[Loial]

I think Icemage clarified it nicely. I'm not sure about food effects. I'd think +HP food would work the same as +HP gear, however I can't confirm this myself atm. I also believe that baseHP *includes* HP merits. I'll see if I can verify that.

And I do agree about being skeptical. Nothing in that recipe list is hard to acquire. I think Wild Onions and newts are the only items that originate from something other than an NPC vendor.