Dana:  You know how I feel about healthy eating.  Yes, I enjoy my chocolate cake, but I also long for recipes for wholesome foods that taste great.  With that being said, it is my joy and privilege to have Stan Starsky here with us today to talk about his new book, Peace, Love and Snacks.  Stan, what compelled you to write a healthy snack cookbook?

Stan:  I felt itwas time to take revenge against junk food...And as much as I like toeat healthy I find that eating snacks like apples and bananas can getpretty boring.  However, most of the recipes that I found on theInternet for so called healthy snacks contained large amounts ofprocessed sugar...So in a quest to eat healthier snacks, I began makingmy own granola bars.  Soon I was making healthy dips and I eventuallycame up with a wide range of original snack ideas.  I also came up witha lot of ways to eat apples and bananas that are interesting and tastegreat. 

Dana:  That's fantastic, and you're right, there are a lot of recipes out there with loads of sugar and processed sweeteners.  Now, do you have a background in nutrition, or is healthy eating more of a self-taught process for you?

Stan:   Actually I have an economicsbackground but to prepare for the book I conducted interviews withregistered dietitians and I learned a lot from these conversations.  Ialso continue to conduct these interviews. 

Dana:  I've looked at your book, Stan, and I can tell you've certainly done your homework.  For our readers who haven't had the chance to purchase your book, could you tell us what kind of recipes your cookbook contains?

Stan:   Greatquestion...Well it has granola recipes, dip recipes, nut recipesand some snack combinations that I don't think that anyone has everheard of before.  I tried to come up with some truly original recipeslike a dairy free rice pudding recipe, an unusual broccoli salad andmouth watering fruit and nut combinations. In addition, all of the recipes contain no processed sugar, noartificial flavors and no gluten.

Dana:  That certainly sounds like a winner to me.  Your snacks sound like they would appeal to adults and children alike, and as you mentioned earlier, even so-called "health food" is often packed full of artificial and potentially harmful ingredients.  I feel much better eating something when I know exactly what's in it, but I can't help but wonder how time-consuming and difficult it is to make your own snacks.  What kind of equipment and/or appliances do these recipes require?

Stan: You really need to have a food processor or you could justuse a hammer and simply smash some of the ingredients against thefloor.  If you have shag carpeting you may find this method to be a bitmore challenging.  Other than a food processor, you really just need thebasic stuff like a bowl, a pot, a spoon and a knife.

Dana:  Well, that doesn't sound too bad, but I know many people have other justifications for not eating healthy.  How would you respond to people who argue that healthy eating isjust too expensive?  

Stan:  First of all, I don't believe inarguing and I won't tolerate it. . .This may come as no surprise considering I wrote a bookcalled "Peace Love and Snacks". It does seem like healthy food is more expensive.  However, it isusually the prepared healthy food that is more costly.  For example, anapple or banana compared to the cost of a candy bar is actually lessexpensive.  In reference to organic food, there is no denying thateating organic is more expensive.  For me, I just feel so much betterwhen eating a healthy diet that paying a little more is well worth the investment in my health...This was not much of an argument, but like Isaid earlier I am not into arguing.

Dana:  I agree with you, Stan.  When you eat healthy, you just feel better all day long.  When I eat the things I know I should eat, I feel more energized, focused and motivated, while eating processed or junk foods leaves me feeling sluggish and moody.  If you could give people one word of advice about living ahealthy lifestyle, what would it be?

Stan:  Actually, I am by no means an expert but what I have learned from theregistered dietitians that I have interviewed is that the really basicadvice might be the most important. such as eating a variety of fruitsand vegetables, exercising on a regular basis and sleep.  I know thisis not very exciting or new.  However, to help you with variety when itcomes to healthy snacks, I think I can help and you can pick up a copyfor half price here:  http://peaceloveandsnacks.com/click/

Dana:  Thanks, Stan.  It's good to know there are some new and exciting ways to eat healthy.

If you're tired of feeling down and out, maybe it's time to change your diet.  It doesn't have to be time-consuming or costly.  Pick up Stan's book today for half-price and begin your journey to a new, healthier you! If you'd like to hear more about Peace, Love and Snacks, follow Stan's tour using the schedule below: