The gluten free trend under scrutiny...

I've been waiting for the gluten free trend to come under scrutiny and here it is from Today on Health: "Far more people think they have what has come to be called “nonceliac gluten sensitivity,” Corazza says. Sufferers, in whom celiac disease has been ruled out, complain of a variety of symptoms after consuming gluten, including bloating, abdominal discomfort, flatulence and headache. The problem, Corazza and Dr. Antonio Di Sabatino write in an opinion piece in the Annals of Internal Medicine, is that no one is quite sure what gluten sensitivity is. “Considerable debate about nonceliac gluten sensitivity has recently surfaced on the Internet, with a sharp increase in forums, patients or patient groups, manufacturers, and physicians advocating a gluten-free diet,” the two write. “Claims seem to increase daily, with no adequate scientific support to back them up.” check out the link for more.

I agree, there just can't be this many people with allergies to wheat. However, that doesn't mean that no one has the problem. The researchers suggest that there needs to be more double blind placebo tests, and that certainly has to happen to validate any formal research. For you and I though, it's pretty simple - just don't eat anything with wheat in it for a couple of days and see how you feel. I did it and I noticed a difference in 24 hours. I had noticeably less appetite and significantly more mental and physical energy. On the few days when I revert to wheat due to lack of planning ahead, I can feel the difference by the time I go to bed - once again hungry, headachy, slightly depressed, and way too tired. 

Since dropping wheat I've been able to finally start a regular gym routine and my days are brighter and not about food and my nights are sleep filled. I feel released or healed or liberated or something - not sure what - just better and better. So for me, while I doubt I have a gluten allergy, I believe that I am negatively impacted by wheat - so I continue on this wheatless path while I increasingly enjoy my days. What can it hurt?

I also decided to get real with the spiritual component of my weight loss and healing plan and wouldn't you know it - I made that decision on Friday, and on Sunday the service at my church was a healing service with laying on of hands and healing prayer. Funny how that works eh? 

Here's a really nice wheat free recipe you might like. 

Sweet Potato Corn Enchiladas

Ingredients

1 15-oz can organic black beans, rinsed, drained
3-4 cloves garlic, minced
Fresh lime juice from 1 big juicy lime
2 heaping cups cooked sweet potatoes, smashed a bit, but still chunky [I cube mine, then soften just a little]
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon chili powder, or curry, or any hot or mild spice that you enjoy
Sea salt and black pepper, to taste
2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro 

Get 2-4 tablespoons light olive oil or vegetable oil, as needed
8 white corn tortillas

A mix of shredded cheddar and mozzarella cheeses

Any tomato sauce that you enjoy - homemade or bought, but if bought, check the label to ensure there is no gluten or wheat

Heat the oven to 350 degree and in the meantime combine the drained black beans with minced garlic and lime juice. Toss to coat the beans and the set aside.

In a separate bowl combine the lightly smashed sweet potatoes with the spices. Season with sea salt and pepper.

Heat a skillet with a touch of oil, I prefer coconut but you can use anything you have.  Lightly cook the corn tortillas then lay the first hot tortilla in the sauced baking dish; wet it with the tomato sauce.
Spoon 1/8 of the sweet potato mixture down the center and top this with 1/8 of the black beans.
Wrap and roll the tortilla to the end of the baking dish and repeat for the remaining tortillas. Top it all with the rest of the sauce and a few chopped green onions.

Serve with sour cream, or guacamole, and a nice green salad.