Thanks for your feedback, Jeff - I'm glad you took the time to express your thoughts. I don't happen to agree with your assessment of Crisco (and I include any vegetable shortening here, not just Crisco). It's true, vegetable shortening isn't a healthy food; but neither is sugar, nor vodka, nor butter or fruit juice or soft cheese any number of other foods and beverages available to us. Yet we continue to eat things we know aren't good for us. Why? Pleasure. I believe the simple pleasure of a warm chocolate chip cookie, enjoyed not every day but every now and then, outweighs any potential damage its ingredients might cause. As a cancer survivor, I know life can be short; and I'd rather enjoy (in moderation) the baked treats I love, rather than eat an extremely healthy diet and maybe get hit by a bus tomorrow. We're each in charge of our own health. And yes, we have a responsibility to those around us and to society in general to be as healthy as possible. But for me, regular exercise, calorie control, and meditation are much more critical to my long-term health than avoiding the 3/4 teaspoon shortening in my favorite chocolate chip cookie. Bottom line, here at King Arthur we believe everyone deserves the chance — and is mature enough – to make their own diet decisions. PJH

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