For Informed People Using Alternative Treatments

Sunflowers, ha, good one! Actually, dessert is the one bad habit I got from her (well, there may be a few more, but diet-wise

fallleaves, the only "processed" food I'll eat is ICE CREAM, preferably Bart's Three Geeks and a Redhead is my favorite.

Thanks Momine, for reminding me to get to Trader Joe's to buy their own brand of Extra Virgin Olive Oil - only one I've been able to find that is made in Greece Also wish I could find the delicious potatoes we ate in Crete, thought they were called "chetabek" but could never find any place else.

Falleaves, that is the thing. Once you get used to eating real and fresh food, the pre-fab stuff really is not appealing.

I remember I once tried corn bread from a box (jiffy) and I ended up throwing it out. It was nasty.

I agree, Momine. Sadly, although my teenage sons love my cooking, a lot of my their friends turn up their noses at it because it doesn't have the high sugar and salt levels found in the junk food and fast food they prefer. I think our taste buds have been thrown out of whack over here! Hopefully they will rediscover real food at some point. I actually just figured out I DON'T hate beets! I got a huge bag of them at the last farmer's market, so I roasted them and then drizzled them with olive oil and balsamic vinegar, and I surprised myself by loving them! I'm not sure if I'm ready to give okra a chance again, but maybe....

(p.s. My college freshman son just got home last night, and he went right to the refrigerator and said, "You don't know how glad I am to be eating your cooking again!" Sure made me feel good!)

you are right, fall leaves - our taste buds have gotten out of whack. When I was diagnosed last spring, I immediately stopped all sugar, and was amazed this summer when I picked and nibble some parsley from the garden and discovered how utterly sweet it tasted.

Falleaves, that is nice that your son appreciates your efforts. Roasted beets are awesome. I just made some this afternoon as well. In addition to the balsamico and olive oil, I put in a huge handful of chopped parsley, a clove of squeezed garlic and some roasted, chopped nut. Hazelnuts or unsalted pistachios are particularly nice, but walnuts work too. The green tops from the beets ended up in the soup.

Thanks ruthbru, I am always amazed at how SWEET the roasted veggies are. Parsnips are my favorite, with sweet potatoes.

I love mushrooms and any kind of pepper so always include them in my mix. Cherry tomatoes add a sweet taste too. Really any variety of veggies taste great. Yikes....I am getting hungry!

Ruth and Momine, you've both made me hungry! There's a butternut squash in my kitchen just screaming to be roasted. Now I just need to figure out what to throw in with it to keep it company....onions and mushrooms maybe?

Fall, mushrooms and onions sound good. I like winter squashes with mushrooms. Don't forget some garlic

Kay, I make curried soup from squashes or sweet potatoes too. Also good with some cauliflower and/or carrot added. In addition, it you take the plain, Greek yogurt and add some fresh coriander to it and a pinch of cumin (or whatever other herb/spice combo strikes your fancy) it gets even tastier and prettier.

Light, I had seen that about asparagus, which I love. Apparently artichokes are also really good for various reasons.

Thanks for the CLA info.

gonna get asparagus (gary says non organic of that's okay if necessary) 7 beets monday. gonna say mantra for them poor mice too