The Raw Food Diet vs Gluten-Free

The Raw Foods diet seems to be all the rage lately, and while it’s a seemingly healthy way of eating, I’m by no means an expert.

Which is why, when an acquaintance asked me:  “Are Raw Foods always Gluten-Free?” – I almost caught myself saying ‘yes’ before realizing that wasn’t necessarily true.

Eating Raw Foods involves sprouting grains – and those grains can be just about anything!

Which means, if you are sprouting wheat, or barley – then no, this is not a viable solution for your gluten-free diet.

It comes down to knowing which grains, or foods in general, are gluten-free in their natural state, and which are not.

I have a few cookbooks  – (really, you need a cookbook to prepare foods that don’t require cooking?) – and yes, I’ve have dabbled with a few recipes.

Ultimately, though, I like plenty of variety in my meals.

While I eat a fair amount of salads, and other foods in their raw state, I still prefer cold foods when the weather is warmer, and warming foods on colder days.

Also, if you’re going to go all out with the Raw Foods diet, it really pays to have a dehydrator.

And while I’ve been tempted, I haven’t bought one.

The reason why is simple. I already have way too much kitchen equipment and from what I’ve seen dehydrators are fairly large.

I have no idea where I’d store the thing, and I just don’t want anything else cluttering my kitchen counters.

Also, if I stop to ask myself “Do I really need it?” – the answer is no.

Yes, it’s possible to use your oven instead, and I have tried this but haven’t been all that thrilled with the results.

One other thing.

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The Joy of Comfort Food

Back in the day, girls were required to take Home Economics classes, otherwise referred to as ‘Home Ec’, for short.

These classes were devoted to learning the mysteries of both cooking and sewing, the belief being that every proper young woman must have basic knowledge in both areas.

If I remember correctly, this began in Junior High School.

And so it passed, that my first sewing project produced an apron that was to be worn regularly during subsequent cooking classes.

Still etched in my memory, is my one of my earliest cooking assignments – to prepare my very first, complete meal from scratch.

Of course, back then, my idea of the perfect meal was my childhood favorite – Tuna Casserole.

And even though my tastes have changed over the years & definitely matured – there are still times when nothing will quite satisfy like good old Tuna Casserole.

It may no longer be my all-time favorite, but for me, it’s still the ultimate comfort food.

Ah, comfort.

It’s what makes us feel good, when things are maybe not going quite as planned.

It’s the familiarity of a favorite food, a favorite chair, or a favorite book.

It’s a memory, perhaps, something that takes us back to childhood.

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