4. Crostini and toppings. Crostini are just little pieces of toast; their original topping is chicken liver pate. However, you can really top them with anything. Use any type of small width bread (like a French baguette), slice, single layer on a cookie sheet, and cook for a few minutes in oven. Watch carefully so they don't burn. You may spread olive oil on these pieces of bread before toasting, but it's not necessary. Give your guests a selection of low fat toppings: - roasted red, yellow or orange peppers - diced tomato with basil - low fat or fat free mozarella sliced thin - roasted eggplant marinated in balsamic vinaigrette dressing - 1 can tuna or 1 package imitation crab mixed with low fat mayo and/or low fat sour cream, capers, salt and pepper to taste - low-fat cream cheese with black and green olives on top

5. Bread with dips. Healthy, hearty breads are pumpernickel and whole wheat rosemary. Buy bread freshly baked in unsliced loaves. Right before serving, rip off chunks of bread for dipping - a great thing to have kids help you do or even let your guests rip off their own pieces. Dips: - Warmed olive oil with fresh ground pepper (especially easy when you don't have a lot of time) - Prepared vinaigrettes made with unsaturated oils make excellent dips for bread, heat in microwave until warm - Hot artichoke dip: 1-14 oz can artichokes diced, 1 cup of low-fat or fat free mayo, 1 cup of low-fat cheese shredded, 2 cloves minced garlic. Mix all ingredients and bake at 350 in oven proof dish for 20 minutes. (I've tried this with low fat mozarella cheese and fat free mayo, it's pretty good if you like artichoke.)

You may also want to read http://www.nutricounter.com/articles/low-fat.htm Five Low-Fat Party Appetizers.

Come and visit NutriCounter web site at http://www.nutricounter.com/news.htm for an extensive selection of articles on health, nutrition and exercise.

6. Fruit dishes for dessert. skip crust! Try fruit cocktail, fresh fruit and chocolate fondue, fruit and sherbet parfait, or fruit and yogurt dip.

Low fat substitutes for cooking and baking:

1. In baking recipes like cake, substitute half of any of oil in a recipe with same amount of pureed fruit. For instance, if recipe calls for 1/2 cup of oil, use 1/4 cup of oil and substitute other 1/4 cup of oil with 1/4 cup of applesauce.

2. For low fat pie crust use 3 Tbsp. of shortening and 3 Tbsp. of water for each cup of flour.

3. When making gravy, before using broth, let it cool down, skim off all fat that forms on top.

4. Tofu has a creamy texture that takes on any flavor. You can puree it to use in dips, soups, and baking to replace sour cream, cream, buttermilk or eggs. To replace liquid ingredients use same amount of pureed tofu as ingredient. To replace eggs, 5 Tbsp. of pureed tofu equals one egg. Use "baking blend" or soft variety of tofu for substitutions in baking.

Need help counting calories? http://www.NutriCounter.com The NutriCounter is right device for helping you monitor your calorie intake. It stores and tracks nine nutrients including calories, total fat, saturated fat, protein, carbohydrates, sodium, cholesterol, sugar, and fiber. It's available in Palm OS and Pocket PC software or as a hand held unit.

Renee Kennedy is the editor of the monthly ezine NutriCounter Update. Come and visit the NutriCounter web site at http://www.nutricounter.com/news.htm for an extensive selection of articles on health, nutrition and exercise.