Do I have to give up Pizza too?! by Elizabeth Brown, MS, RD

Sqirrels Can’t live by bread alone

Since the dawn of man, pretty much, bread has been known as “the staff of life.” But for those suffering from gluten intolerance, bread may be more like “the enemy of the state” or at least feel that way from the associated digestive issues.

There are times when cutting down on bread can facilitate weight loss which would make anyone feel better. However, bread, even whole grain bread eaten in moderation, may cause major problems to the gastrointestinal (GI) tract for those gluten sensitive individuals. This GI distress can lead to further complications stemming from malabsorption of essential nutrients as well as concomitant autoimmune diseases.

Gluten-free for good! by Elizabeth Brown, MS, RD

Was it something I ate?

For much of my working life I have called in sick to work on more occasions than I care to admit. There were times I was flat on my back with a raging fever from some flu going around, but most times I was just severely nauseated. Little did I know that my “illnesses” were caused by an intolerance to some of my favorite foods. Like most people following a healthy diet, I thought that choosing more whole grain breads and pastas and adding more vegetables to my occasional slice of pizza was enough to meet my nutrient needs and keep my energy up.

As I learned more about the antioxidants in vegetables, fruits and legumes, I began to increase my diet in these foods while decreasing my intake from the grain group. But I still had a hankering for things like pizza, bread and baked goods. It took years to finally see the connection that every time I ate these foods, I got sick. For the past year I’ve been following a primarily gluten-free diet. Sometimes the rebel in me comes out and I just want some pizza. Each time I eat it though I get swollen joints and a severe feeling of nausea that knocks me out for most of the day.

Julie & Julia by Elizabeth Brown, MS, RD

Je me sens très excité! Because “Julie & Julia” is premiering this week!

In 2005, while strolling through a gardening store in the San Francisco Ferry building, I stumbled upon this enchanting story. The book caught my eye with its beautiful seafoam green cover displaying a bowl containing something white and whipped. Alongside the bowl, a wire whisk setting on its side as if the creator of the whipped substance just abandoned her task.

Under the title it reads, “365 days, 524 recipes, 1 tiny apartment.” “OK,” I thought, “I have to see how this turns out.” I have never counted the number of recipes I’ve made in a year but I doubt it could even compare to her 524. I’ve always lived in tiny apartments so I know the culinary challenges presented by small spaces.