"Recycling" food options.

COUNTRYSIDE: I recycle in all kinds of ways. This is one of them.

Since I live alone, it's also cheap eating. I'm consuming a variety of foods that are not completely consumed at any meal.

I cut up very fine, raw foods such as collard greens, etc., if they are on hand. When I was at the rehab center, I ate raw oats with berry sauce. They didn't have applesauce, and berry sauce can be used instead of snack cups. You can imagine the attitude of the lunchroom employees. That was my total breakfast and they'd have it where I sat when I came downstairs for my breakfast.

When the kids were at home I purchased "tons" of oats and apples, which were used as snack foods and quick meals.

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Emergency meal: I start out with approximately 1/2 cup of uncooked one-minute oatmeal. To this I add about 2 teaspoons of wheat germ, instant potatoes, cut up prunes, 1/2 bag of green tea, snack cup. Also, you can add spices of your choice and grated raw foods such as sweet potatoes, turnips, squash, etc. You can even grind up nuts. To mix into a "soup," add some fruit juice. It's a great opportunity to experiment.

Also using the idea above, add coleslaw, pickle relish, picante sauce, or V8 vegetable juice. You could also use milk of one's choosing.

This gives those without teeth a greater variety of food sources.--Dorothy Schmelser, San Antonio, Texas