Refrigerator empty, so time to fantasize bout food.

Need to go shopping. About to prepare the last pieces of flounder that I had. So before I sign off for now I might as well fantasize about some favorite foods. I'm going to fry the flounder in olive oil (I only use olive oil, it's the best for taste and for health.)

Favorite fish: Salmon, trout, tuna (cooked, no sushi for me...)

Favorite meat: NY strip sirloin steak marinated in oil and minced garlic before barbecuing over charcoal. Really crispy fried chicken is a close second.

My specialities: Omelets with spontaneous adding of ingredients, usually diced meat, onions, and cheese. I also make great home style breaded pork chops. Beef stroganoff. Zucchini boats.

One of the top 5 best meals I ever ate: Hot buttered humus one night in an outdoor cafe in Ankara, Turkey.

Favorite health food tip: While it's important to maintain fluids, drinking only water is unhealthy because it is excessively "empty" in content. The body is not full of pure water, and it does not maintain itself on pure water alone. The best fluids are those that are obtained from natural foods (that is why chicken soup, fresh fruits, vegetables, and milk are so good for people.) Try to eat each day natural foods with lots of juice enough to substitute for one of those glasses of water you would have had.

Another favorite health food tip: Eat bread frequently. Humans evolved to benefit from ground grains in the form of bread. That's assuming you aren't one of those celiac sensitive people. Everyone else should eat lots of bread daily.

What I haven't had in a while and miss: Bento box with a great miso soup.

Favorite vegetables: Butternut squash (a super healthy food), tomatoes (yep, fruit or vegetable, whatever), butter beans, spinach salad, backyard vegetables grown by me (peas, beans), corn.

If you are trying to lose weight here is the best tip you will ever hear. Before each meal eat a piece of fruit in total first, before having your regular meal. For example, a banana, half an apple, half an orange, a plum, a bowl of fresh berries. Eat the fruit a good 10 minutes before your regular meal. You will eat less of what you normally have and enjoy it more. Whenever I'm serious about dieting (which has not been in a while) I do this and it always works. I've done this whenever needed since childhood.