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My wife, Suzie Counsilman, was a fantastic cook who really cared about my health - she studied meals (from Food Network to Bon Appetit!) and figured out ways to make them outstandingly good but very healthful.  After she passed away back in June, eating was a low priority - getting through each day was hard enough without worrying about food.  I bought reasonably healthy instant meals from places like Whole Foods and Trader Joe's, and the organic food section at Von's and Save Mart - but still, after 4 months, gained 30 pounds and developed high blood pressure, high enough to need medication.

All that great cooking had kept me healthy, and it didn't take long to wipe out what she'd done for me with that outstandingly good food.

So I decided, knowing my mindset, I had to approach cooking in a whole new way.  I had to make it a hobby, just as Suzie did, and make it fun to create a good, wholesome, healthy meal.  I pulled out her cookbooks - especially the one she hand-wrote and had made copies of for her daughters - and started watching Food Network regularly.  I think back to the many, many times she would cook and I would sit at the kitchen bar and watch - and we'd talk, often about her cooking - which made the memory a strange mix of sad pleasure. 

But it is working.  In 2 weeks I've lost 4 pounds, and feel better.  I've mastered breakfast and several dinners.  I know where all the best fruit stands and farmers markets are - and since we're in the heart of the central valley, we got great choices.  And I am learning all about olive oil as a replacement for butter.

So, if you got some great healthy recipes, let's trade!