I use onion powder all the time, as far as the green pepper, sometimes I substitute a red pepper or use my green or red peppers (dried) from penzseys. I also have a friend who doesn't like carrots or celery, so I saute them, then put them in the food processor then add to recipe. She swears I really don't put those in things, but suprise I really do, you just don't eat chuncks of them. good luck