As for the veggie problem, I just do all the exciting things I used to do with potatoes with my veggies, like broccoli au grautin, cauliflower mashed patatoes, oven roasted turnips, grilled asparagus on the BBQ with hollandaise...

I don't know about you but I never liked a plain potato, just the stuff I put ON the potato, so try dressing up your other veggies, and I really think you'll get used to it. I was never a fan of plain ol' cooked veggies either, but now I'm a convert!!!

Good luck, and I'll bet you can make some really delicious things that will really surprise yourself.