The "No-Chew" Diet

Because of recent jaw surgery, I'm on a "no-chew" diet until early December. It is going ok so far, but I really miss potato chips -- not necessarily the deliciousness of them, but the crunchiness. A thick, medium-rare Rib-Eye steak smothered in sauteed mushrooms would be nice right now as well.

My favorite "no-chew" foods so far:

(1) Dove Smooth Milk Chocolate (individually wrapped pieces), dissolved slowly on the tongue;

(2) Very thin slices of fresh, delicious pear from the Bend Farmers' Market, dissolved slowly on the tongue;

(3) Very thin slices of Tillamook Sharp Cheddar Cheese (Red Pack) dissolved slowly on the tongue;

(4) Condensed Tomato Soup (made with 1% milk instead of water) with smashed-up Ritz Crackers mixed in; and

(5) My mother-in-law's "no chew" banana cream pie made with smashed up Vanilla wafers in lieu of crust.

Believe it or not, I am losing weight on this diet. Not being able to chew pretty much takes the fun out of eating.