Biggest Loser contestants give tips, recipes on shedding weight

2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro or basil

1/2 cup chopped scallions

Dressing (see recipe below)

Place quinoa, water and salt in a 2-quart pot. Bring to a boil, simmer 15 minutes. Fluff quinoa with a fork and set aside. Saute jalapeno and next four ingredients in oil, until garlic is golden brown and pepper and celery and softened. Add green and red peppers and briefly saute. Add cumin and coriander and remove from heat. Gently combine sauteed veggies, tomato, olives, black beans, quinoa and dressing in a large bowl. Stir in cilantro and scallions. Serve warm or cover and chill.

Dressing:

2 tablespoon freshly squeezed lime juice

1/4 cup olive oil

1 teaspoon salt

Fresh ground pepper

Pinch cayenne or chili powder

Blend ingredients with a whisk. Adjust seasonings to taste. — Deni Hill

THE SARABEAR

"Best ever. While on the ranch, we named it the Sarahbear after me."

3/4 cup Greek yogurt

1 cup frozen strawberries

1 cup almond milk (vanilla sweetened)

Sweeten to taste with Truvia (my favorite sweetener)

Mix in the blender.

— Sarah Nitta

SARAH'S YOGURT

3/4 cup Greek yogurt

1 tablespoon almond butter

1 tablespoon sugar-free maple syrup

Truvia to taste

Mix and enjoy.

— Sarah Nitta

SARAH'S ROASTED ASPARAGUS

Asparagus spears, washed

Cooking spray

Garlic powder, to taste

Dried onion flakes, to taste

Mrs. Dash Onion and Herb Seasoning Blend, to taste

Lemon juice, to taste

Parmesan cheese, to taste

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Spray a cookie sheet with cooking spray and lay asparagus on it. Sprinkle with garlic, chopped dried onion, Mrs. Dash, lemon juice and parmesan cheese. Cook to desired crispiness. I like them crisp!

— Sarah Nitta

DENI'S FLATBREAD WRAP

1 flatbread

1-2 tablespoons Jalapeño Greek Yogurt Dip (available at Costco)

1 tablespoon Wholly Guacamole

3 ounces grilled chicken, 1/2 cup Quinoa Salad or 3 ounces of your favorite low-fat meat

Spring mix lettuce

Veggies of your choice

A drizzle of low-fat salad dressing (Galeos Wasabi Ginger or Newman's Lighten Up Ginger Sesame)

Top the flatbread with ingredients. Roll up and enjoy. Delicious!!

— Deni Hill