ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

This book would not have been possible without the help of my wonderful research assistants Traci Beierwaltes, RD; Jessica Colletta, MS, RD; Katherine Finn, MPH, RD; Jill Stiens, MS, RD, and Anne Marie Van Vossen, RD. Thanks to Julie Moreshi and Julie Davis from Benedictine University who helped me find many of these talented professionals. Thanks to Doris Acosta and her amazing public relations team, my fellow spokespersons, and countless others from the American Dietetic Association for their support, encouragement and dedication to the message of positive nutrition.

Immense gratitude to Vicki Dieter, my daughter’s fifth-grade English teacher, who instilled a passion in her—and me along with her—to write! Thanks also to my wonderful literary agent, Rick Broadhead, whose spare-no-prisoners approach fortunately whipped my proposal into shape and guided it into the very talented hands of my editor, Philip Rappaport, who masterfully made 101 Foods come to life! Thank you also to all of the wonderful folks at Bantam Dell who made this book a reality.

Thank you to the many colleagues, friends and family members, especially my father and mother-in-law, who worked behind the scenes and offered me great advice and encouragement during my maiden voyage as an author.

To my incredibly wonderful and loving wife, Sharon, who kindly indulged me in this project, rolled up her own food-splattered sleeves, and became a partner in it, while all along keeping our family happy, healthy and well fed! I am also grateful to my beautiful children, Chloe, Katie and Madison, who were so loving and supportive during the process. I am proud of the great patience and enthusiasm they showed while taste-testing and re–taste-testing an amazing number of recipes and thank them for giving me their most honest opinions!