[yorkie]

When the cardiologist told me my cholesterol was dangerously high, and recommended medication, I refused.

I cut butter out of my diet immediatally, and switched to olive oil.

I cut out fried foods and red meat - except for occasionally.

In one month, my cholesterol count dropped 60 points. The doc said he would not 'push' the RX and told me to continue what I was doing, and recommended the South Beach Diet.

I must say - I LOVE South'n cookin'. I grew up on it. I try to eat more healthy now, but every once in awhile, I *cheat* (like P F Chang's Calamari) or tempura at the Japanese Restaurant.

In the past year - I have not even used a pound of butter. (I have always avoided margarine - because flys will not TOUCH it - but they will eat poop!)

I figured if a FLY prefers POOP to marjorine, it couldn't be good for me! But, I now use marjorine (in small amounts) and feel fine.

(I avoid the poop, too!)

[jaycee]

Well, we all know olive oil is much better for us. I have always wondered what is the shelf life of olive oil and do you store it in the cabinet. The chefs on t.v. occasionally use vegetable oil for certain things when cooking.

Yorkie, you’re so funny! Now they tell us that butter is better for us than margarine if you’re going to use it. I use both according to what I’m doing. But I don’t use much of either. By the way, the warmed over spaghetti was delicious.

[TheConservativeParty]

LOL, I agree on the margarine.

I am now looking for something to substitute for butter, for when I bake. I used to love to bake cookies. I’d like something better than the old fashioned margarine.

I didn’t have much time to read the labels in the butter-margarine isle this morning. I bet there is some non-butter stuff I can bake with occassionally.

I wonder what Crisco has in it? Or if it’s just too unhealthy to use. Hmmm.

I will have lots of time after my spring season with the greenhouse is over in June, to look for substitutes for eggs and butter in cooking and baking.

I would miss making brownies (has eggs) and cookies (butter and eggs).

I bet there are websites devoted to allergen free recipes for different allergen free needs.

Hey, congrats on the awesome cholesterol drop!!!