An Easy Read

“Large Print Recipes for a Healthy Life,” by Judith Caditz Ph.D, includes more than 130 recipes low in fat and sodium and with no added sugar, following the guidelines of the American Cancer Society, American Heart Assn. and American Diabetes Assn. (Kosher guidelines are also followed.) Each recipe has a nutritional analysis and a diabetes exchange. It’s $19.95 plus tax ($1.65 in Los Angeles) and $2 shipping from the Center for the Partially Sighted, 720 Wilshire Blvd., No. 200, Santa Monica, Calif. 90401.

Mallow Stars

Kraft celebrates the holiday season with Holiday Mallows--marshmallows in the shape of red stars and green Christmas trees. They’re cute, but we have to say the green color is not very tree-like; it’s about the same shade as Gumby. In supermarkets.

Bored With Balsamic?

Verjus was preferred to vinegar in the Middle Ages and the Renaissance; it’s the juice of unripe grapes, fruitier than vinegar and with a less rackety sourness. Hardly anybody makes it anymore--except Navarro Vineyards in Philo, Calif., which sells a 1993 Chardonnay verjus in 750-milliliter ($7.50) and 375-milliliter ($4) sizes. Try them at (800) 537-9463.

Does This Stuff Show Food Stains?

Gourmet Gear, a maker of restaurant workers’s gear that came to general attention for its chile pepper chef’s pants, now makes not only pants but lots of stuff--aprons, shorts, vests and baseball caps--in chile pepper, seafood, pasta, cheese, barbecue, grapes, bakery goods and mixed vegetable patterns. Interesting fact: The barbecue pattern is available as a chef’s toque but not as a necktie. Call (800) 662-4645.