When Edward Gray awoke from a coma in the fall of 2007, "The only thing that didn't wake up were his kidneys," said his wife, Chris Gray.

Life changed from that moment when the Snohomish couple learned that Edward, now 68, had end-stage kidney failure. Soon after his diagnosis, Edward began dialysis three times a week at Northwest Kidney Centers, and there the couple finished training for home dialysis in February.

The home dialysis "gives us a lot more flexibility in terms of scheduling," said Chris, 61.

Since Edward's kidney failure, the couple has had to re-think almost every aspect of their lives, including diet. A person with kidney failure cannot get rid of the body's extra fluid and wastes, so it is important to control both food and fluids. People on dialysis need to restrict sodium, potassium and phosphorus in their diets. While researching healthy recipes for her husband, Chris, a former junior high librarian, realized that his favorite food  potatoes  could be problematic because they are loaded with potassium.

So Chris decided to mash only half the potatoes and replace the other half with cauliflower. The result: mashed cauliflower potatoes. "It really tastes like potatoes but it has half the potassium," Chris said.
Chris's kidney-friendly mashed potatoes and cauliflower recipe won third place in Northwest Kidney Centers healthy recipes contest this year, and it is included in a kidney-friendly cookbook. You can get a copy free at Northwest Kidney Centers' Kidney Health Fest for African American Families from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. June 5 at Van Asselt Elementary (formerly the African American Academy), 8311 Beacon Ave. S. in Seattle.
Chris's recipe can be altered in unlimited ways, she added. "You can add parmesan cheese or cheddar cheese and it works very well," Chris said. "You can add onions or other ingredients. It's very easy."

Mashed Cauliflower Potatoes

1 medium red potato (about 8 ounces) cut in 1-inch chunks
8 ounces cauliflower florets
1/4 cup onion, chopped
1 teaspoon dried parsley
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
2 tablespoons margarine
Pepper to taste

Combine potato, cauliflower, onion, parsley and garlic powder in a medium saucepan with enough water to cover. Bring to a boil on high, then reduce heat to simmer. Cook about 12 minutes or until vegetables are tender. Drain well. Mash with a potato masher. Add margarine and mash until smooth. Add pepper to taste. Makes 2 to 4 servings.

Tip: Try adding 1 tablespoon Parmesan cheese or garlic.

Nutrition Information (per serving)
Calories: 83
Fat: 6g
Sodium: 67g
Carbohydrates: 7g
Fiber: 4g
Protein: 2mg
Potassium: 282mg
Phosphorus: 52mg