When, in the course of trying to eat low-fat food, it becomes necessary for people to dissolve their healthful principles and partake of high calories, fat, and cholesterol, they should declare the causes which impel them to this separation. Unfortunately, we all know those causes: holidays, parties, and other occasions where friends and family like to peaceably assemble.

Those are the times when balance and moderation are most often abolished for the pursuit of happiness. We at Cooking Light hold this truth to be self-evident: All foods are not created equal, which brings us to the Fourth of July. On this patriotic holiday, people tend to overindulge in fat-laden snacks, junk food, and sweets -- no way to uphold anyone's constitution.

Because we don't want Americans to forfeit their unalienable lights, we've put together our own Independence Day-themed recipes that can be mixed and matched for menus of your choice. Oh, say, can you see what we have for you: substantial dishes, including desserts, that are not only healthful but exude the excitement of a fireworks display. Serve these revolutionary dishes to your friends and family, and see how proudly they'll hail you.