This is a segment of a recent column from Karen Anderson who created Y2K For women -- a truly wonderful Y2K web site. If you don't already subscribe to her e-mail list, you are missing out. Her recommendations are practical and real. Jean

Recommendation of the Week: Cookbooks (Two by Jayne Benkendorf and two by Rita Bingham)

KA: Okay ladies, I'll fess up. I don't really cook any more! (My kids are teenagers and it seems like we're hardly ever home. We grab something quick on the road way too often.) So here is my challenge: try cooking one thing new this week. If you will, I will! The whole point in preparing for Y2K is not to wait until the last minute. If you are getting new foods for your family to eat during Y2K, you need to let them get adjusted to it NOW. Whether it's commercial, dehydrated food or just beans and rice you've bought at the grocery store, if you're kids aren't used to eating it, you don't want to spring it on them on January 1, 2000! Here are four cookbooks I've found that I think you'll find very helpful.

15 Minute Storage Meals by Jayne Benkendorf $12.95 + $3.50 s/h 1 800 580-1414 http://www.healthfulfood.com

Are you a busy person who needs to get meals on the table quickly - like in 15 minutes or less?

This easy to follow cookbook is for you.

* A Healthful Storage Pantry. Learn what foods to store and how much to store for one adult for one month using recipes in this book!

* Meals In A Flash. Every meal takes 15 minutes or less to prepare.

* Lowfat Meals. All meals are low in fat.

* High Energy Meals. If you need more energy, these meals are for you. They are packed with high energy ingredients.

* Weight Loss. If you need to lose weight, this cookbook can be your best tool for permanent weight loss.

* Common Everyday Ingredients. Tired of recipes using ingredients you have never heard of? You're familiar with these!

* No Additives Or Preservatives. All ingredients are free of harmful additives and preservatives.

* Healthful Meals. These meals are nutrient dense, using power-packed veggies and whole grains.

* Enzymes. Enzymes are vital to good health. Learn where to get them.

* Sprouting. Sprouting is simple and fun. Learn how, and include nutritious sprouts in your food plan.

* Fat Grams, Calories, Etc. Listed. All recipes include nutritional information.

The Food Storage Bible by Jane Benkendorf $16.95 + $3.50 s/h 1 800 580-1414 http://www.healthfulfood.com

Searching for good, healthful foods to use and store for any emergency including Y2K?

Tired of trying to read all those tiny labels in the grocery stores? Do you want harmful additives & preservatives out of your family's diet? This book lists approximately 5,000 food products that we use and store that are free of harmful additives & preservatives. Each product is coded for fat, sodium, sugar, cholesterol & over-processing. This book helps the consumer shop for the most healthful products in the grocery store. LEARN:

* What preservative in many stored foods contributes to osteoporosis.

* What preservative in many stored foods has been proven to cause cancer in humans.

* What preservatives in stored foods are particularly dangerous for people with allergies and/or asthma.

* What additives in stored foods can cause headaches, chest pains, and stomach cramps.

The NEW Passport To Survival: 12 Steps to Self-Sufficient Living by Rita Bingham and Esther Dickey $15.95 + $3.50 s/h 1-888-232-6706 http://www.naturalmeals.com

Rita will teach you how to use the seven "emergency" foods - Grains, Legumes, Seeds (to grow), Powdered Milk (or alternate sources of calcium and protein), Oil, Honey, and Salt - to prepare appetizing meals in normal times in preparation for a survival diet. She presents creative ways to serve down-to-earth meals, demonstrating the tremendous versatility of these simple foods.

Following these suggestions, you can have your own well-stocked pantry... ready for any emergency, whether you are faced with a minor or major disaster.

Natural Meals In Minutes by Rita Bingham $14.95 + $3.50 s/h 1-888-232-6706 http://www.naturalmeals.com Learn how to cook grains in only 3 minutes! Complete Meatless Meals in 30 minutes or less!

Fed up with FAT? Learn to make delicious, low-fat, "save your life" meals in these three easy-to-follow sections:

* Introduction to Natural Foods

* Sprouting

* 3-Minute Powdered Milk Cheeses

Hundreds of recipes - low in fat, high in energy, completely nutritious, and VERY FAST!

Whole grains and beans, fresh fruits and veggies combine to make great meals in 30 minutes or less! Breakfasts, Lunches, Dinners, Snacks and Desserts the whole family will love.

***************************************************************

"Dear Karen" - Advice for Women on Y2K is a FREE zine (delivered via email every Monday) to help give you information and encourage you in the uncertainty of Y2K issues. If you've missed any past issues then catch up at http://www.y2kwomen.com/archives/index.html

For a FREE email subscription to "Dear Karen..." send a blank email to join-y2kwomen@po.databack.com. You'll receive the current issue and all future issues or you can subscribe at http://www.y2kwomen.com/dearkaren.html

If you ever want to remove yourself from this mailing list, send a blank email to leave-y2kwomen@po.databack.com or unsubscribe at http://www.y2kwomen.com/dearkaren.html

If your email address has changed, you can unsubscribe your old address and subscribe your new address at http://www.y2kwomen.com/dearkaren.html

-- Jean Wasp (jean@sonic.net), May 25, 1999