Going Gluten Free

This is my 5th, 6th or 7th time attempting to oust gluten and wheat from my diet, I've lost count. It's even more difficult since I decided to go vegetarian again about a year ago. It's about the 3rd or 4th time I've gone vegetarian in my life, which has also been hard since I live in an area of the world mainly comprised of devout meat-eaters who do not understand my choices. It's much easier to go gluten free if you do eat meat though, because breads are a kind of filler in a vegetarian diet. Trying to do gluten free and vegetarian is not easy if you like the meat alternatives like Yves Veggie Ground Round and all those types of products which mostly all contain wheat gluten. I made a vegetarian chili last night omitting the veggie ground round, and to me the texture is lacking. I'm searching for meat alternatives like veggie ground round that I can use for texture instead, but without the wheat gluten. I wish Yves would make GF meat alternatives. I went to their website but found it difficult to navigate, and although they have a search option where you can click on gluten free etc., it was not in working order. When I went through all the products one by one the only things I found that were gluten free were canned goods. I wish they'd make gluten free veggie ground round and veggie dogs. I don't understand why they don't seem to have that yet. I do feel better when I stay away from breads, pastas, and anything containing wheat gluten. My digestion is better and my stomach doesn't have that bloated feeling. One of my sister's has Celiac Disease and she has to stay away from wheat gluten completely, she also has allergies and sensitivities to soy and dairy products. Although I seem to be fine with soy and dairy products; I've always felt better and healthier when I've kept pastas and breads at minimum, even before gluten sensitivities became mainstream knowledge. Spelt is supposed to be easier on digestion if you have a wheat gluten sensitivity even though it has gluten in it, and is closely related to Wheat. However, if you have Celiac Disease, it's best to steer clear of Spelt too. I'm just glad I'm not allergic to peanuts. I love peanut butter cookies and you can make them without flour which is awesome if you like peanut butter and aren't allergic to it that is.

Here's an easy recipe for Flourless Peanut Butter Cookies:

1 Cup Peanut Butter
1 Cup Sugar
1 Egg

Preheat oven to 350F/180C

Mix it all together and drop by teaspoon fulls on to cookie sheet.

Bake for approximately 8 minutes and let cool completely.
*(I find this recipe to be a bit too sweet so I use half the sugar.
You can use chunky peanut butter and even add some chocolate chips.)