Healthy Eating with Better Homes and Gardens. HAHAHA

It's been a whirlwind of activity here in this household so I have not been able to post in a couple of days. I like to do at least one post, but there's too much going on. My husband is getting ready to have back surgery this week, my children have birthdays, my father-in-law is here to help after the surgery. 

The one constant I have had during this turmoil is the daily influx of cookbooks! With daily influx of cookbooks comes daily ideas of blogs.

This is going to be a two parter. The first part will deal with All Time Favorite Vegetable Recipes. Obviously it's a short book since it was published during the era of canned and jello. 

The second part is one I have been waiting for a while. I received a book from Better Homes and Gardens about Salads. It does not disappoint and makes me wonder just how many dang cookbooks BHG had out in the 1960s. I have not found a confirmed number.

So without further adieu, it's time to take everyone back to a time where vegetables were an afterthought. 

Better Homes and Gardens All-Time Favorite Vegetable Recipes, 1977

I don't want to get anybody's hopes up but Artichokes to Zucchini means leaving out d,f,h,i,j,n,n,q,u,v,w,x vegetables.

The 12,332 version of cassoulet I have seen in these books. This one looks even less like the original. But it's THEIR take on it so don't call a chicken leg, meatballs, beans, a stew. It's a friggen cassoulet.

Yes this cucumber ring supreme does indeed make my day. Flat cucumbers, dozens of cherry tomatoes with stems, gelatin, lemon juice, cream cheese, mayonnaise, cucumber. That seems light and refreshing. Kind of like a diet coke with a large Combo meal.

While Mrs. Bucket stirred the watery soup, she wondered what she deserved to have not only her parents but her in laws share a bed. Too many bed baths, bed pans, turning so they don't get bedsores. Add that to her paltry job doing laundry and she had to rely on Charlie to sell newspapers. It's not like he's going to win a golden ticket.

Kudos to the great lettuce camouflage. The first thing that is seen is the white mess topped with bacon bits.Look to the next level, and the next, and the next. The eggs gave it away. Better luck next time!

 That wasn't so bad was it? Well then stand by to stand by because this Salad book is going to enthrall, disgust, and pique the curiosity of any retro food enthusiast.

Better Homes and Gardens Salad Book, 1969

A pathetic attempt at a salad. I think of a salad, I'm going to think of more vegetables than radishes and iceberg lettuce. Hold the canned artichoke hearts. I can't see them so I don't want them. My dressing of choice is not going to be a curry.

A tomato-celery aspic volcano bursting with shrimp and onions. There just isn't a good combination here.

This tuna puff bowl will fascinate guests and family alike. When faced with this horror head on, guests become family and family becomes guests.

The luck o'the Irish is apparent when portions of this Dublin Potato Salad is served. Wanna bet?

This turkey mushroom salad is sophisticated because it has mushrooms. (Their words, not mine)The utensils are the real headscratcher. Are they wood or metal? Where does one end and the other begin?

If this was in color, I would be ecstatic above and beyond! It is a Potato Salad Loaf with ham slices surrounding the loaf. Don't forget the lunchmeat cornucopias that dress up the platter. This could really be exciting in color.

Thousand Island Dressing. I need to be left alone with my thoughts. It's just mayo and chili sauce with some pimentos and chopped green peppers. WHY?

Salmon Avocado mold. Full of afternoon delight! Three forks? Good luck even using one.

I'm going to find a time and place where lemon jello with cranberry sauce tastes fine with chicken, mayo, peaches,celery, and broken pecans actually works. None of these ingredients would stand together.

All the mint jelly, unflavored gelatin, whipping cream and crushed pineapple won't get me past the trauma most loaf salads have created. This doesn't sound right anyway.

This jewel, or Ham Salad Supreme, is made of sour cream, horseradish, lemon gelatin, mustard, ham, and celery. Those meat roses aren't attracting me to the white brain on top of this.

And so the salad days are over. For now, of course. 

Here's to a safe surgery for my husband and hopefully I squeeze another one or two postings in.

Until next time!!!