how about drinking?

Rosemary, I love my broccoli...but my lentils?!? I'll be honest. I'll bet you I haven't had anything with lentils since I was about 5 or 6...that's a 40 year drought!! So honey, post the lentil soup recipe...I'm ready to try it!! I believe they're good for cholesterol, am I right? I know my mom was eating those when she was working at bringing her's down.

As for food and alcohol...I can see the connection and I know that it is a concern. My problem is the opposite. On Girls Night Out -- the food is more the enticement (and too much of it and so many good restaurants to go and try)...the wine is an accompaniment. One of the posts I made, probably the first of the few on this thread, was in response to someone who has a friend in France where wine is part of most every evening meal...and I know that's true of Italy as well having been there.

I also want to say that I respect "Hats" perspective on this. Giving up anything is a major life accomplishment and a major life change. The fact that we are all different and have different viewpoints is what makes life what it is and thank goodness for that. I would say having read through this thread that there is no offence meant to anyone and I would hope no offence taken. Everyone I've met through this board has been very warm and friendly. We may have very little in common other than breast cancer but I think we do a great job of co-existing under difficult circumstances.

So bring on the lentil soup and let's all get on with living our best life!

I'm glad you asked. This recipe is so good, you can open your own restaurant with it. Hmmm, they may have already.

Lentil soup

1 lb. Italian sausage (very optional)
1 onion, chopped
1 stalk celery, chopped
2 large carrots, chopped
1 small zucchini, chopped in medium size quarters
6 cups chicken broth or vegetable broth
1 (small) can diced tomatoes, undrained
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 cup dry lentils, rinsed or 2 cups if your feeding more.
¼ cup of barley (optional, adds more fiber and Vitamin K)
Black pepper, basil, oregano, parsley, thyme, sage, crushed red pepper flakes and fennel seeds to taste

Brown sausage and add to pot
In a large pot combine all ingredients; bring to a boil. Reduce heat, cover. Simmer for about 1 hour or until lentils and barley are tender. Add water, if necessary, for desired consistency.

Drizzle a little olive oil on top of individual bowls of soup prior to serving.

I found this recipe on the net.

my recipe for margueritas is a little different, for my version you lay around the pool at the RiuMayaBeach and the nice "senor" just keeps them coming! lol!

Ronda,

I like your picture too. Very nice. Sure any type of tomatoes as long as it is bite sized. They won't reduce in such a short cooking time. I'm growing my own organic tomatoes just to use in this recipe. We'll see how that goes since I never did it before.

OH "Hats", I'm sooo glad you came back!! We all have stinking rotten days, and then we have some gorgeous, beautiful days...and this is the best place to be on either of them. As soon as I read your post, my heart just filled with joy.

I'm happy to call you Susie, I'm happy to call you my friend and I'm happy that your world is looking a little brigher today. You rock woman!

Shel, your recipe is so much easier than mine! lol! I'll have to try it!
Susie, no sweat. This is a bumpy road. Glad you're feeling better. Pam

Just found this thread..well just actually read it and have been laughing for 30 minutes ! Have thought it was more of the don'ts of breast cancer...boy was I wrong ! I have read every post and somewhere a margarita recipe was mentioned... I LOVE margaritas on the rocks..anybody have a good recipe ?

Letha,

I have a cheating kind of recipe. They sell frozen lime juice and it makes a great margarita. Isn't there a second kind of liquor besides the tequila that goes in it?

Sherry, I meant to reply to you about the cholesterol, yes high fiber foods reduces cholesterol. You need 25 - 30 grams a day. Think beans...beans...beans...beans

Okay guys this is the BEST margarita recipe. Equal parts tequila, triple sec, margarita mix and orange juice. The orange juice makes it less sour and much smoother.

Poor me another please

Goodness you ladies are on here late at night!! The story of my life...I miss all the good parties!!

Thanks for the cholesterol info Rosemary...beans, beans, beans...my family will LOVE me for that -- mind you, I live with all men in this house and they can turn the air blue in the snap of their fingers...I'll blend right in!! I'll just be "one of the guys"!!

I have never been able to make a margarita from scratch -- not one that tastes "right" anyway -- so the orange juice that Sierra recommends might be the key. I love to do tex-mex nights with my friends -- we make lots of great food and usually start with a margarita and then switch to Corona with lime. I find that helps take the heat out of the jalapenos & chipotles!! Talking about this is making me think how long it's been since we've done that...end of the month is weekend at a friend's cottage so I'll bring along that margarita recipe.

No Rosemary, I don't write for a living, but do you know, in the last 6 months the number of people who keep insisting that I should? Perhaps that's another door that breast cancer has opened for me. What I do, is LOVE to talk...betcha hadn't figured that out!?! And I thank you sincerely for the compliment.

Well, I admit. I do love my olive oil -- and my garlic -- and use both daily, so I'm doing something right! Adding that to the beans though? You're right -- get out of the way

Now, you being a good Texas girl and all, I'll bet you've got some really good recipes that I could take away with me for my weekend at the cottage. Anything you think of that would "light a little fire" would be much appreciated!! Keep in mind, it's a "small" cottage, there are 4 of us and one bathroom...and the beds are bunks. Please be kind!! Just a little fire, no explosions!!

Sherry, lol! I always visualized a green haze! Blue? That sounds like such an icy clean color!! Pam

Post deleted by hats are better then wigs

Welcome to the state of Texas Sherry. Lylas, hope the dental work goes well and easy. I don't post much, but always check this one. This is a very entertaining thread.

aaaahhh.........hockey and beer..........a Canadian institution!.........i am born and raised into a hockey family! "I AM CANADIAN" lol!