I recently have been thinking about having a healthy lifestyle and how hard it can be to have one, especially when you have kids. However, with a little will power and determination it is very possible. I am a certified personal trainer but am not currently working so I decided that I can use my knowledge to help myself and those I know. Every Friday I am going to have a "Fitness Tip of the Week". This tip may be an exercise tip or a health tip. I will even throw in some healthy recipes. I hope you all enjoy.

For my very first tip I am sharing a healthy recipe with all of you.

Luscious Noodle-Free Lasagna

This dish has 275 fewer calories than traditional lasagna.

Serves 4

Vegetable oil cooking spray
1/2 lb (7 1/2 cups) fresh spinach
2 lb zucchini, cut lengthwise into 1/8-inch-thick slices
15 oz part-skim ricotta
1 egg white
1/2 cup grated reduced-fat Parmesan
2 tbsp chopped fresh basil
1 tsp salt
1/4 tsp freshly grated nutmeg
1 can (14.5 oz) whole peeled tomatoes
1/2 small yellow or red onion, quartered
1 clove garlic
1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper
1 cup grated part-skim mozzarella

Heat oven to 425°. Coat an 8" x 8" baking pan with cooking spray. Coat a large skillet with cooking spray; heat over high heat. Add spinach; stir until leaves wilt, about 5 minutes. Place in a colander. Coat skillet with cooking spray again; heat over high heat. Cook zucchini in batches, 2 to 3 minutes per side; drain on paper towels. Squeeze excess moisture from spinach. Mix spinach, ricotta, egg white, 1/4 cup of the Parmesan, basil, 1/2 tsp of the salt and nutmeg in a bowl; set aside. Puree tomatoes, onion, garlic, pepper and remaining 1/2 tsp salt in a food processor. Spread half the sauce on bottom of pan. Layer zucchini on top, then half the ricotta mixture. Add a layer of zucchini and remaining half of ricotta and sauce. Sprinkle with mozzarella and remaining 1/4 cup Parmesan. Bake, uncovered, until cheese browns, about 30 minutes. Cool slightly before cutting.

The dish 324 calories per serving, 13.8 g fat (8.6 g saturated), 5.1 g fiber, 27.3 g carbs, 28.5 g protein