The digestive tract is a continuous tube that runs through your body from the mouth to the anus, with a number of separate, specialized sections. It’s purpose is to take in and process water and foodstuffs, and to extract from them the nutrients needed for life and health. For its entire length, the inside of this tube is coated with a mucous membrane (to protect and lubricate it) and contains a generous supply of minute blood vessels that carry away the nutrients and water, to organs and tissues that await their delivery.

Humans are omnivores, meaning they are equipped to eat a variety of foods, including meats, grains, and fibers. Each part of our digestive tract, from our lips and teeth to our colons, is designed to accommodate and process a varied diet. But the stuff we eat must be digested before it can be utilized. That means it must be reduced to a water-soluble state in order to pass through the wall of the "tube" into the blood stream. The stuff we cannot digest (make water-soluble) is excreted as feces.

Digestion begins in the mouth, when food comes in contact with saliva. As you chew (to reduce the food to more-quickly-digestible bits) enzymes in the saliva begin the process of converting starch to sugar, and breaking down other complex molecules. Once swallowed, the food goes to the stomach, where it gets an acid bath and a thorough churning and soaking, further reducing the physical size of the bits and simplifying their chemical complexity before handing the mixture off to the small intestine.

Most digestion occurs in the small intestine: started by enzymes and stomach acids, the process is continued by friendly "micro flora" bacteria that convert fats, proteins, and some portions of fibers or bones, to water-soluble molecules. These molecules can then pass through the walls of the blood vessels and enter the blood stream. Once in the blood stream, these nutrients are available to every organ and muscle in the body, where they can be used for a variety of purposes.

Some "foodstuffs," such as sugar, table salt, alcohol, and caffeine, are readily soluble in water and require little digestion before entering the blood stream. In fact you can often feel the effect of ingesting them within a minute or 2 or swallowing. Fats, proteins, and fibers are chemically and physically more complex and take longer to digest.

It’s a wonderful system, able to accept all manner of foods and extract from them the stuff the body needs to survive and to thrive. But that is child’s play, compared to the system that delivers and uses those nutrients.

Your body needs nutrients to support the daily activity of living, and to repair the normal wear and tear to the structure and the machinery, and to feed the systems that defend it from infections and things that would damage it. Some of these organs will use the stuff to remanufacture proteins, fats, fibers, and other non-soluble compounds needed to maintain your health; excess nutrients will be converted to fat and stored.

Sound like a waste of energy? It is, but it’s necessary. If it were different, the body would lose it’s ability to move its resources around quickly and to use them where they are most urgently needed: fats couldn't be burned for energy, nor could they be stored as reserves, and vegetable proteins couldn't be substituted for animal protein when the hunter returned empty-handed. Believe me, it works better this way, even though you have little control over it.

And you have precious little control. Your brain, with its auto pilots, senses your body’s needs and sets the priorities. Your brain, heart, lungs, and the regulatory glands get first crack at everything. If you are in danger, emergency supplies may be rushed to the legs and arms, and the digestive system will be told to shut down. Under normal circumstances, the repair of bone and muscle goes on, twenty-four hours a day, but during long periods of stress, (such as a major illness) there may be a shortage of some building materials, or fuels, and maintenance is deferred, causing you to incur atrophy and erosion.

But, you do have some control, and you must use it, if you are to best manage your disease. You can regulate your diet to optimize your body’s supply of essential nutrients, and you can exercise regularly to help maintain a balance in its utilization of those nutrients.

II. Special Dietary Needs of COPD Patients

You must keep in mind these basic facts of living with COPD:

• because of your shortness of breath (SOB) you have limited energy resources, and you use a significant amount of energy just breathing (perhaps half of your resting energy requirements), so preparing and eating meals should be made as easy as possible;
• overeating, or consuming carbonated drinks, may cause bloating which, in turn, will crowd your lungs and limit your capacity to breathe;
• immediately after eating, your body sends increased blood (and oxygen) to the digestive tract, reducing the supply to the brain and motor muscles, suggesting that you avoid strenuous exercise within an hour of eating and, if possible, treat yourself to a nap after a heavy meal;
• take your time when eating, pausing as necessary to keep your breathing comfortable, and chewing with the mouth closed, to avoid swallowing air;
• avoid caffeine, as it interferes with many medications used to treat COPD.

COPD forces you to accommodate many changes in your life. To revise your eating and food preparation habits you need to retrain your palette and change some old habits. If you give my ideas a sixty-day trial, you'll explore many new flavors and textures that you will genuinely enjoy and, as you apply these principles, you will find yourself eating foods you like and will discover many ways to vary your menu to avoid boredom.

Traditional wisdom has held to the rule, "Refined carbohydrates cause excessive CO, so get more calories from fats than from sugars." The new school says, "Calories are the key, get them right, other things follow. I subscribe to this position (see Appendix), and will prefer a diet that is at least as heavy in complex carbohydrates as in fats or oils.

As mentioned above, many of us are "senior citizens" who live alone or have only 2 in the household. Under these circumstances, many of us find "cooking" to be such a bother that we skip meals or eat "convenience foods" or snacks. I'll attack that problem with menu ideas that make it easy to prepare several meals at the same time, freezing or refrigerating leftovers for future use.

Grocery shopping can be fun but, if you are SOB and toting an oxygen bottle, it quickly loses some of its appeal. It also exposes you to inclement weather, allergens, and contagious diseases carried by the general public. I'll tell you how to stock your pantry and refrigerator to reduce the number of trips you make to the market, and I'll try to stay within your budget.

III. Dietary Requirements of Adults, In General

Nutrients may, generally, be grouped as carbohydrates, fats, proteins, and minerals. Water isn't a nutrient, but certainly is a requirement. Some purists say vitamins are essential, but aren't "nutrients." I include them all, because they are pertinent to the COPD patient’s regimen, and managing the disease demands a familiarity with them.

As opposed to children, who need copious quantities of certain nutrients to support growth, adults need "only" the nutrients essential to maintain their bodies and furnish the energy for personal activity levels. Generally speaking, we require water to keep every cell healthy and flush out wastes; calcium and phosphorus to maintain our bones and teeth; proteins to maintain our muscles; fats and carbohydrates for energy, and; vitamins and trace minerals for nerve cells, etc. Should we have a good week hunting or fishing, or harvest a bumper crop of corn or peanuts, our bodies can store some of these nutrients for a while, to carry us through the lean times. Others cannot be stored and are required daily. (To keep it simple, you can remember that fats, proteins, minerals, and fat-soluble vitamins can be stored for future use and, conversely, that water, carbohydrates, salts, and water-soluble vitamins must be replaced daily.)

Interestingly, during lean times when carbohydrates are in short supply, the body can substitute fat or protein as an energy source, whether it is being consumed in lieu of carbohydrates, or has been stored in muscles and fat deposits. The converse is not true, however; if fats and proteins are absent from the diet, the body can't manufacture them, regardless of how much carbohydrate is consumed.

This leads us to the term, "balanced diet," the amounts of carbohydrates, fats, proteins, minerals, vitamins, and water, needed to meet the body’s immediate and long-term needs for these nutrients. It refers to the quality of the food one consumes.

The quantity of food consumed is another matter, and can easily get into some areas outside my field of knowledge. I address the matters I feel germane to the COPD patient, including weight gain and weight loss, however, I urge those whose weight problems are associated with medications to seek the advice of both a pulmonologist and a nutritionist, for it is a medical (not nutritional) problem. I have included, in the Appendix, web resources to 2 computer analyses of your "ideal" body weight and an explanation of calculating your BMI (Body Mass Index) devised to calibrate "obesity." I urge you to avoid taking either as gospel, for I believe that individual physiology leaves a 10% to 15% margin of error, but they are the best tools we have.

So, what are the nutritional requirements of an adult COPD patient? My approach follows these guidelines:

• low-to-moderate use of sugars; low-salt content; substitute herbs and spices
• high ratio of fruits and vegetables, preferably raw or steamed, al dante
• generous use of beans and legumes (peas, lentils, etc)
• plenty of complex carbohydrates and grains (pastas, whole-grain breads, rice, potatoes, barley, sprouted wheat)
• frequent use of polyunsaturated fats and oils (canola, olive, peanut)
• moderate number of meat meals, using beef, pork, poultry, eggs, and fish
• introduce nuts and seeds into the regular diet
• dried fruits supply variety, flavor, and energy boosts.
• butter, cheese, dairy products daily
• adequate water (sports drinks, fruit juices/ades, or milk)
• portion sizes should vary, depending upon patient’s size and weight objectives.

I will keep it simple and consistent, using the old-fashioned measures of cups, tablespoons, etc., but it becomes relatively moot, as we progress, because the size of your servings will depend upon your personal likings, habits, and tastes. You should, however, learn to read and understand the nutritional labels now found on virtually all packaged foods. See the Appendix for details.

The generally accepted standards for "servings," are expressed in these terms (from U.S. Department of Agriculture publications):

• Vegetables, raw, non-leafy - 1 cup
• Vegetables, cooked - ½ cup
• Fruits, raw - 1 cup
• Fruits, cooked/canned/juice - ½ cup
• Fats (butter/oleo) - 1 teaspoon (1 pat)
• Cooked pasta or rice - ½ cup
• Bread/toast - 1 slice
• Dry cereal - 1 cup
• Cheese - 1 ½ ounces (3 tablespoons)
• Sugar/jelly - 1 teaspoon
• Meats, fish, poultry - 3 ounces (about 1/3 cup)
• Beverages - 1 cup
• Eggs - 1 egg, large
• Nuts, seeds - 2 tablespoons

• 6 to 11 servings of bread, cereal, or pasta [important sources of energy, complex carbohydrates, B vitamins, minerals, and fiber]
• 3 to 5 servings of vegetables [provide vitamins A and C, carbohydrates, and fiber]
• 2 to 4 servings of fruit [rich sources of vitamins, fiber, and natural sugars]
• 2 to 3 servings of milk, yogurt, or cheese [excellent for their calcium content, protein, fats, vitamin B-12]
• 2 to 3 servings of meat, fish, poultry, eggs, beans or nuts [essential sources of proteins, minerals, and B vitamins; also contain fats (meat and poultry) and vegetable oils (seeds and nuts)]
• 3 "spare servings" of sweets, fats, and oils [their contribution is their energy content and flavor]

Examples of "balanced daily menus" (both within USDA Guidelines) are:

For one wishing to lose weight:

• Breakfast of 1 serving of cold whole-grain cereal, 1 cup milk, ½ cup orange juice
• Lunch of 2 cups of beef-barley soup, 1 serving of raw vegetable salad with vinaigrette dressing, 1 slice of wheat bread or toast with 1 pat of margarine
• Dinner of 1 serving of pasta with olive oil & basil sauce, small grilled or pan-fried skinless chicken breast, steamed broccoli with rice vinegar dressing, 1 dinner roll, Jello dessert with fresh fruit added
• If we eat 2 snacks, 1 cup of yogurt with diced dried apricots, and a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, we have satisfied the daily balance with 6 servings of cereals/grains, 3 servings of vegetables, 3 of fruit, 2 dairy, 2 meats, and 3 fat/sugar. (The total Calorie count is approximately 1700.)

• Breakfast of ½ cup tomato juice, 1 serving of ham, 1 egg, 2 slices of wheat or rye toast with 2 pats of butter and a glob of marmalade
• Lunch of a hearty (2 serving) cheese sandwich, 1 serving of raw vegetables with ranch dressing, ½ cup apple juice, 1 glass of iced herbal tea
• Dinner includes a small steak or chop, baked potato slathered in sour cream with chives, buttered steamed peas with sliced almonds and onion slivers, 1 dinner roll, and a fresh fruit and cheese plate for dessert.
• Add 2 or three snacks of raw vegetables, nuts, and corn chips, and you've consumed 7 servings of cereals, 3 of vegetables, 3 fruit, 4 dairy, 4 meats, and 4 fat/sugar. (This total calorie count approximates 3000.)

VI. Attacking The Over/Under-Weight Problem

If you are under or over-weight, and if your doctor has not advised a different course of action, and if you are serious about improving the situation, please return to the Appendix and re-read sections A and B, because for the next four weeks we are going to retrain your palette and we are going to find out whether the problem lies in your glands or in your hands. If, at the end of four weeks of following "my" diet and menus, you haven't made some progress, you really should insist upon different medical attention. The services of a certified clinical nutritionist, or a gastroenterologist are most certainly indicated.

Now, go to Dietitian - Healthy Body Calculator (Johns Hopkins) and Nutrition Analysis Tool (University of Illinois) and calculate your "Ideal " weight and calorie requirement. These calculations will give you average values for average people who don't have COPD, based upon your input for "activity level." These values are the lowest levels likely to meet your needs because these formulae don't consider your need to expend extra energy to breathe. Add 15-20% and note the value (here________).

Because weight gain/loss is totally dependent upon caloric intake and activity level, we will concentrate on correcting and improving the diet, but I cannot fail to emphasize the need for regular, relatively strenuous exercise. Such exercise has many benefits, including improving oxygen utilization through better muscle tone, better circulation, stimulation of the digestive process, and aiding in "stress management." Get your doctor or respiratory therapist to help you start and maintain an exercise regimen that is appropriate to your overall health. This should include beginning levels of difficulty and periodic increases in pace or repetitions. Those readers who refuse to do such exercise get less than optimal results from a new diet.

Refer back to the calorie count you noted, above. If you are underweight, add 750 calories; if you are overweight, subtract 750 calories; if you are neither, use the noted number. Now you have your personal goal for daily calorie intake; make a note of it (here__________).

I now refer you to section C. of the Appendix. Study this carefully because it will make it much easier to meet your diet objectives.

Now move to Section F. of the Appendix and click on Eating Right with CyberDiet. Browse through several pages and familiarize yourself with its content and organization. Bookmark this site because you will use it often, the first few weeks of this diet.

Those who are over-weight should clean out cupboards and refrigerators of all candy, pastries, snacks, and other high-calorie foods that tempt you to overeat. If there are others in the family without a weight problem, let them keep that stuff out of your sight; otherwise, throw it out or give it away. Naturally, the opposite is true of you who are underweight; get rid of low-fat milk, yogurt, cheese, salad dressings, lunch meats, soups, etc., etc., etc. Section V. will deal with re-stocking your pantry; section VI. will discuss re-training the palette. For the moment, be assured that this "house cleaning" is essential to your success; you must change your eating habits.

I’m now going to ask you to itemize everything you ate yesterday and, from the "Cyberdiet" data, to calculate your caloric intake and note it (here________). Calculate the difference between this value and your daily goal and note it (here________). Are you surprised?

Given a realistic exercise regimen, the route to a good diet is the proper balance of nutrients, and the way to lose weight is to eat less; the way to gain weight is to eat more. The secret to accomplishing these goals lies in making food preparation easier, the results more appetizing and interesting, and in developing new habits. I hope you are not disappointed by the simplicity of this approach, but I never promised a miracle, or a rose garden and, while my suggestions may seem simple, many of you may find the process quite difficult.

V. Stocking Your Pantry and Food Shopping

Before we were side-tracked into the mire of the digestive process, nutrition, and over/under weight problems, I said my primary objective was to help COPD patients learn how to prepare nutritious meals with minimal effort. I also said I would cater to those who live alone or with only one "companion." It’s time to return to that tack.

A well-stocked pantry is an essential to this objective, because it will allow you to act spontaneously, exercise creativity, achieve variety, and re-educate your palette, and save time. If you shop judiciously, you will stock up on those foods you enjoy most and wind up saving money, as well.

Fresh produce is identified in the menus or recipes, as needed.

Save wide-mouthed glass and plastic containers to store foods in the pantry and refrigerator after the package has been opened. You’ll need lots of pint and half-pint sizes and several as large as a half-gallon. A number of smaller containers will be needed for remainders from opened, half-used canned items. Reclosable plastic bags work well for many left-overs that go into the refrigerator or freezer. Fresh fruits and vegetables should be kept in paper bags in the refrigerator or (like onions and potatoes) in a net bag in a cool, dry pantry.

For The Pantry:

• Rice: white/converted, mixed with wild rice, some short-grain varieties, some brown rice
• Beans, Canned: kidney, pinto, garbanzo, kidney, black-eyed, baked, refried
• Tomatoes, Canned: whole, diced/sliced, cut with peppers (Italian), sauce
• Soups, Canned or dry-mix: to suit your taste, the heartier the better.
• Juices, Canned: tomato, grapefruit, pineapple, "V-8," "Gatorade" powder
• Fruits, Canned: to taste, especially crushed pineapple
• Coffee and Tea: decaffeinated, herbal
• Cereals, whole grain: cold or hot, w/ fruit or plain, instant breakfasts, granola bars
• Packaged Dishes: potato au gratin, macaroni & cheese, rice pilaf, etc
• Dried Fruits/Vegetables: prunes, apricots, apples, tomatoes, raisins, currants, cranberries
• Nuts/Seeds: walnuts, peanuts, almonds, pecans, sunflower, pumpkin, pine nuts
• Sugar: white and brown, honey, molasses, maple syrup
• Flour: all-purpose white, cornmeal, barley, groats, wheat germ
• Oils/Fats: extra-virgin olive oil, canola or corn oil, peanut oil, Spry or Crisco
• Pastas: variety of shapes, spaghetti, linguini, fettucini, shells, bow-ties, etc.
• Canned "Meats": tuna in oil, salmon, hash, as you like
• Crackers: saltines, whole-grain varieties to taste, corn chips
• Condiments: white cider vinegar, rice vinegar, mayonnaise, mustard, ripe olives, sweet chilis, a variety of pickles, a variety of salad dressings, salsa, picante and Tabasco sauces
• Jams/Jellies: peanut butter (smooth), marmalades, "Jellos," unflavored gelatin
• Herbs/Spices: salt, pepper, basil, oregano, parsley, sage, dill weed, chili powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, cumin, others to taste, seasoning packets (chili, gravy, taco, etc.)

• Chicken: breasts, skin-on; legs and thighs, skin-on; whole, suitable for baking or boiling
• Beef: steaks, stew meat, boneless roast, ground beef
• Fish: salmon, orange roughy, scrod, etc.
• Vegetables: peas, carrots, broccoli, etc., to taste
• Frozen Entrees and side dishes: (Salisbury steak, macaroni and cheese, spinach soufflé, etc.)
• Ice cream and frozen juices, to taste
• Rice and pastas are excellent sources of complex carbohydrates, are easy to prepare, and work well in left-overs.
• Beans are not only nutritious, they are versatile, lending themselves to both hot and cold dishes; the canned items are worth the higher cost for their convenience.
• I like to use canned tomatoes because their quality and taste are consistent and because they work well in left-overs.
• Soups are your emergency rations. You can make a meal out of them when you don’t feel like fixing anything. With imagination, you can jazz them up, too.
• Juices add color to your table and variety and contrast in flavors.
• Fruits (canned, fresh, or dried) are extenders for many dishes, are nutritious, add taste variety, more color, and new textures.
• Packaged dishes and meals (dry or frozen) and canned meats are easy and nutritious.
• Nuts, seeds, condiments, herbs, and spices add variety, aromas, and textures.
• Frozen vegetables (especially peas, limas, broccoli, and carrots) are of consistent quality and, in the economy sizes, can be very economical because you can remove a half-cup or so, then reclose the package.

When I’m having one of my better days, I actually like to go grocery shopping; otherwise, I’d rather have a root canal. I know some folks who prefer shopping in the early morning, others like a midnight trip.

You know yourself best. You know when you usually feel best, when the weather is likely to be kindly, the crowds the leanest, the clerks the most helpful. Pick those days and hours as your grocery shopping times, and prepare for them:

• review the menus you have planned, check the pantry, freezer, and refrigerator, and make a list of foods you need
• check the newspaper and mail-out ads for sales on items you use regularly: add them to your list
• if you are a coupon-clipper, select those you plan to use and attach them to the shopping list with a paper clip or binder clip
• once you are in the market, purchase canned and bottled goods first; fresh meat and poultry second; produce third, and frozen foods last: this keeps you from damaging tender items or thawing perishable goods
• select only the best quality produce; freshness and quality are essential to taste, nutrition, and storage life; if you aren’t sure, ask a produce clerk to help
• insist that the checkout clerk bags your frozen foods together, places meats in leak-proof plastic bags, and keeps tomatoes, eggs, and other fragile items on the top of the bag
• go directly home and place perishables in the refrigerator or freezer.

Some produce departments sell salad vegetables, sliced, cubed, or diced, by the pound, saving you the expense of buying whole heads of cabbage, cauliflower, etc., when you need only a cup or 2. They will usually cut their fruits (to allow you to sample the quality before buying). Avoid buying a lot more than you will use between shopping trips (but, of course, even if you waste 15 or 20% of some vegetable, your cost is much less than eating at a restaurant).

When buying canned goods, get the right container size. If it’s in a resealable container, it’s easy to store the leftover portion and the larger size is usually more economical. If it’s a product you use frequently, or know you can easily incorporate into a second meal, or into leftovers that will freeze nicely, get the larger units. If it’s not resealable, or a commonly-used product, buy the next-to-smallest container; avoid paying the premium charged for "single-service" packages.

When you find a desirable type of meat, fish, or poultry on sale, buy enough for several meals, then ask the butcher to cut it into meal-size pieces, wrapping each separately. (You can put them in plastic freezer bags when you get home.) This applies equally well to a large fish filet, a beef loin, or whole chickens.

If you shop at a supermarket, they probably offer many items under their store brand. Compare food labels with your usual, national-brand, product. If they are equal in nutritional content, try the store brand, at least once. It could save you money and, if you really don’t like it, most stores will exchange the empty container for your favorite brand.

If the grocery has an in-store bakery, look for their day-old rack. If you find whole-grain or multi-grain breads, buy a couple; you can always freeze the second one. Whatever you do, keep away from the pastries if they are not on your diet.

However, once in a while, as your budget allows and your taste is inclined, you should treat yourself to a visit to the deli department and buy one or 2 side dishes for dinner, tonight, or pick up a special sandwich for lunch.

VI. Menu Planning and Shortcut Ideas

Proper planning of your menus will take into account the major factors in your personal lifestyle. Some of us still work or have commitments to care for grandchildren, or do volunteer work; some are early risers, others are night owls; most have limited energy and others have complications or disabilities from other disease. Give all these matters proper consideration and adapt my suggestions to your situation.

My "rules" are few:

• Breakfast is the most important meal of the day; don’t skip it; get at least 20% of your daily calories in this meal.
• Schedule your exercise period to start at least one hour after a full meal.
• Write your menu plans for a week at a time and use it as a shopping guide; if you stray from the plan, adjust your input at the next meal, or within a day or 2.
• Keep these menu plans as a diary, noting your actual food intake, so you can track your progress.
• Experiment! Try at least one "new" food or seasoning every day.
• Take one "daily" multi-vitamin, with minerals, each day.

If your budget will allow it, vary your menus with some (not more than 25%) frozen entrees or frozen dinners. Some brands are delicious; some are even nutritious. Explore your supermarket for ideas and see how you can work them into snacks, salads, and old recipes.

Breakfasts:

The word, "breakfast," means, literally, "breaking of the over-night fasting period," and is the time to refuel your engine for the day. Skipping or skimping on breakfast can lead to the "ten-o’clock slump," when you find yourself weak, fatigued, or ravenously hungry. Use it as a time to pick up both your energy and your spirits. Make breakfast part of your daily routine. It’s also a good time to take your morning medications, including your daily vitamin tablet.

You can follow any of these menu suggestions, regardless of your weight-gain or weight-loss objectives, simply by increasing or decreasing the serving sizes. Make your own variations, experiment, substitute grits for cereal, scrambled for poached, but eat a good breakfast.Again, I say, "Open your mind; experiment with new flavor combinations, different sauces, and interesting textures.

Be careful, when reading these menus, or other recipe ideas, to watch for (and cross out) any foods to which you have an allergy or which are contraindicated with one of your medications. If you are uncertain, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

• ½ cup - tomato juice
• 1 cup - hot or cold cereal with ½ cup whole milk and either fresh or dried fruit
• ½ cup - whole milk
• 1 cup - decaf coffee or tea

• ½ cup - pink grapefruit juice
• 1 slice - French Toast with butter and orange marmalade or maple syrup
• 2 slices - crisp bacon or a sausage patty
• ½ cup - whole milk
• 1 cup - decaf coffee or tea

• ½ cup - orange juice
• 1 ea - poached egg, placed on a toasted English muffin half
• ½ ea - English muffin with a pat of butter and lime marmalade
• ½ cup - stewed prunes or apricots
• ½ cup - whole milk
• 1 cup - decaf coffee or tea

• 1 cup - apple juice
• 1 ea - large egg, scrambled with diced onion and/or green peppers
• 3 oz - Breakfast ham
• 1 slice - Rye bread, toasted, with peanut butter and plum jell
• ½ cup - whole milk
• 1 cup - decaf coffee or tea

• fritatta, with diced boiled potatoes, left-over vegetables, and/or onions
• scrambled eggs (with onion or mushroom) with hash-brows (from left-overs)pancakes or waffles with eggs and meats
• corned beef hash with poached eggs
• omelet with left-over vegetables, meat, fish, or chicken, with appropriate sauce
• cheese omelet with toast, etc.
• some left-over meats are delicious, served cold (roast beef, chicken, turkey, ham)
• breakfast tacos with meat and/or vegetables

My friend, Mark Mangus, devised the following recipe for those who really need to gain weight, cautioning you to drink no more than 2 a day:

Mix, in a blender or milkshake machine

• 1 cup - whole milk - 160 calories
• ½ cup - high-fat ice cream (16% fat) - 165 calories*
• 2 tbsp - canola or corn oil - 50 calories
• 1 pkg - instant breakfast (w/ sugar) - 175 calories

Mark suggests you vary the formula, from time to time, by changing flavors or adding fruits and juices to the vanilla variety.

* If you use a lower-fat product, the calorie count will be reduced.
** Note that such a liquid diet provides very little bulk, meaning you will need to get lots of fruits, vegetables, and grains into your other meals and snacks.

Lunches

Lunch can be the most difficult meal of the day to plan. Those COPD patients who live alone often find themselves unmotivated to fix a "real" meal; Those who are gainfully employed may "eat out" or carry a lunch; those who stay at home while the spouse works will have to coordinate the lunch menu with a dinner menu that meets the needs of both parties.

This should be a "pick-me-up-meal," the easiest of the day, requiring the least time and effort to prepare, but offering a variety of tastes, textures, and colors. It’s a good time to use left-overs. It’s a great time to try a salad or a raw vegetable plate. It’s also a good time to experiment.

For example, if you include a raw vegetable plate, try dipping the veggie bits in one or more salad dressings, such as French and Blue Cheese, or sprinkling some, like broccoli, cauliflower, or asparagus, with rice vinegar. If you prefer the food blanched, try it, but stay with the dressings; this is part of reeducating your palette.

• ½ cup - fruit juice
• 1 cup - canned tomatoes with onions, basil, and lime juice or mild vinegar
• 1 slice - whole-grain bread, toasted, and a pat of butter
• ½ cup - fresh fruit with a generous chunk of sharp cheese

• 1 cup - hearty soup with fresh spinach, cabbage, or chard added at serving
• 3 each - celery "ribs," stuffed with cheese spread or cream cheese
• ½ cup - canned or fresh fruit
• 1 cup - decaf beverage

• 1 ea - tuna salad sandwich with Dijon mustard, on whole grain bread
• 2 oz - potato chips or corn chips
• 3 oz - garden salad with honey-vinaigrette dressing
• 1 cup - iced decaf tea or lemonade

• 1 cup - Waldorf salad, on lettuce, with raisins and currants
• ½ ea - "deli" sandwich of assorted lunch meats and cheeses, on wheat bread
• 1 cup - decaf beverage

• 1 cup - canned tomato soup, with basil, oregano, and onion
• 3 oz - fresh veggie plate, with dressings/dips
• 1 ea - bagel or toasted rye bread, slathered with cream cheese
• 1 cup - decaf beverage

• 1 cup - steamed, cooked rice with 1 cup beans, onion, and sweet peppers
• 3 oz - garden salad with ranch dressing
• 2 oz - whole-grain crackers
• 1 cup - decaf beverage

Snacks:

The nature of your snacks will vary, depending upon where and when you take them. If you work outside the house, you might like the pre-packed crackers with cheese or peanut butter, or a wide-mouth thermos with fruit or vegetable pieces in it. 2 virtually universal favorites are a trail mix, or nuts, in a plastic bag, and an "energy bar." If you’re at home, you can also enjoy corn chips, a chunk of fresh cheese, a glass of milk, or a dish of ice cream.

My personal preference in snacks leans toward the nuts and seeds. They are rich in oils and proteins, have wonderful flavors, and keep well in the pantry or on an end table. I include walnuts, pecans, peanuts, sunflower, and pumpkin seeds. Most can be purchased in either salted or unsalted form. Try washing them down with a lemonade or limeade.

You might enjoy yogurt with fresh strawberries, blueberries, or raspberries, or a gelatin mold with canned or fresh fruits.

If you are underweight, or if your capacity just won’t handle the quantities in a suggested menu, you need more (and larger) snacks. If you are overweight, cut your snacks to the minimum required to take the edge off your appetite. Whatever you do, include your snacks in your menu planning and food journal.

Dinners:

Despite the best advice of dietitians and nutritionists, we tend to make the evening meal our largest. It may be because that’s when the spouse or companion is home, when we have had the longest time to prepare it, or because it’s the way we were brought up. If this is not true for your case, you may certainly substitute these menu ideas for those I listed for lunch, and vice versa.

Some of the dinner menus call for preparing larger quantities than you will eat. That is deliberate; I will suggest uses for leftovers in the recipe section.

[For the sake of brevity, I’m omitting the beverage in the following menus:]

• 1 ea - serving of salmon steak or filet, baked or poached on a bed of celery
• 1 ea - medium boiled "new" potato, with butter and parsley
• ½ cup - frozen peas, blanched
• 3 oz - garden salad with a lime vinaigrette
• 1 ea - slice of whole-grain bread or dinner roll, with butter
• 2 cups - chili con carne, with beans, sprinkled with shredded cheese
• 1 ea - generous chunk of cornbread
• 4 oz - spinach salad with mushrooms, onion, and ranch dressing

• 4 oz - chicken breast, with skin, grilled or pan fried, glazed with marmalade
• 4 oz - whole canned tomatoes with onion slices, green peppers, and vinegar
• 2 oz - veggie relishes (celery, broccoli, cauliflower) with dips

• 1½ cup - hearty soup with fresh parsley added
• 4 oz - spinach salad "Grande", with bacon, mushrooms, pumpkin seeds, and dressing
• 1 ea - generous chunk of cornbread with butter and honey

• 4 oz - hearty pasta salad with chicken, sausage, or fish, and appropriate veggies*1 ea. thick slice Italian bread, with olive oil and fresh-cracked pepper
• 3 oz - fresh fruit, preferably melon chunks with lime juice

• 4 oz - pasta, any shape, with your favorite tomato sauce and parmesan cheese
• 2 ea - slices of garlic bread
• 3 oz - garden salad with Italian dressing and herbed croutons

VII. Recipes and Food Preparation

In the following recipes, I suggest the quantities of herbs and seasonings in rather vague or minimal amounts because our taste buds vary greatly, one from the other, and you should learn to taste each dish as you are preparing it and to adjust things to your liking. As you do this, make a note to yourself, so you can repeat your successes. I ask, however, that that you first try the dish with the minimal spicing-up, and give the flavor of your basic ingredient a chance to win your heart. (This is not my position when eating burgers at a fast-food joint; in that situation, I want all the condiments possible, to disguise the flavor of the meat.)

When I suggest the use of salt, it is in the minimum quantity required to avoid "starchy" tastes in potatoes, pastas, etc. Most recipes are "no-salt added," allowing you to do this at the table, as you like.

If I offer a choice of herbs, or you want to experiment further, look at the Appendix for a list of traditional herb applications.

Try eating more and more of your vegetables raw; they have their maximum food value and flavor in this state. If you must cook some of them, try blanching or steaming, leaving them al dante (firm, rather than mushy.) When serving soups, try adding raw cabbage a few minutes before removing it from the stove, or some raw spinach or parsley after it leaves the stove and before serving. You may also add sliced or diced onions to a dish of beans, chili, or meat soups, and top it with shredded cheddar or grated parmesan or romano.

I suggest contrasting textures, flavors, or colors in a recipe or menu, like a honey-lime vinaigrette, or adding pumpkin seeds to a salad. This is a technique of many chefs; it stimulates the eye and the palette, and it adds interest to every meal.

Plan for left-overs. It takes little more time and energy to boil one or 2 extra hard-cooked eggs, slices of bacon, patties of ground beef, or servings of broccoli, cauliflower, etc., and many of these foods keep better after being blanched or cooked, than in their raw state. If you don't expect to use them immediately, most will freeze quite handily.

Please note that my recipes call for extra large eggs and extra virgin olive oil. These are your best values and are usually the most healthful. If you don't have one, buy an egg poacher. They aren't expensive and the product is a tasty break from the fried or scrambled variety.

Potatoes come in 2 basic types, "baking," and everything else. Baking potatoes may be called "Idaho" or "Russet." Others may be called "red," "new," California white," or "Kathadin," and they should be your choice for boiling, frying or adding to soups. Baking potatoes are drier and have a mealy texture; the others have more moisture and retain their firmness (if you over-cook them).

I like store-bought tomatoes; unless I pay twice the usual price and they are tasteless and have no color. Unless you have access to true "home-grown" varieties, with the rich, tart flavor and deep red color, I suggest canned tomatoes, whole, sliced, or diced. Not only are they going to be less expensive, many brands now offer tomatoes with peppers, onions, herbs, and spices, making their preparation a breeze.

Keep your mixing bowls and measuring cups convenient to your workspace. Have a half-dozen or so ramekins, custard cups, and cereal bowls at hand, to hold each ingredient as you dice, slice, or otherwise prepare it. It simplifies the mixing process greatly. When cooking a dish with mixed vegetables, add the longest-cooking item first and follow, at appropriate times with the others. For example, carrots take longer than potatoes, cauliflower takes a bit longer than broccoli, sweet peppers take longer than onions, and I like my garlic under cooked, rather than roasted. If you must add them all at once, cut the longest-cookers into the smallest pieces. If it is a meat-based dish, add the vegetables after the meat is nearly done. Don't undercook or overcook the vegetables; savor the individual flavors and textures.

On the other hand, if you're making a stew, or chili con carne (which always tastes better when warmed-over), you should add the vegetables and herbs as soon as the meat has been seared. This allows the flavors to commingle (a process called maceration).

Then, there’s the matter of sanitation. While I think the fears of e. coli and salmonella infections have been over-hyped by the media, the dangers are real enough (and the consequences for the chronically ill are dire enough) to warrant taking care when handling foods. First, I suggest you buy liquid dish-washing detergent with antibacterial additives and put it in a pump dispenser; secondly, wash your hands before handling foods; wash all fresh poultry in cold running water before cutting, trimming, or dressing it, then wash the cutting board with antibacterial detergent (rinsing thoroughly) before using it for any other purpose; take the same precaution with cutting boards and hands after handling ground beef; gently wash the shells of eggs with the same detergent if the eggs are to be used in an uncooked recipe (such as mayonnaise), making sure to rinse and dry the eggs before breaking; lastly, cook all ground meats, poultry, eggs, and pork thoroughly, and be sure your shellfish are fresh (or fresh-frozen). It can't hurt to rinse all fresh vegetables and fruits before preparing or eating them.

Invest in a refrigerator thermometer and adjust your refrigerator to hold a temperature of 40 degrees F; your freezer should be set at 0 to 10 degrees F. Label and date everything that goes in the freezer; try to use each item before it reaches six months of age.

If you have a steamer, try using a sieve suspended over an inch or 2 of water in a covered pot; once you taste veggies steamed al dente, you'll rush to get a real steamer or 2. By the way, you can steam 2 different items simultaneously, if their cooking times are the same. If most of your meals are prepared for one or 2 people, invest in several small covered, non-stick, saucepans and a small double boiler; they will make preparation and clean-up easier and faster.

Many of my recipes call for chicken and fish to be cooked "skin-on, bone-in," then instruct you to remove and discard (or use in a broth) the skin and bones. This technique enhances the flavor, makes it more tender by retaining natural "juices," and provides the greatest nutritional value.

Those patients who are unable to handle solid foods would do well to "drink" pureed foods. If you have a blender or food processor, you should be able to puree (not "blend" or ""whip") a variety of nutritious meals from either raw or cooked (or a combination) of vegetables, fruits, and (even) some meats. If it is necessary to thin it out, you can add apple juice, tomato juice, etc.

VIII. Appetizers

Quesadillas pronto
A great Mexican appetizer, it can be varied to accommodate left-overs, as you deem appropriate. The quesadilla, itself, is not a good candidate to hold-over.

• 8 ea - large wheat tortillas
• 1 cup - grated Monterey Jack cheese
• 1 cup - grated cheddar cheese
• 1 can - chopped mild green chiles
• 2 tbsp - butter or peanut oil

Tortilla Roll-Ups
Great for a party atmosphere, they keep well for a day or 2 (if you don't snack on them).

• 6 ea -large flour tortillas or equivalent quantity of flat bread
• 8 oz - cream cheese, warmed to room temperature
• 1 can - (about 4 oz.) chopped mild green chiles, drained
• ¼ cup - chopped ripe olives, drained
• 4 oz - thin-sliced turkey or chicken breast
• 4 oz - thin-sliced cotto salami
• 3 tbsp - canned jalapeno peppers, diced (optional)

Gaspacho in a minute
Call it an appetizer, a cold soup, or a side dish, Gaspacho has a delightful texture and a lively taste.

• 1 ea - can whole stewed tomatoes, with juice
• 1 ea - medium carrot
• 1 ea - small garlic clove<
• 1 ea - small yellow onion (or equivalent green onion)
• 1 ea - stalk celery
• ¼ cup - green bell pepper, coarsely chopped
• 1 tsp - oregano or 2 tbsp of chopped cilantro
• 1 tbsp - Worchestershire sauce
• 1 dash - Tabasco sauce, to taste

Cheese Balls, by cracky
Tasty and nutritious by themselves or with whole-grain crackers. They hold for days in the refrigerator. Great for snacking, too!

• ½ lb - cheddar, Monterey jack, or process cheese, at room temperature
• ¼ cup - chopped nuts (walnuts or pecans, depending upon the cheese used)

IX. Desserts

Rice Pudding a la Tony
An excellent way to use left-over rice and get some extra food groups, in the bargain. Puddings keep well, refrigerated, for one or 2 days.

• 1 cup - whole milk
• 1 cup - light cream
• 2 ea - large eggs
• 2 tbsp - sugar
• 1 tbsp - vanilla extract
• 1 cup - cooked white rice
• ½ cup - raisins, currants, or diced dried apricots

Fruit Custard/Motley Medley
A variation of the rice pudding recipe, substituting several dried fruits for the rice. You may try apricots and prunes, apricots and currants, or freeze-dried berries (esp. blueberries or cranberries). Adjust sugar for tartness. Add lemon or orange zest for variety.

Bread Pudding a la king
Use the same custard recipe as the rice pudding recipe but place cubed, stale bread (a firm, high-quality French or Italian) in the mugs/ramekins, almost filling them. Add a tbsp or more dried fruit, a tbsp chopped walnuts, and fill with the pudding mixture. Dust the top with nutmeg.

Gelatins Aplenty
There are a dozen flavors of gelatins on the market and they make excellent vehicles for a light dessert, a snack, or a salad. Just add fresh* or canned fruits, nuts, or some vegetables. * Fresh Pineapple doesn’t work; it won’t set up. If you chill it in individual ramekins (or coffee mugs) you can cover with plastic wrap and hold for five days. [Hint: it’s a great way to hold fresh fruits from getting over-ripe.] Suggested combinations are:

Orange flavor with shredded carrots, raisins and walnuts (try pine nuts for variety)
Lime flavor with shredded cabbage and raw apple (add sliced almonds and raisins)
"Red" flavors with apples, bananas, and blueberries (mini-marshmallows work, too)
Apple flavor with orange chunks/slices, shredded cabbage, and walnuts

Fruit and Cheese Plate Medley
Many fruits make a delicious dessert when served with cheeses. There are 2 secrets: 1) fruits that "brown" after slicing (e.g., apples, pears, peaches) should be stabilized with a few tbsp of lemon juice or cider vinegar before presenting them, and; 2) the cheeses must accent the flavor of the fruit (serve a sharp cheese with bland apples; a mild cheese with tangy blackberries).

Mothers’ Oatmeal Cookies
So good, so good for you, and they keep for days.

• 1 ½ cup - all-purpose flour
• ½ tsp - baking soda
• 2 tsp - ground ginger
• ½ tsp - salt
• 1 ea - large egg
• ½ cup - Canola oil
• ½ cup - melted butter
• ½ cup - granulated sugar
• ½ cup - brown sugar, packed
• 2 tbsp - molasses
• ¼ cup - cream or half and half
• 1 ¾ cups - uncooked, old-fashioned, rolled oats
• ½ cup - currants (or raisins)
• ½ cup - chopped walnuts

X. Eggs

Raw egg warning The American Egg Board states: "There have been warnings against consuming raw or lightly cooked eggs on the grounds that the egg may be contaminated with Salmonella, a bacteria responsible for a type of food poisoning…Healthy people need to remember that there is a very small risk and treat eggs and other raw animal foods accordingly. Use only properly refrigerated, clean, sound-shelled, fresh, Grade AA or A eggs. Avoid mixing yolks and whites with the shell." Those of us with COPD, or any chronic illness, should be especially careful to eat only well-cooked eggs and to wash our hands after handling egg shells (since that is where the bacteria is carried).

Please, please, cook eggs with TLC. They should never be cooked over high heat, nor should they be added to a cold frypan. Treat them right and they will be tender and tasty; overcook them, they’ll be tough. This goes for "hard boiling" them, too; just simmer for 10 minutes, then cool quickly in iced water.

2-egg Omelet, plain
A basic recipe. Once you master the technique, you open a whole world of variations, using fresh or left-over fillings. Try left-over vegetables with a mild cheese, or chicken, meats, and fish, topped with creamy salsa or Hollandaise sauce.

• 2 ea - extra large eggs, broken into a small bowl
• 2 tbsp - water
• 1 tbsp - butter or canola oil

Scrambled Eggs Plus
Like rice, eggs offer great variety and uncomplicated preparation.

• 2 ea - extra large eggs, broken into a small bowl
• 1 tbsp - butter or Canola oil
• 1 ea - slice bacon, fried crisp, crumbled
• 2 tbsp - diced green onion or sweet onion
• 2 tbsp - diced green sweet pepper

Frittata Prego
A main course or lunch dish, using leftover meats. Does not hold well, itself, so don’t fix more than will be eaten in one meal.

• 1 tbsp - Extra virgin Olive Oil
• ¼ cup - chopped onion
• ¼ cup - chopped green pepper
• ½ cup - boiled red or white potato, cubed
• ¼ cup - leftover ham, sausage, or chicken, chopped
• 3 ea. - large eggs
• ¼ cup - light cream or half-and-half
• 1 tbsp herbs (basil with chicken, cilantro with ham, parsley with sausage)
• ¼ cup - mozzarella cheese, grated
• Pinch - coarse-ground black pepper

XI. Grilling

The Grill Drill
Your grill may be the easiest and healthiest was to cook many foods (not just meats). You may use the backyard "barbecue," your oven, a portable electric grill, or a non-stick stovetop grill pan. The rules are simple: 1) prepare your food ahead of time, cut to the proper size, and marinated (if appropriate); 2) preheat the grill; 3) if it’s a "mixed grill" add the items in inverse order of their cooking time, and; 4) if the items are small, use a "basket" to keep them from falling through the grill, into the fire. The "don’ts" are: 1) don’t turn the food more than twice (you’ll damage it or break it apart; 2) don’t apply a sugar-containing sauce until the final turn (because it will burn); 3) don’t try to grill inexpensive, tough cuts of beef, and; 4) don’t overcook it.

Example 1 Chicken should be grilled with skin-on, bone-in, to hold juices in, get maximum flavor, and keep it tender. Remove skin and bone at the table. Try it au natural, or marinated in a vinaigrette of extra virgin olive oil, lemon (or lime), and mashed garlic.
Example 2 A link of smoked sausage, split and halved, grills wonderfully, and quickly, with a commercial BBQ sauce.
Example 3 Steak is, perhaps, the easiest to grill and the easiest to overcook. Learn the "pressure test" for doneness: A raw/rare steak yields easily to your finger; a well-done piece is very, very firm. Practice so you get it right every time. As with sauces, add pepper only after the final turn-over.
Example 4 Some vegetables grill beautifully, if you avoid overcooking. Brush them lightly with an extra virgin olive oil that has been heated with several chopped garlic cloves, then start the grilling process. Try it with Roma tomato halves, split zucchini squash, thick-sliced potatoes, or sliced eggplant. Some folks even grill sweet corn, in the husk.

XII. Leftovers

Leftover, not Leftout
The idea is to plan for leftovers, not wind up with stuff you don’t know what to do with. If you go to the trouble to make homemade soup, or chili, or to roast a piece of meat, make enough to produce leftovers; lots of leftover servings, that take little or no time to reheat, or use otherwise tomorrow. You need no recipe to tell you how to enjoy cold roast (or fried) chicken, or a sandwich of roast beef, pastrami, or corned beef. There are suggestions under other headings, about uses for leftover rice or potatoes, etc.

Salmon Patties a la Sir William
If you don’t like these, you don’t like fish. Period.

• 1 ½ cup - cooked, flaked salmon
• 3/4 cup - saltine cracker, coarsely crumbled
• ¼ cup - onion, finely diced
• ¼ cup - celery, finely diced
• 1 ea - large egg
• 3 tbsp - Worchestershire sauce
• 1 tsp - dill weed
• 1 tbsp - freshly-ground black pepper

XIII. Meat, Fish, Poultry

Poached Chicken Breasts (etc.)
A basic recipe. The chicken may be prepared in any quantity, for whatever purpose suits you. You may poach thighs and legs simultaneously. The chicken should be washed in cold water and cooked, skin on, bone in.

Place the chicken parts in an appropriately large sauce pan and add cold water to cover to a depth of 1 inch. Remove the chicken to a clean bowl, add salt to the water, to taste, and bring to the boil. Return the chicken to the pot, bring back to a bare simmer, and hold, uncovered, for twenty minutes. Remove the pot from the heat, cover, and allow to stand for thirty minutes. Carefully lift the chicken from the pot and allow to cool. When tolerable to handle, remove skin and bones and return them to the pot. Store the chicken meat in appropriate container and refrigerate, or add to your immediate recipe.

Return the pot to the stove and bring back to a simmer, cooking for thirty minutes longer. Remove and discard bones and skin, then pour broth through a sieve, into storage container. Refrigerate and, when cold, skim off the fat. Use in recipes calling for chicken stock or broth.

Chicken Nicoise Salad
An entree for one or a hearty salad for 2 or three. If you want some for tomorrow, don’t assemble it; keep the ingredients separate.

• ½ ea - chicken breast, poached, skinned, and cubed to ½-inch chunks, cooled
• 2 ea - medium red potatoes, skin on, quartered and steamed, fork-tender, cooled
• ½ cup - fresh green beans, in bite-size pieces, blanched or raw
• ¼ cup - ripe olives, sliced or chopped.
• ¼ cup - marinated artichoke hearts (optional)
• ¼ cup - Creamy Basil Mayonnaise (recipe under "Sauces")
• 1 tbsp - chopped cilantro

Chicken, Black Bean, and Corn Salad
A luncheon entree or a tasty side dish. Can be held-over for a day or 2.

• ½ ea - chicken breast, grilled or poached, skinned, cubed bite0size.
• ½ cup - canned black beans, drained
• ¼ cup - canned, drained, or frozen sweet corn, cooked and drained
• 1 tbsp - roasted pepper or pimento, minced
• 3 tbsp - sour cream
• 3 tbsp - mayonnaise
• 1 tsp - oregano
• 1 ea - avocado, sliced (optional)

Salmon, Baked with Dill
Prepare this for lunch or dinner, then use the left-overs for salads or salmon patties.

• 1 ea - salmon filet (or steaks) of approx. 1 ½ pounds
• 1 ea - celery rib, thick-sliced
• 1 ea - medium carrot, thick-sliced
• ½ tsp - dill weed
• 1 pinch - coarse-ground black pepper
• 3 tbsp - cold water

*When you remove the salmon from the oven, hold the vegetables and juices in a small sauce pan, to which you then add the fish skin and bones (if any), add water to cover, then simmer for 30 minutes. Strain the broth and save for stock.

Cajun Finger-Lickin’ Chicken Fingers
If you need to waken your taste buds, this should do it. Double the recipe if you want some great leftovers.

• 1 tbsp - all-purpose flour
• 1 tbsp - poultry seasoning mix (parsley, sage, rosemary, and thyme)
• ½ tsp - garlic salt
• ½ tsp - fresh-ground blank pepper
• 1/8 tsp - cayenne pepper (adjust to taste)
• ½ lb - boneless, skinless chicken breast,* patted dry and cut into ½-inch strips.
• 3 tbsp - butter or Canola oil

XIV. Salads

Bean Salad, unadorned
An easy side dish that keeps well for days and lends itself to enhancing other recipes.

• 1 can - kidney, navy, pinto, or garbanzo beans, in their juice
• ¼ cup - sweet pepper, diced
• ¼ cup - onion, diced
• ¼ cup - celery, diced
• ¼ cup - white cider vinegar
• 2 tbsp - fresh parsley, coarsely chopped

Pasta and Chicken Salad(based on a recipe of my daughter, Mary)
This dish keeps well, in the refrigerator, for 2 or three days.

• 2 ea - chicken breasts, skin on, grilled or fried
• 4 oz - (dry) pasta shapes, boiled al dente, drained, and cooled
• 2 ribs - celery, finely diced
• ½ ea - sweet pepper, finely diced
• ½ ea - sweet onion (purple or "Vidalia" type), finely diced
  
• 1 tsp - dry basil leaves
• ¼ tsp - dry oregano leaves
• ¼ cup - pumpkin seeds
• ½ tsp - coarse-ground pepper
• ½ cup - extra-virgin olive oil
• 3 tbsp - Lemon juice or rice vinegar
• 1 clove - garlic, mashed
• several lettuce leaves

Spinach Salad "Grande"
This can be a one-dish meal, if you like; just add a side of bread and butter. Left-overs keep well overnight if the dressing has not been applied.

• 1 bunch - fresh spinach, washed well, with coarse stems removed
• 2 ea - large eggs, hard-cooked, cooled, then peeled and cubed
• 4 oz - fresh mushrooms, cleaned, sliced ¼ inch thick
• ½ cup - purple or "Vidalia" onion, coarsely chopped
• 1 cup - canned kidney beans, drained
• ½ cup - cubed longhorn or colby cheese
• ¼ cup - cashew nuts, whole or halves
• ½ cup - plain croutons

Tuna Salad Supreme
A wonderful hearty salad, on lettuce leaves, or stuffed into a large fresh tomato. It also makes a great sandwich, on wheat or rye bread. It’s a good snack food, perched on some crackers. It keeps well for 2 days, refrigerated.

• 6 ½ oz - can tuna packed in oil, drained
• 1 rib - celery, diced fine
• ¼ cup - purple or "Vidalia" onion, diced fine
• 1 ea. - large egg, hard-cooked, cooled, peeled, and diced
• 2 tbsp - fresh parsley, chopped fine
• ¼ cup - English walnuts, coarsely chopped
• 3 tbsp - lemon juice
• 3 tbsp - mayonnaise

Carrot Salad with raisins
Quick, easy, and flavorful. Holds well for a day or 2.

• ¾ cup - fresh carrots, shredded
• ¼ cup - raisins
• ¼ cup - wine vinegar
• ¼ cup - extra virgin olive oil
• 1 tsp - Dijon mustard
• 1 tsp - honey or molasses

Tostados Pollo
A high energy first course or, if you like, a main course for lunch. Definitely not a prospect for left-overs.

• 1 ea - chicken breast, poached or pan-fried, skinned, then sliced thin
• 2 ea - large flour tortillas (or corn, if you prefer)
• ¼ cup - Canola or peanut oil
• ½ cup - canned refried beans
• ½ cup - shredded lettuce
• ¼ cup - sweet or green onion, diced
• ¼ cup - plum tomatoes, diced
• ½ cup - grated Monterey Jack cheese
• 2 tbsp - fresh cilantro, coarsely chopped
• 4 tbsp - lime juice
• ½ cup - sour cream
• ¼ cup - salsa (optional)

Spiced Bulgar Salad
A nutritious vegetarian salad for 2. Best when freshly prepared.

• ¼ cup - bulgar wheat
• ¼ cup - boiling water
• 1 tbsp - extra virgin olive oil
• 1 tbsp - lime juice
• 2 ea - green onions, diced
• 1 cup - canned tomatoes, diced
• ½ ea - green bell pepper, diced
• ½ cup - frozen corn, cooked and drained
• 3 tbsp - cilantro or parsley, chopped

Citrus Salad Originale
I concocted this recipe when facing an oversupply of grapefruit. Try making it when you’re having a good day and can stand for an hour, doing the tedious stuff. It holds well, refrigerated, for a week.

• 3 ea - juicy, sweet-tart pink grapefruit
• 3 ea - juicy, sweet navel oranges
• ½ cup - flaked coconut

XV. Sauces

Creamy Mexican Salsa
Use on tacos, tostados, quesadillos, fajitas, etc. Make it up by the pint and refrigerate. It will keep for weeks.

• 1/3 cup - salsa or picante sauce, as hot or mild as you please
• 2/3 cup - sour cream

Creamy Basil Mayonnaise
Works well with Nicoise salads or a dressing for tomato salads. Keeps well, refrigerated.

• ½ cup - extra virgin olive oil
• ¼ cup - fresh lemon juice
• 1 clove - fresh garlic, mashed
• ¼ cup - dried basil leaves
• ½ cup - sour cream
• pinch - coarse ground black pepper

XVI. Side Dishes

Three-bean "Salad"
A nutritious cold dish that holds for days, refrigerated.

• 1 can - red kidney beans, drained
• 1 can - black beans, drained
• 1 can - white navy or garbanzo beans, drained
• 4 strip - thick-sliced, crisp, bacon, broken or cut into bits
• 1 ea - small onion, diced
• 1 ea - sweet green pepper, diced
• ½ cup - celery, diced
• 1/3 cup - extra virgin olive oil
• ¼ cup - wine vinegar
• 2 tbsp - Dijon mustard
• 2 tbsp - honey
• dash - Tabasco sauce (optional)
• pinch - coarse-ground pepper

Canned Tomatoes Primo
So simple. So tasty. So versatile. Keeps for days.

• 1 can (large) - whole canned tomatoes, with juice
• 1 large - sweet red or white onion, sliced
• 1 ea - sweet green pepper, diced
• 1 tbsp - basil
• ¼ cup - rice or cider vinegar
• pinch - coarse-ground black pepper

Fruit Compote, stewed
Make this from either fresh, canned, or dried fruits, or a combination of all. Once prepared, it keeps well, refrigerated, for several days. Try apricots, prunes, apples, pears, peaches figs, raisins, currents, cranberries, and/or oranges, as available. Just remember to start the simmering process with the dried and fresh fruits, adding the canned components (drained) only a few minutes before removing the blend from the fire from fire. The quantities you use will depend upon the sizes of the cans and availability of each item, but it’s probably not critical. I suggest you add sugar at the table, if at all. Try adding orange peel or discrete quantities of allspice.

Cole Slaw, a la Gillette
This is based on a recipe from Jane Gillette, one of my Kabineteers. It needs to mascerate for a few hours before serving and is excellent as a one-day leftover.

• 1/2 cup - mayonnaise
• 2 tbsp - honey, molasses, or sugar
• 2 tbsp - light cream or sour cream
• 2 tbsp - wine vinegar or rice vinegar
• 1 tbsp - caraway seeds
• 1/4 cup - raisins, currants, or sliced tart apple (optional)
• 2 cup - green cabbage, shredded and chopped

Pasta and Rice Variations
Look under "staples" for dishes that well work well "on the side."

Spinach Sauté Italiano
Goes with virtually any entree and adds color to your plate. Don't brown or burn the garlic.

• 2 tbsp - extra virgin olive oil
• 2 ea - cloves garlic, mashed
• 1 bunch - fresh spinach, washed, stems removed
• 1 pinch - fresh-ground pepper

XVII. Soups

Tomato Soup with pizzazz
Great for lunch. If some is left-over, it makes a nice sauce for many other dishes.

• 1 can - condensed tomato soup, diluted with 1 can of water
• 1 tbsp - basil
• 1 tsp - oregano
• 2 tbsp - dry onion flakes or ¼ cup diced green onions
• pinch - coarse-ground black pepper

Lentil Soup to die for
There’s no way to make soup in small batches. Try this when you are having a good day and have a ham bone in the freezer. The bone should have about a pound of meat left on it; if not, you can add ham scraps later. Ideally, the process should be done over 2 days. The leftover soup can be refrigerated or frozen in pint or quart containers.

• 1 ea - ham bone, preferably from the butt end, with meat scraps on it
• 1 ea - bay leaf
• 4 ea - medium carrots
• 3 ea - medium onions
• 5 ribs - green celery
• 1 ea - 9 oz can of whole stewed tomatoes
• 3 ea - medium to large red potatoes
• 1 lb - dry lentils, washed and sorted
• 2 tbsp - oregano
• 1 tbsp - fresh-cracked black pepper

Return de-fatted broth to the pot, add carrots, onions, and celery, in ½ inch cubes. Bring to a gentle boil, add potatoes, in 1-inch cubes, and tomatoes, with juice. Add lentils, stir gently, add oregano and pepper, adjust for taste, and simmer for 90 minutes. Serves 8.

Soup Stocks, the rules
Homemade soup requires a good stock (a process that’s essentially the same for chicken, beef, ham, or fish.) Simmer, in just enough water to cover, a nominal quantity of the meat, with bones (and skin, in the case of chicken and fish) for one-half hour, then pour off the liquid, allow the bones to cool so you can remove the meat (which you shred or dice, then refrigerate), then return broth, bones, gristle, and skin to the pot and simmer 2 hours longer. (This is essential: 1) to avoid overcooking the meat, which would toughen it, and 2) to draw the maximum flavor, nutrition, and body from the bones, etc.) While it is simmering, add appropriate herbs and diced onions and/or celery, to "build" the stock. When finished, remove and discard all but the liquid, which you allow to stand, chilled, until the fat congeals on top. Remove and discard the fat. You now have soup stock. It will keep, sealed, in the refrigerator for a week; or, freeze several pints and hold it for months.

Soup Making, more rules
When you start with a rich stock, you needn’t cook the soup for a long time. We know soups (and stews) taste better the next day, but that is not because they were cooked to death, it’s because the flavors had time to intermingle (mascerate). So, assemble your soup by adding the ingredients in inverse order of their cooking time (carrots first, peas last, just after the cooked meats) and don’t overcook. When you reheat soup, use a double boiler, or heat over a low fire, just to the simmer.

Innovative Soups, no rules
Here you can have fun and clean out the refrigerator at the same time. With some stock, you can assemble a soup from a remarkable variety of left-overs or staples. Chicken or ham stock can produce a great potato, onion, and celery soup, to which you might add bits of crumbled bacon or smoked sausage, a cubed carrot, some frozen peas, a few florets of broccoli, or a handful of fresh spinach. Beef stock stands up to a wide assortment of vegetables, and can be lifted out of the ordinary with broccoli or shredded cabbage, or get some pizzazz from red wine, or cider vinegar, or be gussied-up with some pasta shapes or pearl barley, or served over cubed, stale, Italian or French bread. The Appendix lists herbs that complement.

Leftover Soups, variations on a theme
Don’t limit yourself to a bowl, to enjoy your hearty soups. Many homemade soups can be combined with beans or lentils and used to top a plate of pasta (spaghetti, noodles, or other shapes). Some, like lentil soup, make a wonderful salad, with tomatoes, lettuce, and cucumber, or celery.

Chile con Carne, incredible
Texans will have a fit, but I don’t know where else to fit this National Dish of the Lone Star State. They’ll call me a sissy for a recipe that doesn’t blister your mouth, but this is the way I like it. Make plenty and freeze several pints for those days you don’t want to cook.

• ¼ cup - canola oil or extra virgin olive oil
• 2 lb - lean ground beef
• 1 pkg - commercial chili seasoning packet, without the cayenne pepper
• 4 tbsp - chili powder
• 1 tbsp - ground cumin
• 2 tbsp - fresh-ground black pepper
• 8 ea - garlic cloves, mashed
• 2 ea - large onions, diced
• 2 ea - large green peppers, diced
• 4 ea - celery ribs, diced
• ¼ cup - catsup
• 1 cup - water
• 2 ea - 19 oz cans, red kidney beans, with juice
• 1 ea - 19 oz can, whole stewed tomatoes, with juice

Cornbread
I have no "bread" section, but there is no better place to offer this recipe which is an absolute necessity to serve with chili, and quite good with other dishes. Leftovers hold nicely, refrigerated, for three days.

• 1 cup - yellow corn meal
• 1 cup - all-purpose flour
• 1/3 cup - white sugar
• 4 tsp - baking powder
• ½ tsp - salt
• 2 ea - large eggs
• ¼ cup - Canola oil
• 1 cup - milk or half-and-half

XVIII. Snacks

Veggies de jeur
Snacks may be the most the most difficult adjustment for both the under- and over-weight reader. We who want to gain aren’t in the habit of snacking; those who want to loose, are (usually) always "nibbling" on something. Better snacking habits, can help both body types better meet their daily objectives. "Veggies de jeur" help satisfy a craving are ideal for cutting calories; it’s simply a matter of keeping a good supply of fresh. raw vegetables (in the refrigerator, or in a lunch box), cleaned and cut to bite-size, and digging into them, rather than the chips, candy bars, and pastries you used to eat. Try cauliflower, green beans, broccoli, celery, carrots, and white mushrooms.

Dips Away!
Most stores carry refried beans in several flavors; plain or seasoned. Try your favorite corn chips, using your preference as a dip.

Nuts To You
If you want to gain weight, sample the seeds and nuts available, choose your favorites, and carry them with you, set them about the house to tempt you several times a day, or add them to your table, to top off other dishes. They are high in protein and fats/oils.

Soft Foods, for those REALLY bad days
For those times when you just can’t handle solid foods, or stuff that requires a lot of chewing, look at the "desserts" suggestions. Many custards, puddings and gelatins can be modified for that special need. Gelatins, for example, can be made with pureed fruits or vegetables (even with the nuts in there), and you can add cream to your puddings for extra energy. And don’t overlook the "power" drinks you can make in your blender; they can be boosted with purees (of veggies, fruits, and nuts), and cream.

Orange Fluff Pick-me-up
A nutritious "drink" when you yearn for something smooth and cool.

• ½ can - (4 oz.) frozen orange juice, chilled
• 1 cup - half and half
• ¼ cup - sugar
• 1 tsp - vanilla extract
• 3 ea - ice cubes (optional)

Potatoes, Plain and Fancy
What can be easier than a baked potato or yam? Well, boiling ain’t too tough, either and, between them, you have many easy meals and tasty left-overs. It takes but a minute longer to clean and prepare a few extra, and they taste great in a simple leftover dish. Eat most potatoes with the skin on; it greatly enhances the nutritional value, adds fiber, and helps the flavor. When baking potatoes or yams (and don’t overlook these change-of-pace vegetables), wash thoroughly, remove blemishes, coat with cooking oil, and wrap in aluminum foil. Serve with your favorite relishes, cheeses, or vegetables, adding butter or sour cream to taste.

Example 1 split the baked potato, scoop out the meat and mash with grated cheese, bacon bits, and/or diced onions. Return mixture to the skins and heat 3 or 4 minutes in the microwave. Works equally well with left-overs.
Example 2 scoop out the meat of the baked potato, discard the skin, and mash with 2 tbsp flour and one egg, form into patties, and fry in Canola oil. Add left-over bacon bits, ham, sausage, or broccoli.
Example 3 left-over boiled potatoes can be reheated in a fry pan with a tbsp of Canola oil, in sizes ranging from diced (hashed-brown style) to quarters or halves (homestyle). Just dust them with freshly-ground black pepper.
Example 4 for a quick potato salad, add a hard-cooked egg, a few tbsp each of onion and celery, some poppy seed, and dress with 2 tbsp of olive oil into which you have blended 1 tsp of Dijon (or brown German) mustard. Serve it either cold or hot.
Example 5 roast red potatoes, halved or quartered and coated with Canola or olive oil and peppered, in a 375 degree oven for 30 to 45 minutes, until tender.
Example 6 my favorite home-fries call for red or white potatoes, in ¼ inch slices, fried in canola oil, with shredded onion, diced green pepper, and fresh-ground black pepper added just as the potatoes are browning nicely. Reduce heat, cook for five minutes, and serve.
Example 7 for ultimate ease without waste, use frozen hash-brown or French-fried potatoes. Buy the economy bag, use what you need, and return the rest to the freezer. (NOTE: thaw the product on paper towels before cooking, to remove excess moisture.)

Rice, With Interest

Learn to love this staple food. It lends itself to many applications. These recipes ideas explore the basic, converted white rice most common to American palettes and are based on the typical recipe for preparing boiled rice: bring 2 ¼ cups salted water to the boil, add 1 cup of rice, reduce heat to a simmer, cover and cook twenty minutes, at which time you remove from heat, stir, replace cover, and allow to rest five minutes. This produces a relatively moist product with grains that separate easily. Try the brown rice, wild rice variations, etc., on your own.

Variation 1 use chicken stock to cook the rice, adding bits of cooked chicken and/or shrimp, and ¼ cup raw, diced celery during the final five minutes of simmering. Add peanuts, allow to sit for five minutes, and serve. Season at the table with herbs.
Variation 2 add frozen peas and slivered almonds just before removing from the heat. Or substitute shredded or blanched carrot bits for the peas. Or add both, with onion slivers.
Variation 3 add chunks of cooked chicken, crushed pineapple, ginger, honey, (or molasses) and peanuts a few minutes before removing from the heat.
Variation 4 serve the finished rice topped by a mixture of canned beans, onions, and diced green pepper (similar to "Bean Salad, unadorned" recipe), with a mashed garlic clove, simmered for 5 minutes. If you like, add chili powder to the beans and, if you have a bit of left-over ham or smoked sausage, (or cooked chicken), cube it and toss it in, too.

Barley, For A Change

Often overlooked in most kitchens, barley is a wonderful change of pace from rice, potatoes, and paste. Try the following recipe, served with ham or chicken.

Apricot-Barley Sunday Casserole
Packed with as much nutrition as it is with flavor, this dish should hold-over for 2 days. (If it thickens unduly, add a bit of water and stir gently.)

• 4 tbsp - Canola oil
• 1/3 cup - pine nuts
• 2/3 cup - pearl barley
• ½ cup - coarsely chopped green onions
• 2 ½ cups - chicken broth (or water, with 3 tbsp of chicken base added)
• ¼ cup - coarsely diced dried apricots
• ¼ cup - currants or raisins

Pasta, Pasta, Pasta
Only breads offer the variety and sound basic nutrition of pastas. They are available in many shapes, colors, and flavors, and are an excellent source of complex carbohydrates. They accept a wide variety of sauces and can be served hot or cold; as an entree, side dish, salad, or in a soup. The dried pasta keeps well in a sealed plastic bag, or glass jar, allowing you to buy economically but use in small servings. Pasta absorbs any liquid that it is in, so most cooked dishes don’t work well as left-overs.

Pasta Shells with Sausage and Broccoli
An excellent dish using smoked sausage for zest.

• 6 oz - small pasta shells, cooked al dente in salted water
• 1 tbsp - extra-virgin olive oil
• ¼ lb - smoked sausage, sliced or cubed, ¼" thick
• 1 clove - fresh garlic, minced
• 1 ½ cup - fresh broccoli florets
• 1/3 cup - chicken stock or broth
• 1 pinch - coarse-ground black pepper
• ¼ cup - parmesan cheese

Pasta e Fagioli, mangia, mangia
A hearty, flavorful main course. It will hold-over nicely for one day.

• 1 cup - ham stock
• ½ cup - diced onion
• ½ cup - diced celery
• ¼ cup - shredded carrot
• 1 ea - Roma (pear) tomato, diced
• 1 can - fava, pinto, or kidney beans, with their liquids
• 1 tbsp - oregano
• 1 tbsp - fresh-ground black pepper
• 2 cups - cooked pasta shapes (penne, shells, bow-ties, etc.)

Spaghetti with Sausages a la Jackie
Here’s a quick red sauce that will hold for several days, allowing you to serve the dish again and again, needing only to cook fresh pasta each time. Of course, you can substitute any commercial sauce, if you prefer.

• 1 lb - Italian sausage links, mild or hot, as you like
• 1 tbsp - extra virgin olive oil
• ¼ cup - each, of chopped onion, celery, and green pepper
• 1 ea - clove of garlic, mashed
• 1 ea - 14 oz. can stewed diced tomatoes
• 1 tbsp - each, of basil, oregano, and fresh-ground black pepper

Pasta e Olio, caio
In an Italian family, this is usually a side dish, but you may prefer it as a meatless entree, with vegetables on the side. It is the ultimate in simplicity.

• 4 oz - pasta, (spaghetti shape) uncooked
• 3 tbsp - extra virgin olive oils
• 1 ea - clove of garlic, mashed
• 1 tsp - fresh-ground pepper

Stir Frying

Get into the Stir
You need to learn how to stir-fry. It’s quick, easy, and (almost) fun. The secret lies in following a few basics: 1) have all ingredients prepared before you start cooking, each in it’s own dish; 2) Have a wok or deep, non-stick skillet; 3) work over a medium high, or high heat, using a non-smoking oil, like peanut oil or sesame oil; 4) add the ingredients in the right order, with the longest-cooking going in first, and: 5) don’t overcook.

Beef With Broccoli
I modified this from a recipe of Jane Gillette, a Kabineteer.

• ¼ cup - pineapple juice, drained from canned pineapple, below
• 1 tbsp - soy or Worchestershire sauce, as preferred
• 2 tbsp - corn starch
• 2 tbsp - tomato catsup
• 1 tbsp - fresh-ground black pepper
• 2 tbsp - water
• 2 tbsp - peanut or sesame oil
• ½ lb - sirloin steak, cut in thin strips
• 1 ea - celery rib, in ½ inch slices
• 1 ea - clove, garlic, masked (if desired)
• ¼ cup - diced green pepper
• 2 ea - green onion, cut in ½ inch pieces
• 1/3 cup - canned pineapple chunks or bits, drained
• 1/3 cup - broccoli florets

        Gracias

Thanks to my Kitchen Kabineteers, Yvonne Bedson, Lenore "Lee" Elkan, Gary Leach, Jane Gillette, Olivija Gwynne, Dorothy Manley, Terry Martone, Dori Moynahan, Jack Peterson, Ron Peterson, Bill Powell, and Anne Shea, for your encouragement, advice, and proofreading.

Bon Appetit