Traveling the road to being and staying healthier, fit and trim continues. There have been curves -- such as holiday celebrations; and roadblocks -- like indulging in things that aren't the best for me; and detours -- including a road trip to Anchorage for the weekend and getting a bad head cold. Thankfully, there also have been plenty of smooth, straight stretches I can skim along in cruise control to follow my healthy routine of proper nutrition, exercise and rest. All through this, my body and mind have not let me down. I have gained a couple pounds, then lost them a few times and am maintaining my 70-pound loss since the end of October. And, yes, I am having plenty of fun, have met some wonderful new people and enjoy lots of different foods and forms of exercise I wasn't acquainted with a year ago. Big smile.

When I mistreat my body by eating rich and fattening food, it lets me know. I can't sleep well and I just don't feel right. If I miss an aerobic exercise session, I am restless and irritable. Not enough sleep makes me want to eat sugar and carbohydrates, zaps my energy, which makes it hard to find the motivation to work out and lessens my resolve and commitment to stick with my healthy daily routine.

The human body is amazingly adaptable and, as soon as I go back to the routine, it smiles at me from the inside out and I feel good. Stay true to course and it's smooth sailing. I crave and eat healthy and get the right nutrients, have plenty of energy to complete my daily exercise session and find it easy to stay on my diet, while retaining a good attitude about it all. I feel great about myself, even though I am far from that idealistic perfect woman with a flat stomach, firm upper arms and slender hips and thighs with no unsightly bulges. The ideal woman is just that, an ideal. If I take a wrong turn, which I have done many times in the last year, I've learned not to be too hard on myself and get the road map out to find my way back to the main highway. That road map is comprised of my family, friends, health and fitness magazines, fresh air, exercise, motivational Web sites, healthy recipes and spending time with my group of fellow betterhealth achievers. It is hard work, but so worth it.

Throughout this winter, I have been steadfast about daily exercise and have come to really enjoy it. It is pleasurable to get my exercise outdoors, but sometimes Mother Nature doesn't offer to be your walking partner, so indoor exercise is my option. If I could pass along only one suggestion you can do to better your health, it would be to get daily exercise, any kind and in any amount. I have found I've succeeded on this journey because of this.

I've eaten more than my share of whole grain tortillas in the last year. When I discovered corn tortillas were just as low in calories and have great flavor, I was thrilled. I found this fast, easy recipe and adapted it to my liking. Even the Other Fisherman enjoyed it.

It is spicy, crunchy, flavorful and low in calories and high in fiber and you don't miss the meat. I love more veggies, so I sauteed sweet onion slices and red pepper in a nonstick pan and added some to my taco.

Crispy Corn Black Bean Tacos

with Spicy Slaw and Feta

Recipe adapted from Bon Appetit

Makes 2 servings

1 15-ounce can black beans, drained and rinsed well

1 small can diced green chilies

1 teaspoon ground cumin

3 teaspoons olive oil, divided

Juice of one or two fresh limes

3 cups coleslaw mix

2 green onions, chopped

1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro

4 white or yellow corn tortillas

1/4 cup crumbled feta cheese

Hot sauce

Optional: additional sauteed onion and pepper

Place beans, half the can of green chilies, cumin, 1 teaspoon olive oil and 1 teaspoon of lime juice in shallow bowl; partially mash with a fork or potato masher.

Divide bean mixture among the tortillas, spreading it evenly on one half of one side of each and set aside.

In a medium size bowl mix 2 teaspoons olive oil and remaining lime juice; add coleslaw mix, green onions, remaining green chilies, cilantro and toss well. Season slaw to taste with salt and pepper. Taste and adjust seasonings, add more lime juice if you like and a little crushed red pepper or chipotle if you like an extra kick of heat. Set aside.

In a large skillet sprayed with non-stick cooking spray over medium heat, add tortillas in single layer, bean side up and cook for one minute. I could only do one at a time.

Fold the taco in half, then cook for about another minute on the other side.

Fill each taco with some of the slaw mixture and a little of the feta and enjoy with your favorite hot sauces.

Has about 235 healthy calories per taco and 5 grams of fiber.