Are there any health benefits to springing for the more expensive niche varieties sold in grocery stores, restaurants and fast food establishments, such as grass-fed beef or certified organic, free-range, Certified Black Angus or just plain old beef? Discover the answers in today's Lean Plate Club column.

How about you? Do you pay extra to buy organic, grass-fed, Black Angus or other varieties of beef? Tell us why--or why you don't--in today's Lean Plate Club Web chat from 1 to 2 p.m. EDT. Can't join live? No problem. Just leave your comments ahead of time. Or e-mail me anytime at leanplateclub@washpost.com.

If you were wondering about specifics, Woman's Day magazine, has a new guide to help you at the market. Organic Style magazine also has a Safe Beef Guide to help you make smart choices, including ones that will help pinch pennies.

What's for Dinner Tonight?

You might not think of a university as a source of recipes, but California State at Chico has developed some grass-fed beef marinades that could be good with any kind of beef. (Note: the regular recipes on the site are fairly high in calories and fat--another reminder to always read the fine print.) But the pictorial guide can help you tell short ribs from flank steak and more. Check out the ranch beans --a tantalizing, vegetarian side dish of pinto, red beans, Chardonnay and tomatoes that packs a lot of fiber and flavor.

Potlucks are helping a lot of families make time for entertaining, according to a recent report in our Food section. Or use these potluck recipes to make batches of food for your family that can then be refrigerated or frozen and used during the week. They include Roasted Ratatouille Couscous. Antipasto White Bean Salad. Also, Grilled Pineapple drizzled with lime. Yum!

Longer shelf life is important to help keep your produce and other ingredients fresh. Prevention magazine offers The Big Chill, tips on what foods require refrigeration and which ones will do just fine at room temperature.

Patricia Yeo's Wild King Salmon with Green and Red Apple Salad is one of six, anti-aging recipes developed by well-known chefs for More magazine.

Asian Marinated Cucumbers are simple, crisp and refreshing--a winning combo for summer from Organic Gardening magazine.

For dessert, try Claudia Fleming's Almond Meringues With Lemon Ginger Frozen Yogurt and Blueberry Compote.

Discovered a food find this week? Mine include a new line of Kashi frozen dinners with whole grains and also Trader Joe's whole grain flatbread crackers. Tell us your food finds in today's Lean Plate Club Web chat, live from 1 to 2 p.m. EDT. Or leave your comments, tips and questions anytime. We award prizes each week to a handful of winners.

You can also e-mail me anytime at leanplateclub@washpost.com.

Joy of Motion

If you're a desk jockey like me, your posture can often be in need of fine-tuning. IDEA, the world's largest association for health and fitness professionals has offers some posture pointers to keep you straight.

Plus, exercise myths can send you on a physical activity detour if you don't know the facts. To help inform you, IDEA, has developed a list of the top 10 exercise myths.
Water aerobics are one way to stay cool and get toned this summer. Water Workout offers tapes, shoes and more to help you stay fit in the pool. Get more tips on Water aerobics from the Cooper Institute for Aerobics in Dallas and learn ways to make your Underwater workout tips more efficient from More magazine.

Tell us how you're adding physical activity to your life these days in today's Lean Plate Club Web chat, from 1 to 2 p.m. EDT. Can't join live? No problem. Leave your comments ahead of time. Or e-mail me anytime at leanplateclub@washpost.com.