The Skinny Chef
Jennifer IserlohWhen people think of chefs and restaurant food, the work "skinny" usually doesn't pop into their minds. While the food is often delicious and satisfying, it can be high in calories and fat.

I dine out each week, but I know there's a downside to indulging every day. When I worked in New York City restaurant kitchens, I learned something really valuable -- cooking techniques that I could apply to make healthier versions of those meals, so I could enjoy them more often. I also learned how to fit restaurant food into a balanced lifestyle.

My mission as the Skinny Chef is to recreate those flavors and experiences by making food that can be enjoyed guilt free, more often, at home. While I discovered great ways to maintaining a healthy weight, I chose the name Skinny Chef to remind us that food can be fun, flavorful, beautiful, satisfying and healthy at the same time.

Sharing my knowledge and love of food with others has completely changed my life and put me in touch with so many wonderful people I might have never had the chance to meet. I want to hear more about you and your food experiences, so that we can start together our journey to easy, fun ways to cook tasty nourishing meals.

Shan,

First, many congrats on running your first marathon, I'm so excited for you; keep us posted on how it turns out.

I also just LOVE to eat, and always feel the urge to taste things and nibble while I'm recipe testing. Since I'm not blessed with a super-charged metabolism, those extra calories that I don't burn show up -- um -- rather quickly in all the wrong places. Here are tips I use to keep my "inner snacker" under control, especially when I'm not actually hungry:

1. When I was a teen, I was a total soda junkie! I still love the bubbles in carbonated beverages --­ it can really make you feel full, so I opt for sparkling water with a wedge of lemon, lime or fresh orange. I notice that sometimes when I get the urge to snack I'm actually thirsty, and a cool glass of seltzer or non-carbonated water can sometimes do the trick.

2. I have a flavorful selection of teas in my purse and in my pantry to brew myself a comforting zero-calorie beverage. Many times, friends will stop in to have a bite so if I've already eaten I can still feel like I'm joining in the fun without loading up on extra calories that I don't need.

3. This might sound strange, but are you getting enough sleep? Studies show that people who sleep less just have the urge to eat more or even overeat.

Getting enough sleep can also keep your blood sugar levels even, which keeps cravings at bay. If I know that I have a busy schedule and won't get the full eight hours, going to bed early and getting up early -- as the old adage says -- allows me to still feel pretty rested.