My recipe for Garlic-Enhanced Mashed Potatoes looks as great as it tastes, with speckles of red and yellow sweet bell pepper and watercress—garden grown, no less! Just a little salt brings out all the flavors, as does the small amount of fat in the sour cream, dairy milk and Parmesan cheese.

Berries lend their beautiful pink-to-red color to this Strawberry Soy Milk Shake and their berry-good nutrients as well. Pink is the new hue—who knew? But this yummy “milk shake” could be scrumptious blue, or red, or purple, too!

Highly nutritious mangoes or papayas take on equally nutritious Greek yogurt in my tropical Mango/Papaya Yogurt Smoothie that ticks many healthful choices: antioxidant vitamins A and C, as well as folate, riboflavin, pantothenic acid, and minerals such as calcium, copper, magnesium and potassium. Oh, and did I say 10 grams of protein? Or live cultures with probiotics for digestive health? Besides, it tastes pretty luscious, too!

My Coffee Caribbean provides the flavor you seek, with ease of preparation, and for pennies after initial investments. And a little bit of spice adds just the kickstart. Love these ideas, but can’t stomach caffeine? Decaf works great, too!

Spinach is a green leafy vegetable you love/d to hate. Many people distained the taste and texture of spinach since childhood and might still. In this recipe aptly labeled Green Pick-Me-Up neither the taste nor the texture is reminiscent of childhood aversions

When tahini is blended with garlic, sesame oil, rice wine, soy sauce and lemon juice, it creates a creamy, acidic and salty dressing for steamed sugar snap peas. Add slices of baked and seasoned tofu to boost protein, red bell peppers for color and crunch, and toasted sesame seeds sprinkled on top to enhance the sesame taste in the dressing. I bet that Sugar Snap Peas and Tofu Salad with Tahini Dressing will make a soy lover out of you! So simple, too!