DEAR ABBY: I grew up thinking my mother was a good cook. Now that I'm married and have lived away from home for 10 years, I realize that Mom, with all her good intentions, was an awful cook. She was never adventurous, prefers canned and frozen foods, no vegetables and highly processed grains. I have chosen a completely opposite path and buy lots of natural, unprocessed fresh foods.
As a result, I now cook all the holiday meals -- with Mom helping with the prep and small tasks. I have tried to encourage her to eat better and expand her horizons, but it isn't sinking in. Every time we have dinner at her house, I feel like I have just eaten at a fast-food establishment.
I don't want to be a control freak and say, "My way with dinners at my house only," but I'm struggling to find a compromise when she wants to "treat" us to dinner at her place. Suggestions? -- FOODIE IN COLORADO
DEAR FOODIE: It's one thing to be a "foodie" and another to be a food snob. A "fast-food" meal once every few weeks won't kill you, so be a sport and let your mom reciprocate. And the next day, return to your normal routine to make up for it.