Beef Stew "Take" 1

The first audition for beef stew went exceptionally well. Although, I did make some minor changes to the recipe I posted yesterday.  http://lesliesculinarychronicles.blogspot.com/2013/02/auditions-now-open-for-beef-stew-recipes.html I did not use turnips (haven't convinced myself to try them yet), I used only half an onion and I added 1 tbsp of beef base just after adding the stock to the pot.  I also altered the mashed potatoes by using fat free cream cheese and 2% milk in place of heavy cream.  I am eating healthier nowadays since I have lost 113 lbs (yeah me!) so I will try and "lighten" up recipes as much as possible without losing great flavor.  This recipe was still a little more tomato based than I was looking for it was very good.  I would make this again. The bread sticks were pre-made and brushed with a little garlic flavored olive oil and sprinkled with coarse kosher salt.