Tuesday, June 17, 2008 9:45 AM

Summer reading used to mean steamy, page-turners. But increasingly, summer best-sellers include books that can make you steamy with workouts at the gym and skinnier in the kitchen. In today's Lean Plate Club column, discover some of the latest best-selling weight loss books including Hungry Girl by blogger Lisa Lillien, Skinny Bitch by Rory Freedman and Kim Barnouin and the South Beach Diet's latest incarnation: South Beach Super Charged.

What do you think about these books? Do you have another favorite either on or off the best seller list that's helped you reach a healthier weight? Tell us more now. Or join today's Lean Plate Club Web chat, live from 1 to 2 p.m. ET today. E-mail me anytime at leanplateclub@washpost.com.

The high cost of fuel for both you and your car is taking a bite out of many budgets. I've been walking more to errands--admittedly a lot easier for city dwellers than suburbanites. (And I love the steps that it puts on my pedometer.)

Car-Free Diet is a Web site and interactive tool based in Arlington, Va., that lets you see how much you could save by going car-free (at least in the Washington Metro area. If there are others out there, please tell us about them now. Or join us live from 1 to 2 p.m. today. You can also e-mail me anytime at leanplateclub@washpost.com.)

Divide the Ride is a service that has sprung up in Connecticut. It's aimed at busy parents who frequently spend a lot of seat-of-the-pants time in the car shuttling kids to activities. How are you coping? Are you growing some of your own food? (I'm thinking of starting a few container gardens in my backyard to keep plants well above our canine companion.) Are you biking to work? Walking part way? Joining a carpool? Switching to a car with better gas mileage? Telecommuting?

Tell us your tips now--and I've got five cloth grocery bags to give out to those who have clever ways to burn calories while commuting or delivering the kids or senior parents. You can also join us live from 1 to 2 p.m. today. E-mail me anytime at leanplateclub@washpost.com.

Test your nutrition knowledge with this quiz that was part of our recent childhood obesity epidemic series. Or check out this calorie count quiz from Good Housekeeping magazine. How well do you score? What would you like to learn more about in nutrition? Send your questions to me now or e-mail me at leanplateclub@washpost.com and I'll try to incorporate them into upcoming columns, newsletters and the Lean Plate Club Discussion Group --a social network online. Have you joined yet? Learn more here.

Chilled Chilled Watermelon Soup could be a great first course. Or add a salad and make it a meal.

Tilapia Vera Cruz is on the menu at Woman's Day magazine. It's ready in just 15 minutes and is one of a handful of recipes that will keep you eating well this summer without spending a long time in the kitchen. Mussels Fra Diavolo take just 5 minutes of active time to prepare--15 minutes total. (And mussels are generally an inexpensive and often overlooked seafood.) One note: This recipe is high in salt, so if that's a concern, adjust other foods accordingly.

Bean and Vegetable Burritos pack 11 grams of fiber that can really help you feel full. They have 364 calories per serving and will go a long way in helping you to meet the two and a half cups of vegetables recommended daily for most adults.

Caesar Salad from Vegetarian Times has just 110 calories per serving. And with all the fresh greens now at produce sections and farmer's markets, this is a great time to dig in. I made a hearty salad for dinner last night with black beans, goat cheese, oil-cured black olives, arugula, fresh local lettuce and a little roasted chicken. It was delicious.

What are you cooking with all the flavorful foods now coming into season? Tell us now. Or join us live from 1 to 2 p.m. today.