Salads! Toss rice with a small amount of oil. Throw in a large handful of spinach or other greens, fresh or cooked. Add any raw or cooked vegetables, such as broccoli, carrots, corn, cucumbers or peas. Toss with seasonings of your choice, such as lemon juice or vinegar and herbs. Garnish with olives and cheese if desired.

Fried rice needn't be unhealthy. Simply limit the amount of oil – I like dark sesame oil for flavor. Again, tossing in your favorite diced veggies, such as green onions, carrots, celery, water chestnuts, bamboo shoots, even corn if you'd like. Add eggs or cubed tofu and season with soy sauce.

Other suggestions include: Serve steamed or stir-fried vegetables over rice. Add to your favorite soup or stew. Bake in a casserole with vegetables and a cheesy sauce. Roll seasoned rice up in large size wrap breads (they look like huge thin tortillas) which can now be found in stores. Make a simple but filling main dish of beans and rice. Or roll it up in tortillas with or without beans, for burritos.