I'm back!!!!!

[robr]

Garlic is GREAT! Especially raw -- beneficial to the heart and blood vessels. We got a turbo-charged garlic press and add it to salads. Olive oil and wine are also good, in moderation.

Benecol for butter or margarine" - Been using unsalted butter forever. Smart Promise was recced. Is Benecol similar?

Try Smart Balance. It's very tasty, no hydrogenated oils.

"1% milk for whole milk" - We've only been drinking 2% for years, except for the half and half we use for our one cup of decaf of the day.

I don't use real milk at all any more, just Silk soy milk. You can even cook with it!

"whole grain bread for white bread" - Good choice. The cardiac rehab lady at the hospital also mentioned to get bread with at least 2% fiber.

FIBER! FIBER! FIBER!

"low-fat salad dressing for mayonnnaise" - Rarely use mayo, so that should be easy to do.

If you like Oriental flavors, try the Newmans Own Oriental. It makes a good marianade for chicken or steak too.

"Splenda for sugar" - If it tastes like sugar, I have no problem. Lady at hospital also mentioned stevia.

Stevia is an herbal plant extract and hard to get. Splenda is good too, it's made from sugar alcohols. It's not as sweet as real sugar, or Sweet and Low, or Equal, but it's more naturally derived.

"olive oil for shortening" - Never use shortening. Always use EVOO, grapeseed or peanut oils.

Grapeseed oil is supposed to be really good for you, as is flaxseed oil. Lots of Omega-3 fatty acids, same as cold water salt fish.

"Eggbeaters for eggs" - I guess I'll have to try it.

I don't like the taste. I eat real eggs, but remove the yolks; for example, three or four whites with one yolk in scramblers is pretty good. The cholesterol is all in the yolk.

"Turkey bacon for pork bacon" - Tried it before. Yuck! I'd rather do without.

Sorry, can't help you there. I like it, if it's Louis Rich. How about Canadian bacon?