This year, my friends and I are planning a much-needed trip to sunnier climes. In order to get ready, a few “light” meals are on my horizon—not that I like to restrain myself, but a couple of weeks of lighter fare will help me shed some pesky winter pounds. I’m inviting my traveling companions for a pre-vacation dinner party to kick off our holiday, and planning a menu that will help keep our waistlines in check, while still being celebratory and delicious enough to please both the carnivorous husbands and my gourmand friends. Even if traveling isn’t in your near future, this menu is perfect for right now. It’s warming comfort food, most welcome on a cold winter’s night, but also on the lighter side, for those trying to keep up healthier eating habits. Fresh fruits and vegetables pack in nutrients while keeping winter blues away, and a few exotic …