The Power of Produce

When it comes to eating well, fruit and vegetables are hard to beat. They're low in calories, pack a wide variety of vitamins, minerals and phytonutrients and taste great. There's no better season than summer to eat these nutritional wonders. Still not convinced? Then find more motivation to reach for fruit and vegetables more often in today's Lean Plate Club column.

What's your favorite fruit or vegetable? Tell us now, then check the Lean Plate Club Web chat transcript at your leisure. The cherries that are in season right now rank as one of mine, as does a succulent peach or a papaya. On the veggie side, I'd rank arugula and watercress as two favorites along with broccoli and spaghetti squash. What about you? Join us live from 1 to 2 p.m. ET. Or e-mail me anytime at leanplateclub@washpost.com. I love getting your e-mails, read them all and respond to as many personally as time permits.

Tomatoes

The Salmonella outbreak continues in tomatoes, according to the Food and Drug Administration. But the good news is that an increasing number of tomatoes have been declared safe to eat. See the full list and read frequently asked questions about the outbreak, including if cooking can eliminate the bacteria. You can even get an RSS feed for regular recall updates. And if you want to learn more about salmonella symptoms, the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has plenty of information.

How has the outbreak affected you? Tell us now. Or weigh-in during the Lean Plate Club Web chat today from 1 to 2 p.m. ET. By the way, even before this outbreak, a Harvard School of Public Health Survey found that Americans lacked confidence in the safety of imported produce. What do you think? Tell us now.

Lean Plate Club Widgets

Have you got yours yet? They're free and a great way for you to access recent columns. Get yours here. Or you can get an RSS feed. Did you also know that the Web chat transcripts are archived and searchable? Add those tools to the virtual grocery and the consumer friendly, USDA food database. What else would you like to see the Lean Plate Club offer? Weigh in now. Or e-mail me anytime at leanplateclub@washpost.com.

Joy of Motion

Track your workouts. Runner's World gives you the online tools to do it.

Who says that exercise needs to always involve the gym or other traditional workouts? If you grow your own vegetables -- and even city dwellers can have a small herb garden -- you can have better food and maybe even burn extra calories. Organic Gardener offers tips on growing tomatoes,which could come in very handy this summer.

Bird watching may not be an aerobic activity, but it sure is a great way to get out, do some walking and take in some great sites. Birdwatchers Digest has plenty of tips for those who want to try this popular activity.

Gymnastics is on the other end of the activity spectrum. And have you been as mesmerized as I with the amazing Olympic trials for U.S. gymnasts? I can't believe what Shawn Johnson and Nastia Liukin and the other gymnasts are able to do, can you?

What's For Dinner Tonight?

Start with a vegetable appetizer like guacamole. Or perhaps curry is more your style. Here's a cauliflower and chickpea curry that is ready in about 30 minutes and has 130 calories per serving. Yum.

Scallops and bacon kabobs are packed with vegetables and healthy omega-3 fatty acids, good for your brain, your heart, your joints and possibly your mood. They're ready in less than 20 minutes and come from Weight Watchers.

Fresh Spinach with Sesame Seeds is one offering from the Harvard University Dining Services which have been revamped with help from the Harvard School of Public Health.

Natural Health magazine offers Steamed Greens with Lemony Tahini and Cashews. It's a source of vegetables and healthy fat, provided by sesame seeds and cashews, and has about 450 calories per serving.

Real Simple magazine makes it real simple for you by providing five easy summer dinner recipes that take advantage of the fruit and vegetables now in season.

How are you doing in the kitchen these days? Got a healthy, great tasting food find to share? Tell us now. Or join the Lean Plate Club Web chat live from 1 to 2 p.m. today. E-mail me anytime at leanplateclub@washpost.com.