Disclaimer: Because One Seems to be Needed

Since I wrote my last review, I've discovered that there are apparently some people who are angry over what they perceive (incorrectly) my feelings towards HG to be. So, this is for them...and anyone else who might be interested in how I really feel.

First off, I do not hate HG or her show. Yes, I think the new set looks like it was painted by someone who was either colorblind or on some kind of heavy drugs. No, I do not like that she relies heavily on chemically-enhanced processed foods. And yes, some of her turns of phrase do grate on my nerves just a bit. That doesn't mean that I hate her or her show. I like quite a few of her recipes and think she has some great ideas. When the recipe calls for non-natural foods, I make substitutions. I've also discovered som great products through her...namely VitaTops, PopChips, and Laughing Cow cheese. All of these I love and buy/eat regularly...and I wouldn't have known about them or thought to try them before I encountered her website.

Secondly, my HG reviews...and the blog itself...is intended to break down her recipes and *suggest* healthier substitutions whenever possible. If you are not interested in these substitutions, this blog was not written with you in mind, so you might as well just move along instead of getting angry because you *assume* that I'm trying to force a way of eating down everyone's throat...because I'm not. I do know from personal experience and from reading her FB page that there are people out there who would like to see some healthier alternatives to her recipes...this blog is for them. If you have no problem with eating artificial sweeteners, flavors, colors, or HFCS, or PHVO, or artifcial preservatives, then that's your right and choice. I am not going to try and talk you out of it or say that you have to eat my way. That's not what this is for. It's healthy swaps for those who are interested...just as HG's website/blog/FB page/e-mails are for people who want lo-cal, lo-fat swaps. If I weighed 92 lbs and could eat whatever I wanted to, I wouldn't come onto her page and get angry because she's ruining my favorite fatty foods that I love. Same applies here.

Lastly, I am not, as one person stated "a crazy health nut". In fact, this "crazy health nut" just finished polishing off a couple of slices of Papa John's pizza. I don't drink wheatgrass juice every morning and chase it with a spoonful of cod liver oil (ick!). I tried kombucha once and found it to be utterly gross. I avoid fast food like the plague, but I do eat out on occasion. I have a picky 6-year-old, and I work full time, as well as play single mom while my hubby's deployed to Afghanistan, so we end up eating alot of cheeseburgers, hot dogs, and pizza for dinner. I do try to buy all-natural ingredients for all of these as much as I can, but I'm not perfect and I don't pretend to be.

If after reading this, you still think I'm some kind of awful person for not worshipping everything HG says and does...well, that's your choice. There's nothing more I can do to change your mind and as far as I'm concerned that's your loss, not mine. My RL friends and family know me and the kind of person I am...which isn't anything like what some people have tried to paint me as based on nothing more than one online review.

Have a great day! (And no, that's not sarcastic, but sincere)