Acknowledgements

If recipes could only talk, what a history in tastes and aromas they would share! Think back to some of your favorite memories of the past. Aren't certain foods part of that memory? Well, it takes much more than thinking about recipes and cookbooks to make them become realities. For helping me share my recipes with you so that you can stir up food memories for years to come, I want to thank:

     My husband and helpmate. Cliff Lund is the love of my life, but he is also the stabilizer I need so that I can continue to create my "common folk" healthy recipes day after day. He does the "behind-the-scenes" stuff so I can do the fun stuff!

     My children and grandchildren. Becky and John Taylor, James and Pam Dierickx, Tom and Angie Dierickx, and the five wonderful youngsters among them that they've blessed me with so far. Whenever any or all of my clan come home to visit, the first thing I ask myself is, "What can I stir up for them that's guaranteed to make everyone smile?"

     My family. Marge and Cleland Lund, Mary Benischek, Regina Reyes, Loretta Rothbart, Juanita Dithmart, and Dale Lund are all ready, willing, and able to do anything we ask of them as we continue to share recipes with the rest of the world.

     My editor. John Duff has believed in my family-pleasing recipes ever since we first met, and he's done so much above and beyond the call of duty in helping me commit my recipes to paper. The highest compliment John will ever give me was when he said that my recipes remind him of the kids of foods his mother always prepared.

     My agents. Angela Miller and Coleen O'Shea are the type of agents others just dream of finding. and to think they actually help me--this "middle-aged grandma" living in the middle of the cornfields of Iowa and who writes in a "Grandma Moses" style--to plan my writing future!

My writing partner. Barbara Alpert came into my life at a time when I knew I could write, but I couldn't organize my thoughts, couldn't punctuate, and or sure couldn't spell! The best part is that not only did I gain a writing partner, I also gained a friend.

     My employees.Shirley Morrow, Lori Hansen, Rita Ahler's and every one else at The House That Recipes Built who've helped me do what I do. I know I couldn't share what I share if I didn't have the support of everyone working on Healthy Exchanges.

     My customers. Everyone who has ever used my cookbooks of newsletter to stir up nourishment and memories for their loved ones has been part of the reason my dream continues to grow. Without people continually asking for even more recipes, that dream would of stopped before it ever got started.

     My medical advisers and supporters. When I have nutritional questions for Rose Hoenig, R.D., L.D., she gets the answers for me every time. I'm also especially pleased and proud that doctors, dietitians, and nutritionists agree that my recipes are indeed low enough in fats, sugars, and sodium to be healthy but just high enough to be tasty. They know that people will willingly eat my foods for the rest of their lives, not just when they're initially told they must change their diets. This is why so many recommend my recipes to their patients.

     My Creator. God gives all of us talents to use for the betterment of mankind. Mine just happens to be creating "common folk" healthy recipes and sharing in a commonsense approach to healthy living.