Random questions

[elyssa]

For those who are wondering, Boston was absolutely fanfuckingtastic and I can't wait to go back if idonotlikepeas and girlgonemad won't mind having us someday. But that's for another post.

This post is for the following questions:

1. 1. Can I have some good information (or links to information from a semi-reliable source) about coconut oil? In particular:
   • Why did I have to go to the health food aisle in the store to find it?
   • When is it appropriate to substitute? What type of cooking or baking is it good in, and what types of oil is it best for replacing?
   • Is it really as healthy as I've been hearing?
2. Similarly, does anyone have any information or reliable resources about the following and their usefulness in cooking:
   • angelica (dried)
   • lovage (dried)
   • turmeric
   • tansy (dried)
   • mint (fresh or dried; peppermint, spearmint, or mint mint)
3. What can I do with the henna powder I bought in Boston?
4. Is high fructose corn syrup really that bad for you, and if so does anyone have any suggestions about reasonable ways to cut it out of a diet? It seems to be in just about everything.
5. I've been doing some reading about good fat versus bad fat, about how low- and no-fat foods are actually terrible for you, and about how the food pyramid has basically been created by lobbyists from the food industry and not because it is particularly healthy. Does anyone especially agree or disagree with this statement, and do you have links to either online or physical resources that would help support it? I'm looking to do an overhaul of my diet.
6. I bought almond butter and it smells delicious, but I don't know what to do with it. Help?
7. If you would be willing to help me look for tourist maps in your area of the world (and I am looking for people from as many places as possible both within and outside of the US) would you please comment with your general location so I can get an idea? It's for some potential side research about the ways different cultures portray the same public tourist-y spaces.

Thank you to anyone who helps me with any of this! Please feel free to answer all, none, or one. I also like being spammed with randomness in comments if you prefer not to think or have no opinions on any of this.