Gluten Free For November

Both Sihing Lowery and I, along with our families, are going gluten free for November. Dennis and I decided that we would go gluten free and when I found out that Sihing Lowery was looking at doing the same, we joined forces. More fun in a group. The reason I am going gluten free is mainly to support Dennis as it's more of a trial for him, but I have a sneaking suspicion that I might just have some sensitivity as well. Good time to find out and do something about it.

At first thought of eliminating a food "group" is the fear-filled, knee-jerk reaction of "I'LL STARVE!!!!" However that's not true as one does eat more than one food group. What it does take is an open mind to explore what the possibilities are and the willingness to try them. For me this is like an exploration journey and I get to practice one of my favoritest things in the whole wide world: playing with new recipes. If the recipes make something that tastes yummy AND is good for you: SCORE!!

What I have discovered from eliminating dairy from my diet was instead of looking for foods or ingredients to replace, look for good tasting foods. That outlook really helped with modifying my diet and not starving in the mean time. From experience, cheese has no direct replacement and some of it is just down right horrid so let's take another direction. I have a feeling the same just might be true for the gluten. Some things can be easily substituted, some with imagination, and some let's just leave where they are.

Both Sihing Lowery and I have been on the hunt for recipes to replace bread and a few other things. Today I baked my first loaf of gluten free bread that uses a combination of brown rice, tapioca, and sorghum flours instead of wheat. Let me say that it's a different dough to work with!! It does not rise and stretch like wheat dough and is more wet so it took some getting used to. As for the taste: decent!! Worth baking again. Actually I have to as I have more dough but I know what to expect next time.

In my recipe hunt I have discovered a recipe for a vegan, gluten free twix cookie bar that I can tweak to make even more healthy so let's say that recipe is worth trying out. Besides, it's not a cheat if it's a healthy treat. My philosophy and I'm sticking to it. :)

As I see it, November is going to be a month of discovery not only in the kitchen, but in our bodies and minds as well as we discover what symptoms are relieved and what symptoms we discover that we didn't know were there until they are gone. Here's to the journey!

Sherri Donohue
Silent River Kung Fu, Stony Plain, Alberta