Hi Tracey,

You can try using more of the starchier veggies like yams, winter 
squash, etc.  Spaghetti squash is my friend...I use it under all sorts 
of saucy or juicy things.  No it doesn't absorb quite as much liquid, 
but as was already mentioned, that's why we have spoons!  I always 
thought it was a shame that as adults, we often seem to forget how to 
use a spoon once we master the fork.

The other food group that satiates nicely is fat. I find fat collected 
from roast chicken or pork to be very tasty on veggies. Find ways to 
increase the fat in your food, and you may find it more satisfying 
without the rice.  If that isn't enough and you do need to add in quinoa 
or buckwheat, try limiting it to just a half-cup serving.  A small 
amount should be all you need for that purpose.

I won't tell you about food costs where I live.  The interior of Alaska 
is not a place to compare to!  This is the land where the farmers market 
is more expensive than buying organic at the store, and the one meat 
market that sells locally raised meat is out of business for a few 
months because a fire burned down the building next door and they've got 
to remodel.  Good thing my freezer is still well stocked!

One place Alaska shines is seafood!  Our stores all have fresh seafood 
counters, and everything is marked as to wild or farm-raised and the 
country of origin.  There's also a bill currently in the state 
legislature to label GMO foods...I hope it survives!

Lisa

On 2/25/2014 1:33 PM, Tracey Baldrey wrote:
> So, if I were to cut the rice out, it would have a better chance of
> succeeding if I knew what to replace it with?  Quinoa?  Buckwheat?  Would
> these be acceptable alternatives?
>