Jen, I'm told by my WW leader that it's still "0". Someone asked if they could possibly go overboard on zero point foods, and she said "yes, if you aren't losing or are gaining, we would have to take at a look at your diary". So I guess the answer is to count as zero unless it affects your weight.

I think a lot of the criticism of the Zeta Rod system on this forum has been a bit unfair. First, I have no association of any kind with Zeta Rod. I don't sell or install water conditioning equipment. I do have a degree in chemistry. First, Zeta Rod DOES NOT claim to remove calcium and other dissolved minerals from your water. In fact, they have been very clear that they DO NOT remove anything. Therefore, and chemical test of water that has been conditioned with a Zeta Rod system will have exactly the same chemical composition as the water prior to the test. If you collect some Zeta Rod conditioned water and let it dry, you will get a deposit -- again, exactly what Zeta Rod states. What Zeta Rod DOES claim to do is to keep minerals dissolved in the water, so that they do not precipitate on (coat for the non-chemists) pipes, dishes, sinks, etc. (at least prior to the water evaporating). Zeta Rod also claims that any scale present due to evaporation will be easier to remove than normal scale. I have been using a Zeta Rod system for almost two years and my experience is that both of Zeta Rod's claims are true. Here are the trade-offs between a Zeta Rod and a traditional water softener; at least as I see them: 1. A Zeta Rod system may have a higher installation cost, but a lower operating cost. 2. In municipalities where traditional water softeners are not allowed, the Zeta Rod is a LOT better than nothing. 3. A traditional water softener will remove metals from your water -- the Zeta Rod will not. However, the Zeta Rod does appear to prevent the metals from depositing on pipes and other surfaces (as long as the water is not allowed to evaporate). During the first few months of use, the Zeta Rod also appears to remove any existing scale that has built up on pipes. Based on my personal experience, the Zeta Rod appears to be MORE effective than a salt based water softener at preventing scale buildup on pipes. 4. While the Zeta Rod does not remove anything from the water, it also does not add anything to the water. A traditional water softener replaces metals (usually calcium and magnesium) with sodium and/or potassium, depending on the kind of salt used with the water softener. 5. A traditional water softener should prevent water spots. A Zeta Rod will not prevent water spots. 6. The Zeta Rod system is MUCH smaller than a salt based water softener. If I had to install a new system and salt based water softeners were legal in my area, it would be a pretty close call for me. I would probably opt for the Zeta Rod system because of lower operating costs, smaller size and not lower maintenance (don't have to mess with bags of salt). Cheers, Don

I have one cast iron kettle that I use as a deep fryer, trsinc. I use shortening in that one (Crisco, that is) and it works out just fine. It keeps through many uses before needing to be replaced. For non-deep frying the way Bumblebeez does, I've usually used peanut oil. Lately I've been using the Palm Oil shortening for those applications. But long term that can get expensive (cost me almost 7 bucks for a 24-oz tub). Once I use up what I have I will most likely not replace it. I'm surprised you can't find peanut oil. It's one of the commonest. Most supermarkets carry it. Is there a Walmart or Kroger near you? I know you can get it there. Barring that, however, you can use corn oil (the #1 oil sold in America). Until Canola started making inroads, corn oil was the most likely vegetable oil on grocery shelves. If you're eliminating the use of Canola, do not buy any of the ones that say "mixed oils" or "blended vegetable oils" or something like that without first reading the label. Most of those blends are Canola and something.

Well I obviously had a DUH moment - jwvideo thanks for pointing out this one is a radiant - I completely missed that. My last range was a KitchenAid slide in with the lip you refer to and it eventually collected gunk at that lip line. I assume a lip-less model will collect gunk in the crack between it and the counter eventually - to-ma-toes to-mah-toes. bruce you are so right about the Elux website. If they can't keep discontinued model off there then what is the consumer to do? The nearest showroom to me that has any Elux models on the floor is 45 minutes away, I've been there 2x to look at everything and will obviously have to do more research. We can recess our refrig so don't need the counter depth and thought we'd go all Elux, too. BUT..... that Frigidaire smudge proof stainless really is amazing. I spoke at length with the maintenance person at the appliance showroom - he was walking the floor removing fingerprints which he says is a full time job there. He highly recommended the Frigidaire finish - knows nothing about features of course so we checked out the Frigidaire refrig and dishwashers while there. The Elux refrig is certainly prettier on the inside but I didn't see a big functional difference and dishwashers were very comparable in my mind so we may have a split kitchen which is fine with our layout. I promised myself I would NOT over analyze building this house - it's not easy.