My wife winced when I announced that I picked up some swordfish for dinner during my jog to the market.

What's the problem?

Last night we had roast duck and potatoes and a nice Caesar salad, made that much fresher by using my neighbor's just picked cucumbers and lettuce.

Actually, I think know what's happening. My wife is probably tiring of the various fish items we're including in our diet, nearly on a daily basis.

We've expanded well beyond Atlantic farm raised salmon, to fresh salmon, tuna, halibut, and the suddenly shunned swordfish. Add to this aquatic mix regular shrimp pastas and cocktails, and you have a boatload of reasonably healthy appetizers and entrees that can be brought to the table in under a half hour.

It isn't that she misses red meat. I think the monkish menus seem a little too austere, not extravagant enough.

Her compliments have ignited my interest in cooking. ("Ho, ho, ho--You don't look like Santa Claus anymore!")

I need to remind her that we're trimming down on this leaner fare. Yesterday I got into a pair of jeans I hadn't squeezed into for five years. (Hey, Hey Hey!)

It's amazing how affected we are by our partner's supportiveness. It's one thing to cut back on desserts or to eat healthy meals together, but if one person gets diet or exercise fatigue it can capsize the discipline for both.

So, keep those compliments flowing, especially when you plateau, separately or together.

And it probably can't hurt to welcome a little chicken and turkey into your diet, as well!