The saying goes that in spring, a young man's fancy turns to love. For me, being a woman, spring takes my thoughts somewhere slightly less romantic- to bathing suit season! Yes, as the air warms and flowers bud, women everywhere panic as we realize that there are less than three months until we hit the pools and beaches. This means that it's time for us to think a bit more about healthy eating and perhaps to distance ourselves from the overindulgences of Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Valentine's Day.

I am, however, realistic and moderate in reviewing my diet. One of the great things about hitting 40 is that I've actually come to peace with the fact that I will never look like Heather Locklear in a bathing suit-even if I altogether stopped eating for a year. So, no fad or crash diets in my house. Instead, I simply start taking advantage of all the beautiful, tender young vegetables and greens flowing into the markets right about now. Thankfully, when you live in the Sacramento Valley-the world's salad bowl, so to speak-it's amazingly easy to find the makings of a healthy, delicious meal. On the following pages are three recipes that I developed to celebrate some of my favorite local seasonal offerings. Put together, the three dishes make a lovely spring supper. You can try them individually too, paired with your favorite dishes. While not exactly diet food, these recipes are full of good-for-you fruits and veggies and can help you counterbalance any culinary guilt left hanging around from winter. Enjoy-and above all, don't stress about the bathing suit!