Have you tried baking brown rice. It turns out really really yummy. It's the only way I cook brown rice any more.

My favorite brown rice recipe (courtesy of Alton Brown):

1 1/2 cups brown rice
2 1/2 cups water
1 tablespoon unsalted butter

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
Place the rice into an 8-inch square glass baking dish.

Bring the water and butter to just to a boil in a kettle or covered saucepan. Once the water boils, pour it over the rice, stir to combine, and cover the dish tightly with heavy-duty aluminum foil. Bake on the middle rack of the oven for 1 hour.

(I make this recipe once a week and use it as the base for a lot of other stuff. Fresh out of the oven, it can be served warm with fish or chicken and has a great, mild, nutty taste.

MMmm that does taste good.

So I kept my salt down to 1,500 yesterday just to see how I would feel. I also drink a lot of water and boy...I went to the restroom so often!

I actually feel better. I bought some of that fake salt...which is ok. Not bad, not good. I feel a lot of my bloating is gone

I also got low sodium lunch meat - but the occassional veggie burger and of course my laughing cow will stay.

If I don't microwave my rice I save 1.000 mg in sodium right there!

The closer to nature l stay the lower the sodium....and calories....and fat...and mostly all the bad stuff.

I have kept my sodium about or just under 1,600mg and boy! Can I feel a difference!

I have also eaten more fruit and veg in the last two days then I have in awhile and I am VERY happy to say I am actually fuller eating veg and fruit. I think it could be I am getting more nutrition of natural things than man-made items. Like, a banana keeps me fuller longer than a 100 calorie cheese-it pack! And way more energy!

BY eating less my calories have been just lower than 1.400! About 100 calories lower than my daily limit!!!

Remember And your talk about artichokes made me go out and buy one! Well, two actually...they are 2 for 5 dollars here!

And look what I found!!! http://www.oceanmist.com/health/antioxidant.aspx

They make fake salt?

I have to up my fruits and veggies too, I think. I eat WAY too much salt.

yeah - look for it by the spices are your local store.