In Britain frozen vegetables are more popular than canned. They are just as good as fresh for the ’5 fruit and vegetables a day’.

The slow cooker is excellent for cooking beans. I have had some cannelini beans soaking all night and will put them in the SC later this morning. The trouble with American bean recipes is that they seem to contain a lot of sugar. Have a search on the internet for recipes from other parts of the world. Here in Britain we don’t seem to like our savoury food as sweet as you do – this includes salad dressings.

What the French do for a salad is to put a little Dijon mustard in the bottom of the salad bowl, mix with a spoon of wine vinegar and then 3 spoons of olive oil (very good for you, flax oil is also good for the Omega 3′s) they then put the lettuce on top (never the iceberg types – they use softer leaves). When they are ready to eat it they mix it up.

We in Britain are lucky because our doctor/nurse visits are free (we pay an insurance contribution through our salary which includes everyone) and drugs are charged at a set rate – about $10 for a month’s worth. However it is free for many groups and for certain illnesses. (Including me and my husband as we are both over 60)

Changes are always difficult, but when your health is at stake it is worth doing. Good luck.