The South Beach Diet Parties and Holidays Cookbook: Healthy Recipes for Entertaining Family and Friends

I've tried many diets ~ This is the only one that worked for me ever. I thought I learned my lesson when I lost the weight, but eventually I fell into my old habits ~ eating the wrong foods and not exercising. Two years of bad habits and wrong eating has me back at a weight that I need South Beach again. This time, I bought all the cookbooks so that I wouldn't get bored with my menus.This Cookbook has LOTS of wonderful menu options ~ Now, I didn't list any of the vegetable recipes ~ (but, there are quite a few of them) and I didn't list any Phase 2 or 3 at all ~ Every recipe below is a Phase 1 recipe.Garlicky Eggplant DipTzatziki DipCaprese SkewersCreamy Broccoli SoupHerb & Citrus Cream Cheese w Cucumber WheelsBuffalo Chicken BitesParmesan Zucchini SticksGuacamole SaladFresh Crab SaladGrilled Rosemary ChickenGrilled Shrimp on Rosemary SkewersPork & Poblano ChiliSteamed Mussels w White WineGrilled Ginger SalmonSalmon MousseSmoked Salmon RouladesSpicy Flank SteakBraised Mini MeatballsCioppinoRoast Turkey & Pan Juice GravyBeef Tenderloin w Horseradish SauceCrown Roast of PorkHopping John SaladSpiced Cocoa EggnogHoliday Spiced NutsCocoa Nut Mousse ~ "Kinda" like an almond joy (cocoa,coconut,almonds)Ricotta Cheesecake w Lemon Drizzle & Pine NutsI hope this helps you decide if this cookbook is for you... I do recommend this diet and this cookbook! Good luck! ;D

This is an excellent book not only for the people watching diet, but in general the recipes are fantastic. The timelines, i.e., start preparations of "such and such" that many weeks/days in advance is also very well thought out.The local library had a copy where i learned about this book, and when I found it online I was very happy. It arrived well in advance of the holidays.Thank you, Dr. Agatston for writing such a valuable book and in a very easy to follow manner, for me as a non-native speaker of English it is also very valuable to have conversion tables in the back from fl. oz., to grams and inverted.RL

The South Beach Diet Parties and Holidays Cookbook is an excellent addition to your cookbook collection whether you are following the program or not.The oversized soft cover book features 150 healthy recipes. It begins with a chapter on preparing for your special time. This chapter explains simple techniques to make your occasion go smoothly. The book is divided into 2 sections. The first section covers festive parties. 10 parties ranging from a Super Bowl Bash to a Baby Shower to a Tuscan Feast.The second section includes Holidays throughout the year Mother's Day, Christmas Eve, and Valentine's Day for example. Each occasion includes a complete menu. The Family Buffet party menu includes such fare as dogs n' dips, asparagus and ham spears, baked chicken with artichokes, south beach waldorf salad, penne with homemade sauce and banana orange pops.Each menu includes when to start preparing. For the Family Buffet, it is suggested you make and freeze your pasta sauce up to a month ahead, make and freeze the pops up to 5 days in advance etc.The 242 page book also includes a conversion chart at the back and mouth watering photos of the different recipes. Each recipe gives prep time, ingredients, tips, and nutrition information calories, fat, saturated fat, protein, carbs and fiber. Make ahead info is also given which is a handy feature.The recipes in the book can also be used as regular meal fare and if you are on the program, phase 1, 2 or 3 is listed for each recipe. They are easy to prepare with easy of find ingredients. Lot's of great recipes here! Delicious and nutritious!Lee Mellott

I love this book—got it for a friend this time. Great recipes for Christmas!

I got this right before Thanksgiving, which I would be hosting for the first time, and the few recipes that I've tried turned out great! I served the stuffing, the green beans amadine, and the butternut squash, and they all went over quite well. My mom (who is really hard to please) enjoyed them all and commended me on serving such a healthy Thanksgiving meal. What I also like about this book are the many dessert recipes. I tried the ranger cookies today and MAN, are they good! Can't wait to try the cheesecake, and the pumpkin pie. Highly Recommended.

Includes recipes for larger groups than 4 which is nice. We weren't crazy about the various stickers on the book itself, but the pages are in good shape.

Cooking healthy options for holidays is a challenge and since I've been so successful following the tenets of the South Beach Diet, I wanted to include this volume to my South Beach cookbook collection. It has great ideas and it also helps me tweek recipes from other cookbooks with healthier ingredients.

I went on the South Beach Diet in November 2005. In one year I went from weighing 280 lbs to weighing 215! My cholesterol went from 221 to 141,and my blood pressure went from 150/100 to 117/77 (with NO drugs). Also I lost 6 inches around my waist. It went from 42 inches to 36.As of May 2008, I currently weigh 212 (at 5' 11') and am trying to work my way to 195 now.I own all of the books and am one of the biggest advocates of the diet. I would recommend this book to anyone!

I am so excited to get baking for the holidays! I've lost 50lbs using south beach inspired approaches, and I'd like to keep it off this holiday season. It's got everything for everyday entertaining: all kinds of nibbles, pretty hors d'oeuvres to holiday specific things like Christmas parties, office parties, halloween, hanukkah. It was also in pretty good condition - i like getting second-hand cookbooks because they come with notes!

If you are not a regular cook this book is for you. The recipies are simple and easy to do. But for people wholoves to cook is a little bit basic. Anyways it is really helpfull for keeping on the right track in the south beach diet!!!!

Great cooking