Serious Eats - seriouseats.com

yes, definitely! and basically at a 1:3 potato to ketchup ratio. but i also put it on the most ridiculous of items, like turkey sandwiches. :)

i think your BMI matters, but overall, it's your body fat percentage that is most important. you know those people who are super-tiny, eat whatever they want, and never exercise? i hate them. :) i also call them "skinny fat". they can have a host of problems (high blood pressure, high cholesterol, etc.) and don't have an ounce of muscle on them, but they are perceived as "healthy" because they aren't overweight. so not the case.

keep doing what you're doing, ed - we're all so proud of you. you're establishing a diet and exercise program that will work for you long-term. as long as you keep reminding yourself that being healthy is a lifestyle, not a goal, you'll be fine. as joy said, your body will let you know where you belong.

i'm from pittsfield (lived there for 18 years) and have a hard time recommending anything because most of the places i grew up with have given way to *shudder* chains. my parents have been to trattoria rustica and loved it.

however, teo's hot dogs on east street is an institution. go when you're in the mood for baby hot dogs with the works! it's definitely not "serious eats" (the place is a total dive), but i go every single time i'm home.

i am deathly allergic to fish, which was discovered when i was a baby. i desperately want to try salmon and tuna. but alas, i was recently re-tested and the allergy lives on. :(

Yes, Lilly Tao, the Necco factory! I work in Cambridge and I think they still make Tootsie Rolls there - you can smell chocolate most days.

A little bit South of Boston, near Dorchester, there is/was some sort of spice factory (I can't find it on Google). Grossest smell in the world when you're sitting in non-moving traffic on a work day and had a few too many the night before. :)

mmm...chocolate covered pretzels!

i make a healthier version of the basic spinach and artichoke dip with low-fat mayonnaise, part-skim mozzarella, and a little parmesan. lots of garlic to add flavor...people CLAIM they can't tell it's low-fat (I CAN)! :)

this seems easy and delicious! i'm in charge of all the vegetables this year and i'm going to try it!

i make white chocolate gorp from allrecipes.com for everyone in my office (http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/White-Chocolate-Gorp/Detail.aspx). it's DELICIOUS (and addictive!), fast, cheap, easy, makes a TON, and is easily packaged in decorative bags!