>>> I've dropped 15 lbs (mostly water weight, I guess).
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>Did you have pitting edema/swollen ankles?
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>Re red wine: usually the dislike is caused by a hideous watery West Coast cheapie (I shudder at some of those in US restaurants myself) or tackling something confrontational like a Shiraz/Syrah which is like learning to drive on the freeway. ;-) But anyway- who said medicine is meant to taste good? ;-)
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>See if you can find a New Zealand Pinot Noir, often lurking in US supermarkets at around the $16 mark on sale. 5 good-sized doses in there. It's not as watery as a West Coast burgundy nor as abrupt as a big sunshine red. Try it in a wide, stemmed glass, at room temperature, with a platter of crudite broccoli and cauli and some cubed Edam or Emmental, all of which is reasonably priced in US supermarkets unless you buy the fancy bagged stuff.

Hey, the guy eats steaks & jambalaya. He should start with a really good Ozzie Shiraz. Nosh on a little blue cheese (I like Stilton) with walnut pieces. Reset with broccoli or cauliflower as you suggest, or maybe cucumber or even grapefruit segments. Or apple slices.