Food Network fans probably remember Juan-Carlos Cruz from his relatively unpromoted show Calorie Commando, which ran for about three seasons and was unfortunately forced into a TV no-man's land by the fact that the network kept switching around its time slot, making it difficult for viewers to find. The show itself was entertaining, with an underlying philosophy that said healthy foods could still be delicious and comforting. Some of Cruz's recipes could be a bit extreme (I seem to recall a generous use of watercress), but the premise was sound and is something that can translate easily to most home kitchens when cooks are looking to cut back a little bit - especially after the holidays.
The Juan-Carlos Cruz Calorie Countdown Cookbook: A 5-Week Eating Strategy for Sustainable Weight Loss offers a pretty reasonable weight-loss guide that doesn't go over-the-top and end up in the realm of "gimicky" diets. There are 150 sensible recipes, lots of menus that will eliminate guesswork as you get your new routine started, general health tips and even JCC's own personal weight-loss story (he lost 280 pounds!) for a bit of inspiration. The best part is that once the five weeks are over, assuming you stick to the plan, you'll have a nice collection of health-conscious recipes to fall back on. And who wouldn't mind reliable, but lightened, versions of chicken Parmesan, macaroni and cheese, chocolate cake and even cheese fries?
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