Did I tell you, my son the new cook, said that cookbooks are obsolete. Everything you need is on the Internet. To my son: there are still cookbooks out there worth buying, owning, reading and re-reading like a novel. An adventure to dream about and then to experiment with food and recipes. I will say, that I have copied recipes off the Internet-it is a new world out there, but there is no adventure in it. They are just recipes, the authors are unknown, contributed for the most part with no kitchen testing. Even on the Food Network, you watch the chefs make different foods and you enjoy watching them-otherwise they wouldn't be there. And these chefs enjoying working with food. Discovering new and old recipes, tweaking them for their public. Also, each birthday & Christmas, I contribute a new cookbook to my son's collection, based on his current skills in the kitchen. I think he would be very disappointed if I stopped this ritual, we've had going on for the last couple of years.

I am still reading "The Lazy Lady's Easy Diet" by Sidney Petrie. I will say it has caught my attention. The diet is all over the place-1st, Mr. Petrie wants you on a modified low-carb diet, that allows you up to 250-300 carbs per day, and has you losing 40-50 pounds over a 6-month period. This part is actually pretty interesting, with the case studies indicated throughout the book. But then, if you want to lose weight fast, then you need to do 800 calories per day. Like I said, the book is interesting. He also believes in that you need to believe in the beauty within you, if you're going to see the new beauty on the outside, once you lose the weight. He has lots of special "me" weekends, planned completely-with food, home spa tips and solutions. Lots of old-fashioned remedies to bring the youth and beauty to the front. Did you know that strawberries (mash them up), can be used as toothpaste and to help reduce discoloration of the teeth (whitening them) . Lots of tips for home facials, fading skin discolorations and lots of info on important vitamins that your body needs, whether from food or over the counter. It's alot to take in, but I'm half way through it.

I still want to be famous for doing nothing. I'm not working hard on it, but I'm thinking about it.

I wanted to let you know that the Sour Cream/Sherry Chicken dish, is even better when it's reheated. Richer-so lovely to taste. I guess the flavors really need the time to combine, to get this new taste.

And the pomegranate dip I made with the plain yogurt. A little tangy and tart. I don't think I will make this again.

That's all for now.

Cookbook Val