Imagine it’s 2013 and finding out that inflammation is raging through your body and then finding out inflammation comes from various foods, especially foods made with wheat better yet from a word you’d never heard of, GLUTEN.
The internet is a great resource, but I grew up in the 80’s and the greatest source of information used to come from the library. Anything I wanted to know, I could find it in a book. Books are so tangible versus the overwhelming, ever-changing worldwide web.
Why the Library Became My Gluten-Free Best Friend
Before Google became our answer to everything, the library was the center of learning. Every question I had growing up was answered in a book. So naturally, when gluten became a concern, I went right back to my roots.
The library helped me:
Access cookbooks I didn’t want to buy yet
Understand gluten and inflammation
Learn how to cook gluten-free meals
Find affordable ways to eat safely
The First Gluten-Free Book I Borrowed
My first gluten-free book was The How Can It Be Gluten Free Cookbook.
It broke down the process in a way that made me feel hopeful again. The recipes were approachable, the instructions were clear, and the science behind gluten-free cooking helped me rebuild my confidence in the kitchen.
Why I recommend this book:
- Step-by-step gluten-free recipes
- Explains why gluten-free ingredients behave differently
- Recommends specific brands that work well
- Teaches cooking basics for beginners
You can read it through your library, check it out on Kindle, or buy your own copy for your cookbook collection.
(You can get a copy to read on Kindle or purchase for your collection on Amazon by clicking the link below.)
The How Can It Be Gluten Free Cookbook: Revolutionary Techniques. Groundbreaking Recipes.
The book is great as it not only gives you a recipe but also suggests brands for you to use. The tips for how to properly cook gluten free product is a big help as you can’t bake or use some gluten free products just like regular flour.
Even if you never really knew how to cook, How Can It Be Gluten Free Cookbook will take you step-by-step in making gluten free dishes. I don’t know how many times I have bought gluten free products but because I never made the dish I had no idea what to do with it. The lasagna in the picture above is an example of one of those dishes.
Some of the other books I found were – Gluten-Free on a Shoestring: 125 Easy Recipes for Eating Well on the Cheap, by Nicole Hunn. Gluten Free Cookbook by DK, The Anti-Inflammatory Kitchen Cookbook: More Than 100 Healing, Low-Histamine, Gluten-Free Recipes by Leslie Langevin, and One-Pot Gluten-Free Cooking: Delicious Recipes with Easy Cleanup―in 30 Minutes or Less! by Amy Rains
If You’re Starting a Gluten-Free Lifestyle…
The library may be the most underrated resource available. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, confused, or stuck eating the same meals every week, head to your local library. It’s full of gluten-free guides, cookbooks, health resources, and beginner-friendly help.
