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Thanks, Laurel. I've seen them @ those stores & wondered if they were any good/safe. I will file it on my list of things to try when feeling more adventurous! It would be a great dipper/sauce for carrots, or even a potato/sweet potato topper. Years ago, I used to use it as a dressing/sauce for all kinds of foods. I'm more of a babaganush type, though.

You really have to scrutinize some of those dip labels, though. So many of them are RUINED by unnecessary additions of dairy/msg.

Ugh, I know! What is with that? I hate finding a really yummy looking dip only to find that they've ruined it by adding some dairy derivative or msg...sigh.

Thanks for the non-smoking encouragement. Honestly, IT IS SO HARD!!! (It literally hurts!!!)But, after the first 3 weeks...I KNOW I can make this habit/lifestyle STICK. I really do think that it takes 21 days to "make" or "break" a habit. So, I've past the 21 day post. I still tell myself that this is the best metaphoric airplane ride that I've ever been on (hey, no smoking on jets, right?) & that real oxygen is more of a buzz. Yes, I take time to mentally program myself everyday. I think the worst coping habit that I have is occaisonal sugarless gum chewing or altoid/tic tac moments! This is probably way to much information, however, butt (!) my bathroom doesn't smell like a European toilet. Hey, after age 30, smoking is just TACKY!!!

Haha, Kate you crack me up. I love the 'jet' metaphor! I've heard that too about the 21 days to make a habit stick... so it looks like you're gold! I've been trying to make the habit of keeping my apartment clean 'stick', but so far I haven't even come near 21 days... ... haha. Really though, GO KATE GO!

And now, when I'm in the company of smokers smoking, especially my father, I just want to vomit, do laundry, etc.
I cannot wait to bathe. My eyes literally burn and my skin feels disgusting. (Okay, I'll stop; I think you get the inner coaching/mental reprogramming effect!) Yes, indeed..."everyday, in everyway, I feel better & better & better & better!!!" I'm down to only wearing the patch for 1/2 day. I know though, for any lifestyle change EXCEPTIONAL mental revisioning is required.

NOW, shut up KATE!!!

LOL!!

By the way, have you ever tried any of the RENEE's dressings in the refridgerated salad dressing area? I LOVE the 2 "Wellness" dressings I've tried so far--"Pom-berry" & "Tuscan Italian." I think I'm going to try the "Fig-Balsalmic" next. The "Ravin Raspberry" vinaigrette is really good & so is "Poppyseed Lite." But seriously, I was really impressed with the "Wellness" ones I've tried, so far. They are available at Sobey's & zehrs/Loblaws. I didn't see them at Food Basics, though & haven't been to Price Chopper in awhile, I confess.

Oooh these sound good! I haven't seen them around but I haven't been to Sobey's since I got back to London. I usually go to Price Chopper (just because it's cheaper) but there's also an A&P nearby so next time I'm there I'll keep an eye out! Are they low-fat?

Also (I know spinach is one of your safest foods & you're as much of a turbo-chef as I am!), zapping (microwaving) fresh baby spinach in the bag steams it beyond perfection with no dishes to deal with! I did mine for about 3 min. and it was beyond awesome tossed with spaghetti squash (which I let cook itself ultra-fast in the nuker, too!) For the spinach, I just opened the zipper flap a tad to allow air to channel through--no need for explosives! It works really well on those quick-fix green beans in the bags, as well, incidentally. Just poke the bag & "zap." I've also done it with zucchini I've pre-sliced at the speed of light in the food processor with one of those myriad crazy blade attachments. Lol! Dishes! How barbaric!

hmm that's a good idea! I guess it wouldn't be long enough for the bag to melt right? Sadly my spinach comes unbagged so I just bag it in those flimsy grocery store bags, which I wouldn't trust in the microwave for a second. Yikes! But I DO like the idea of no dishes! I actually made a yummy spinachy pesto for lunch today, but instead of using garlic and basil like I usually do, I got adventurous and used a bunch of ginger and and cinnamon! I was a little nervous as to how it would turn out, but it was GOOD! Yay for experimentation.

Oh, and on the puree-ing front - I got a fun chopper/grinder kitchen gadget for xmas! It's kind of like a mini, low-tech food processor I guess, but I just love it. It's so easy to use and to clean up - much better than my old blender!

I ALSO got a breadmaker. Confession: my breadmaker is my new boyfriend. LOL. Seriously though, it has this delay function where you can put all the ingredients in and tell it to start up to 9 hours from them, so this morning I woke up to the aroma of fresh baking bread and had warm, freshly baked bread for breakfast. Talk about divine!

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