Take Off Pounds Sensibly members recently convened in Groves and celebrated 60 years of existence for the nation’s oldest, nonprofit weight-loss education and support group. TOPS has tips to get healthy eaters through the holidays.

 • Instead of using 1 cup of butter when cooking or baking, use 1?2 cup of butter plus 1?2 cup of applesauce, other fruit sauce, or baby food. If cooks replace all butter in a recipe with pureed fruit, they will sacrifice taste, texture, and appearance. Some flavor ideas to consider - prune puree pairs well with chocolate, spice and carrot cakes; mashed bananas work nicely in carrot or banana cake or muffins.

A cup of whipping cream can be replaced in one of three ways:

• 1 cup of very cold skim milk whipped with 1 tablespoon of flour,

• 1 cup of very cold whipped evaporated skim milk, or

• 1?2 cup of low-fat yogurt mixed with 1?2 cup of low-fat, salt-free cottage cheese.

• To replace cream in cream soup, Ruelle suggests thickening with mashed potatoes or cooked rice. First, blend the potatoes or rice with a little soup and then stir the mixture back into the soup pot; it will have a great texture without the guilt.

• To replace 1 cup of sour cream, mix 1 cup of low-fat cottage cheese with 2 tablespoons of skim milk and 1 tablespoon of lemon juice, or simply use fat-free sour cream.

A kosher surprise

I’ve recently shared two rice cracker brands in this column, and now here’s how Susie Fishbein uses them: to toss over Rice Cracker Slaw. Go for the a blend that has kicky wasabi peas. She inspired me to use them as croutons in green salads.

New Years spreads make me think of cabbage Asian style, and she also has a recipe for Bok Choy Slaw with Craisins, almonds and pumpkin seeds. She’s got ideas on a cranberry couscous salad and a sweet potato salad with pancake or maple syrup. All this gourmet fare comes in her book, “Kosher by Design Lightens Up.” If I haven’t made you want to try these things, the photo spreads will. I want to sit at table with this woman and her family.

Make Dry Sack the punch in your punch

Dry Sack medium dry sherry from Spain has been in production since 1906, but it’s all new to me. The best selling aperitif is said to be a stylish alternative to white wine for pairing with hors d’oeuvre, tapas, meats and cheeses. I served it simply, alongside a Christmas tree and company. Palomino and Pedro Ximenez grapes give a toasted nut aroma. Makers offer recipes designed for holiday entertaining. Here’s one: