Stella's East-to-follow Diet

I've been dieting--on and off--since I was fifteen and my mother told me that with hips like mine, I'd always have to wear a girdle.

Now I've had it. I'm rebelling. Who decided a woman's hips shouldn't be . . . curvaceous? May they eat semolina--boiled semolina with no taste added--for weeks.

I've recognized a major truth in life: A little care in what one eats is wise, good for health, more likely to make clothes appear sleeker, helps eliminate sweaty body parts in hot weather, but lifelong gustatory deprivation is a great big drag.

Tastes, textures, that lovely roll of a perfect bite of desert over the tongue--mmm. We were intended to close our eyes and float while savoring a piece of a favorite cheese. Then, there's Key Lime Pie, lobster, perfect asparagus, black forest torte, an enchilada overflowing with refried beans and gushy cheese . . I must control myself.

I advocate a diet that includes at least an occasional day of complete gastronomic abandon and I have (surprise) a question for you. Don't conclude your response too quickly in case you miss something and have to add it later.

Imagine that tomorrow morning you will be required to eat anything and everything you want all day. What will be on your menu?

Stella--rubbing her hands, cracking her knuckles, preparing to call and order yellow sponge cake with apricot filling and marzipan frosting.