low salt cooking, low sodium diets



Answers from a real life CHF Survivor Heart-Healthy Living Excellent Quarterly Heart Help (or Excellent Heart Help 4 Issues/Year) Click Here to see Spring 2009 Feature on Megaheart's Chef Don — Courtesy Heart-Healthy Living Magazine. Great New Recipes	TESTIMONIALS FROM BOOK USERS No Registration Forms, no usernames, no passwords are required for Megaheart.com. The entire site is free. It's your health that counts to us. For Website Testimonials visit Web Testimonials For Other Testimonials Click Here The following letters and notes were unsolicited and are posted with the sender's permission. My grandpa has lost 38 pounds already just because I have been using your recipes, so THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU! I really do appreciate your website and all that you do. You really are saving lives, and I am very grateful for you helping me save my grandfathers! — Kelly O'Brien Kudos to your International cookbook. Excellent recipes and certainly helping my heart. — Mario Mariani I purchased your cookbook for my father. Great book, that's what he can use being he doesn't have access to the internet. Thank you for your great newsletters. — Polly Love your "No Salt Lowest Sodium Cookbook." I am on my way to lowering my blood pressure from 123/98 to 112/77 in one month. I'm still taking my medication, but can't wait until I hopefully won't have to. I never knew that everything — or just about everything has sodium in it. No wonder I've been on HCTZ for over 40 years. Thank you. — T J Watts Hi, I just recently subscribed to the heart healthy Living magazine and love it. (See Banner at left sidebar panel.) I noticed your story and it inspired me very much. My husband was recently diagnosed with heart failure and they were actually talking about doing a transplant for him as well. He was in the hospital for two weeks and it absoultely scared us ... in june we will find out more about his progress, he is 30. Thank you for the great website and i am going to see about getting your low-sodium books soon too. — Renee Branagan Update: My husband is feeling pretty good now and he goes back again in July for more testing. His EF jumped up from 20% to 50% so I know for sure that the good medicine and the great recipes do help! Thank you so much for the tips, for all the wonderful low sodium recipes, and books to buy to keep up a low sodium meal plan. — Brenda Thank you SO much for your site and your books. I'm very, very new to dealing with the need for a low-sodium diet, and the information and support and positive testimonies on your site have been a lifesaver (literally, considering the effect one's psychological state can have on one's health). I have two of your cookbooks and have begun experimenting with some of the recipes — and thank you again for the phenomenally helpful site. — Raven Thank you so much for your wonderful cookbooks. I was really frightened when I got out of the hospital back in April. I had no idea what to do about eating. Your books were a blessing. — MaryCade Mandus I am 64 years old and had triple by-pass surgery in July 08. I have recently been diagnosed with Congestive Heart Failure. After reflecting on my family's history of heart problems I looked into beginning a low sodium diet. I have been introducing myself to low sodium eating, and did get some good direction from my dietitian. I was surprised that 2000 mg was considered a low sodium diet, but I thought I'd shoot for 1500. Luckily, I stumbled onto your article in Heart Healthy Living today. I have ordered 3 of your books and am so excited to get them. Thank you for the work you are doing to help people with heart problems. I am the only person in my family to live past the age of 44. All died suddenly from heart disease. I have been trying to live a healthy lifestyle, getting lots of exercise, but hadn't really thought about sodium until my heart disease emerged. Thank you. Sincerely, — Sharon Cagle Dear Megaheart.com Employees, Thank you very much for uploading all the bread machine instructions and recipes. I could not find them anywhere and I was gifted an original breadman 440 model. Thanks to your efforts, we will be enjoying delicious bread at our meditation center. With appreciation and warm regards, — Kristina Hoefel of the Brahma Kumaris I want to give you an update on my Don's progress that without you and your cookbooks and diet we would not have been able to achieve. He started out with an EF of 20/25 on September 25, 2009. Four months later it was 30/35, and this month it is up to 38. His is not having any major symptoms just needs a 30 to 40 minute nap some days (about 3 times a week) sometimes if he gets up too quickly he will be a little light headed for a moment. He has not had any fluid retention to date and the only medicine he has had to take is Coreg and Lisinopril. Don will be 74 in August and we feel he is doing great. He bakes your bread and helps cook meals, works in the yard, walks and still enjoys camping trips. — Barbara and Don L. I can't believe I found your site . . . I started reading, devouring every bit of information . . . then I came to your part, your history, the astonishing low sodium diet you follow and then the recipes!! Thank you, I sat there alone reading, I was overwhelmed, finally someone understood what I attempt to do for my husband. I am so frustrated and always bordering on panic of what to feed him. Maybe now it will be a little easier to find ways to prepare his meals. Thank you . . . Thank you. A loving and frightened wife. — F. McBride Your book is a fabulous resource. Thank you. Your story is amazing and has given my husband myself great hope for the future. Following a severe heart attack last July, he now suffers from CHF and has leaking valves. He is following your advice and staying somewhere between 4 and 600 mg of sodium daily. As a result, he has been off the diueretics for more than 2 weeks and is feeling well. He also hopes to avoid a heart transplant as you did. Thanks again for all the info. — Karen Hochroth Following is a follow up note from Karen Hochroth. — The Doctor was as surprised and pleased as we were, when the results of my husband's echocardiogram showed an improvement in his EF from 20/25% (in January) to 40/45% yesterday. All of his numbers showed improvement. We were nothing short of amazed, as there was serious damage from the heart attack. The left anterior descending artery was 100% blocked. Clearly, this reward is a combination of the right mix of meds, an ICD, exercise and without question the lowest sodium intake as you describe in your book and your story. When I last corresponded with you, Ira had been off the diuretics for about 2 weeks. Now it is almost 6 weeks and the proof is in the echo. Until we began reading your book, we thought we were "low sodium," not realizing that we were not even close. Our goal is to stay out of the operating room! I think we are well on the way. Mr. Gazzaniga, your website has helped me so much that, I passed it on to my family and convinced them to change their eating habits. I find myself talking about you everyday to everyone, I encounter. I am so happy that I found your website, I went to the ED on December 16, 2008, complaining of swelling in my lower legs and ankle and was diagnosed with CHF. I thought I was in another world or planet. I said no way. I thought I felt good; just over worked. I want you to know I didn't learn much from the cardiovascular nurses/team in the hospital about what foods to eat until God blessed me with your help. I now understand so much and I feel like I can help others from learning from you. Once, again I just want to say Thank you. I feel great, I have energy that I didn't know I was missing. Please continue the great work that you and your family and associates do. Also, I feel happy that I bought your Low Sodium Meals/Diets book this Saturday and can't put it down. You are a true blessing. — Thanks, Dottie I am so encouraged! I saw the article on Chef Don in heart healthy Living magazine and I have already ordered three of the cookbooks. My husband suffers from kidney disease which also calls for drastic measures in regards to a low sodium diet. Kidney disease can accelerate heart disease as well and heart disease runs in his family. Needless to say, I am excited to find help in changing our eating lifestyle. We have two young children and I want them to enjoy many years with their dad… I will do all I can to help make that happen. THANK YOU for your commitment to finding healthy solutions and sharing them with the world! Sincerely, Gordona Rowell I just picked up a copy (of healthy heart Living) and so enjoyed the article - you both have got to feel so good about what you have contributed to the well being of thousands of people. It doesn't come any better! — Dixie Don, since being diagnosed with Congestive Heart Failure I have faithfully visited your site and your books have been a Godsend. I tell everyone about them and how they help me. — Annette I've got all the cookbooks, and they are fantastic! Thanks so much. — Ed Ahrens Don, Just a note to congratulate you on the inspiring article in Heart-Healthy Living. Keep up the wonderful work, people do not realize how much unnecessary sodium is in the foods they eat. It is amazingly hard to change your life style. It has been 7 weeks for me and just a few minutes ago, I indulged in one of my wifes homemade chocolate chip cookies. The taste of salt was so prevalant, I almost didn't enjoy the cookie. Thanks so much for a needed shot of inspiration — Chris Thanks for the prompt reply. My wife is going to try that recipe soon. She was diagnosed with congestive heart failure the day after Christmas in 2005, and uses recipes from your four books on a regular basis. You're a lifesaver, for sure! Regards, — Kevin Ohl Don, I finally made the Christmas Stollen this year. It was wonderful. I even told my family to not touch the leftovers, they were mine to eat! A bit of trouble but well worth it. It is now on my yearly baking list for Christmas breakfast. Thank you very much. I look forward to making the pesto this summer when I can grow my own basil. I did notice though, you said a low or no sodium version is sold at Trader Joe's. I will have to search it out. Happy New Year! Thanks for all of your wonderful recipes and tips. — Nancy C Thank you and Maureen for your wonderful books. You have made it so easy for us to manage our sodium intake. I thought you might like to know that from the first day that my husband, Don, was diagnosed with heart failure we launched immediately into a low sodium diet and quickly worked down to 500 mg sodium intake, even though the doctor recommends 1500 to 2000 for his patients. On September 25, 2008 when he received the news that he was in heart failure his EF was 20/25. He has low blood pressure and has not been able to increase his heart medicine to the point his doctor wanted. At our first visit with the doctor he said 500 mg of sodium sounded a little extreme. I told him that he needed to tell me if I needed to ease up on the sodium reduction. He said no that 500 mg was good but that most people could not stick to that. We had a follow up visit for an Echo on December 17, 2008 and the doctor called to tell us that Don's EF is now 30/35. We are ecstatic and credit his low sodium diet and the fact that we walk every day for this improvement. We go to a heart failure clinic every two to three weeks for blood work to be sure everything is stable. The Nurse Practitioner says that Don is the only healthy heart failure patient she has ever had. — Barbara It is fairly easy to find low sodium food in our area, and it amazes me that the doctors and nurse practitioner are not overly interested in the diet part of managing heart failure. We have not eaten a single meal out, and we don't miss it as we really like our own food. We cook ahead and have been able to continue camping at State Parks which we love. — P. McIntire Thank you for all the info that I've got from your book and website. My husband is 38 and has cardiomyopathy and is recovering from heart failure(it has been a year). He needs a difibulator the end of January. We are trying the best we can to make his low sodium diet tollerable... Your recipes really are a great help. As soon as things get better for us we plan to get a bread machine and try your bread recipe because even using bread that is lower in sodium... well bread takes up a lot of his sodium intake allowance. We both come from a large Italian family and you know food is so important... he really is being a good sport about it. Well thank you. Every day is a blessing and God bless you. — Diana Falcone Dear Donald and Maureen Gazzaniga, I am a 52 year old Canadian and I am in an advanced stage of chronic cardiac failure. My heart is diseased and literally killing itself. The left is stronger than the right and the valves are all leaky. I have an implanted defibrillator and have had open heart surgery, ablations, and I am pacer dependent. My right heart is dilating and weakening. But being the stubborn guy I am it was hard to convince me the difference a real low diet could make. I read your 2001 book (a gift from my 80 something mother) and was stunned at the revelations in there about the sodium content of the foods that I had become accustomed to, but thought were 'sort of' heart-healthy at least. Then I was again admitted to hospital and given an aggressive diuretic therapy. I lost 8 kg of water. When I got home I managed my sodium and my diuretics carefully and lost another 5 kg of water. I feel so much better. And I no longer crave salt. Now I am very proud to be able to make my wife a snack of olives, dill pickles, cheese and salty crackers that I used to be addicted to. And I have my 'home made' dill pickles, Toma cheese and raw veggies and I feel great. I am sure this program has “bought me” years of mileage on my old heart. A transplant is in the future, but this definitely will buy me a lot of time. I just had your latest book delivered today (also a gift) and the new recipes in it look great. Your information, experience, and presentation has been inspirational to me. Thank you — Murray Gardiner, Canada Hi Don, I wrote to you awhile back asking you if you had ever made Italian Wedding Soup and if you had any ideas on how to make it more flavourful. You emailed me a recipe with instructions on how to make the meatballs. You told me to make a chicken broth and chop spinach to float in the soup. For the flavour kick you suggested I test it with some fresh lemon juice or balsamic vinegar. I tried it and was very happy with the results. I also added some fresh ground pepper and some of your flavour enhancer. It turned out great. It is so nice to be able to have soups once in a while. I used some of the chicken from the broth to make your fried rice. Also very good. You provide a great service. You have enhanced so many people's lives. Thank you for being there. — Patricia Miller I was informed that my heart was enlarged, 9 centimeters, and I was borderline ventriculer hypertrophy. My physician said (to eat) lower salt and fat, but gave me no resources. Your book was given to me by a family member, and I lost 16 lbs in the first month. I had always had a nice 120 figure, but when my husband passed away I wouldnt leave the house, and my diet was whatever I could get delivered. I put on 80 lbs. It ruined my health and I was put on 4 different blood pressure meds just to control it. After using your book, I am off all medications, and losing the weight. Thank you so much, I believe you have saved me from a road to CHF. Thanks again, — Christine Dear Mr. Gazzaniga,I am glad that you have told everyone about HEALTHY HEART LIVING MAGAZINE.!!!! I wrote them last summer telling them about your web site and your books.!!!!!! I also told them to have more recipes with LOWER salt/sodium content (for congestive heart patients) being they were a heart magazine.!!!!!! I received a phone call from the magazine asking more about how I handle cooking for my husband, Bob using all your "tips" and recipes. There will be an article on me and my husband in the WINTER issue ....which should be out soon.!! She said there would be a picture of Bob and me....if there was space. I told her you were a life saver.!!!!!!!!! Bob is doing fine.!!!!! When I first got your book...he was on 120 mgs of water pills. I started him out at 300 mgs of sodium per day....that was a year and a half ago. He is now on 20 mgs of water pills and up to approx 800 mgs of sodium per day. He is doing great! His blood pressure is perfect the Dr. says. All Bob's Drs wanted your book for their patients. !!!!!!! Thanks again — Delores (Robert) Jorgenson, AZ. I'm sending this email to say thank you! Thank you for writing this book, thank you for helping me to see that what seemed impossible (decreasing the salt/sodium in good ol' southern food) is very much possible. Even if we are limited by sodium intake, it is still possible to have great-tasting food and there are other seasonings out there besides onion soup mix, condensed soups, etc. This book has truly given me a new attitude on life and I thank you! I hope that you will continue to write these great recipes. I appreciate the fact that they are recipes for real food like hot wings, mashed potatoes, apple cake, etc. Keep up the good work!!!! Should I get the opportunity to speak at one my doctor's seminars, I hope it's okay with you that I will definitely be talking about your book!!!!!!!!!!!!! Thank you, thank you, thank you! — Sincerely, Demetra R. Smith Hi Don, I have CHF but your book gave me new life. I was on a heart transplant list. After reading and using your book (life) is wonderful. My name has been removed from the list and I have not been back in the hospital in a year. I thank you. God bless. — Elbert Adams Dear Don, I'm a 31 year-old black female who was diagnosed with severe hypertension some years ago. At the age of 17 it was discovered that I had hypertension by accident. (I worked for an ambulance service and I allowed them to use me to test the new automated blood pressure machine). It has been an uphill battle ever since. A few months ago, I had a visit to the cardiologist. My diagnosis was that my blood pressure was unacceptable (I was in the 160/108 range on a regular basis) and some drastic changes were needed in my salt/sodium intake and overall diet. Well, after leaving his office disgruntled and not having a clue as to how to go from 8,000-10,000mg of sodium daily to 2,000mg -- until I saw your book! Wow!!! After searching online and being able to sample a few pages of the book, I knew this was exactly what I needed in order to make the necessary changes in my life and cooking habits. I'm a southern gal with a love for cooking and didn't think it was possible to still enjoy my fried chicken and mashed potatoes with low-salt. (whoever heard of such)? Well, I purchased your book with 24 hours of that doctor's visit and six months later, I'm a few pounds lighter and not a single elevated reading of my blood pressure and I have not looked back! My friends think I work for you since I've talked about this book so much. I've shared it with friends, family, co-workers, everybody I come into contact with. The recipes are great and for the first time that I can remember since being diagnosed with hypertension I got a great report from the cardiologist today!!!! He was so pleased with my progress that he asked what I had been doing. Again, I told him about your book and he asked if I would be willing to speak at some of his clinics/seminars. It is inspiring to see others with heart failure sharing how to make drastic lifestyle modifications with others. I was diagnosed with cardiomyopathy at the age of 28 and returned to school to obtain the education necessary to offer lifestyle modification suggestions for other heart failure patients as well. Thank you for your site, which provides so much practical information to heart failure patients. Now, 40, on my 4th ICD and 3-time survivor of cardiac arrest, I believe that my attention to lifestyle has saved my life and put off transplant for me. Thanks so much! I hope to hear from you in the future as I go back to work helping others with chronic illness. — Lisa M. Elders, MS Just wanted to let you know how thrilled I am with the tortilla recipe from your International Low Sodium Cookbook. I prepared the recipe over the weekend and found it had excellent flavor. I have sorely missed being able to prepare flour tortilla recipes. Thanks so much. — Margaret A. Cox I had aortic valve replacement in Feb. Your book is a Godsend. Thank You! — Helen J. Daly-Midgorden Your cookbooks help me save my life - they are the best. — Margaret Fauchier I'd like to take this opportunity to thank you....Your cookbooks have been the Bible in my 90 year old mother's kitchen for 3 years now. Her no-salt diet is why she is alive today. I am appalled every time I think of how long her CHF was managed through pills alone. She is now very stable, has reduced her medicine number and dosage dramatically and no longer has the swelling that apparently even her doctor thought was normal for her. All we did was change her diet and stick to it. Thank you. — Lisa Cooper Hi Don. The International Cookbook arrived about a week and a half ago. Since then, I’ve been having lots of fun with it. In fact, it may not make it to The Nutrition Company library. It’ll almost certainly reside in my own cookbook collection. As I paged through the book I found lots of interesting recipes to try, but was particularly drawn to certain ones, like the Vietnamese Banh Mi. That recipe, of course, led me to the French Baguette. I have a particular interest in baking and make most of my own breads when time permits. When I did your recipe I did it the “hard” way (kneading) and it turned out perfectly. I’m impressed with your detailed instructions, which I think too many cookbook authors and editors overlook. That extra knowledge can make the difference between an “OK” and “excellent” product, in my opinion. I could go on and on about the book, but I’ll just say this: Great job!!! — Sincerely, Chuck, The Nutrition Company Dear Chef Don, I’m a 35 year young woman with CHF, living in the Netherlands. I’ve adapted to a low-sodium lifestyle three years ago, but the last two months I’ve tried to cut back on the sodium even more. Since I do so, I need less diuretics, which is a very good thing. I am a kitchen-addict, I love to cook and I’ve actually found some nice ingredients in Holland like low-sodium chicken and beef broth, even fish fond. Still I was lacking some inspiration, till I found your books on the internet last week. I didn’t know how fast to order them, the only option for me was immediately, so I did…and yesterday the postman came with a package containing your books. Now there is no more lack of inspiration, seeing these great recipes makes me happy…I wish there were more eating/cooking moments in a day, hahaha! Today I made your salad dressing with the dried cranberries…it’s the best dressing I’ve ever tasted!!! And for dinner I made some chicken with your recipe for red onion marmalade… I appreciate food more than before my diagnosis of cardiomyopathy. Without the salt you taste so much more of the natural flavours in food, but you sure made my life even better! I think my family and friends can only agree on this, and I think they will be inviting themselves to dinner even more often than before. Thank you! — Sincerely yours, Marjon Savelsberg Hi Don, I have been using your books for over a year now, and I love them. My husband has CKD and the Dr. told him "no sodium." He is doing really well on the recipes I make him from your books. He said they all taste delicious. And as an added bonus the recipes are helping me because I have high blood pressure. Thanks so much. — Pat McIntire Hi Don, I love your books & the new recipes in the newletters! Thank you for all of your excellent tips! — Cathy Hi Don, Thanks to your book and support and following the low sodium lifestyle my heart is doing fine. The damage was stalled where it was and I am feeling good. I have had two hip replacements, both the same one(from infection) but I made it, even though the last operation I lost 5 pints of blood. My heart held through it even though I gained 40 pounds in water after the operation due to all the fluids they had to give me without having all my blood. I made it! The low sodium way should be a lifestyle all people need to follow to keep heart disease from getting a foothold through abuse of our heart. Even my 28 year daughter has jumped on it from seeing me. Thanks again and keep it up. Remember the mark of a hero is the people he saves- never know. — Alex Myrhorodsky Dear Don, I just wanted to send you a little note let you know just how grateful I am for The Cookbook. My husband has been morbidly obese (350+) for several years and we have tried numerous "diets" that did nothing for him. He was to the point of considering gastric bypass after he had a "mini" heart attack at 34 years old. He had high blood pressure, acid reflux, and joint pains. I came across your book while doing some research on heart attacks and high blood pressure. I put the whole family on this plan so that we could do it together and he wouldn't feel like he was missing out on anything. We found that he could eat pretty much the same thing he always did, but we just adjusted our southern "foodie" lifestyle. Instead of buying prepared foods, we would cook from scratch so that we could keep track of our sodium intake. Since there are really no health food stores were we live, we also started looking at the sodium content of EVERYTHING that we bought...bread, chips (who would've thought Cape Cod had the lowest sodium content per serving??!!), juices, etc. This diet also gives me the chance to practice my cooking skills and be imaginative. My husband also allowed himself 1 "freebie" meal a week so that he didn't feel like he was "forbidden" from anything, but there were many times that even his "freebie" meal was still low in sodium because when he ate "normal" foods, all he could taste was the salt. It is now second nature to him to choose low sodium foods. On a typical day he now only gets about 200-300 mg of salt. Before starting this diet, he was pretty skeptical being that he was one of those people that always reached for the salt shaker before tasting anything. But after he started seeing results within DAYS he became a devout believer! Those first few pounds really encouraged him to continue and he was able to lose 50 pounds within 3 months! His blood pressure drastically improved and his reflux also improved. His aches and pains started going away and he feels so much healthier. He used to always complain about feeling lethargic but he has plenty of energy now. He still has a ways to go but with this diet it'll be no problem to stay with it. I can't thank you enough for getting us headed in the right direction! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! — J.Lofton, Florda Your book has truly changed my life. I used to eat pizza, lunch meat and all kinds of junk with my kids. The Docs never stressed the low sodium diet (although they gave me pamphlets). Thanks for everything. — Mike M. Dear Don, First, let me thank you for your website, your cookbooks and your inspiration. My husband was recently diagnosed with congestive heart failure. I was having a terrible time trying to cook edible food with no sodium. Thanks to your help I am doing much better now and keeping his sodium intake very low. We are really enjoying your recipes. However, I have more to thank you for than just the great recipes. At first Rick, who was a fit and active man before CHF, just wanted to give up. Your example as someone who experienced the same problem and found ways to deal with it, let him know that this is possible. You are providing more than food and information. You are creating hope. I just wanted to let you know how much good you have done/are doing for us and I am sure for many other people. — Gayle Ecabert I really should be thanking you! When my husband was diagnosed with meniere's disease in 2006 and was told to cut out the salt (300 mg or less a day), he thought life was over! He was the kind of guy who would lay on the couch at night with a bag of chips and a bowl of blue cheese dressing for dip! Thanks to your cookbooks, website, and Healthy Heart Market, he can eat and snack without 'starving to death.' He has not had a vertigo attack in over 8 months and has lost 55 pounds! So, thank you! We appreciate you sharing your recipes and insight to the low sodium way of life! — Sharon F. Love your website! Thanks for all the great info! I have just been diagnosed with kidney failure stage 3. Love all the recipes and I’m anxious to try some. Thanks again and have a great day! God bless you! — Pat I have used your website for awhile now and I love it. I received one of your cookbooks for Christmas. It is great! I look forward to receiving your newsletters. — Denise Hix Love this book (No Salt, Lowest Sodium Cookbook). Cured my hypertension due to sensitivity to salt. Blood Pressure this a. m. was 120/73. Before the low salt diet it was a lot higher! Thanks for the recipes. One of our favorites is the raspberry lamb. — Peg Jones Dear Don and Maureen, I feel like I know you both, as do all my neighbors and friends. I have just received my new International Cookbook from the publisher as you promised. I am so excited that my testimonial was, indeed, included on the back cover. I am a total convert to the no- salt lifestyle which has made a great difference in my husband's recovery from heart problems. His doctor recomended that he reduce his sodium intake to about 2500mg per day. After finding your wonderful website, we were able to get it to about 1000 to 1200 mg. I had Thanksgiving dinner at our house this year and used the recipes from your website right down to the dressing. I made 10 grain bread and used that for the cubes. The result was 'good news, bad news'. My husband, the one I am doing all this for, didn't like the stuffing, but he doesn't like STUFFING at all. The good news was, all our family and guests loved it. Go figure. Well, just wanted to say thank you for the book, wish you both a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year and thank you for all the time and effort you put into your website and cookbooks. There is nothing out there like it. — Sincerely, Cheryl Sachs Hi, Chef Don, My husband was advised to cut back his sodium intake due to a health issue about a year ago. I immediately bought your cookbook "The No Salt Lowest Sodium Cookbook," which is great, especially for your overall advice and substitute sauces, which I keep on hand at all times. The result is my husband's condition has remained stable, and we are all enjoying lower sodium but just as tasty meals as before. I have recommended the book to many friends. — Elaine Hi Don, I just wanted to let you know how well I am doing. I went to Toronto General Hospital last week to see the cardiologist.. This time they did the Radionuclide Cardiopulmonary stress test. My heart ejection fraction has gone from 43% two years ago to 46% this year. When I was diagnosed with Idiopathic Dilated Congestive Cardiomyopathy in 1999 my heart was functioning at 20 – 24 percent. I have all three of your cookbooks and I am very excited about the new No-Salt Lowest-Sodium International Cookbook. My son who lives in the Seattle area is bringing me the new book when he comes home for Christmas next week. I can't wait to try out your new recipes. I think I am always the first person in Canada to have your cookbooks. Thank you for being there for us. — Patricia Miller Hi Don, Thank you again so very much for the book. Everything here is great. I must tell you that a year after I had been diagnosed with CHF, my EF had improved from 20% to about 34%. The doctors told me that I could never hope for it to improve beyond that. Well, I had an echo in August, and my EF is up to about 47%, I am active and have plenty of energy. My cardiologist can't explain it, but I truly believe that your recipes have been a significant part of my recovery. Thank you for helping me get my life back. We look forward to the International Cookbook and hope the BBQ cookbook will be out before long also.— Patrica Boyles Have three of your books but not the last, which I will get. They have helped me immensely and my Dr. is amazed that I can eat well and happily. — Ruth Becker Thank you SO much for the No Salt cookbook. I didn't know what I was going to do until I discovered it at the Library. Of course I have ordered one for myself. I have Meniere's and have to stay on a very low salt diet. It is so hard, but with your book I am making it. — Inez Cobb The recipes that I have tried so far are great. I was diagnosed with Meniere's about 9 months ago. Thank you. Now I have tasty food to eat. — Sharon Honza I love your cookbooks! I was diagnosed with Meniere's and I had HBP. Since I started cooking your way I lost 20 ilbs in a month and a half and have gone off the blood pressure meds all together. — Cathy Rossi Your comments, humor and common sense have literally been a saving grace for me as a caregiver. We seem to be in the midst of a lot of excellent medical procedures but receiving poor teaching on how to "make a low Na lifestyle happen" Thank you VERY much! — Margaret Pickens Love your book! — Girard N. You will never know how much your cookbook has helped me. I love the recipes because they are simple and good. — Dolores Perez I have made several recipes in your book for my Mom who suffers from acute hypertension and they are great! This cookbook is a real god-send! — Debbie Shanklin Hi Don! I just wanted to let you know how much I am loving the soy sauce alternative recipe you sent me. We're eating wild caught Alaskan salmon once a week now, thanks to you. I loved the your tip for getting the bones out with needle nose pliers! I mix a little no-sodium sweet and tangy mustard from HHMarket (this stuff is amazing if you haven't had a chance to try it!), some brown sugar and some of your soy sauce alternative up into a very thick spread, coat the top of the salmon and BBQ. I serve it with some steamed seasoned summer squash & zucchini on the side and some brown rice from my rice cooker sprinkled with your soy alternative – and we're in low-sodium heaven here. Thank you for making this possible. My PVC's respond so well to the low sodium lifestyle. I am gearing up to make your entire Thanksgiving meal next month because our son is coming home from Colorado for a visit. I really appreciate your recipes online! My experiment will be to make your crust into an oat flour crust, because I've always wanted to find a nice oat pie crust. I am ready and anxious to get the lowfat cookbook to add to my collection of your books, and can't wait since I know it will help me further my weight loss! Have a great day! — Beth Swain Hi, Your site has been so helpful to me. I was shocked at my recent diagnosis of cardiomyopathy. My heart function is at 10-15%. With this (no-salt, lowest-sodium) diet, I do not take lasix. (And I had to argue with my doctor about this.) I was diagnosed about 2 months ago, and I will be very excited to see what my next echocardiogram will be. Thanks so much, — Regina Miller Your cookbook is great! — Jack Collins I want to thank you again for the new cookbook. It arrived yesterday and I put it to use in making some corn bread to go with my vegetable soup! A few months ago, after talking to my daughter, said she was going to get the cookbook which she really uses all the time. She is realizing how much better she feels not having all the salt! Many thanks to you, — Roger Harmon Thank you so much for all the great news and recipes. I just wanted you to know that thus far I have lost 33 lbs following your advice and going nearly sodium free! Have a great day!— Beth Swain With the help of your recipes, I've improved from an ejection fraction of 15% to 57%! Please, keep up your wonderful work. — Kathy DeHoogh Hi Don, I just want to say that thanks to the first cookbook I bought in Aug of 2001, and using it a lot, I'm still here and fairly healthy, (at 65 years old). I spread the word of the cookbooks to all the people I know and talk to. My poor cookbook is pretty well beat up after all the use! I had a heart attack on the table with my second bypass surgery—and now I have an intake on the average of 300 mgs of sodium per day if I don't want to gain much weight. I still stop at the local hospital cardiac rehab and talk to them, letting them know what is happening with me. I don't talk to the rehab all the time, but we do have a diabetic support group I go to every week. Thanks again for the great first cookbook you put on the market!! Sincerely,— Roger Harmon Wow, that was fast (response time)! Thanks so much!! By the way, I made your "faux" soy sauce and am enjoying it greatly. — Jennifer Hamilton Your recipes are wonderful and have changed my Dad's life and health! I made your raisin bread for Dad. He loved it. I made it for one of his friends who has congestive heart failure and hates the commercial salt free bread. He couldn't get enough. Your brownies were an instant hit with my Dad. — Ellen Freedman Your book is wonderful. I was CHF, BP sky high, aortic valve replacement in Sept 2005. The short version is that I am now in wonderful physical and medical condition as long as I get aerobic exercise and watch sodium like a hawk. Your book has been a huge part of my regaining my health. About 8 months post-op now. I also bought an extra copy of your main Low Sodium cookbook and added it to the lending library in the Cardiac Rehab part of the hospital I was in. — Larry Manion I no longer have cardiomyopathy since I received a heart transplant 3 weeks ago! Megaheart.com and Don's cookbooks were the best thing that happened to me when I had to be on a low sodium diet. I tell everyone who I meet who needs to be on a low sodium diet about you and megaheart.com. By the way, I have yet to meet a hospital nutritionist who knows about you, your cookbooks and megaheart.com. I usually know more about low-sodium diets than they do. This is a needed group to market to. Thanks again. — Richard. Bennett Hi, I really appreciate your website. It is so exciting. I am on a NO SALT diet and appreciate all the resources that are available. —Cheryl White Thanks, Don, I appreciate your help. I read your books everyday; visit the Web site for new stuff and for help!! I do not know what I would have done if I had not found your books. We both love the recipes that we have tried. I can hardly wait for your new book. — Unissa Avenair We have all three books...best books ever written..a Godsend. — Robert Jorgenson Good Morning, I have just received your June Newsletter and always look forward to reading them and your recipes. Since our no-salt lifestyle change, and your assistance, we have been doing very well. I find it quite amazing that the grocery stores offer so little in the way of no-salt or low-sodium items. Again, thanks for your good Newsletters and the best of summers to you. — Corinne J Walker I am making your applesauce cake right now. My husband had 15% ejection fraction in March, and in many ways, we owe his life to you and the encouragement your Web site and books provide. People need to know that they themselves can make a difference, and you provide that information. — Barbara Your books are a life saver. Thanks — Dianna Carlson I am enjoying the cookbooks and appreciate the suggestions as to where/what brands to purchase. Last night I made the ginger bread cookies and thought they were great. It's the first cookie recipe I've tried. My husband liked them, too, which is an added plus!— Jennifer Hamilton Thank you so much for the no salt and lowest sodium cookbook. I just found out that I have CHF. I was hospitalized for about a week because I had about ten times the amount of water that a person is suppose to have. I was scared. I have a very strong family history of CHF and coronary heart disease (CAD). I am the thirteenth of fourteen children. Three of my brothers and sisters have passed away — with my brother just passing with a massive heart attack. He was only 46 — 5 years older than me. Your book is such a blessing to me and my family. Because I did not know where to begin until my husband and I went to the book store and looked at no salt or lowest sodium books. We didn't know witch one to buy so I bought yours first. Praise God because I can't eat over 1000mg to 1500 mgs a day with out gaining water weight. Thanks to you and your hard work I keep my sodium under 600 mg to 700 mg a day. I am now trying to convert my family's recipes into low sodium ones. I love your book — your recipes are so wonderful and so yummy. I love to eat and bake and cook. I have lost about 50 pounds, which makes the doctors happy! I can not wait till I get your baking book. I ordered it (and your No Salt, Lowest Sodium International cookbook). — Sara Lenhart" I am looking forward to more months with you. I suffered with dibilitating Meniers for a year. After many, many, doctors, found a 1000 mg diet and your cookbooks — the only way for the past 5 months that I have been able to keep the symptoms under control! Thank you!!!!!!!! — Diane from NJ. I think your website and cookbooks are wonderful - I was recently diagnosed with Meiniers disease and your site and books have been a huge help in adapting to a new eating lifestyle. — Kimberly McCann Thank you for your great informative website and the support you have provided over the years. I have all your books and I am really looking forward to your new International Cookbook. Your recipes are very helpful. When I was first diagnosed my prognosis was poor and my doctor thought I would need a heart transplant. My heart function has gone from 20 - 24% to 45%. The Heart Failure Clinic in Toronto says I am their prize patient. — Patricia Miller I hope that you and your family are enjoying a happy, healthy New Year. I would like to share an update with you. My dad has been following your plan for 17 months. He recently had an echo-cardiogram, and his EF has increased from 15% to 25%. He now walks one and a quarter miles daily. Each day he continues to feel better, and with great confidence is looking forward to his 81st birthday in June. He states that his "quality of life is wonderful." Again we thank you and your family for your continued support. We can't wait for the next cookbook. — Martha Edwards It's not often that I really enjoy reading a cookbook, but yours are something special. Keep up the good work! — Carolyn Sheehan Love the cookbook and looking forward to the newsletter. I use your book almost every day. The best part is that I don't even see my family or friends add salt to the recipes after I have cooked without it. My extended family actually requested your refried beans for a fajita dinner birthday party we had last week. Thank you so much for putting such wonderful recipes into your book. They have made this transition to low-sodium eating so much easier for me! We're going to try stuffed red snapper tonight and I can't wait. Again, thank you!— Kristi Williams Thank you. This is a life saver! — Heather Steuer I have all of your books & believe me they are very helpful. Thanks a lot. — Betty Franken. Mom has CHF, REALLY appreciate your No-Salt cookbooks. Thank you. — Lisa Louise C. I had another echocardiogram done in December, and Dr Boccicchio said my heart looked beautiful and if he hadn't seen it in the beginning, he would never believe that I'd had heart failure. Here's one success for your low sodium diet story!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! — Cheryl Colbert Hi, I have two of your books now and have tried several recipes and they are yummy! — Peg Many thanks for the cookbooks & newsletter. They are great supports. — Raymond M. Your book is an answer to prayer! My precious son Tim, was diagnosed with a liver disease when only 19 months old. He has high blood pressure, extremely high cholesterol & triglycerides, hypoglycemic, will one day be a candidate for a liver transplant. He has a weak immune system, possible heart disease and more! It is extremely important for us to keep the sodium at the lowest possible! Please don`t stop your web site and keep that wonderful book in print! I prayed and God sent us your book The No Salt, Lowest Sodium Cookbook. God is good all the time! With a grateful heart, Linda T. Hello Don, Thank you for your outstanding cookbooks and commitment to a healthy no-low sodium lifestyle. My better-half was diagnosed with CHF last year. It knocked us off center! He was healthy, active and had a thriving business. A virus attacked his heart muscle and when he entered the ER his EF was 12%. A very long story short ... due to a no to low sodium diet and good meds, Grant is doing very well. I have done a good job of creating low sodium meals, but it is difficult. I recently came across your cookbooks and website and have prepared many of your recipes. They are delicious! We admire and appreciate your dedication to our new lifestyle. I am enjoying the benefits as well. I have lost weight and feel better for adhering to a low sodium diet. God Bless you and your family! — Lisa M. Gleeson Dear Don, Congratulations on ten years of wonderful work! — Margaret Hicks Great cookbook. — Charles Chance Just received your 3 books. Loved them all. Great job. — Nancy Pine. I will definitely order your cookbook. What a huge help that will be to me. You're really helping a lot of people so tremendously with the information you've provided. May God continue to bless you and your work. Thanks. — Greg Blair Wonderful cookbook...so helpful. Thank you. — Diana Segal I just want to say your trio of books are very helpful to me in the battle against salt!! The recipe for soy sauce is amazing. — Nancy Milo Hello Don, Happy Fall. I wanted to check in with you and give you an update on my dad. Sept 5th marked one year that he has been on your plan. Just when we think we have seen a leveling off in his recovery, he amazes us more. In June he turned 80, and he danced and played the piano at his party. One year ago he could not walk 10 feet. He is now walking one mile every day. Since my dad started your plan he has not been to the hospital emergency room. His Cardiologist calls his recovery remarkable, and his family doctor calls it a miracle. We live by your three cookbooks. At the risk of sounding redundant, I will say it again. — your plan makes miracles happen. We want CHF patients and other people to know that making this change in their diet will give back health and quality of life. We hope that you are continuing to enjoy good health. God bless you and your family. — Martha Edwards Got your "light" book @ library - love it! Thanks! — Vicki Antilley When my husband was diagnosed with Menieres, Don's "No Salt, Lowest Sodium Cookbook" became my bible!! Thank you so much!! I could go on and on about what that book meant to me during a very trying time!! And, the fact that you and your wife were able to develop those wonderful recipes during your own trying times (I just finished reading the intro to your newest book) is totally amazing to me. Thank you so much!! P.S. Now I'm getting ready to start trying the recipes in the "Light Meals" cookbook...they look wonderful!! Sharon Kaiser— Sharon Kaiser Your three cookbooks have served as my bible for the past year after an ICD implant. I was diagnosed with CHF two years ago at age 57, with an EF of 25 - 30%, due to previously undiagnosed familial cardiomyopathy. A year ago, with an EF of 20%, I was in severe heart failure. After having an ICD implant and thoracotomy, I have been determined to keep my lungs clear. Using your recipes, in addition to my medications, has completely transformed my life. I have been able to return to work and am now walking three miles a day on the treadmill instead of the .2 of a mile that I could walk a year ago. My EF is 30 - 35%. My husband was also on the verge of requiring blood pressure medication, but has lowered his systolic pressure from 140 to 117, thus eliminating the need for medication. Please keep the recipes coming. Thanks for helping me to improve my life. Pat . — Pat Boyles I have all of your books and I can't thank you enough for the recipes. My husband needs very low salt foods and I have been appalled at the levels of "hidden" sodium in foods that I didn't think had ANY sodium in them at all. My friends are now much more attuned to salt in foods they eat. — Cheryl Sachs Dear Don, I thank you so much for all the fantastic recipes you send re the e-mail and monthly newsletter and I have made many delicious meals from your recipes and even my husband who doesn't have any problem with sodium enjoys them and I have also made some for my daughter who has 5 young kids and have it ready for her to pick up after her work and they all enjoy them. It is great to be able to enjoy low sodium or no sodium meals and enjoy them so much. I look forward to your monthly newsletters and you are my saviour, thanks so much it is so much appreciated. — Dianne Baboth (Ontario) Hi Don, A while back I sent you an email raving about the "Light Meals" cookbook. I've tried other recipes, (in the book) by the way, and they were just as delicious. The broccoli soup is out of this world. My "saltaholic" husband didn't even put any salt in it! Anyway, the point of this email is to not offer rave reviews, even though they are well deserved. I may have told you that I live on the Central coast of California and have been a patient of the Coastal Cardiology group here. You told me to be sure to tell my doctor about my dropping my sodium levels very low (because he had told me 2000 mg), so he wouldn't think that the higher levels he recommended had helped me regain a nearly normal heart function. Well, I did that and sent him a list of the CHF websites I use and the local products that are available for sale that are low sodium, along with the website order sites. I listed that your cookbooks are a major source of good tasting low sodium food and offered to help set up a support group for CHF patients if one were ever started here. To my great surprise, my doctor took me up on my offer and we had our initial meeting this past week. We are shooting for our first meeting in September with me as the initial speaker to talk to the patients about the importance of low sodium eating and how to achieve that goal. I don't know if you ever do this, but I'm asking if you would donate a copy of each of your cookbooks to the Coastal Cardiology group. That way we could display them at the meeting and maybe drum up some more orders for you. I have a copy of each, but can't part with mine, since I use them every day. Thanks, — Cheryl Colbert Love your No Salt Cookbook! — Linda Jo J. I have recently been diagnosed with an enlarged heart due to high blood pressure. I am so happy to have found this sight. Thank you for providing this valuable info. to people such as myself. God bless. — Melissa Just found out I have HBP.....Thank You for this site! — Jackie A. Love the recipes!!! — Gloria F. Wonderful Book- thank you!!! — Beth Like your cookbooks a lot. Hope you keep writing them. Thanks for sharing your experiences and giving others hope and inspiration. — Kaye Hi Don, I want to thank you and your wife for all of the work you put into your 3 cookbooks. I was diagnosed with heart failure last May with an EF of 20%. My cardiologist said to limit my sodium to 2000 mg per day, but after reading your story in the first cookbook of yours that I bought and following your recipes, I was able to cut the sodium easily to 500-1000 mg per day instead. At the beginning of December, another echocardiogram showed that my heart had shrunk back to normal size and my EF had risen back to 55-60%. My overall health has improved tremendously because of my new low sodium “diet” and I plan to continue it forever. I just bought the newest Light Meals cookbook and have to say that the California Salad and Chicken Curry Salad are great. I’ve also tried and loved the Potato Leek soup, Creamy Onion Garlic soup, and Garlic French Rolls. My husband, who is a saltaholic, is also loving your recipes and says my cooking has improved 100%. Thank you so much for the huge difference you’ve made in my life and many others. &mdash: Cheryl Colbert Hi Don, I meant to send this email a month ago, but I figured better late than never. A very blessed, happy and healthy New Year to you and your family. My father is in his fifth month on your plan and is doing great. He now walks several times a day, totaling about 1/2 mile. He hopes to get up to a mile without stopping by his 80th birthday in June. Just wanted you to know we hold your books dear to our hearts and thank you and your family. Have a great year. — Martha Edwards I love all of your cookbooks. We are new to congestive heart failure and your books are very helpfull. I learned to make no salt bread thanks to you. The healthy market is a great place to shop too. Keep up the great work. A very happy and healthy new year to you and your family. - Debbie Merves Your books are great! Thanks especially for the baking recipes.— D Wassel I just spent part of the weekend teaching my 88 year old father some of your wonderful bread recipes. We had a great time . Thanks for helping to empower those people with congestive heart failure. —Marie B We' ve tried any number of your no-salt, low sodium breads and rolls and can't decide on a favorite...they have all been successful and quite tasty. BTW, I use soy milk and l t b. lemon juice to make buttermilk for your buttermilk rolls. This way they are non-dairy. Thanks so much for your wonderful creative culinary ideas. — Ruth Brinn Note: Soy milk has 28.8 mg sodium per cup. Thank you so much for your books. We would have been totally lost without not only the recipes, but all the helpful information. My daughter has a rare condition known as Budd-Chiarri Syndrome and has to limit her sodium. The entire family has decided to join her in her diet to be supportive. Before I found your book, she said her plan was to just cut down on eating all together, because there was so much sodium in everything, it seemed hopeless. Amazingly, this whole thing has turned into a fun new hobby of cooking and searching for low sodium products for all of us. That's quite a change from the day I found my daughter in tears, thinking she could never eat anything good again. I am really excited about it, because I remember that my mother hardly ate anything at all when she had to go to a low sodium diet for her heart. I only wish she were still around to join in the fun. Thanks again — Merry Mata Note: The following is a follow-up note from Merry Mata. As for my daughter, she is doing very well. At her most recent appointment, the doctor was very impressed with her improvement. Thanks to her success with the low sodium diet, she may eventually regain full liver function, and may not need a transplant after all. She called me yesterday to say she had tried one of your recipes with her new bread machine, and she was so excited. She really loved it and is looking forward to trying some of the others. Thanks again for everything!!! Good Afternoon Don, I would like to share some good news with you and your readers. I shared with you that my dad is 79 yrs old and has been diagnosed with end stage CHF. We were told we had no options and death is imminent. As you know he started your plan, and 23 days later has received wonderful news from the Pulmunologist. The 500 cc of fluid on his lungs that he could not get rid of is gone. The doctor was thrilled and said that he sounded and looked great. The doctor also said that my dad is on a winning plan, and don't change a thing. He is now sleeping thru the night, no episodes of sleep apnea, he is getting stronger each and every day, his appetite (just like you said) is finally returning, and he takes up to three short walks per day (in addition to some light exercise.) He is talking about the future again. The x-ray report also said "mild" cardiomyopathy. Not sure if that means his heart is beginning to heal. Past reports have said "severe." We will follow up in one month with his heart doctor for clarification. Again, thanks so much for your support and encouragement. So far the recipes we have tried were easy to make, and my dad really likes the food. Please feel free to share our experience with anyone who is on the fence about making diet changes. The food plan and cookbooks you have shared with us make miracles happen. I will check back with you in a month with an update. Take care — Martha Edwards , Baltimore, MD I am on a very low salt diet because of a liver disease. I really appreciate your books. They are the best. — Margie Hi Don, Welcome from my new home in St. Augustine, Florida. Even though I have left the heart failure program at Morton Plant Hospital in Clearwater, I'm still with the BayCare system. I've developed a heart failure home care program for our 13 home care offices and of course promoting your books and web site to all the nurses and patients. I've been given the honor to help raise money for the American Heart Association Heart Walk in November for our Jacksonville office. I was wondering if you would like to donate one of your great books so we could "raffle" it off to raise some money. I have to keep lending my books out, but I really don't want to give my "signed" booked away. I still need to get your latest one which I hear is great. Have you made any contact with the American Association of Heart Failure Nurses? I won a scholarship from them in July to attend their conference in CA and talked to many nurses about your web site and books. A lot of them knew about you and your books. The conference next year will be here in Florida and I hope I can get a sponsor to go. If I do, I will again sing your praises. I hope your health is great and thanks again for all the great work you do in behalf of the heart failure patients. Your Florida friend, Judy (R.N.) Hi Don, My husband is doing very well on his new low-sodium diet (thanks largely to you!) Thanks for your help! — Julie Tew My spouse was just diagnosed with hypertension, so we were frantically searching for low-salt versions of favorites like pizza. I found your pizza recipe and even though I had to make a few changes (mostly because I couldn't find low-salt mozzarella cheese right away), I still ended up with a pizza that was about a quarter as salty as a storebought one would have been -- and much, much tastier! Thanks! — Tamara Please accept my sincerest thank you for helping me save my husband. Fred was in terrible shape, and they thought he'd die. After I found your books I bought them and have lived by them ever since. I even eat what I am serving Fred for his heart condition and I can't believe how much I enjoy your recipes and your meal planning guide. We feel so lucky that you did this and we found them. Your website also has been a big help and once about a year ago I wrote for some info and you answer so quickly I just felt like you cared. Fred is much better now, even plays a little golf on cool days. All thanks to your books and our new lifestyle. Thank you. — Samantha I am thrilled with your Light Meals book. The soups are the best I've ever tasted . . . and no salt. Amazing work. Now Don, did you do those or did your wife? :-) My whole family loves them, too. My husband has done so well with your recipes for the past four years that he's practically fully recovered now. His story sounds like yours. We thank you very much for all the work you have done. P.S. You say in the book that your wife did the soups. She must be some kind of cook. — Linda S. We tried your recipe for the sweet and sour sesame chicken. My 17-yr. old son loved it, could not believe it was low sodium, and said he now has a new "favorite recipe". :) Terrific recipe! Thanks! — LeeAnn I tried about three other low salt books before the one I found here. A month ago I got one and started my own plan like the one in the book. I'm already BETTER! And my doctor doesn't believe it. So, I ordered another book and took it to him yesterday. He was crazy out of his mind when he got it. Really. He'd never seen it or anything like it. Says he's going to recommend it to everyone. Thanks so much. You saved my life. — Arvid T. Hi Chef Don.....this is Kathy Keegan again......I was very surprised and I thank you for your quick response...............It is so nice to know that someone will get back to us so quickly.....smile....I think you will be hearing from the rest of my family.....and you can count on me to be passing the word on your book/lifestyle......I love it.... Thanks again — Kathy Keegan I want to thank you for a wonderful site! I found out recently that my Mom, who is 77 years old, has kidney problems and is restricted on her diet. Since she is coming for a visit soon, I have been trying to find easy to do recipes that she would enjoy. Your site has helped a great deal! Thank you again, — Sue, from Tucson Thanks Don. Your practice of judicious, disciplined selection of food and committment have had a big impact on my habits. That and the scary dizzy spell which inspired a dream that I will not get into. I've crossed the rubicon. 1500 calories and 1,000 milligrams of sodium a day is the goal and as soon as that decision was made all the cravings seem like, well, children who have to go to their room cause big Al is back. :-) — Al Stein Hi, folks! For what it is worth, I thought you would like to know that I am sending a copy of the No Salt cookbook to President Clinton--obviously he will have a cook, nutritionist, and on and on, but so few people seem to recognize salt as a problem--even the experts. I am "salt sensitive" and my husband had open heart - mitral valve replaced - I had written to you in the past about my success in dealing with the salt issues, and I recommend your book to everyone who wonders how I lost so much weight--who knew Weight Watchers meals could kill--they are high in salt. My doctor has me at 1500 mg a day, but I can stay under that with no problems thanks to your books -- and eat well!!! I use the bread machine weekly, and even as we speak, I have made the pie crust for a fresh raspberry-peach tart. I do miss pretzels, but I recognize the alternative!!! Thank you again for your books, recipes, web site! — Susan Van Rossum I had to write. Two years now on your book's program. The guide in the back. Two years. Never a dull day, never a bad meal and now, get this. IMPROVEMENT. I am better. No transplant, no nothing but return to work. All thanks to you. Please accept this as my gratitude for what you have done for me and others. — D. Tremble I appreciate the website, the cookbooks, and the products so very much. I'm a Meniere's disease patient who went from being a "salt-aholic" (my mother was an Irishwoman who knew only one spice) to about 700 mg/day - big adjustment! It took me nearly four years to get over the cravings. I still miss some foods and get discouraged by restaurant fare, but my attitude has improved greatly. Keep up the good work. It's a "mission" to souls like me. — K. C. McHugh Dear Don, Thank you so much for your No-Salt cookbook. I come to you by way of Meniere's. I found your website and then borrowed your book from the library--before it was due back I had my own copy. I love the Kung Pao tofu. I always have a batch of refried beans on hand--they make great sandwiches. The breads/rolls are good. The fried tofu is very good. And there are many more recipes I look forward to trying. I like your garlic philosophy--life's not so bad, I can still eat all the garlic I want! Thank you so much! — Ellen Moran I made the BarBQue sauce and brushed it on chicken breasts while they were baking. My husband couldn't believe how good the sauce was - he loved it! I just checked the site for a salad dish to pass for a party we are having at our house tomorrow night and the next time I hit the bookstore I am picking up my copy of the "Low Salt" cookbook. Thank you again for all your work - it is making a very difficult situation much, much better!— Tricia Andersen Don, just tried the Buttermilk Egg Buns, page 104...omigosh! They're great! No more eating hamburgers on sliced low-sodium, crumbling bread!— THANKS!!!— Rena – Morristown, TN P.S. LOVE the raisin english muffins, too. I was told last Tuesday that I need a liver transplant, and to go on a sodium free(doctor's words) diet; I had not a clue as to how to accomplish that. True to form, my girlfriend grabbed the bull by the horns and got on the internet and went to the bookstore. She found your book and I'm eating much better than I could have imagined on Tuesday. The picnic potato salad was great; the tartness was great!—Jeff Where have you been? Where? I've got a shelf full of books and now I find yours. For two weeks I've been baking and cooking and everyone LOVES your low sodium recipes. Both books are incredible! Thank you so much. My husband is the one who needs it and he's getting better already. But, get this. We're all eating his meals now...that's how good your books are. Thank you, thank you. -Janet M. Dear Don- My 65-year-old husband has CHF and a month ago his doctor sent me to the emergency room with him -- after telling me privately that I shouldn't expect miracles. I took my husband home, he was too weak to even get out of bed and had whole body edema up to his lower ribs and including his hands and arms. On palpation his whole body and extremities felt like very overdone roast beef. Of course he was on Lasix and we had always been careful about sodium intake, but he just continued to bloat up. For a whole weak I made sure he had less than 1000 mg of sodium a day and finally the edema started to move. He could even get out of bed for a couple of hours a day. By the end of the second week, his arms and hands no longer resembled large overstuffed sausages. By the third week his breathing normalized somewhat. Today I went to the neighborhood Barnes & Noble to find a low-sodium book because I needed some more ideas. I found your book. THANK YOU. We will now aim for the 500 mg sodium -- my husband will see his doctor on Tuesday and ask for any adjustments that need to be made in his medication. We had already been informed that a heart transplant was the only other treatment available and that was not even an option for my husband. But diet is, and he completely believes low sodium intake is a major part in his continuing to live. I wish many more people with similar problems would find your book - it is, as they say "a Godsend."— Diane Eisele Found you in Light & Tasty Magazine. Bought your cookbook and your baking book. Wow! Bread without salt and extremely delicious. I love your new enhancer idea, too. Works great. Light and tasty should have you write a column for them. Great Stuff! Keep up the good work.— Sally Happy Birthday, Don! May you enjoy many, many more. I have both of your cookbooks and love them. Meniere's is my problem and cutting the salt has allowed me to have a normal life. Thank you from the bottom of my healthy heart.—Judi Boniface Don, You may like to know that today we were trying out a new waffle iron that we got for Christmas. I made a batch of the "Classic Belgian Waffles" recipe that came with the waffle iron, as well as your "Belgian Waffles Supreme" recipe for me. :-) The first recipe worked rather well, but yours was by far the better recipe. I think from now on we will use only yours. Thanks. :-) LeeAnn Had to tell you. Your Christmas stolen was the best I've ever eaten. The very best. It made our Christmas morning breakfast a very special treat. Thank you! —A. Sheaffer Dear Don, Some months ago I wrote and asked you about baking quick breads and cakes. The advice you gave me has been very helpful and my results are much better. Thank you so much. I have been using both of your of books and also trying some of the recipes in the newsletters. Low sodium soups and breads are becoming my specialty and our family and neighbors appreciate them. I plan to get your soup and salad book as soon as it comes out. You were kind enough to have your publisher send my hypertension doctor at the University of Ct Health Center copies of your books, which she now recommends to her patients. In October we put out the first issue of of what we hope will become a quarterly newsletter for the Health Center's low sodium patients. We call it "From One Low Sodium Patient to Another." What we hope is that eventually it will evolve into a mutual support group. I am recommending Megaheart as a primary resource for those who have access to a computer. Not everyone does. I would like your permission to quote in our newsletter from the very helpful article you ran called All About Sodium. It contains so much valuable information for all of us. Dr. Tendler thought it excellent. May we also reprint a recipe now and then if we give full credit to the source? Thank you, Don, for all the wonderful work you do on our behalf. Please let me know about using some of the information from your newsletters and website in our efforts to spread the good word. I am just one 74 year old woman who has spent a lot of time this past year learning about low sodium cooking and diet. It seems unreasonable to expect that every patient newly diagnosed as needing this diet should have to start fom square one. Like you, I just want to help make life easier for the others. Sincerely — Penny Putnam PS We have found that many Chinese restaurants will now steam many dishes, use no salt or sodium products and will serve with sauce on the side or without any sauce. I bring along my Dave's Gourmet Ginger Peach Sauce and it is delicious. I don't eat the soups, egg rolls or noodles. I am someone who suffers with terrible swelling in my body from salt in food especially when we dine out. At home I am able to cook salt-free and that makes all the difference in my health. I buy a lot of cookbooks, but your recipes have such a high quality in taste that I think you should open a restaurant! I hear so many people complaining today about restaurants using salt as a flavor enhancer and it doesn't have to be that way. Cable TV has a cooking show and I am shocked at how much salt they use in their cooking. With all the baby-boomers out there aging I think a restaurant would be perfect. I can't wait until your next cookbook comes out. Thank you for taking the time in sharing your knowledge.—Peggy Bekeny We bought both of your cookbooks and love them. I love the sodium content in the recipes. I am telling all our friends about your site. Pete from Healthy Heart Market.com gave us your site address. Keith had 5 by-pass surgery Feb 2003, so we are learning but it is hard to find good information. Thank you sooooo much for all your hard work in this area. We love it.— Keith and Jean Wise I love your cookbooks. They were a bright spot for me when I was first diagnosed with Meniers Disease and, though already eating a lower salt diet than many, I needed to lower my daily intake more. Thanks.—Lois Wacholtz , I just love your new cookbook.—Mikki Don's books have made my low salt diet into an exciting and flavorful adventure.— Penelope Putnam I love your cookbook.— Priscilla K. Truely a life saving site! Thanks.—Laura Maher Have your book and love it. Thanks.—K. Halsey I have both of your books and use them often.—T. Wenzel Good Morning Don, I can't thank you enough for responding to my email. Your positive attitude and encouragement is refreshing and important to us. I am searching around for some type of support group, so that I can speak with other people who have CHF. Medical professionals are very informative. However, the human experience is a great teacher. Even though my dad is still very tired, I can't believe all of the changes we are seeing take place. He has been on your plan for only 9 days. I forgot to mention to you that he is 79 years old. I had just received your baking book and not looked at it yet. I had the recipe for taco shells and didn't know it. I am now trying to find a pie crust recipe I can make sodium free. Again, thanks so much for your time, and inviting me to email you with questions. I may do that from time to time. I imagine that you are a very busy person and I appreciate all of your hard work. I am in awe of what you and your family have accomplished over the past nine years. Take care — Martha Edwards Use your cookbook all the time and tell everybody else about it!—R. Harmon I just have to take a minute of your time to tell you, how wonderful your two cookbooks are. They are like my "bible." Ohh what a help they have been. Between you and "Pete's" place, where I can order so many things, it surely has been a big big help to me. My husband needs all the help I can get and do for him. I am checking your sight all the time. Well again, I just want to say a Great Big Thanks to you.— Charlene—Overland Park, Ks. Thanks for a great cook book.—Paula Mick I have been using and enjoying your cookbook for a long time. Thanks—Judy Lord My husband has CHF, I have both of your books & love them!!—Karen Williams I just got back from the cardiologist today. EF is now 50%. Though he says I will always have to stay on the diet and meds, at least it is great news for me.—LeeAnn I bought your cookbook, and it is absolutely wonderful.—Jim Mackey I use both your books all the time. Thank You!!!—Penelope Putnam My bp was pre hypertension. I want you to know that I have been watching my diet based on info/guidelines I found on your website. I just had my BP taken and it was 122/80 :-) Now with your cookbook I can keep it that way! Thanks so much!—Dawn Wall Just what I need!—Charles Kendall Found your book in the library - am very appreciative for a direction to care for my mom's CHF. Thank you.—Rita The recipes in your book are the best I have ever had for no salt-low sodium.—BARBARA COLIN A friend of mine who was told she was a "walking heart attack" by one physician went to a cardiologist who recommended your book. My friend tried your diet and had phenomenal results in a few weeks. I'm looking forward to seeing my medical indicators drop back into the normal range! I retire in a few weeks and hope to be healthy so that I can enjoy myself. Thanks,—Lee Kornblum Don, I had to mail you and tell you that your books have been without doubt the link, the essence, one of the main reasons, that I am alive today. Thank you for your efforts. In less than a year, after 11 shocks to restart my heart, today, I am starting to gradually go off 7 different drugs that kept me going. Keep it up.— Alex Myrhorodsky Don, Thank you so much for the great bread cookbook. It looks great and I can't wait to try some of the interesting breads. Our program is going well and I have a lot of patients who have your cookbook. I see you are now heading for a soup cookbook and my patient today said she can't wait because she loves soup. What's next cookies? Have a happy holiday and keep up the good work.—Fondly, Judy (R.N.) We bought your NO-Salt, Lowest Sodium Cookbook, which is fantastic. My wife has used your spaghetti sauce recipe and we are considering the purchase of a "bread" maker. Thank you for having this book. — L. Kramer Dear Don, Received your book in the mail last week.....sat up til 2:30 AM reading it. I make all my own bread.....100% wholemeal. We never have white flour in the house. I think one of the biggest things that makes it easy to use whole wheat flour (Aussies call it wholemeal) is that I have milled my own wheat...that way I can get it as fine as I like it. I used a Retzel stone grinding mill for years and years. Recently I got a Whisper Mill...sounds like a jet engine...it explodes the grains of wheat. I am still getting used to it....the flour is superb. I make all my cakes, buns, breakfast rolls, pie crust... everying with whole wheat. I'd be happy to share any recipes if you are interested. We are successfully putting Lugols solution in our bread to supplement us with iodine... Tasmania is a low iodine area. Today is our 46th wedding anniversary. We must go to dinner with our daughter down the road....she is making us a no salt celebration meal. Thank you again so very much for your good book and all your wonderful advice. Thank you, thank you, thank you!!! Kind regards— Joan E. Krapf, Australia Hi! I purchased the No-Salt cookbook and I love it! I now have more food choices with easy to follow recipes. I am very impressed with the book. Thanks for writing it!—Brenda S. I suffer from Menieres disease and a low sodium diet leaves me symptom free.— Brian O. Been using your cookbook for about three years now and everything I've had from there is good!—R. Harmon I have Meniere's Syndrome and have been able to get off all diuretics and remain symptom free after reading and using your book. There are other cookbooks on the market, but they do not come anywhere close to 500 mg a day. Most go by the FDA guidelines of 2400 mg, which is way too high.—Robert Lowe Had your salmon and roasted new potatoes tonight....thank you so much for using your God given gifts to benefit SO MANY others ! thanx again!!! — M. Levine I have your book and think it is great.—Elizabeth B. I just wanted to say how MUCH I appreciate your book, "The No-Salt, Lowest-Sodium Cookbook". About a year ago I was diagnosed with Meniere's disease. And with that diagnosis came a severely restricted low-salt diet. I was a salt addict. Having your book saved me from total depression. I have used the book so many times, the pages are starting to look like an old manuscript! The especially used pages are the bread recipes and the chilli and soutern fried chicken! YUM! Thanks, SO MUCH for taking the time to do this for us poor saltless schmucks out here! It's greately appreciated! Most sincerely yours—Elizabeth Stuart Thanks so much for your wonderful cookbooks. They have helped me tremendously in supporting my husband, who recently experienced CHF about 6 months ago. Your knowledge of diet and foods is greatly appreciated and so very helpful in combating this disease. M. D. I hope you feel lots of satisfaction with your cookbook. It has the best recipes and shows that you tried them all. I bought two other "no/low salt" cookbooks but their recipes are very bland and not tasty.—Ann/Ken Sheets Thank you so much for your quick response. I'm really excited that this diet helped you. My daughter is an internal medicine doctor and was very interested in the information I requested from you. I'm sure she and I will have more questions as we follow your diet. Hopefully we won't be too big a bother to you. As you know when you get in the condition my husband is in you start looking for anything that will help. Once again, thanks so much—Lewanna Eureka! I did it. Oh my gosh, no, I mean WE did it. Your book and me and a whole new start on life. My heart is smaller, my EF higher and my energy boundless. Thank you, thank you.—W.K. I have the book from the library. It's great. My husband had open heart surgery this summer and we've tried many of the recipes already.— Martha L. Well, it is that time of the year once again, just want to thank you again for all the wonderful recipes you send to us, and wish you and yours a Merry Christmas. We have received so many blessings all year long with Pete doing so much better, going up to Stanford was the best thing and also having Dr. Fowler for his heart and you with all your most wonderful recipes with low sodium what more could we want? Always know we are so grateful for you both. — Pete and Marlene Coffman Here's another bit of good news for you. Dave is on a longer leash with his cardiologist now. He doesn't return for his next follow-up for two months! At that time, they will do another echo and stress test to reevaluate his status. His cardiologist has said that just by listening, he estimates Dave's EF is back up to about 30% already! At his last visit, Dave saw the physician's assistant instead of the cardiologist, who was on rounds at the hospital next door. The PA called him to get approval for a change in meds, and when he heard that Dave was in the office, he literally left the hospital and came back to the office to talk to him. He thanked Dave AGAIN for the book, and said he is making "an amazing recovery". So put another feather in your cap, Don! —Marth L. Several years ago I got in touch with you about your low sodium cookbook. It had been mentioned on 'Jon's' website and I was interested in obtaining it. At that time it was not available in Canada, and would have been very expensive to get here. I was so pleased to find it listed in a local bookstore recently. . .It has given me a real lift as I, too, have attempted to keep my sodium intake down. I also have dilated cardiomyopathy, and had an ejection fraction of 8% when first diagnosed. It is now up to 45% and I am most grateful that I am well ahead of the transplant list! Thanks so much— A. Meda When I found your book I found a gold mine! Thank you! —Freida Pekarek I have Meniere's Syndrome and have been able to get off all diuretics and remain symptom free after reading and using your book. There are other cookbooks on the market, but they do not come anywhere close to 500 mg a day. Most go by the FDA guidelines of 2400 mg which is way too high.—Richard Don, thank you, your cookbook is wonderful. I have preordered the other one already. There is a barbecue sauce that is super, in fact next time I am making a huge batch and freezing it in separate containers. My husband who can eat some salt loves it. Also a chili recipe in the book solved my wanting chili so badly since the onset of Minieres in September. I added some other things, like I always do but no sodium, I figured it all in, and I used no salt tortilla chips instead of saltines in the chili. Thank you so much, and you have so much information in there that has helped me. Aloha to you and yours, and God Bless. — Ginny I am both inspired and awed at your book. The recipes are things that we eat everyday. I am ordering a copy for my mother so that she can cook for him. While it may be too late for my father to have the great result that you did, perhaps we can extend his life if only for a short while. I have also forwarded the web-site address and the Healthy Heart Market address to her as well. Thank you again for the web-site, the helpful advice, and the book. Enjoy the holiday season. Best regards,—Andra Smith I have your No-Salt, Lowest-Sodium Cookbook. It's the best guide I have found. The edition I have is the paperback. We have the Kaiser Permanente Health Plan for Seniors, and I am pleased to see one of the K-P staff mentioned. —Wayde H. Johnson I want you to know that last week Dave's cardiologist made a point of telling him that he had received the publisher's copy of your book, and thanked us for sending it. He said he has been reading it, and finds it "very interesting." The fact that he's actually reading it blew me away. The younger doctors now aren't afraid to admit they can still learn something. What a change from the old days. Now that he's had a chance to see what this is all about, I plan to approach him soon on working with other patients who could use some help getting started. I'll keep you posted.—M.Lepo Hi Don, I am not a heart patient, but rather I have lupus and am currently on very high doses of steroids. I wanted to avoid the bloat/water retention/weight gain side effects, so I have opted to eat a very low-salt/sodium diet. I found your site online while looking for recipes; we made your pizza and LOVED it! I have since gotten your book at the library, and just today ordered it from Amazon. I think it's fantastic that you put together such a comprehensive book; there aren't a lot of tasty recipes out there.—Elizabeth Whamond I discovered this cookbook by accident shortly before it's first printing. Having to watch sodium for an ear problem, it showed me that I too, can eat a normal diet and enjoy it. Thank you so much!—Julie O'Brien I'm a CHF/DCM survivor going into my 7th year and absolutely love your cookbook.—Dallas I am 51 with hypertension. Your book is the best. I truly mean that. Thank you sooooooo much! I have already dropped my BP 20 to 30 points! My next goal is to get off medication. If I ever may be of service please let me know. I love your recipes.—Doug Sparks So glad to find this sight. Husband is on a CHF diet and it's been so difficult to find a cookbook, etc. thanks.—D. Franks I tried one of your recipes this weekend and it was terrific! There are tons of good things to try. So thanks for the book. It will help me get back in shape and get my blood pressure down. 30 is too young to worry about congestive heart failure, but I know I can eat right and help myself! And I have to tell you that "A Few Good Men" was an amazing book. As a writer myself (former newspaper reporter and humor columnist), I always appreciate a good book. That one was amazing.. Thanks for that too! — Tom McFeeley Dear Don, I have to tell you something wonderful. My husband Dave has just returned from an appointment with his cardiologist, and he was told that his heart has made amazing progress in just two months! (The amount of time we have been on the diet.) The doc says it sounds nearly 100% better already! They did not do any tests today, so I don't know what his EF would be, but they are very excited about his progress. And this is without the Coreg, which he can't take. The cardiologist told him that the very low sodium diet is the main thing responsible for this success, and of course I couldn't wait to share this with all of you. This could never have happened without you, and my gratitude goes way beyond words. — Martha Lepo Your book and recipes have been a great incentive to continue watching my diet..they are delicious! —Deborah Rollstan Hello! I'd like to thank Don for writing and sharing all his great low sodium recipies. I was diagnosed with Menier's Syndrome 6 months ago and the first thing my doctor told me to do was go on a low sodium diet. I find your book to be very useful for everyday cooking. My family is eating everything that I prepare and are especially enjoying the homemade breads. — Sincerely, Amy Wiles Comments: My mother has CHF and has recently as last week had a major silent heart attack. Her heart has no room for healing. Her Electrophysiologist has "installed" a new Bio ventricular diffibulator pacemaker. I am pleased to tell you that she is coming home tomorrow. I have been surfing the net looking for recipes for her and am so thankful to God for directing me to your site. May God Bless you eternally. —Cindy Lou Redmond I emailed you about a year ago when I got chf. I have too date tried a lot of recipes from your cookbook and all are great! I tell everybody I know about your cookbook and a lot of people are buying them and they see for themselves how good it is. I am now at 200 mgs to 500 mgs of sodium a day-- the first time I wrote you it was 400 - 600mgs. I praise the Lord for you and this site and all the people you've helped. May God bless you! — Roger Harmon Thank you for the wonderful cookbook! We are new to low sodium and find the recipes to be especially tasty. — Lynn Line Diagnosed with Meniere's Disease, I was desperately sad until I found your cookbook. Now, I can have fun cooking again. — Susan McK Do you know how much you have helped me? I have your book and it has become my "bible!" My husband is off of blood pressure medicine now after 8 years....Yours was not the first book I bought, but it is the only one I use. — Kathi K. My husband has been off salt and not needing hypertensive medicine since we bought your book last March. It is like a bible to me. We are so thankful for all the work you have done and shared with us!!!! Thank you, thank you. - Joan E. Krapf from Crabtree, Tasmania, Australia I work with Judy Kinnecom at Morton Plant Mease Health Care in our CHF Out Patient Education department. I love your cookbook. We show and recommend it to all of our patients. I also recommend this web site to those that have computers. Thank you for all of your efforts in helping those with CHF. You have done a great job with your cookbook and your website. Debbie Eddy, RN Thank You so much Don. You are Heaven sent. My Mother bought a bread machine and she is now finding products with no or very low sodium because of you. We were very discouraged, but God sent you to us. My Mother bought your book and she is enjoying the recipes in your book and I am also. I am a salt person but your recipes don't need any salt, they are delicious. I want to Thank You so Much and I also Think that You are a great person just for writing back to me. A lot of people don't bother, believe me. Keep up the good work, You are helping Millions, we need more people like you in the World. Thank You so so so much Don. May God always Bless You and Your Family, Thank You again, Forever Grateful - Vanessa PS. My Mom feels a lot better since she bought your book and has been eating your delicious recipes. You really are Heaven Sent. If you remember when I started chatting with you I said that initially the doctors said my only chance was for a transplant. Well, using your diet and with the help of medicines, last month I was able to have a triple bypass performed and a new dual stage difib/pacemaker put in. Both myself and my doctor now feel very good about my future. I haven't felt this good in a number of years and feel so much energy etc., that I will have to watch myself. - Ernie Wynne Thanks so much for creating this website. I am a nurse specialist in heart failure and have longed for some resources for my patients in their dietary restrictions. I will definitely be referring them to you and reccomend your book to them! Thanks so much, Melanie Hail, BSN, RN Surgical Research Coordinator, Heart Failure Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery The Cleveland Clinic Foundation Don... Your diet, combined with smaller portions and a healthier influx of steamed and raw vegetables, has REALLY turned things around. Since January 20, 2002, I have lost 48 pounds and gained a TON of muscular strength. I started lifting light weights and gradually increasing my crutch use, which helped build my upperbody like never before. Whereas I weighed 210 pounds at one point, I'm at 165 now... lighter than I was in college. And lo and behold, I've met the girl I'm going to marry. Noooooooo... I haven't popped the question yet, but I know I will. She's the one. But this isn't even the best part. I had an echo done a week and a half ago, just to see if the weight loss and exercise had made any improvements to my EF. I was 20% in November. The phone rang last Tuesday morning, and when I saw my cardiologist's number on my caller ID, I got that nervous "Oh, no... something's wrong" twinge in my stomach. DON!!!!!!! My EF is at 45-50%!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Can you believe it? This is light years beyond what my doctors thought was possible. We were hoping for 30%, maybe slightly higher. But NO one can really believe this is the story now. I even called back to ask again, and the doctor who reads the echoes (including my last report, in November) got on the phone to reiterate the good news. I feel fantastic. I'm going to attempt a return to fulltime work sometime in the next two months, despite a slight limp from the foot injury. - John Victor Hi Don, I wish to thank you for the cookbook. It sure has helped me! Last June 26 I had a heart attack/double bypass and a heart attack on the table. That left me with CHF. Having 1800 mgs of sodium a day I gained 3 lbs even with a 40 mg lasix. I got your book and all looked promising. I looked at the back with the 4 week meal planner and said it is impossible to drop that low on sodium and thought I could never get there. Thanks to you and using the book just about every day, I am on 400 to 600 mgs daily. I really can't thank you enough. For all the testimonies you did us all a great favor! - Roger Harmon Hi Don, I have tried the following recipes: Don's Very Best Luncheon Sandwich, Pizza dough , and Pizza, Burger patties, and trail mix. With the exception of the Trail Mix I made minor modifications to the recipes and must say that I could not believe that food could taste this great with very little sodium. As I am composing this e-mail I have my pizza in the oven. Your trail mix is a hit with my wife and children. My wife suggested replacing the semi-sweet chocolate chips and raisins for chocolate covered raisins. I want to check the values before making the change. I am slowly introducing more foods and menus into my daily routine. Your and your book have inspired me a great deal. I always ate veggies however, now I make sure to have my appropriate number of servings per day. I live in Toronto, Ontario, Canada and am having a difficult time purchasing foods with no or little sodium. I was able to find a few products however, most health food stores/supermarkets are selling products that have zero trans fat, no fat, no cholesterol, and low carbs. When i read the labels I am shocked to see the amount of sodium in these foods. I have recently placed my first order with Healthy Heart Market and cannot wait to receive it later this week. Before I go I wanted to inform you that my "slightly high blood pressure" led me to your book. Since April of this year my blood pressure was averaging in the high 130's and the high 80's. This was a big concern for me. I have had my blood pressure checked twice in May and twice in June, with the same results. I than reduced my sodium intake to 500-600mgs per day. I was at my doctor's last Tuesday in order to be part of a 24 hour blood pressure monitor program. Prior to having the monitor applied, my doctor checked my pressure and was surpised. My reading was 117 over 70. Needless to say I was thrilled so, I went home hooked up to this monitor. The next day I drove to the doctor's office again, and I must say I was a little anxious because if my 24 hour readings were high then my doctor was going to prescribe meds. When the data, from the monitor, was downloaded I was suprised to see that my average blood pressure for the, 24 hour period, was 121 over 80. I was thrilled. Thanks again Don, and I look forward to hearing from you concerning the FDA link. — Mario Marchese Bought your book from Amazon.com after looking at the Am.Heart.Assn. book reviews that said to buy your book instead. I see great recipes there I can't wait to try! Mickey Have been keeping track since I started working toward 500mg and in the last few days, the bp is down 20-30 points!!! — Pat My parents we forced or encouraged (demanding upon your view) to go to a low sodium diet. We checked your book out of the library and have already made several of the recipes. They turned out great and are easy to make. It is not easy to make the change to a low sodium and at the same time low fat and low sugar, but your recipes have made it much easier. Thanks. Brian M. Great Cookbook!!!! - Sue E. Marx Your cookbook, which my husband got me for Christmas (he said "what would you like for Christmas more than anything else... I said the Lowest Sodium Cookbook"), has been a godsend this past month, sometimes I sit down and read it through!!!!! - Pat Lat I love your cookbook. I bought it for my father who has congestive heart failure and now bought one for myself. Thanks - Barbara Hutter Your book and your site has been such a big help. I didn't know where to go for help to lower my salt and deal with my diagnosis of congestive heart failure as I found out everything has salt. I've ordered from the market you recommended. I'm still struggling with coming to the right decision on angioplasty or a by pass I don't want to leave any thank you's to be left unsaid. Thank you and may God Bless You. O. Laverne Love I love the book and Don's customer service is fantastic :-) Julie Hi Don, I made your Chili Con Carne with meat & found it so good I made Chili Con Carne without meat with the left over 2 cups of beans. They were both oh so good. L. Brandon This is the best cookbook I found to help maintain my low sodium diet. Sarah T. Hi Don, I was just diagnosed at 47 with hypertension. I am also a borderline diabetic and was thrilled to find your cookbook that caters to those of us that can't have salt or sugars/carbs. The recipies are wonderful and I won't have a bit of trouble changing my lifestyle with its help. Just had to say thanks. The website is marvelous, well thought out and very, very user friendly. It is on the top of my "favorites" list!!! Thanks and take care! Lee Predeau . . .Hey the best part is that the progress since I went on NO salt, LOW sodium is that at least now they are not discussing surgery where as 2 years ago there was no answers except transplant. As you say give it more time and maybe it will become even less serious, after all I abused my body for 59 years with the "McDonalds Diet" and the likes. Kay was the one that reminded me what Dr. Ross said 3 years ago. They are truly amazed at the progress. -- Ernie Wynne I have to thank you for making me believe that living with heart failure and dilated cardiomyopathy is more than just a "possibility." A year ago this time, my doctors were still a little worried that I'd need to be transplanted. 12 months later, things STILL look forward. I'm blessed, and thankful. Very, very thankful. Jerry - Just thought I would drop you a note to say we have had your cookbook now about two weeks. Thank you for brightening up our menus. The homemade Marinara sauce was wonderful. I now see what we will be doing after harvest time, putting the old stock pots back into usage. The roasted chicken with grilled red pepper sauce also was excellent.As I am the househusband at this point Kay is having a great time coming home to a wonderful home cooked dinner on the table with a glass of red wine ready for her. She says, "If only Chef Don could teach me to do the laundry, she would be the happiest woman alive". - Kay and Ernie W. I own a copy of the cookbook. I think it is great. I am also a CHF patient. I have improved so much that they have started to take me off of some of my medication. Two years ago I was given a poor prognosis. - Pat M. I CANNOT wait for the bread book! Sam V. Once again thank you for all the wonderful recipes you have put together for us all. --Pete and Marlene Fresno, Calif. Thanks for your immediate response. I'm very impressed. I discovered your website last night and purchased your book this morning. It looks great and I'm very happy to see a soy sauce substitute, as I really miss this particular condiment. - Todd W. Got your book for my husband's hypertension and it was very helpful. I like that it includes basic building block recipes such as sauces as well as full dishes/entrees. My husband's not well yet, but his BP went down 10-15 points in 4 days. - Mia C. I own a copy of the cookbook. I think it is great. I am also CHF patient. I have improved so much that they have started to take me off of some of my medication. Two years ago I was given a poor prognosis. -- Pat Thanks to meds, and your book, I have noticed a lot of improvements. My doctor just told me that my heart is now half the size it was, and the EF is more than twice what it was. Also, both BP numbers have gone down by at least 50 points each. Even the pulse is in the 50's. I'm celebrating the difference. :)-- Lee S. I just wanted to tell you what a difference your book has helped make in my husband's life. He had bypass surgery and recovered to a certain extent, but had not felt truly well...at first it was still better than before the bypass, but then he began having symptoms of what we now know was CHF, but to my amazement, he was never given a diagnosis of CHF and was treated for high blood pressure which he has had since he was in his 30's (he's 54 now)along with allergies and lots of head stratching on the part of his doctors. It's a longer story, but finally when he started having swelling in his ankles, he was diagnosed as CHF, given diuretics and potassium and told to lower his salt (just lower, no specific amount) and fluid intake. And while that helped, he still was not feeling well. I had read a book called the "The High Blood Pressure Solution" before the CHF diagnosis, but my husband was not a believer since a professional had not yet instructed him to lower the salt so it was hard to implement. Also with menus that listed items like "3-1/2 oz veal, cooked without butter" and "2/3 cup pecans an carrots, steamed, unsalted, no butter" it was difficult for me to get enthusiastic. Then I happened to see your book at my local library. That was almost 3 weeks ago. I started using it about two weeks ago. The difference has been amazing. My husband has been able to sleep lying flat without multiple pillows for the first time in years! He feels very well...in fact, so well, he's a little nervous about it. I could not have done it without your book. You have really made a difference here. Thanks so much. -- C.Y. Candace I have the book and I have tried a number of the recipes with very good results. In fact, we enjoy the hamburger buns listed in the cookbook too, but without the onions, since my daughter is only ten and onions are YUK!!! for her. Thanks for the cookbook and the website. - Candace I am the Medical Secretary to Dr. Stephen Jennison, Medical Director of the Heart Failure/Heart Transplant Program at St. John's Hospital in Springfield, Illinois. I was diagnosed with cardiomyopathy almost two years ago, and while I am not on a 2000 mg low sodium diet, as many of our patients are, I do watch my sodium intake! We have sold many of the "No-Salt" Cookbooks and encourage our patients to look at this website and order the book. Thank you and God bless you !!!! - Bonnie Fortner Don, Thanks for writing the book. - Thelma L. Krahel I have your book...it's been a God-send since my husband had CHF. Thanks - Mary Miller Seems like this will be just what I have been looking for Thanks in advance. - Raymond Gorski I love your cookbook. The tip on Featherweight Baking Powder made it an instant value and everything else is just "extra"! My uncle is the one with the heart problems and when I saw the sodium in bread I just about flipped. So went out and got a bread machine and the rest is history!! Thanks, again. -- Tina Pacheco, Tucson, Arizona. Donald, I care for my elderly mother who was diagnosed with CHF this year (along with several other medical problems). Your cookbook has been a lifesaver (literally) and I have recommended it to her cardiologist, a cardiac nurse who was seeing my mother, and anybody else who will listen to me. I haven't seen any other low sodium cookbook that comes even close to yours. The No Salt Lowest Sodium Cookbook has simple, easy-to-follow recipes that are delicious. Can't wait for the bread book! (I never knew how much sodium was in bread before my mother developed CHF.) Thank you for performing a tremendous public service. You are a very special person. Sincerely, Diane Walsh Boston, MA My husband, Mark is suffering from the effects of a heart virus, is on a heart transplant waiting list, and needs to cut sodium from his diet. He found this book at borders one day and decided to try out some of the recipes. We've tried a couple of the recipes - the alternative ingredients provide a yummy flavor - we now use the book almost every day! -- Julie I enjoy reading the newsletter, and really appreciate your "No Salt" book. The recipes are quite good. -- Connie Kurtz Once again I want to sincerely thank you for your book. There is no measure for what it has done for me, but if nothing else it has given me hope and a lot of fun experimenting in the kitchen. -- Boyd Myers I have Congestive Heart Failure & your book is a God send!! . . . the recipes are GREAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Thanks for your help. Mary I hope that your next cookbook is still on track. We LOVE what we call "The Book." Every recipe has been superb. I wanted to make apple crisp last weekend but couldn't find my fave recipe. So, I used the one in The Book. Exactly WHY have I been peeling apples all these years, taking away a lot of nutrition? Your recipe was fantastic. Tonight, it's the Lemon Chiffon Pie. It's so awfully hot out there that I'd like to give my hubby a nice surprise. I'm not exactly a pastry chef, but I've had such good luck with your piecrusts, I just know this will work out. Hey, I NEED more bread machine recipes. Can you do that? (Yes, in the upcoming bread book there are over 80 new bread recipes and 40 new cookie and muffin recipes. - Don) Best always-- Lee PS: It's been almost 2 years now since I wrote you, despairing that I could ever make no-salt cooking as attractive as my previous fare had been. There is rarely a day that goes by that my husband and I fail to comment on the fact that we believe we're eating better than ever before. For years before Richard's heart attack, I had been doing low-fat and eschewing processed foods. But salt, well that was just a necessity to me. Thank you forever for teaching me otherwise. L M. Lee Witte, Chicago I just wanted to thank-you for many great recipes and information about low sodium. We started being aware of it when my husband had heart problems about a year ago. His blood pressure was so high and the only signs were that he seemed to get tired easier. It went on long enough that it weakened the heart walls, but here we are today on a low sodium diet and he's improved 50% and the doctor is sure it will be a 100%. -- GAIL SMITH Dear Don, A friend of mine just got a case of heart failure. Different reasons than Fred. We'll send her a present of your book. You've done a wonderful service. To your continued good health, -- Elinor and Fred Yarkoni I love your website's barbecue salmon recipe. So I bought the book at borders. And wow, everything's great. Oh, yesterday when I returned to borders in Roseville, Ca., they had sold all of your cookbooks and didn't have anymore in stock. When Kay and I went about 3 or 4 weeks ago they must have had at least 50 on display. They were featured in three places on end of aisles next to Suzanne Sommer's new book. Hers is still there in mass. -- JJ By the way, I just want to tell you how much the Low Salt Cookbook has changed my life - I was diagnosed with severe hypertension last July (191/152), and by December the doctor had pinpointed salt sensitivity- then my husband had a mitral valve replaced in October. I use your cookbook regularly - recommended it to the doctors & the people at my husband's rehab - bought a bread machine - and now I am 50 pounds lighter, and for the time being, with a beta blocker & 2 diuretics my blood pressure is normal. I even had a letter published in the Philadelphia Inquirer where I recommended your book in response to a person looking for no salt recipes. Thank you! They always make a big to-do about fat, but, for some of us, salt kills also! -- Susan Van Rossum P.S. I love my bread machine - I make bread weekly - have made the pitas, the sticky buns, pizza... all turns out great! For more about fat and why the world believes only fat is the problem, read this article from Nutrition News Focus Dear Don, Thank you so much for re-doing this garlic bread recipe for me. We love your cookbook. Since I started cooking from your book, my husband has been able to cut his blood pressure medicine in half and his blood pressure is now normal. -- Debbie Brown Dear Don, Thank you for your book. It is wonderful. We have tried many recipes already and my husband is truly impressed. Thank you, --Renee Hi Don, I had to write and tell you that I used your scampi recipe for the first time and it is absolutely the best. Comparing your scampi with a very well known seafood restaurant , you win!! Susan Pitsker. Itried your low sodium pizza -- the one with the thin crust last night. Excellent!!! Today I am going to make 3 pizzas for my Mom and Dad, to put in their freezer. I am sure they will enjoy them. -- Joan D. Dear Don, Your book is great! Congratulations on the success of your book, my patients are enjoying it. -- Patty Bahrijczuk, R.N. I love the cookbook. Now I'd like the newsletter. -- Nancy Burris I wanted to let you know that your cookbook is excellent! Both of my parents are 87 years of age and both have congestive heart failure. My father's heart only functions about 20%. Since using your cookbook I can now make interesting meals, which both parents like. My parents are very fussy eaters and most everything I have made from your book has been great. --Joan C. Devereux Dear Don, Just purchased your book after finding your website yesterday. This is truly the best $25 I've spent in some time. As a cardiac RD I plan to recommend your book to my patients, as I thought I was the only one who knew it was possible to eat less than the 3-4 gram sodium some of our cardiac doc's recommend. I wish I could afford to buy a copy for each of our cardiologist's offices. I can hardly wait to start making some of your recipes. -- Margaret Pfeiffer, MS, RD, CD Heart Care Center, Waukesha Memorial Hospital, WI 53188 Dear Don, My husband who has CHF and a kidney condition (and I), want to thank you so much for creating a book that is filled with delicious low.low sodium recipes! You are a real inspiration to us. Jack is definitely doing better thanks to your book! Thank God for people like you! All the best to you! -- Susan Eagle Hi Chef Don, I ordered your book and received it a few weeks ago. It's great! --Lee Karam I have enjoyed the NO SALT cookbook and would like to be added to your newsletter. -- Bill -msn.com Hope you enjoy your well deserved vacation! Wish we could go to. My husband has been on the transplant list for a year so have kind of been "grounded" and unable to go more than 3 hours away. He is coping well since following your recipes and your sodium intake. Makes waiting a whole lot easier and who knows, maybe he too can be taken off of the list in the future! Got your book and just love all the stuff in it. Thanks -- Debbie Smith I just got your book ...and I can not tell you how impressed I am with all the helpful information. My husband was diagnosed with dilated cardiomyopathy. .....I am so glad you chose to share your hard work with the rest of us. Andrea Brakebill THANKS FOR THE LOW-SALT COOKBOOK! We have used it nearly every day since we received it, and have provided the title and source to all of my father's doctors and nurse practitioners so they can tell their patients about it. --Lynn Incredible. Wow! A book that really hits the target. I've been lost with my CHF, now I'm not. And the recipes are delcious. Wow! Thank you. Alexandria- Just got your book today. Talked to a friend of mine this afternoon, and found out she had also purchased it for my birthday (I'm turning 41), without my having even spoken with her about it. We'll trade copies, she wants one too! I would like to get several and hand them out to my cardiologists office, etc. Thea- I just wanted to say thank you for providing such a wonderful resource for those of us who find that in order to preserve our health, we must make adjustments to our daily diets. Alice- Hi Don- Wanted to let you know I tried 2 of your recipes today--both were outstanding!! They were the minestrone (never had such success before) and the sandwich buns with the sourdough starter. Think you said you made it often. All I can say is THANK YOU,THANK YOU,THANK YOU for making your book and website available to those of us who need it!!!! Susan- I tell everyone I know to get that book, Don... because I believe it played a part in saving me. I'm having a party on March 4th for the season premiere of "The Sopranos," and I'm making everything low-sodium and salt free. There was a "survivor's" meeting at the Boston Medical Center last week, and I told every nutritionist there to recommend the book. --jon in boston Hi Don; I just received your book in the mail..... I can't put it down.... You've done a marvelous job! I have recommended it to my on-line support group - Zaplife.org. Guin Van Dyke, Stanford, CA The new cookbook is great. Thank you for your great efforts! -- Sylvia Easterly seaster- I placed an order for your book immediately after visiting your site! When faced with planning salt free meals, my Mom was at her wits end! This book is a Godsend for those who have to limit sodium intake...and a real eye-opener for those of us who haven't ever paid attention to how much salt is actually in what we are eating!!! I am going to forward a link to your site and the information on your book to everyone I know!!! Thank you for writing this book and keeping us informed on our road to better health! Melissa -- melissa.michalik-erols.com The book is a lot of fun and we have had one of your recipes each night. Especially good is Mildred's Cookies. Congratulatoions. Al- I would like to congratulate you on producing the most useful book yet on low-sodium diets. I have congestive heart failure and had my first dramatic demonstration of the value of low sodium intake in early 1999. I tried reducing my sodium to less than 1000 mg a day and lost 10 pounds in the next six days. I felt better than I had in over two years. In the following 30 days I lost another 10 pounds. Of course this was all retained water. Since then I've spent most of my spare time accumulating and developing low salt recipes. With the advent of your book, I feel this is no longer necessary. Until I read your book, I had not considered making my own bread, as the no-salt breads on the market tasted terrible to me I thought that was inherent in omitting salt. After I got your book, I borrowed a neighbor's bread machine and tried your sandwich rolls. They were great! I now have my own machine and happily make bread a couple of times a week. Thanks for a wonderful contribution to those of us with CHF! Pete White Cathedral City, CA petewhite-mac.com The Cookbook is Great! -- Jo Lacey. Jo933-webtv.com I placed an order for your book immediately after visiting your site! I look forward to your new book and am going to buy the bread machine for myself and my parents in anticipation! When faced with planning salt free meals, my Mom was at her wits end! This book is a Godsend for those who have to limit sodium intake...and a real eye-opener for those of us who haven't ever paid attention to how much salt is actually in what we are eating!!! I am going to forward a link to your site and the information on your book to everyone I know!!! Thank you for writing this book and keeping us informed on our road to better health! Melissa, Chicago, Illinois I purchased your new book through Healthy Heart Market & am very pleased with it. The Italian recipes are great as I am of Italian descent too & haven't seen a few of them anywhere else. Toni (Gargiulo) Nowak, Toni9235-aol.com We received your book and are enjoying it very much. . . Pete and Marlene Coffman (Fresno, Ca.) Hi Don--!!!!! I can hardly wait to taste the cookies. I am eternally grateful to you for your marvelous recipes. Sincerely- Susan P. Made 2nd loaf of bread; honey wheat. C'est magnifique. Gerry Stone. gerilyn75-excelonline.com I have received 5 copies of your cookbook and have already given two away. Let me say from the outset that this is an impressive piece of work. The recipes are easy to follow and I can't wait to try them. Congratulations. Al and Shae. AOL.com Just have to tell you that I got your book today so made the Crispy Chicken without Frying and it's wonderful. It was so good that my 2-1/2 year old granddaughter asked for more. I never thought I'd ever hear her asking for more of anything except milk or juice. She even ate peas and corn with it. Thanks a bunch. Betty I need all the help I can get keeping my 33 year old husband with hereditary heart disease alive!! He loves to eat, I love to cook, but so many of the recipes are awful. Yours are awesome. Thanks!!! Wendi Kitzman Dear Don, I've purchased your cookbook and am delighted at seeing so many easy-to-prepare, commonsense recipes. I'm looking forward to trying them. Margaret Oosterman Thanks so much for this book!!! How desperately we needed this back in 1998 with news of a kidney disease. My husband has the same story as the author. He was to be put on the transplant list once his family was ruled out, and during that time he stablized and actually IMPROVED! I put him on a strict diet and began writing a cookbook too! Since I'm an emvironmental professional by "trade" and not a chef, I've decided to keep my recipes and see what yours are! I've been spreading the word about your cookbook!! THANKS for helping me keep my husband alive...he's only 33! Sasha Easley easley15-ev1.net Your finished product is SUPERB. I did a number of your breads and rolls over the holidays and your Lemon Chicken this week. All are perfecto. I made your soup stocks--chick and veg--last weekend and have SO many recipes I want to do this weekend. I admit that I was getting frustrated with the delay. However your website had given me so much confidence about adapting other recipes (and I DO live in a good-grocery area) to the extent that my thought about your much-delayed cookbook was, "I can live without it." But, WOWWOWWOW--you have produced a beauty. Polenta? I can do this now! Fake pork sausage? Yes! Your book bespeaks a lifetime of gourmet cooking and eating and an incredible translation of this to salt-free reality. I love you, Donald, and thanks for phoeneticizing you name, cause when I used to make your Net recipes, I would just attribute them to Dan, the Cookbok Man. All I can say is that I have a huge number of cookboks but yours sits alone on my counter for my recreational reading pleasure. I do not think I will rest until I have tried each and every recipe and I have no reason to think I will be disappointed. Rock on! M. Lee Witte, Chicago Email:leewitte-juno.com

TESTIMONIALS FROM BOOK USERS