Food Philosophy: Recipes and ramblings from a gluten-free naturopath

A recent study shows that 85% of the people who are currently eating a Gluten-free diet in the USA are NOT, I repeat NOT, celiacs or even gluten intolerant!!  Eating a GF diet has become the latest fad craze, kind of like Atkins, and people think that they're going to lose weight and get healthier by eating GF---WRONG!  OH, SO WRONG!!!! If your body is not impaired by celiac disease or gluten intolerance, you are doing serious nutritional damage to yourself by following a GF diet.  Of course, an occasional GF meal won't hurt anyone, but sticking to a strict GF diet is dangerous if it's not medically necessary!! There are alerts being posted by health organizations and people just don't seem to be listening.  If they really did their research they would realize that GF foods are MUCH higher in calories than non-GF foods, so there's not much chance you're going to lose any weight on a strict GF diet.  Also, the nutrients found in those whole grains are vital t

Basil, Basilica, Basilico,Basilic, Basilikum, Bazalka, Alfabrega...however you say it in whatever language you choose--it's still one of my all-time favorite herbs!!  I love to grow it myself so I can just pop into the back yard anytime and pick some fresh and use it in my cooking.  Right now, I have 3 different kinds of basil growing....Italian, Greek, and Thai....and I love them all! One of my favorite salads is a quick one that I put together one night when I was in need of food for company and my supplies were limited.  It has become a favorite---my husband would eat it every night if I'd make it :) Tomato-Bread Salad Recipe: 2 Schar Classic White rolls 2 large tomatoes, chopped (or cherry tomatoes) 1 6 oz container crumbled Feta cheese 10 fresh basil leaves, rolled and sliced Olive oil Salt and pepper, to taste Preheat the oven to 425.  Cube the rolls and put into a baking dish.  Top with olive oil and sprinkle with garlic powder.  Bake about 10 minutes or u