No, my memory is not getting worse. As a matter of fact, I think it may be better. Then again, I may think my memory is better only because I can't remember how it used to be. It's January again and that means it's time for another episode of Weight Watchers Garden Vegetable Soup, Adapted. I spent a few months with Weight Watchers at a church in Old Saybrook. Then I spent a month and a half without going to meetings. You would think if Weight Watchers takes place in a church, I might be nervous with The Almighty watching over me at meetings, but perhaps he had better things to do during that period.

It's January again and that means it's time for another episode of Weight Watchers Garden Vegetable Soup, Adapted. I spent a few months with Weight Watchers at a church in Old Saybrook. Then I spent a month and a half without going to meetings. You would think if Weight Watchers takes place in a church, I might be nervous with The Almighty watching over me at meetings, but perhaps he had better things to do during that period. In any case, I am back to my Saturday morning, 9:15 meetings and, in my refrigerator, is an enormous bowl of Weight Watchers Garden Vegetable Soup, Adapted. While Weight Watchers's version has no points (that's how we do it; for me about 24 points per day, total), my soup has a few because I like real flavor. Ergo, a little olive oil, more veggies, a little red curry paste, fat-free, low-sodium broth, and some low-fat coconut milk. This way the soup is delicious and I still feel virtuous. Remember, those vicious bathing suits usually begin arriving in the department stores sometime in February or March!

In any case, I am back to my Saturday morning, 9:15 meetings and, in my refrigerator, is an enormous bowl of Weight Watchers Garden Vegetable Soup, Adapted. While Weight Watchers's version has no points (that's how we do it; for me about 24 points per day, total), my soup has a few because I like real flavor. Ergo, a little olive oil, more veggies, a little red curry paste, fat-free, low-sodium broth, and some low-fat coconut milk. This way the soup is delicious and I still feel virtuous. Remember, those vicious bathing suits usually begin arriving in the department stores sometime in February or March!

Lee White of Old Lyme has been a food editor and restaurant reviewer for more than 25 years. You can email her at leeawhite@aol.com.

Need more Lee? Find other "A la Carte" columns and some delectable recipes online at www.zip06.com.

 Weight Watchers Garden Vegetable Soup

Adapted from Weight Watchers booklet, Week 11 or 2 tablespoons olive oil

1 or 2 tablespoons olive oil2 cups sliced carrots

2 cups sliced carrots1 cup diced onions

1 cup diced onions4 garlic cloves, minced

4 garlic cloves, minced2 or more red and yellow peppers, seeded and thinly sliced

2 or more red and yellow peppers, seeded and thinly slicedRed curry paste (I used about ¼ cup, but that makes it very, very spicy)*

Red curry paste (I used about ¼ cup, but that makes it very, very spicy)*4 cups fat-free broth (beef, chicken, or vegetable; I like chicken)

4 cups fat-free broth (beef, chicken, or vegetable; I like chicken)1½ cups diced green cabbage

1½ cups diced green cabbage1½ cups green beans (frozen is fine)

1½ cups green beans (frozen is fine)1 cup low-fat coconut milk*

1 cup low-fat coconut milk*1, 28-ounce can of good diced tomatoes (I love Muir Glen)

1, 28-ounce can of good diced tomatoes (I love Muir Glen)Salt to taste

Salt to tasteIn a large stock pot, heat olive oil until warm. Add carrots, onions, garlic, and peppers. Sauté over low heat until softened, about 5 to 10 minutes. Add red curry paste and stir until veggies are covered. Add broth until warm. Add cabbage, green beans, coconut milk, and tomatoes. Lower heat and simmer, covered, about 15 to 20 minutes or until beans are tender. Salt to taste.

In a large stock pot, heat olive oil until warm. Add carrots, onions, garlic, and peppers. Sauté over low heat until softened, about 5 to 10 minutes. Add red curry paste and stir until veggies are covered. Add broth until warm. Add cabbage, green beans, coconut milk, and tomatoes. Lower heat and simmer, covered, about 15 to 20 minutes or until beans are tender. Salt to taste.This soup can be kept in the refrigerator for at least a week. It can also be frozen and thawed before heating, but I will finish this soup in a week, easy.

This soup can be kept in the refrigerator for at least a week. It can also be frozen and thawed before heating, but I will finish this soup in a week, easy.The red curry paste is made by Mae Ploy. Once it's open, I refrigerate it. I have had the red curry paste since 2006 and it has been in the refrigerator since then. If you have an Asian market near you (there is more than one in New Haven, an excellent one in West Hartford, and other one in New London), they may also carry these ingredients. As I've mentioned before, most supermarkets carry Asian ingredients these days.

The red curry paste is made by Mae Ploy. Once it's open, I refrigerate it. I have had the red curry paste since 2006 and it has been in the refrigerator since then. If you have an Asian market near you (there is more than one in New Haven, an excellent one in West Hartford, and other one in New London), they may also carry these ingredients. As I've mentioned before, most supermarkets carry Asian ingredients these days.

 Nibbles: A Recommendation from LeeI have known Frank Grace for many, many years. Mostly my husband and I would go to dinner at his restaurant in East Lyme, but more recently I have met friends there for lunch.

I have known Frank Grace for many, many years. Mostly my husband and I would go to dinner at his restaurant in East Lyme, but more recently I have met friends there for lunch. While I love sandwiches so much that I would eat them for lunch and dinner, one of my New Year's resolutions is to eat a dinner-sized salad for at least one meal (and to eat just two meals a day; if it's good enough for all other mammals, it's good enough for me, too). Now, when I go to Frank's, I ask for the spinach salad. Along with lots of those healthy, Popeye's greens, there are mushrooms and hard-boiled eggs and other special treats and the vinaigrette is absolutely delicious. It is also very large, so it takes me at least half an hour to eat it. And all the nutritionists say the longer you spend eating your meal, the less you feel hungry. We'll see.

While I love sandwiches so much that I would eat them for lunch and dinner, one of my New Year's resolutions is to eat a dinner-sized salad for at least one meal (and to eat just two meals a day; if it's good enough for all other mammals, it's good enough for me, too). Now, when I go to Frank's, I ask for the spinach salad. Along with lots of those healthy, Popeye's greens, there are mushrooms and hard-boiled eggs and other special treats and the vinaigrette is absolutely delicious. It is also very large, so it takes me at least half an hour to eat it. And all the nutritionists say the longer you spend eating your meal, the less you feel hungry. We'll see.

Frank's Gourmet Grille135 Boston Post Road

135 Boston Post RoadEast Lyme

East Lyme860-739-0600

860-739-0600