDL cholesterol. Just two tablespoons of ketchup and one and two-thirds cups of tomato juice per day did the trick.

How do you infuse tomatoes into your daily diet? And how are you doing at coloring your diet with these gallery fruits and veggies?

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My niece is an Environmental Science major in college right now. With all the new information she's learning, she recently decided to become a vegetarian because of the negative impact meat production has on the environment. Unfortunately, her new diet has consisted of pretty much nothing but pasta. She's subsequently feeling quite run down.

She recently came home for a weekend, and her mother and I put our heads together to come up with easy, healthful recipes that will better meet my niece's nutritional needs. My niece and sister spent most of the weekend in the kitchen, and my niece went back to school with freezer containers filled with healthful, balanced meals.

Several of the recipes they prepared contain edamame. Just a half cup of edamame has 10 grams of protein. Shape magazine has a recipe for Italian Edamame that sounds absolutely delicious. The edamame is paired with brown rice, herbs, and other veggies such as zucchini, red bell pepper, tomatoes, and onion. You've got to try it. And then check out Martha's post about other vegetarian sources of protein.

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Are you all getting that I love quinoa yet? Well, why wouldn't I, when it is such a healthy source of protein, is versatile and very easy to prepare.

My latest quinoa recipe find is Black Bean and Tomato Quinoa, touted as a side dish on Epicurious, but to me, a perfect vegetarian entree when served with a green salad and some whole grain bread.

This flavorful dish sports quinoa and black beans as hearty and nutritious sources of protein, zesty lime, the powerhouse tomato and scallions and fresh cilantro.

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Tomatoes are abundant right now -- trust me. I have three large bags full of them from our CSA Farm, and some fresh tomato sauce simmering on the stove as I type.

Needless to say, I've been scouring the internet looking for some new tomato recipes to try that take advantage of the healthy tomato, bursting with vitamin C and lycopene. So I checked out the top 25 tomato recipes on Cooking Light, and what do you suppose I found?

Well, good and bag things, really. Here's a breakdown of the recipes that ... caught my eye, let's say, and what you might decide to substitute for a healthier choice.

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Fried green tomatoes, step aside: there's a healthier dish in town. Full of flavor and nutritious goodies, green tomato rice may become the new "in" side dish using the popular unripe fruit.

We don't want the trans fats that frying gives us, and bread crumbs have almost no nutritional value. And we certainly don't want the calories in fried green tomatoes -- 312 calories in just one tomato! Brown rice, on the other hand, supplies B vitamins and fiber, and garlic, thyme and jalepeno all have their heart-smart health benefits.

To get the most from green tomato rice, be sure to use brown rice (and increase the broth slightly) and nitrite-free turkey bacon; then enjoy your new green tomato staple side dish!

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Our CSA Farm has begun to produce an abundance of tomatoes these past few weeks. Aside from eating them like apples, as my three-year-old often chooses to do, you can make fresh tomato salad, salsa, or fresh tomato sauce.

Our very informal uncooked recipe goes something like this:

• Chop a bunch of tomatoes and put them in a bowl.
• Add enough balsamic vinegar and olive oil to cover them.
• Stir fresh minced garlic and chopped fresh basil into the tomato mixture.
• Season with seas salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
• Let marinate at room temperature at least 30 minutes before serving.
  
  

This is such a refreshing summer meal when served on pasta with a green salad, or a tasty snack as a bruschetta topping.

Have you jumped on board the "eat local" bandwagon yet? We sure have, and we are loving our CSA Farm for the second season this summer.

One thing I look forward to is getting a variety of salad greens throughout the season: Bibb, Boston, Romaine, and Red Leaf lettuces, and my bitter favorite: arugula.

This easy recipe, Garden Greens with Yellow Tomatoes and Peaches -- and I mean easy! -- combines your favorite greens with arugula, tomatoes and peaches, all in a balsamic shallot dressing.

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Substantial enough to substitute for meat in a meal, eggplant is chock-full of phytonutrients as well as being rich in many vitamins and minerals. Other than in pasta dishes, I haven't cooked much with eggplant in the past. I don't know why... I think it's wonderfully tasty. Baby eggplants are in season right now, so it's the perfect time to try out some new recipes.

Shape Magazine shares a few ideas for trying out this tasty and nutritious food. I love their idea for sauteeing diced baby eggplant, zucchini, and tomatoes in olive oil and then baking in the eggplant skin. I think I'll substitute the tomatoes for summer squash. (I'm not a tomato fan... which is too bad because they're so rich in lycopene.) How about you? Do you have any favorite eggplant recipes to share?

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A friend of my mom's has been sick for weeks, with a case of possible salmonella poisoning. The culprit, she thinks, are the peppers she put on her build-your-own salad at a local restaurant. I'm not sure what kinds of peppers are to blame for her illness but I do know this: government inspectors have just issued a strong warning to consumers not to eat jalapenos, or fresh salsa made from them.

The warning comes as a result of one single Mexican-grown jalapeno pepper found in Texas. This discovery, say officials, is the equivalent of a fingerprint. Still, it's cause for worry.

Perhaps the tainted pepper came straight from a farm, a plant, a packing house. It's all pretty unclear. But those involved realize the need to iron out the details of this scare soon, as parts of the country are entering prime hot pepper season.

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After all but taking down the tomato industry with their recent recall, the FDA has yet to find the culprit of the current salmonella outbreak. Now they're turning their attention to foods like hot peppers and cilantro, noting that it might not be tomatoes themselves, but a food that is commonly eaten with tomatoes.

With the number of people who have fallen ill quickly approaching 1,000, it's clear that an answer needs to be found soon. The FDA has been focusing on tomatoes coming from Mexico, but they've yet to pinpoint a source.

For more on this outbreak, and for information on what specific foods to avoid, visit the FDA's website.

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We all know fruits and veggies that are bold and bright in color keep us healthy. But what colors are best? Red, for one. Health.com says we can't go wrong with these three red foods.

Red cabbage
It has has deep-red (almost purple) pigments containing 36 plant chemicals. Researchers say these may be useful for guarding against cancer, boosting brain function, and promoting heart health.

Beet juice
It has a chemical your body may convert into a compound capable of expanding blood vessels and lowering blood pressure, say British scientists. If this doesn't sound appetizing on its own, try mixing it into a smoothie.

Tomatoes
They have lycopene and beta-carotene -- antioxidants that can keep your heart young by lowering your cholesterol.

Of course, red isn't the only color you'll need to eat to stay healthy. It's important to incorporate other colors into your diet too.

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Yesterday, I saw some tomatoes back in circulation. Could it be? Are they back? Some of them are.

According to a June 11 notice issued by the FDA, consumers can now consume raw red plum, raw red Roma, or raw red round tomatoes -- but ONLY if grown and harvested from certain areas that have not been associated with the outbreak. My state -- Florida -- happens to be one of these areas, which is why they are resurfacing here in the Sunshine State. Take a look at this list and see if your state makes the cut. Types of tomatoes not linked to any illnesses are cherry tomatoes, grape tomatoes, and any tomato with the vine still attached.

The FDA also wants you to know this: If you are unsure of where the tomatoes you have in your home are from, contact the store or place of purchase for that information. If you are unable to determine the source of the tomatoes, do not eat them. And don't forget that raw tomatoes are often used in the preparation of fresh salsa, guacamole, and pico de gallo, are part of fillings for tortillas, and are used in other dishes.

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When things get hectic and crazed around my house, my old stand-by dinner is invariably whole-wheat spaghetti and marinara sauce with added veggies. It's quick, easy, always a hit with my son, and passable nutrition-wise. It turns out my "old faithful" dinner also has benefits for the skin.

Researchers have determined that antioxidants in tomatoes help protect the skin against UV rays. Lycopene, one of the antioxidants found in tomatoes, has previously been linked to a reduction in prostate cancer risk. The skin benefits are just the icing on the cake... or the sauce on the spaghetti. Participants in the study ate up to 55 grams of tomato paste daily. In addition to the UV protection, lycopene may also be linked with anti-aging properties.

Lycopene is found in many other red fruits and vegetables including watermelon, guava, and pink grapefruit.

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How does this sound for dinner: 200 calories, 6 g fat, 0 mg cholesterol, 490 mg sodium, 28 g carbohydrates, 7 g fiber, 4 g sugar, and 9 g protein?

Maybe this isn't all you want for dinner but this recipe for Chick Peas and Sun-Dried Tomatoes sure would make a tasty companion for say, a lean chicken breast or an Omega-3 packed piece of salmon. Give it a try if you're tempted. It takes only 15 minutes to prepare and serves four people. It also offers up one cup of fruits and veggies per person, says RemedyLife -- the site that recommends this healthy dish for all who find themselves seeking good-for-you food.

Check it all out, right here.

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