CHARLESTON, W.Va. - I've mentioned before that I don't use Splenda or Equal in cooking, but Charleston's Karol Cavender does.

In an earlier "Healthy Bites" column, she shared her favorite Web site, www.dlife.com, a location she considers one of the best, containing thousands of no-fail, popular family-friendly recipes.

She later sent me one of her dessert recipes, featuring the delicious and unbeatable marriage of peanut butter and chocolate. Although the recipe calls for Equal, Cavender noted she uses Splenda.

She had an extra recipe foldout from Splenda around the house, so she enclosed it as well. The foldout had a guide for successful use of Splenda products.

I did see in the information that the one comment I've heard about Splenda (it doesn't always work in every recipe) was verified and addressed.

From what I read, between Splenda Granular and the newer Splenda sugar blend for baking, it seems the baking blend is the most rewarding and eliminates some of the failures that arise from Splenda Granular.

For a complete list of the cooking and baking tips, as well as more recipes for food and beverages, go online at www.splenda.com or call 800-7-SPLENDA.

I've commented earlier about liking chicken salad.  Lisa McCracken, marketing director for Charleston Town Center Mall, e-mailed that she is partial to chicken salad and has a favorite that others might like to know about.

She gave a hearty endorsement to the homemade chicken salad served at the full-service soda fountain at Trivillian's Pharmacy in Kanawha City. McCracken rates it outstanding and says she has been enjoying it for years. 

I know that Trivillian's owner Paula Clendenin has a healthy hot dog on the menu, and that she pays watchful attention to the ingredients that go into its "works" of wiener, chili and slaw. 

Preferring to eat healthy, too, Clendenin's menu is laced with from-scratch, made-with-care goodies that include a variety of soups, sandwiches and salads.   

Reach Judy Grigoraci at ...@suddenlink.net.

Peanut Butter Chocolate Bars

Makes 48 bars

 1/2  cup butter or margarine, softened (could use Smart Balance tub or new Smart Balance/butter blend sticks)

 1 cup Equal Spoonful

 1/3  cup firmly packed brown sugar

 1/2  cup 2 percent milk

 1/2  cup creamy peanut butter

 1  egg

 1  teaspoon vanilla

 1  cup flour

 3/4  cup quick oats

 1/2  teaspoon soda

 1/4  teaspoon salt

 3/4  cup mini chocolate chips

BEAT butter, Equal and sugar until well combined.

STIR in milk, peanut butter, egg and vanilla until blended; gradually mix in flour, oats, soda and salt until blended. Stir in chocolate chips.

SPREAD in well-sprayed 13x9-inch pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 20 to 22 minutes. Cool completely. Cut into bars. Store in airtight container at room temperature.

NUTRITION INFORMATION: (1 bar) 68 calories; 4 grams fat; 8 milligrams cholesterol; 61 milligrams sodium; 7 grams carbohydrates; 1 gram protein.

Easy Pear Crisp

Makes 6 servings

Topping:

 1/4  cup Splenda Granular

 3  graham crackers

 1/4  cup light butter, Smart Balance tub or Smart Balance/butter blend sticks

 1  teaspoon cinnamon

 2  tablespoons flour

Filling:

 3  cups peeled and sliced fresh Bartlett pears

 2  tablespoons flour

 1/4  cup Splenda Granular

 1  tablespoon lemon juice

 3  tablespoons water

 1/2  teaspoon cinnamon

PROCESS topping ingredients in processor until crumbly; set aside.

TOSS together filling ingredients; place in sprayed 8-inch square baking dish. Cover with topping.

BAKE at 350 degrees 40 to 45 minutes or bubbling around edges.  

NUTRITION INFORMATION:  (1/6 recipe) 120 calories; 35 calories from fat; 4.5 grams fat; 2.5 grams saturated fat; 15 milligrams cholesterol; 60 milligrams sodium; 21 grams carbohydrates; 3 grams fiber; 2 grams protein.