A GREAT GADGET

Trying to cut down on your carb intake? Or just looking for a fun new way to eat your vegetables? Try the OXO Hand-Held Spiralizer ($14.99; to order, click here.)

It works on a variety of produce including zucchini (perfect for veggie pasta); sweet potatoes (for making healthier baked curly fries); and yellow squash, carrots and beets for salads. For best results, use it on produce that is straight, at least 1.5 inches in diameter and 6 inches long. If it's longer than 6 inches, cut it in half; if it isn't straight, first cut the vegetables into straight pieces. 

Here are three quick and healthy ideas for putting the spiralizer to good use:

1. For veggie pasta, just substitute the zucchini noodles for your favorite pasta in Italian or Asian dishes. 

2. Add spiralized vegetables to lettuce to create a new look for your salad and dress it with a vinaigrette made of a 1/2 cup of extra virgin olive oil, 3 Tbsp of lemon juice, 1 tsp of Dijon mustard, salt and pepper.

3. To make sweet potato curly fries, toss the spiralized sweet potatoes with olive oil, salt and pepper. Spread in a single layer on a baking sheet and bake at 400 degrees until crispy.